Australian and New Zealand journal of public health
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Dec 2019
What isn't measured isn't done - eight years with no progress in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult influenza and pneumococcal vaccination.
To describe and compare vaccination coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as Indigenous) adults in 2004-05 and 2012-13, including the impact of national vaccination funding initiatives. ⋯ Indigenous adult vaccination coverage for influenza and pneumococcal disease remains unacceptably low. Between 2004-05 and 2012-13, declines occurred in pneumococcal vaccination coverage across all age groups ≥18 years. Despite national funding of influenza vaccine in 2010, there was no increase in influenza coverage, except for the 18-49-year age group. Implications for public health: Current approaches to promote, deliver and monitor vaccination of Indigenous adults are inadequate.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Oct 2018
Results from a mobile outreach influenza vaccination program for vulnerable and high-risk populations in a high-income setting: lessons learned.
The aim of this pilot project was to assess the feasibility of an outreach mobile influenza vaccination program led by a large hospital network targeting high-risk and vulnerable populations in a high-income setting. ⋯ Appropriate identification of vulnerable populations, with good engagement of key stakeholders, can successfully deliver vaccines to sections of the population who may struggle to engage with healthcare services even when they are freely available. Implications for public health: Taking vaccines to vulnerable populations is well received and remains an important strategy to maximise uptake, even within high-income settings with universal access to healthcare.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Jun 2018
An Australian hospital's training program and referral pathway within a multi-disciplinary health-justice partnership addressing family violence.
An innovative health-justice partnership was established to deliver legal assistance to women experiencing family violence who attended an Australian hospital. This paper reports on a multifaceted response to build capacity and willingness of health professionals to identify signs of family violence and engage with referral pathways to on-site legal assistance. ⋯ The program built capacity and willingness of health professionals to identify signs of, and respond to, family violence. Increase in referral rates to legal assistance was not shown. Potential improvements include better data capture and greater availability of legal services. Implications for public health: Strong hospital system supports and reliable recording of family violence referrals need to be in place before introducing such partnerships to other hospitals.