17 July 2013

released: 16 Jul 2013 author: AIHW
This report provides the latest information on how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are faring according to a range of indicators on health status, determinants of health and health system performance that are based on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework. It highlights the main areas of improvement and continuing concern. For example, while death rates for avoidable causes and circulatory diseases have declined since 1997, more than half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers smoke during pregnancy and about one-quarter of Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over live in overcrowded housing.

14 July 2013

I am here to speak up for the right of education of every child

Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai has addressed the United Nations as part of her campaign to ensure free compulsory education for every child.

She marked her 16th birthday by delivering the speech on Friday at the UN headquarters in New York.

Taliban gunmen shot Malala on her school bus last October following her campaign for girls' rights.

"I am here to speak up for the right of education of every child," she said.

Malala Yousafzai speech in full

10 July 2013

Gavin Mooney Memorial Essay Competition

Calling for entries for new essay competition

An essay competition has been launched to honour the work and memory of the late Professor Gavin Mooney, a health economist who was a tireless advocate for social justice in local, national and international arenas.

The Gavin Mooney Memorial Essay Competition is a joint project of the Sydney School of Public Health at the University of Sydney, the public health blog Croakey, and Inside Story, an online current affairs publication from the Swinburne Institute for Social Research.

Each year the competition will call for entries related to a theme around equity and social justice. The inaugural competition will recognise an essay related to the theme of climate change and equity, in recognition of the work of Professor Mooney’s late partner Dr Delys Weston.

Entry is open to anyone, in Australia or overseas, whether academics, writers, journalists or citizens.

The winner receives a prize of $5,000 donated by the Sydney School of Public Health, and publication at Inside Story. The University of Sydney may also publish the essay as part of a series of mini e-books arising from the competition.

As well as honouring the work and writings of Professor Mooney, the competition seeks to draw public attention to social justice and health equity concerns, and to recognise the public interest value of writing and writers.

Professor Glenn Salkeld, the head of the Sydney School of Public Health at the University of Sydney, announced the competition as many of Gavin’s colleagues gather in Sydney for the 9th World Congress on Health Economics this week.

He said the prize will encourage people to speak out on an issue that is of universal importance to Australians and people across the world.  

“Inside Story is delighted to be involved in this important initiative,” said editor Peter Browne. “We believe the prize will contribute to a greater awareness of the importance of intelligent and engaging coverage of health issues in the Australian media. The choice of climate change and equity as the first topic reflects the complexity of the challenges facing countries like Australia in the coming decades.”

Health journalist Melissa Sweet said Professor Mooney had been a prolific contributor to the public health blog Croakey, writing dozens of articles on issues ranging from Indigenous health to health policy, global health and citizen’s juries (more details are here: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/in-memory-of-gavin-mooney/)

“We need more people like Gavin who are prepared to wield the power of the pen in the interests of creating fairer, more sustainable societies,” she said.

Entries for the inaugural prize close on 2 December, 2013.

For more details, please contact:
Glenn Salkeld: 0
2 9036 9262
Peter Browne 0411 437 549
Melissa Sweet 0411 459 274


Social Determinants of Health Alliance Public Forum

Public Forum
Putting the Social Determinants on the Political Agenda
Tuesday, August 13, commencing 10.30am

Speakers

Martin Laverty - Chair, Social Determinants of Health Alliance; CEO, Catholic Health Australia
Dr Steve Hambleton - President, Australian Medical Association
Professor Deborah Schofield - Professor and Chair of Health Economics, Sydney Medical School,
the University of Sydney
The Hon Rob Knowles AO - Advisory Board Deputy Chairman, Mitchell Institute for Health and Education
Policy, Victoria University
The Smith Family “Learning for Life” Scholarship Student

Question and answer panel session facilitated by Martin Laverty

12.15pm end, followed by light lunch

RSVP by August 9 to secretariat@cha.org.au

Venue
The Ozanam Learning Centre
99 Forbes St, Woolloomooloo NSW
(located next to Matthew Talbot Homeless Service)
Public Forum
Putting the Social Determinants on the Political Agenda
Tuesday, August 13, commencing 10.30am

http://socialdeterminants.org.au/

01 July 2013

A guide to a second medical opinion

"How many dealers did you visit before you last bought a car?

Were you happy with the first quote you got for a painting job or kitchen renovation?
When it comes to your finances, your house and your belongings, it makes sense to do your research, shop around and make sure you’re getting the best advice.
But it seems few Australians take such a rigorous approach when it comes to their health.
In order to get the best outcome from a second opinion, it’s important to first negotiate the issues of power and autonomy in your relationship with your treating health professional. As a patient, it is your absolute right to seek advice and to be in charge of what happens to your body.....read this at: The Conversation