This report presents an overview of the audit phase of the Feasibility Study for Developing a National-wide Chronic Disease and Associated Risk Factors Information and Monitoring System, and is based on the further development and integration of a number of documents prepared in that phase. It details the Australian situation from the audit of policy and data collections, including the result of a consultation with policy makers on the utility of existing information resources; and reviews a range of international experiences and the importance of a mix of strategies. Information gaps in Australian collections are identified against a monitoring framework based on the chronic diseases considered a national priority in Australia and the risk factors and determinants recognised as associated with those diseases. Finally, the report identifies a four strategy approach for creating better time series information on chronic diseases and associated risk factors and determinants, and to draw together a range of activities and developments in public health information in Australia.

Published: December 2003; Available free online [see also further information on the Project Consortium Reports]; Printed copies: not available

The work of the National Computer Assisted Telephone Interview Technical Reference Group (CATI TRG) under the National Public Health Partnership has emphasized the need to establish question and module development standards in the Computer Assisted Survey Information Collection (CASIC) environment that can be utilised in CATI health surveys across Australia. This has been seen as important so that measurement error in the CASIC environment can be reduced as well as providing greater harmonisation of the results of different CASIC data collection activities. This overview of question/module development principles and practices provides a guide to the various stages that are required to ensure that 'best practice' question development is followed.

This document outlines principles and practices for the development of consistent and uniform questions (or sets of questions) in CASIC. It covers the identification and assessment of questions, key processes in the development of questions and the processes to test validity and reliability. In addition, subsequent fieldwork issues, interviewer feedback and reporting on questions are outlined.

Occasional Paper No. 4

Implementing evidence from research, into policy, and then practice, is a challenging task, glistening with opportunities and fraught with practical difficulties and political realities. This case study describes a process of taking research evidence, embedding it into policy and then implementing and making it happen 'on the ground', as a 'live' early intervention program in South Australia.

Evidence on the level of disadvantage of people living in particular geographic locations in metropolitan Adelaide, and research on effective early intervention programs for disadvantaged families with infants were used to support policy directions and to gain funding to establish a pilot program. A community development approach was adopted, and strategies used to ensure the participation of those communities in the design and establishment of the program are also discussed. A number of key criteria were identified to support the successful transition from research, to policy, to planning and practice, and these are reviewed in the light of experience.

This is a sobering tale, with exciting outcomes but a number of important lessons, which may be helpful to others seeking to ensure the successful implementation of early intervention programs for children and their families in Australia.

Authored by PHIDU