Category Archives: social determinants of health

Sounding the alarm over cutbacks to Qld organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health

May 21, 2012 – 6:28 pm

It seems that some high-need areas are being targeted for cuts by the new Queensland Government. The prison advocacy group Sisters Inside has been in the news over its concerns about the future of services to women inside Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre (TWCC) – most of whom are Indigenous. As the tweet below suggests, there are [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in Health inequalities, HIV/AIDS, Indigenous health, public health | Tagged , , | Comments (5)

Introducing a wealth of ideas for new online health-related publications

May 16, 2012 – 8:11 pm

Entrepreneurs and philanthropists take note: below are some terrific ideas for new health-related online publications. Croakey recently put out a call on behalf of the Public Interest Journalism Foundation for ideas for online publications covering health-related areas of need. One of the pitches will be developed during a session at the New News conference, which will [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in aged care, climate change, disasters, evidence-based issues, Health inequalities, legal issues, Media-related issues, public health, rural and remote health, social media and healthcare, women's health | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Is the post-budget “class warfare” discussion helpful for public health?

May 16, 2012 – 7:04 pm

Have the Coalition’s Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey done public health a favour (even if unintentionally) by putting the issue of class on the table for debate? Health economist Professor Gavin Mooney suggests in the article below that those with a concern for population health and health inequalities should not shy away from a class-based [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in Federal Budget 2012-2013, Health inequalities | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

When will policy catch up with the science on drug prohibition?

May 16, 2012 – 2:09 pm

The previous post examined some of the health implications of Victoria’s plans to build a new prison. In the article below, Dr Alex Wodak, President of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation, suggests that drug law reform offers a more effective and humane alternative to prison-building. *** Crime and drugs: get tough or get smart? The Victorian [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in illicit drugs, legal issues, public health | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

What are the health implications of building more prisons?

May 16, 2012 – 1:51 pm

Update, May 22: Extra material has been added at the bottom of this post about an assessment of the likely impact of a new correctional facility in Gatton, Queensland. *** Health journalists (and our audiences) might get better stories come budget time if we looked beyond the health department papers. That is one of the [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in education, evidence-based issues, Federal Budget 2012-2013, health impact assessment, Health inequalities, Hospitals, illicit drugs, Indigenous health, public health | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Health experts support calls for increase to unemployment benefits

May 8, 2012 – 12:39 pm

Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, the Deputy CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service, suggested at Croakey yesterday that the low level of income support payments, particularly for unemployed people relying on the Newstart allowance, is an important health issue. She wrote: “It’s important that health groups and medical professionals join their voices to the call [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in aged care, childbirth and maternity services, Federal Budget 2012-2013, primary health care | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Where is the health sector when it comes to addressing poverty?

May 7, 2012 – 11:16 am

The Government’s pre-budget announcement of dental health funding is generating plenty of commentary from various health groups. The Consumers Health Forum is largely welcoming of the dental announcement, although noting some of the obstacles ahead, including that over 80% of Australia’s dentists work in private practice. The Doctors Reform Society is making similar “this is [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in dental care, Federal Budget 2012-2013, Health inequalities, health reform, Hospitals, mental health | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

A red letter day for rural and remote health – provided these questions can be answered

April 27, 2012 – 1:15 pm

How will our two-speed economy constrain efforts to improve rural and remote health across the various states and territories? How can we get the balance right in rural and remote health policy between national uniformity and local flexibility and appropriateness? How can we ensure that the many agencies involved in addressing rural and remote health [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in Health inequalities, health reform, Medicare Locals, National Preventive Health Agency, rural and remote health | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Lack of access to dental care is putting children in hospital and entrenching disadvantage

April 19, 2012 – 8:51 pm

Should you think this recent post was a little harsh, in condemning the obfuscation and lack of clarity in many health communications, try having a read of this recent report produced by the Department of Health and Ageing and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Titled Dental health of Indigenous children in the Northern [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in child health, Health inequalities, health workforce, Indigenous health, rural and remote health | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

The unhealthy trifecta: tobacco, alcohol and gambling industries

April 19, 2012 – 6:36 pm

While those with a concern for public health may be familiar with some similarities between the tobacco and alcohol industries, it’s time to include the gambling industry in this analysis. That’s the suggestion from Dr Charles Livingstone, from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. *** Gambling needs to be tackled as [...]

By Melissa Sweet | Also posted in alcohol, gambling, Health inequalities, public health, tobacco control | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)