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in touch newsletter of the Public Health Association of Australia Inc.
Vol 17 No 5 July 2000
President’s pen
PHAA has received formal Thatcher query "Are they one of us?"). In
notification that the
Department of Health and
reality it is Government using "our" (ie
taxpayers’ monies) to ensure that
Stop Press
Aged Care is withdrawing the national debate is broad and inclusive.
grant funding that the More evidence continues to emerge that New Executive
Commonwealth Government has effective civil society is crucial for
provided to PHAA since 1987. This means functioning democracy. Yet we have a Director appointed
that we join the ranks of many other Government who will brook no debate
Pieta Laut has accepted the
non-government organisations that have and withdraws funding from public
position as Executive Director of
been de-funded by the Howard Liberal- interest groups who challenge their
the Public Health Association of
National Government including the policies. Unlike political parties who are
Australia and will commence work
Women’s Electoral Lobby and the prepared to accept funding from anti-
at PHAA on Monday 14th August.
Australian Youth Policy & Action public health interests such as tobacco
Pieta comes from the Department
Coalition. companies, NGOs will not attract or want
of Health and Aged Care and has a
private sector funding because so often
For the Association this means a drop by background in environmental and
the public interest is threatened directly
almost a third of our income. Clearly we urban planning, and health issues.
by the activities of the private sector. Let’s
will have to make some changes. Our
take the Friends of Medicare campaign
Treasurer, Peter Sainsbury, recently spent
as an example. There are so many vested
a day with Secretariat staff working on
cost-saving and revenue-generating
proposals. These will be discussed with
interests involved in this debate: the
AMA, private health insurance in this issue
companies, and the huge finance
Executive and Council members prior to President’s pen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
companies keen to manage their
decisions being made. What is important reserves, and multi-national companies A very special interest – news from . . . . . . . . . . . .2
is that we can continue with a that own and manage private hospitals. PHAA’s special interest groups
functioning and effective national Food & Nutrition
These players have significant financial
secretariat. That this is the case is a interests at stake – a shift away from Executive nominations & elections . . . . . . . . . . . .2
tribute to the forethought of previous Medicare equals more income and more Joint action on GM foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
PHAA Executives and Executive Directors profits. The voices in favour of Medicare Epidemiology’s deep end – . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
who ensured that the Association owns are extremely weak by comparison. Even Legionnaires’ disease at the
real estate, has a fee structure to support the ALP has announced that, although it Melbourne Aquarium
independence and a series of activities recognises it is bad policy, it will not Branch news – Tasmania’s Smoke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
that raise money. Most recently Lynne repeal the 30% rebate or lifetime health Free Cards popular
Flemming as Executive Director foresaw cover if elected (so please all PHAA Polio Free 2000 – now it’s time to act . . . . . . . .7
this possibility and ensured that the members lobby your local ALP member
Elected office bearers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Executive had done plenty of thinking or candidate about this). Of course the
and planning. John Howard says sorry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
withdrawal of our funding gives us less
money to defend Medicare but it does New look intouch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
What saddens me is that the withdrawal
of our grant and that of so many other gives us a freedom to speak out more People’s Health Assembly 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
NGOs by the Howard Government stridently in favour universal public For readers with an interest in ................... 11
signals an intolerance of difference from health insurance. public health nutrition
that Government. They see grants to So the times ahead will not be easy for Food composition tables produced . . . . . . . . . . . .11
NGOs in terms of "us" paying "them" to PHAA. But at least we know we are an by ANZFA
criticise "us" (with echos of the famous Association whose opinion continued page 2 What’s on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
The Public Health Association of Australia is the major organisation for public health practitioners in Australia with more than 40
health related disciplines represented in its membership. The Association makes a major contribution to health policy in Australia
and has branches in every state and territory. Any person who supports the objectives of the Association is invited to join.
continued from page 1 from the group will be circulated with thanks to Joseph O’Reilly who has been
the next intouch and meetings will be our Interim Executive Director. He took
can’t be bought. What we need now are held in each state before November to over this position at extremely short
innovative ideas for income raising and discuss the proposal. We hope that a notice. He has now left to travel overseas
I’d urge you to email any ideas you have proposal for change to the constitution to continue with his human rights work.
to our Treasurer Peter Sainsbury. and governance of the Association will He will be visiting Africa and New York
be brought to the AGM to be held in and then working in Haiti for a year. I
Over the coming months the Executive
Canberra in November. The Consultant’s hope he will send us despatches from
and Council will be working to develop a
report that was commissioned earlier in there. In his months at PHAA he has done
new constitution for the Association. In
the year is useful background to this a fine job of co-ordinating the work of
doing this they will be advised by the
review and is to be found in the the Association and I would like to thank
Governance Review established at the
members only section of our Web Page
last Council meeting. This review team him sincerely on behalf of the
together with the results of a planning
consisting of Tony Adams, Judith Dwyer, Association and to wish him all the best
day the Executive held in April this year.
Stephen Duckett, D’Arcy Holman and for the challenges he will certainly face in
myself met on 12 July. A draft proposal Finally, I would like to offer considerable his next endeavour.
