Publications

Publications

Search for:
Publication year
Publication type

Publications

Early intervention - from evidence to implementation: the policy-maker's tale. A case study


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

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

Editorial: Ischaemic heart disease: across the social and geographic divides


Authors: Andrew M Tonkin, Jeanette Pope and John D Glover

Published: Medical Journal of Australia 2000; 173: 173-174

Editorial: Open invitation from the International Poverty and Health Network to all healthcare professionals


The International Poverty and Health Network (IPHN) was created in December 1997, following a series of conferences organised by the World Health Organization with the aim of integrating health into plans to eradicate poverty. The network's formation was a response to the evidence of the persistent and growing burden of human suffering due to poverty. We invite others to join the endeavour.

Authors: Iona Heath, Andy Haines, John Glover and Diana Hetzel

Published: Medical Journal of Australia 2000; 172: 356-357

Ethical considerations arising from national health measurement surveys: with particular reference to the Australian Health Measurement Surveys [AHMS]


Working Paper No. 7

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

Final report: Audit of Australian chronic disease and associated risk factor data collections


This Audit was undertaken in 2008 in order to update the 2001-2002 Audit of Australian Chronic Disease and Associated Risk Factor Data Collections, which, although published in 2003 was still in use as a resource describing the scope of, and identifying gaps in, Australian data collections on chronic disease and associated risk factors and determinants.  This update of the Audit was funded by the Population Health Division of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and completed with the assistance of officers in all Australian, state and territory governments, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.  Chapter Two reviews the policy situation in relation to chronic disease and associated risk factors and determinants nationally and in the states and territories.  Chapter Three examines the existing time series data collections nationally and among the states and territories, with a special focus on data linkage and recent developments.  The perceptions of a small number of personnel with lengthy and/or continuing involvement in the field were also sought to provide more in-depth information on the current situation and near future directions. A number of appendices supply additional details in support of the text, with Appendix D presenting detailed descriptions of the data collections in the Audit.

Authored by PHIDU

Published: 2010; Available free online; Printed copies: not available

See also: Chronic Disease and Associated Risk Factors Information Monitoring System: The results of an audit of Australian data collections and policies and a review of the international experience (2003)