Public health research & practice
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Public Health Res Pract · Dec 2017
Non-intentional farm injury fatalities in NSW, Australia, 2001-2015.
Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in Australia. The Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety is the only agency that records all non-intentional injury-related events (work and nonwork) on Australian farms. ⋯ There has been no improvement in work-related fatality rates in the sector in NSW for at least 15 years, and similarly no improvement in the all-injury fatality rate (work and nonwork) since 2007. Data in this study can be used to strengthen investment and revitalise the adoption of evidence based approaches that address relevant issues.
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Public Health Res Pract · Oct 2017
The Aboriginal Population Health Training Initiative: a NSW Health program established to strengthen the Aboriginal public health workforce.
Increasing the representation of Aboriginal people in the health workforce can contribute to improving Aboriginal people's health and wellbeing by supporting the provision of more culturally appropriate health programs and services. The Aboriginal Population Health Training Initiative aims to strengthen the Aboriginal public health workforce in New South Wales (NSW), with the long-term goal of improving the health of Aboriginal people. Type of program or service: The program provides comprehensive, competency-based public health training for Aboriginal people. ⋯ Three key factors contribute to the success of the program: trainees undertake their training within their communities; the structure promotes the direct application of learning through simultaneous work and study; and the NSW Government shows strong leadership and support.
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Public Health Res Pract · Oct 2017
Historical ArticleInterview with the Hon. Ken Wyatt: improving Indigenous health outcomes from a political viewpoint.
In 2017, Australia celebrates 50 years since the 1967 referendum, when more than 90% of Australians voted to amend the constitution to allow the national government to create laws for Indigenous people and include them in the census. We spoke with the Honourable Ken Wyatt, the Minister for Indigenous Health and the Minister for Aged Care, about what has occurred over the past 50 years in Indigenous health from a political perspective, and what we have learnt to improve health outcomes in the future.
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Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing of men at normal risk of prostate cancer is one of the most contested issues in cancer screening. There is no formal screening program, but testing is common - arguably a practice that ran ahead of the evidence. Public and professional communication about PSA screening has been highly varied and potentially confusing for practitioners and patients alike. ⋯ They provide important insights, and disagree on some issues, but generally concur that men should decide for themselves whether to be tested. It seems reasonable to support men's autonomy to make their own decisions based on their own values. However, the support men might require to decide is likely to be considerable, and this needs to be taken seriously in policy making.
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Public Health Res Pract · Dec 2016
Fall prevention services for older Aboriginal people: investigating availability and acceptability.
Falls and fall-related injury are emerging issues for older Aboriginal people. Despite this, it is unknown whether older Aboriginal people access available fall prevention programs, or whether these programs are effective or acceptable to this population. ⋯ This study identified a gap in the availability of acceptable fall prevention programs designed for, and delivered to, older Aboriginal people in NSW. Further consultation with older Aboriginal people is necessary to determine how an appropriate and effective program can be designed and delivered. Terminology: The authors recognise the two distinctive Indigenous populations of Australia: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Because the vast majority of the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is Aboriginal (95.4%)1, this population will be referred to as 'Aboriginal' in this manuscript.