A very special Fax: (08) 9193 1378 or
email: robyn.bowcock@health. wa.gov.au.
contact Trish Carter on
carter.patricia@dhs.sa.gov.au or
interest – news Other members are sharing
responsibilities until the AGM, when a
Ph: (08) 8226 6329
from PHAA's new convenor will be elected. FANSIG
c) planning for a workshop in
conjunction with the 2000 conference.
special interest aims to have a representative from each
state on its committee and is pleased to Patricia Carter for FANSIG
groups welcome Louise Broomhead as the ACT
representative, replacing Michelle Fraser
who has recently had a baby.
Food and Nutrition
Julie Woods has recently resigned as
Recent and planned FANSIG activities Journal Editor –
include:
FANSIG convenor and from her position
working with the Food Legislation and a) a workshop on the public health
expressions of
Regulation Advisory Group. The FANSIG
executive would like to acknowledge the
nutrition infrastructure and workforce
which was held in conjunction with the
interest sought
important contribution Julie has made Dietitians Association national The appointment of Associate
over recent years to the SIG and to PHAA. conference in Canberra in May Professor John Lowe to the
Robyn Bowcock has taken on the role of b) reviewing PHAA's food and health University of Iowa has resulted in
FANSIG contact person and can be policy. Members' suggestions on the his resignation as editor of the
reached at the Kimberley Public Health policy's scope and content are invited - Australian and New Zealand Journal
Unit on Ph: (08) 9191 1144; of Public Health.
The Journal, which is published six
Executive nominations & elections times per year, requires an Editor.
Appointed by the Public Health
The following nominations were received will be declared elected at the Association of Australia’s Council,
by the Returning Officer for the election Association’s AGM. the Editor will be responsible for
of PHAA Executive Office Bearers. maintaining and growing the
Where two or more candidates have
Journal as an essential medium for
President – Dr Peter Sainsbury nominated an election will occur.
the communication of public health
Vice President Policy – Helen Keleher, Candidate statements for all nominees research and policy.
Magie Nial and ballot papers for contested positions
Expressions of Interest which
Vice President Development – Marilyn will be distributed to members of the
address the selection criteria are
Hatton, Terry Slevin Association in the September edition of
therefore sought.
intouch.
Secretary – Romaine Rutnam
An information pack can be
In respect to a position with no nominee
Treasurer – Vacant obtained by contacting the PHAA
that position will be filled at the
Where only one candidate has Secretariat on 02 6285 2373.
Association’s Annual General Meeting in
nominated for a position that candidate a manner determined by the meeting.
2
Joint action on GM foods
Media release sent out on July 6 by the AMA, ACA and the PHAA
Australia’s peak medical known allergen or toxin
(AMA), public health was used in the
Australian Research Centre in Sex,
(PHAA) and consumer production of the food.
Health & Society
(ACA) bodies joined This is not discussed in
forces to write jointly to PM’s proposal for a 1%
the Prime Minister and threshold and we believe
SHORT COURSE 2000
Premiers about their such warnings must
concerns on the proposals for the form an explicit part of the GM Foods
RESEARCH DESIGN
labelling of Genetically Modified Labelling regime." IN QUALITATIVE
Foods.
"We strongly urge that Governments
"The Prime Minister’s proposal is not
the kind of labelling which consumers
SOCIAL INQUIRY
reconsider the proposal on labelling will find transparent or helpful" said Dates: 25 – 29 September 2000
which we believe is currently not a Louise Sylvan, Chief Executive of the Venue: La Trobe University
satisfactory response to Australian Consumers’ 1st floor, 215 Franklin St
the overwhelming Association "and it will Melbourne Vic 3000
demand of consumers not serve to enable
for comprehensive,
ACA them to exercise This five-day short course focuses on
Australian Consumers’ Association informed choice in the the principles and practices of designing
transparent and truthful
marketplace. We social and behavioural research,
labelling" said Dr. Karen
estimate that the great particularly using qualitative
Phelps, Federal President
methodology.
of the Australian Medical majority of processed
Association. "Any loopholes - such as foods will not be labelled under this Areas covered include: research question
those exemptions proposed by the proposal. " clarification, research design processes,
Prime Minister for highly refined qualitative and quantitative
"Nor will consumers be able to make
ingredients and for all genetically methodologies, research project
GM choices when they are dining out
modified ingredients under a planning and management and
or buying takeaway foods since foods
concentration of 1% in the final food - dissemination of research findings.
prepared at the point of sale are also
could provide companies proposed to be exempt The course involves presentations by
with opportunities to from labelling staff of the Centre and workshops
misinform the public requirements." where participants design projects
about their product." suitable for their organisational settings
"It is our considered view
"Consumers in a free and needs.
that the proposals the
market have the right to Prime Minister has put Teaching will be at a postgraduate level,
choose whether or not are much weaker than and participants are expected to have a
to consume GM foods or foods derived those originally envisaged by the degree in a related field or significant
from GM sources and to protect their Health Ministers. We would welcome relevant work experience.
health through such choices" said the a reinvigoration of the labelling Registration fee: AUD$1320.00*
President of the Public Health proposals to ensure that consumers including all course materials, lunch and
Association of Australia, Dr. Fran are given clear choices and are not morning and afternoon tea.
