The purpose of this paper is to identify a range of ethical considerations that may arise during the design and implementation of national health surveys that incorporate physical and biochemical measures.

These surveys are able to provide important information on the prevalence of various health conditions and distributions of physical, mental and biochemical characteristics of the population, as well as providing data on the relationship between risk factors and selected conditions, and social and environmental determinants of health. In Australia, a program of national health measurement surveys that will collect a range of measures (physical and biochemical characteristics) has been proposed, the Australian Health Measurement Survey (AHMS) program.

The ethical, legal and social issues that arise are numerous. A number of broad policy issues emerge that require further discussion. In order to ensure that survey programs are conducted within an ethical framework, these issues must be identified and discussed with communities and others, and broad agreement reached about the most appropriate ways to proceed.

Authored by PHIDU

Published: 2003; Available free online; Printed copies: not available

A discussion paper prepared by the Improving Indigenous Identification in Communicable Disease Reporting Project Steering Committee for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

From the Foreword by Debra Reid, Chair of the Improving Indigenous Identification in Communicable Disease Reporting Project Steering Committee):

"This discussion paper aims to provide some insight into how Indigenous identification can be improved in communicable disease reporting by putting forward a number of achievable strategies that are short, medium and longer term.

The Improving Indigenous Identification in Communicable Disease Reporting Project Steering Committee believes that this paper will provide effective strategies for all those interested in improving Indigenous communicable disease reporting to assist in reducing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians affected by communicable diseases.

Throughout the development of this paper, the Steering Committee has placed the importance of data principles and protocols when using or reporting on Indigenous information, at the forefront of its deliberations. These underpinning values are embedded in the paper to ensure that the Indigenous culture is respected, in line with the strong recognition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community's ownership of data relating to their community. This involves the protection and constructive use of the information as well as consideration about data quality issues and the accurate identification of clients as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in data collections."

Prepared by the Improving Indigenous Identification in Communicable Disease Reporting Project Steering Committee, with secretariat and research officer support provided by Su Gruszin of PHIDU.

Published: November 2004; Available free online; Printed copies: not available

The purpose of this report, Inequality in South Australia - key determinants of wellbeing, Volume 1: The Evidence, is to deepen our understanding of the impact that social, physical and economic factors have on health and wellbeing, and to describe the distribution of some of these factors across the South Australian population. A number of indicators have been selected to describe different aspects of wellbeing of the population at the present time, and, by using them, to highlight the extent of some of the existing social and economic inequalities. The report contains detailed findings for each of the indicators. It is intended that a companion volume be published at a later date, containing examples of projects and programs that have been successful in addressing social inequality.

Published: 2004; Available free online; Printed copies: contact Karen JamesThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it >, DH SA

Despite an increasing interest in the extent of child health inequalities in Australia and effective strategies to address them, there remains a significant gap between existing research evidence and its incorporation into planning, policy and practice in Australia. Researchers, policy-makers and practitioners face difficulties in bringing research into practice effectively, and local communities are often neglected in the processes.

This paper presents a brief summary of data on child health inequalities in South Australia over the last decade. It then reviews the extent to which research findings have been incorporated into human services' policy and practice. Particular barriers for researchers, policy-makers, planners, practitioners and communities are discussed, drawing on local and overseas experience, and possible strategies for addressing some of the barriers are outlined.

Authored by PHIDU

Published: 2003; Available free online; Printed copies: not available

Authors: Vivian Lin, Su Gruszin, Cara Ellickson, John Glover, Kate Silburn, Gai Wilson and Carolyn Poljski

Published: International Journal of Public Health 2007; 52 (Supp 1): S19-S26. Available online

See also: Comparative evaluation of indicators for gender equity and health (2003)