Baum. "Labelling has been very misled" said the peak associations. Registration will be limited to 30 people.
effective in assisting consumers to
The AMA, ACA and PHAA strongly *Fee inclusive of GST.
make healthier food choices. And
advocate for full labelling and a For further information contact:
many consumers will require
precautionary approach at this stage
comprehensive GM labelling to Tel: +61 3 9285 5382
to GM crops.
protect their health. For example, any
GM food product which contains a For further information visit the Fax: +61 3 9285 5220
known allergen or toxin, in any form, following websites: Email: arcshs@latrobe.edu.au
must include labelling which
AMA – www.ama.com.au
distinguishes the product as
genetically modified and also provides ACA – wwwchoice.com.au
a clear warning statement that a
PHAA – www.phaa.net.au
3
Epidemiology’s deep end
Legionnaires’ disease at the Melbourne Aquarium
In March every year for the past which might be linked to the
decade, a new cohort of scholars Aquarium was released by the
have begun Masters’ degrees in media. A core outbreak team
Applied Epidemiology (MAE) at was formed, with many more
the National Centre for staff assisting over the next
Epidemiology and Population few weeks, mainly taking calls
Health (NCEPH), Australian on the hotline (about 7000
National University. The MAE calls in total!). On Friday
scholars are supervised jointly evening it was evident that
by supervisors at field locations numbers of infected people
around Australia and staff at could be large, and we
NCEPH. The work of these requested the support of
students contributes to the another MAE student. Janet Li
disease control efforts of the arrived from Canberra on
notified in the last 24 hours had all
Communicable Disease Network. This Saturday afternoon, and stayed for two
visited the Aquarium during the 10 days
program of epidemiology and public busy weeks in Melbourne, leaving only
before onset of their illness. The
health in action has substantial support when further work could be done from
possibility of a link necessitated an
from the Commonwealth Department Canberra.
inspection, to sample and disinfect all
of Health and Aged Care.
possible sources of Legionella. Common As "the new MAE" I was included in the
After an intensive four-week orientation sources are air-conditioning cooling outbreak team, taking on the role of
period at NCEPH, the scholars depart for towers, but in this case an inspection of data manager, a great opportunity. Over
their field assignments. This year, two all aquarium tanks and displays for the course of the outbreak virtually all
new MAE students were thrown in at possible aerosols would be necessary. information passed through my hands
the deep end – at the Melbourne We walked the short distance from our sooner or later. I provided the latest
Aquarium outbreak. Their reports follow. office to the Aquarium, arriving late figures for release to the media.
morning.
Charles Guest The cooling towers were found to
Largely in the role of observer, the contain Legionella, and later tests
Jane Greig writes: responses of the Aquarium revealed that they had been disinfected
management interested me. While on the day of the site visit. It was
I applied for the MAE to
surprised at the news and initially expected that no cases would surface
experience "shoe leather
unaware of the possible magnitude of much more than 10 days after
epidemiology". I did not
the problem (I think perhaps we all disinfection of the source, allowing a
expect to be involved in
were!), the Aquarium staff were very few days for presentation after
Australia’s largest detected outbreak
cooperative. Whilst at the Aquarium, the symptoms start. The fact that the link
of Legionnaires’ disease less than three
outbreak team leader Graham Tallis was so quickly established (within 24
weeks after my arrival in Melbourne!
telephoned us with information that hours of the first notification) almost
On the morning of Thursday 27 April another case had also visited the certainly resulted in faster diagnosis for
2000 I sat in the office of my field Aquarium - now four cases had visited in many, quite possibly saving lives (sadly
supervisor, Dr John Carnie (head of the a two-day period in the school holidays, two visitors to the Aquarium died). The
Communicable Diseases Section (CDS) and all were very ill.
relatively recent use of the urinary
of the Victorian Department of Human
Before we left the Aquarium an urgent Legionella antigen test probably resulted
Services), discussing what projects I
meeting between Public Health Division in far more cases being diagnosed than
might undertake to meet the
and Aquarium management had been would have occurred in the past.
requirements of my MAE degree and
arranged, as had immediate Certainly a vast number of tests were
make a useful contribution to the
precautionary treatment of the cooling performed, more than 7000 in total,
section. He asked me to join a site visit
towers. A press conference was called with more on one day than in the entire
to the Melbourne Aquarium with some
for mid-afternoon, and a hotline set up of last year. We in CDS were tired and
of the Environmental Health staff.
for calls from the public that would working long draining days, and the
That morning it had been determined inevitably flood in after the information same was true of the staff at Victorian
that three cases of Legionnaires’ disease about the possibility of an outbreak Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory.
4
I was glad there had been a long particular characteristics. The outbreak a cooling tower works, but I had to
weekend before this started, as I did not team was also very busy with data entry understand quickly, so that our
get another day off for quite some time! and information retrieval for media questionnaire would make sense.
release. Most staff worked from nine to Besides, the environmental sampling
Things have quietened down now, with
ten hours per day, for at least ten was crucial supporting evidence for the
the only "new" cases a result of
consecutive days in the acute phase of epidemiological investigation.
serological diagnosis. I am heavily
this outbreak.
involved in a case-control study, to Thirdly, there seems to be a need for
determine how the outbreak happened. Apart from the field experience that I guidelines for national outbreaks. In
had from this outbreak, it also made me this outbreak, there were a number of
Janet Li adds: think deeply about several issues. First, interstate and international cases, yet
On the night of 28 May, I got the authority of a health department to access to this information took time.
an urgent call from the MAE access patients’ hospital information There is currently no guarantee of
director. It was an emergency during an outbreak situation. In some participation from other state health
request for me to go to situations, hospital staff were reluctant authorities. Moreover, different state
Victoria to join the outbreak to release patient information over the health authorities have different
investigation. After I hung up the telephone. The ward staff had to consult database systems; the merging of
phone, I started packing my luggage — senior floor supervisors and sometimes databases further compounds the
with lots of epidemiology books — then in-charge physicians before they could management of an investigation. A
I told myself to have a good sleep. The release the information. As a national outbreak is
next morning, I got an early flight to result, the information uncommon in
join the investigation team in Victoria. update of patients’ progress Australia, yet
and health status was management
What I saw in the unit of infectious
delayed. This delay added to guidelines could save
disease control in Victoria was straight
the work of the investigation time and resources
from the field epidemiology textbook.
team. How can we better during investigation of
In the Hotline room, there were about
both protect the a major epidemic.
10 volunteers receiving non-stop calls
confidentiality of patient information,
asking for information related to the The last lesson for me is to make a
yet obtain rapid access to it as needed
outbreak. Any suspected cases from the checklist for the next investigation trip,
during an outbreak?
hotline were passed to the core and to always check the weather of the
outbreak team. The experienced public Secondly, the input of the destination before packing. Avoid being
health nurses then followed up the environmental health team is critical to in the right place with the wrong
suspected cases and started phone the epidemiological investigation. clothes!
interviews right away to establish any Before this outbreak, I had no idea how
Branch news
Tasmania’s Smoke Free Cards popular: 30,000 distributed
An initiative which actively encourages Already 20,000 of the cards have been
patrons of restaurants, hotels and bars distributed through pharmacies since
to compliment or criticise management their release in July last year, and a
for their efforts in providing a smoke- third print run of 10,000 cards has just
free environment has proved to be been delivered to pharmacies.
popular in Tasmania. The further supplies of the cards will be
This joint project of the Tasmanian available free from pharmacies and
branches of the Public Health other outlets throughout the State
Association of Australia (PHAA) and the during Quit Week, which is being held
from 29 May until the 2 June.
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia To compliment management for
(PSA) has resulted in a specially- providing a smoke-free environment, "We have been very pleased with the
produced Smoke Free Card being the Smoke Free cards have a ‘Thank response from the public", says Mr
available from 150 pharmacies you’ box which patrons can tick on the Kevin Morgan of the Tasmanian Branch
throughout the State. The cards are card they leave. They also have a ‘What of the Pharmaceutical Society. "It
supported by Pharmacia & Upjohn, a Pity’ box to tick if their lunch or demonstrates that many Tasmanians
manufacturers of Nicorette. dinner was spoilt by cigarette smoke. share our concerns that continued page 6
5
continued from page 5
environmental tobacco smoke causes
health problems. They want to do
FLINDERS something about it".
UNIVERSITY
ADELAIDE
AUSTRALIA "The cards are a very tangible way that
patrons can express their views", he
Healthy Cities and Communities Short Course said. "30,000 quiet voices amount to
Flinders University, Adelaide quite a roar".
PHAA State President Mr Dave Abbott
Monday August 28 to Friday September 1, 2000
said the Smoke Free Cards were
This course is run through the Department of Public Health at Flinders
University, Adelaide in conjunction with the Noarlunga Healthy Cities Project necessary because Tasmania had fallen
and the SA Community Health Research Unit. Professor Fran Baum leads the behind other States and Territories in
teaching staff. Topics covered include: regulating smoking in public places.
• Healthy Settings • Local Government and • Managing Change
Approach to Health Health Promotion • Site Visit to Noarlunga "Already comprehensive restrictions on
Promotion • Planning and Needs Healthy Cities smoking in public places have been
• Community Assessment for Health • Evaluation Health introduced in the Australian Capital
Participation Promotion Services and Health Territory, Western Australia and South
• Collaboration Across • Project Implementation Promotion
Sectors Australia, and the governments of
For further information please contact: Victoria and New South Wales have
Helen Scherer Venue: Kelly Morris Room committed themselves to doing the
Department of Public Health Flinders University Campus same", he said.
GPO Box 2100 ADELAIDE
Flinders University The initial fears that the introduction
BEDFORD PARK SA 5042 Cost: $825 GST inclusive
of smoking restrictions would lead to a
Phone: (08) 8204 4698 Fax: (08) 8204 5693 International: +61 8 loss of custom appear to have been
E-mail: public.health@flinders.edu.au
Web Address: http://som.flinders.edu.au/FUSA/PublicHealth/index.html unfounded. Introduction of smoke-free
To confirm a place, please mail, fax or email with a $50 deposit to Helen by-laws (ordinances) regulating bars
Scherer at the above address by 18th August 2000. and restaurants in United States has
not led to a loss of revenue.
"In Tasmania, 20 per cent of people
Qualitative Methods Public Health Research surveyed say they would eat out more
Short Course if eating places were smoke-free", Mr
Department of Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide Abbott said. "Smokers also support
Monday 16 to Friday 20 October 2000 controls on smoking in restaurants and
bars. In a recent Tasmanian survey, 96.5
This course provides: The course includes: per cent of smokers interviewed said
• a broad overview of • Theoretical aspects of qualitative research
qualitative research they supported smoke-free dining
• Concepts of reliability and validity in
methods and qualitative research rooms".
• equips you with basic • Methods of sampling
skills in the application For further comment, please contact:
of these methods in • Conducting action research
Kevin Morgan Ph (03) 6223 5203
public health research • Data Analysis
and evaluation • Report writing for qualitative research Leigh Blizzard Ph (03) 6226 7719
The Course Facilitator is Dr. John Coveney and Lecturer is Dr Christine
Putland both from the Department of Public Health, Flinders University. Background
Cost: $825 Includes course materials, morning/afternoon tea The dangers associated with
Venue: Kelly Morris Room, Flinders University ADELAIDE environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) are
Contact: Helen Scherer, Department of Public Health GPO Box 2100 well documented. There is no "safe"
Flinders University, Bedford Park SA 5042 level of exposure, and that the data
Phone 08 8204 4698, Fax 08 8204 5693
E-mail: helen.scherer@flinders.edu.au suggest a sizeable effect from even
low-level exposure.
This course is also the equivalent of 6 units of post-graduate credit at Flinders
University. Participants who require credit toward a post-graduate award must A summary is available at
attend the 5 days of the course and also satisfactorily complete the specified http://www.smoke-
assessment. Participants who wish to secure credit at a University other than
Flinders must do so through the University concerned. free.ca/SL/Secondhandsmoke.PDF.
6
Elected Office Bearers NSW Stephanie Short – ph (02) 9385 2592
email: S.Short@unsw.edu.au
Child Health Peter Baghurst – ph (08) 8339 4192
email: baghurstp@wch.sa.gov.au
Environmental Anne Neller – ph (07) 5430 2839
National executive NT Rowena Ivers – ph (08) 8922 8196
Health email: aneller@usc.edu.au
President email: rowena@menzies.su.edu.au
Food & Nutrition Vacant
Fran Baum – email: fran.baum@flinders.edu.au QLD John O’Brien – ph (07) 3239 0976
Health Promotion Vacant
Secretary
email: john_o’brien@health.qld.gov.au
Jane Freemantle – email: janef@ichr.uwa.edu.au Health of People Seeta Durvasula – ph (02) 9807 7062
SA Judy Carman – ph (08) 8374 0970 with Disabilities email: seetad@med.usyd.edu.au
Treasurer
Peter Sainsbury – email: sainsburyp@phu.rpa.cs.nsw.gov.au email: Judy.Carman@nisu.flinders.edu.au Injury Prevention Fran McFadzen – ph (07) 4920 6980
Editor, ANZJPH TAS Dave Abbott – ph (03) 6233 8564 email: fran_mcfadzen@health.qld.gov.au
John Lowe – email: j.lowe@mailbox.uq.edu.au email: dave.abbott@dchs.tas.gov.au International Vacant
Health
SIG Convenors’ representative VIC Anthony Smith – ph (03) 9285 5304
Mental Health Janis Shaw – ph (02) 6244 1120
Fran McFadzen – email: fran_mcfadzen@health.qld.gov.au email: anthony.smith@latrobe.edu.au email: janis.shaw@aihw.gov.au
Branch Presidents’ representative VIC Linda Beilharz – ph (03) 5446 7744 Oral Health Leonie Short – ph (07) 3864 3810
Anthony Smith – email: anthony.smith@latrobe.edu.au email: l.short@qut.edu.au
Bendigo email: beilharz@hitech.net.au
Policy Convenor
WA Terry Slevin – ph (08) 9381 4515 Political Economy George Preston – ph (02) 6242 1996
Helen Keleher – email: H.Keleher@bendigo.latrobe.edu.au of Health email: george@prometheus.com.au
email: terry@cancerwa.asn.au
Rural Health Alison Miles – ph (02) 6257 7356
Branch presidents SIG convenors email: alison@ruralhealth.org.au
ACT Charles Guest – ph (02) 6249 3503 Aboriginal Tania McInnes – ph (08) 8932 6756 Women’s Health Angela Taft – ph (03) 9819 5350
email: charles.guest@nceph.anu.edu.au Health email: tmcinnes@bigpond.com.au email: ataft@latrobe.edu.au
Polio Free 2000 – Now it’s time to act
Australia and the rest of the World Aged Care, the Australian Paediatric (inactivated polio vaccine-IPV) 18 month-
Health Organization’s Western Pacific Surveillance Unit (APSU) and the old boy. The strain of poliovirus type 1
Region (WPRO) are moving rapidly Victorian Infectious Disease Reference isolated from the boy was identical to
towards the certification of polio Laboratory (VIDRL), has been in place that used for manufacturing of IPV in the
eradication by the end of this year. With since 1995. More than 85% of Australian facility where his father worked.
the commitment of countries in the children are immunised against
Three years have passed since the last
region and technical support from WPRO poliovirus. In addition, we already have a
reported case of wild poliovirus in the
certification for polio free status is now contingency plan in place should we
WHO Western Pacific Region (WPRO). The
achievable. have to deal with imported wild
only known source of the wild poliovirus
poliovirus.
The certification of polio eradication not now is within the region’s laboratories.
only requires the absence of circulating Laboratory containment of wild These laboratories may store poliovirus
wild poliovirus in the presence of high poliovirus is a measure to prevent the infectious or potentially infectious
quality acute flaccid paralysis reintroduction of wild virus from the materials. Each country in the region has
surveillance, but also requires measures laboratory into the community. At the been asked to implement the laboratory
to prevent the reintroduction of the wild containment of wild poliovirus and
virus into the community. These include submit the national inventory to WPRO
evidence of high polio vaccine coverage, to form part of the regional and global
the contingency plan to address inventory.
imported wild poliovirus and, most
Australia has made a significant progress
importantly, the implementation of
in the containment of poliovirus. Early
laboratory containment wild poliovirus.
From left: Mrs Margery Kennett, Ms Nittita Prasopa-
this year, the Poliovirus Containment
Laboratory containment is a pre-requisite Plaizier and Dr Heath Kelly Project at VIDRL has been established to
for the certification of polio eradication. coordinate the implementation of
time when natural circulation of wild
In Australia this is the only task that laboratory containment. The Project is
poliovirus has stopped, laboratory
remains to be done to meet the WHO funded by the Commonwealth
sources of poliovirus will still pose a
requirement. We have sufficient evidence Department of Health and Aged Care
formidable threat, unless the virus is
to prove the absence of circulating wild (DHAC) and reports to the National
properly destroyed or contained. An
poliovirus. We have not seen a polio case Advisory Committee on Poliovirus
article by Mulders et al (1997)
caused by wild poliovirus since 1974. An Containment (NAC). The NAC’s role is to
demonstrates that the need for
active surveillance system for acute facilitate and oversee the project as well
containment is more than just a
flaccid paralysis (AFP), a partnership of as to liaise with the National Polio
"theoretical risk". This article reports that
the National Centre for Disease Control Certification Committee. Representatives
a strain of wild poliovirus type 1 was
(NCDC) at Department of Health and for each state have
isolated from a fully immunised continued page 8
7
continued from page 7 identified. The national search still
FOUNDATION FOR continues.
also been identified and the
HIGH BLOOD appointments are being formalised. The national laboratory survey will be
PRESSURE RESEARCH used to identify laboratories and
The Project held a workshop on March 24
organisations which should be included
2001 POSTDOCTORAL to assist the development of the national
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP the National Plan. The survey is now well
plan of action for containment. The
workshop was attended by prominent underway. Achieving 100% response rate
The Foundation for High Blood
scientists from most states. According to from laboratories and organisations is
Pressure Research was established
following the 15th scientific meeting of a WHO Technical Officer responsible for the ultimate goal if the poliovirus
the International Society of containment, the workshop minutes containment is to succeed. Complacency
Hypertension in Melbourne in 1994, to and low awareness among laboratories
were circulated among participants at
support research into hypertension and
the global planning meeting for are among the hardest obstacles to
associated cardiovascular diseases.
implementation of containment held in overcome.
The Foundation Fellowship
Atlanta in early April. The Australian The Australian model for containment
The Foundation is offering a three-year
model for containment was reported to has already been seen on a global scene.
postdoctoral fellowship for a research
project at an Australian institution. provide many good ideas for the
Our approach to containment will be
Applications from biomedical, clinical preparation of the global plan. The US
used as a model by other countries. We
and public health researchers are task force on polio containment also
invited. now have the opportunity to
endorses our idea of state representatives
demonstrate that all Australian
Applications are open to Australian and will duplicate the approach in its
laboratories have been properly identified
citizens or permanent residents. containment plan.
and all have implemented the WHO
It is expected that the successful The Australian National Plan for containment procedures.
applicant will have had at least five
years' postdoctoral experience. The Poliovirus Containment consists of two
To-date we have the national plan for
fellowship provides a salary and modest main tasks that must be completed: a
poliovirus containment in place. We have
project maintenance costs. national list of laboratories and
the commitment of the government and
Application Procedures organisations that may store poliovirus
the National Advisory Committee. Much
For further information (including infectious or potentially infectious
of the ground work has been done. It is
application procedures), please contact: materials and the national inventory of
these materials. now depends on the laboratories and the
Professor Warwick Anderson organisations to demonstrate their
Honorary Secretary
A national list which includes all contribution towards Australia’s polio
Foundation for High Blood Pressure
Research identified diagnostic, biological, free status. Now it’s time to act. Let’s
Department of Physiology environmental, research and reference
PO Box 13F, Monash University make it happen.
laboratories as well as organisations such
Victoria 3800, Australia
as universities and hospitals has been Ms Nittita Prasopa-Plaizier
Phone: + 61 3 9905 2555
Fax: + 61 3 9905 2566 created. Many individuals and Mrs Margery Kennett
E-mail: fhbpr@med.monash.edu.au organisations have contributed to the Dr Heath Kelly
preparation of the list. To-date over 1,700 Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference
Applications close on Friday,
1 September 2000 laboratories and organisations have been Laboratory
John Howard says sorry—Apology made by John Howard
on Monday 4 July on national television
"Good evening. My name is John intensely proud of what it has achieved to Australia. We are one of the few
Howard and I'm speaking to you from in the past 200 years. countries on earth with our own sky. We
Sydney, Australia, host city of the year are a fabric woven of many colours and
We are a vibrant and resourceful people.
2000 Olympic Games. We share a freedom born in the it is this that gives us our strength.
At this important time, and in an abundance of nature, the richness of the However, these achievements have come
atmosphere of international goodwill earth, the bounty of the sea. We are the at great cost. We have been here for 200
and national pride, we here in Australia world's biggest island. We have the years but before that, there was a people
world's longest coastline. We have more
— all of us — would like to make a living here. For 40,000 years they lived
animal species than any other country.
statement before all nations. Australia, in a perfect balance with the land. There
like many countries in the new world, is Two-thirds of the world's birds are native were many Aboriginal nations, just as
8
New look intouch
Welcome to your new look intouch.
When we ran out of our much loved pre-printed intouch shells we seized the
opportunity to redesign the Association’s newsletter. We hope you like some of the
changes. Please tell us what catches your eye and what doesn’t.
Above all it’s your newsletter and we invite you to submit articles and material
which you think other members of the Association might be interested in.
there were many Indian Nations in
North America and across Canada, as
there were many Maori tribes in New
Zealand and Incan and Mayan peoples
in South America. These indigenous
Australians lived in areas as different
from one another as Scotland is from
Ethiopia. They lived in an area the size
of Western Europe. They did not even
have a common language. Yet they had
their own laws, their own beliefs, their
own ways of understanding.
We destroyed this world. We often did
not mean to do it. Our forebears,
fighting to establish themselves in what
they saw as a harsh environment, were
creating a national economy. But the
Aboriginal world was decimated. A
pattern of disease and dispossession
was established. Alcohol was
introduced. Social and racial differences
were allowed to become fault lines.
Aboriginal families were broken up.
Sadly, Aboriginal health and education
are responsibilities we have still yet to
address successfully.
I speak for all Australians in expressing a
profound sorrow to the Aboriginal
people. I am sorry. We are sorry. Let the
world know and understand, that it is
with sorrow that we as a nation will
grow and seek a better, a fairer and a
wiser future. Thank you."
John Howard, the actor, spoke to the
nation on ABC TV's The Games — we
wish it had been another John Howard.
Congratulations to John Clarke who
moved much of the nation.
9
People’s Health Assembly 2000
be made to regain the imperative that follow-up Forum;
health, and health for all, is one of the • Post-Assembly Activities which
most important goals for everyone to involves continued advocacy and
strive for and a process that everyone follow-up meetings.
must be a part of. Health and equitable
At this point of the PHA process, we wish
development will be put forward as tip
to encourage you to get involved in the
priorities in local, national and
PRE-ASSEMBLY ACTIVITIES. Pre-Assembly
international policy-making.
activities are ways that people can
The PHA project is a long-term process, actively participate and input into a
which is organised in a way that seeks to people's agenda for health. So join us
involve as many people as possible from now in this challenge to put together a
all corners of the world and from all collective agenda for health and have our
kinds of communities and backgrounds. voices heard in a worldwide effort to
The PHA process will have three over- improve the current health situation as
lapping and interlinked phases: well as point the direction for strategic
and concrete action plans.
• Pre-Assembly Activities which include
analytical work, You can do this by organising meetings,
The People's Health Assembly is a broad,
local/national/regional meetings and producing stories and case studies and
new initiative that seeks to involve a
the collection of stories and case- contributing to the analytical work and
large number of people in formulating
studies; the formulation of the People's Charter
their own health agenda and setting
• The Assembly Event which will be for Health.
their own priorities. People's rich
experiences will be presented, discussed held in Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Savar, For more information contact Mary
and translated into clear, practical and Bangladesh between 4-8 December Murray: Telephone (02) 6231 7746 or
democratic policy guidelines. Efforts will 2000 immediately followed by a email: memhmn@ozemail.com.au
THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY NATIONAL CENTRE
FOR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND POPULATION HEALTH
SENIOR FELLOW/FELLOW/RESEARCH FELLOW EPIDEMIOLOGIST (LEVEL D/C/B)
Standard Appointment
Applications are sought from suitably qualified women Salary: Senior Fellow (Level D) $71,118 - $78,148 p.a.
and men for appointment to two or more positions as Research Fellow (Level B) $48,858 - 57,645 p.a.
Senior Fellow/ Fellow/ Research Fellow at the National
Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health. Fellow (Level C) $59,401 - $68,190 p.a.
The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Enquiries: Professor R M Douglas, NCEPH, Telephone
Health is a multidisciplinary research centre encompassing (02) 6249-4578, Email Director.nceph@anu.edu.au
epidemiology, biostatistics, health economics, Contact: Further particulars, including the selection
sociology/anthropology and demography. The successful criteria, must be obtained before applying from the Staffing
applicants will be qualified epidemiologists, with Officer, NCEPH, Telephone (61-2) 6249 0713, Email:
experience and expertise in one or more of the following, Virginia.Riddle@anu.edu.au.
field epidemiology, nutrition or food safety, environmental Closing date: 11 August 2000 Ref.: NCEPH 12.7.1
health, communicable disease or Indigenous health. In
Information on how to apply may be obtained from the
addition to their own research interests, the successful
ANU Web page – http://www.anu.edu.au/hr/jobs or by
candidates will be expected to contribute to one or more
telephoning/emailing the contact. All applications should
of the Centre’s postgraduate education programs.
be addressed to the Staffing Recruitment Officer, Chancelry
Appointment: Appointment will be to standard positions. 2A, The Australian National University, ACT 0200.
10
4th Australian Women's
Health Conference – Opinion Survey
Politics, Action and D!SSENT magazine provides thoughtful
Renewal and critical discussion of public affairs, Food composition
including social and economic policy,
Adelaide Convention Centre, South education, science and the environment, tables produced
cultural matters, media and the arts.
Australia, 19–21 February 2001
The Australian Women's Health Network D!SSENT is edited by Kenneth Davidson by ANZFA
invites you to attend this exciting and Lesley Vick. It is published three times
a year on subscription ($22) and on sale The Australia New Zealand Food
conference. The conference will aim to
nationally through newsagents (distributed Authority’s Food Composition
continue the development of action for
by Gordon and Gotch) and major Program has, over the last two
women's health in Australia and to bookshops (cover price $7.70). decades, commissioned a series of
refresh and reactivate the National
The Autumn/Winter issue is on sale food analytical programs to
Women's Health Policy. We will focus on currently and includes articles on how to
and respond to the politics of women's determine the nutrient composition
deal with the banks, gambling, economic
health work and be informed about the reforms, the public service, heritage of a wide range of Australian foods.
status of women's health both nationally protection, public transport, science The results from these programs
and internationally. We will ask how we funding, and industrial relations. have been published in a number of
can strengthen the relationship between Contact D!SSENT at formats, including the books
research, knowledge and practice and PO Box 26 Nutritional Values of Australian Foods
how we can support creative responses Deakin west
ACT 2600 and Food for Health: A Guide to Good
to women's health in practice. The Tel/fax 02 6260 4213 Nutrition. These are used by
conference will emphasise an inclusive email: dissent@iaa.com.au dietitians, doctors and other health
and participatory approach.
workers, researchers, educators and
http://www.awhn.org.au
Contact Festival City Conventions PHAA welcomes anyone in the community concerned
about their food intake.
PO Box 949 Kent Town SA 5071
its new members ANZFA is now looking to revise these
New South Wales two publications and to release new
Ms Julie Edwards, NSW editions. We are conducting a survey
"For readers with an Ms Pippa Burns, NSW
Mr Nicholas Prince, NSW
to obtain your opinion on how we
might make these publications more
interest in public Ms Joan Burns, NSW useful, practical and tailored to your
Colgate-Palmolive, NSW
health nutrition" Miss Lisa Allchin, NSW
specific requirements. The survey
also seeks your general comments
Mrs Elizabeth Ford-Conroy, NSW
FOODChain, the quarterly official regarding some of our other
Ms Camille Raynes–Greenow, NSW
newsletter of SIGNAL, the Ms Marta Munoz, NSW products including the nutrient
Commonwealth Department of Health composition databases NUTTAB95,
Victoria
& Aged Care's Strategic Inter- the Supplement to NUTTAB95, and
Ms Genevieve Nolan, Breastscreen VIC
Governmental Nutrition Alliance, is AUSNUT.
Ms Fran O’Toole, VIC
now available for viewing and Dr Kathleen Hayes, VIC You are invited to view the Survey
downloading via Adobe Acrobat on Mrs Margaret Gear, VIC Form on the ANZFA website
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/nphp/signal Miss Fiona Dickson, vic
www.anzfa.gov.au and, to complete
/fdchain.htm. Ms Sharyn Turney, VIC
it online at the website, or to
Dr Jenny Proimos, VIC
The newsletter's primary focus is download and return it to ANZFA by
Dr Glenda Lawrence, VIC
reporting and analysis on current Mrs Lucy Cosentino, VIC mail, fax or email by 1 September
public health nutrition activities within Ms Stephanie Paustie, VIC 2000 to:
Australia. The June edition will be of Miss Katrina Doljanin, VIC
interest to those thinking about Ms Janine Lewis
Queensland
pursuing public health training in the ANZFA
Ms Brigid Lynch, QLD
area of nutrition as it carries an PO Box 7186
South Australia Canberra MC ACT 2610
overview of the training available in
Dr Janice Duffy, SA Fax: (02) 6271 2278
this area in Australia universities.
Northern Territory Email: janine.lewis@anzfa.gov.au
An email alert exists for the newsletter. Dr David Peacock, NT
For further information contact sub- Ms Jenne Roberts, NT Thank you! Your contribution is
editor Gill Read on ph/fax 03 9568 appreciated
Tasmania
4229, email gillr@infoxchange.net.au Dr Colin Butler, TAS
11
What’s on Advertising in
24–27 September 2000 University of Melbourne’s Key Centre for
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27th National Conference 26–29 November 2000 Full page
Hotel Sofitel Reef Casino Cairns
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Post Conference Singapore Workshops PHAA staff can prepare your
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Theme "Asian and Pacific Partnerships … 4th Summer School. Introduction to
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dayer 11 August; various two-four dayers
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Promotion Conference, Hotel Sofitel, 02 9351 7419 or 20 Napier Close Deakin
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Course 1 'Risk Communication in Practice'
18 November 2000 deadline is for the 28th of the
27–29 Nov; Course 2 'Principles of Risk
Eighth National Symposium of Hepatitis B month for publication on 15th of
Assessment & Management' 30 Nov–6
and C, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne Dec; Course 3 'Risk Assessment & the following month. If further
Contact: (03) 9288 3580 Management for Water' 6–8 Dec; Course information is required please
E-mail: BELOTE@svhm.org.au 3A 'Politics, ethics, economics & law in contact PHAA via email:
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Editor: Executive Director Design: Design Direction How to join PHAA
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PHAA but are intended to inform and stimulate thought, discussion and
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