Join us for a Virtual Conference

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Health Association of Australia have changed the way we will be delivering our annual Australian Public Health Conference for 2020. Our traditional face to face conference will now be hosted as an online virtual Conference via a dedicated Conference portal.

Whilst we continue to face major disruption, PHAA is committed to ensuring continued opportunities for professional development and connection within the public health community. We are embracing a new way of delivering the Australian Public Health Conference in an interactive online format.

By registering, you will have access to live and pre-recorded keynote, long oral and rapid fire presentations. Interaction will be encouraged through Q&A sessions, workshops, e-posters, meeting hub, and our virtual exhibition hall.

All Keynote presentations will be live-streamed and offer Q&A sessions where possible. Can't make it? These will be recorded and made available for viewing on demand for the duration of the Conference.

Access to interactive sessions. Make the most of your registration by connecting with other participants and presenters via our Meeting Hub. Engage in interactive workshops, live Q&A sessions, networking events and our virtual Exhibition Hall.

Public Health Association of Australia

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) is recognised as the principal non-government organisation for public health in Australia and works to promote the health and well-being of all Australians. The Association seeks better population health outcomes based on prevention, the social determinants of health and equity principles.

PHAA is a national organisation comprising around 1,900 individual members and representing over 40 professional groups concerned with the promotion of health at a population level.

The Public Health Association of Australia provides forums for the discussion of public health in Australia and a voice of a wide variety of professional public health workers.

Via the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (ANZJPH), PHAA provides Australia’s basic public health infrastructure that links those undertaking research in public health and those undertaking policy and program development and implementation.

Via our conferences, workshops, forums and other member events, we bring together those seeking to debate scientific evidence, policy and program evaluation and options for the further and better development of public health in Australia.

The Policy Statements that are developed within PHAA are provided to the public to help educate Australians about the scientific evidence and policy options around public health. They are also the primary resource for our advocacy efforts, efforts that underlie bringing policy alternatives to the attention of governments and bureaucrats.

Conference Advisory Committee

David Templeman (Co-Chair, Conference Advisory Committee) President, Public Health Association of Australia. David Templeman completed six years (2000/2006) as Director-General of Emergency Management Australia (EMA), following a significant senior executive civilian career in Defence within Australia and overseas. He is currently, CEO of the Australian Council of Deans of Education. David is well known for his leadership and interests in community and preventive health reform. He is President of the Public Health Association of Australia, and since 2006, David has held or currently holds other voluntary board and CEO appointments in areas of drug and alcohol services, family welfare, law and justice, education and was a long-term emergency management adviser to St John Ambulance Australia. David is a member of the Climate Council’s emergency leaders for climate action (ELCA). As DGEMA, David contributed to enhancing national security arrangements in Australia following the disastrous terrorist attacks in United States, Indonesia, Spain, and the United Kingdom during 2001/05. David assisted in developing national health emergency planning for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome epidemic in 2003 and Avian Flu pandemic arrangements plus coordination of Australian Government assistance in response to major bushfires in eastern Australia in 2002-03 (including the Canberra fires on 18th Jan 2003), Following the devastating earthquake off Sumatra on 26 December 2004, David oversaw EMA’s role in coordinating several Australian Medical Assistance Teams through Operation Tsunami Assist.

Eleonora Feletto (Co-Chair, Conference Advisory Committee) NSW Branch Representative, PHAA. Eleonora completed a PhD in the Pharmacy Faculty at the University of Sydney. Her research interests include the areas of cancer control, environmental risk factors of cancer, the implementation of health services in practice and the use of alternative channels to build a sustainable health care system. Eleonora’s current work at Cancer Council NSW focuses on prevention and early detection of gastrointestinal cancers in Australia, with a special interest in Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the program.

Summer May Finlay - Vice-President, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, PHAA. Ms Summer May Finlay (CSCA, TAE, BSocSC and MPHA) is a Yorta Yorta woman who grew up on Awabakal country (West Lake Macquarie). Summer has extensive experience in social marketing, social media, communications and Aboriginal health research and policy. Summer occupies the position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Vice President for the Public Health Association of Australia. oral steroids for sale She is also an academic working with the University of Wollongong as a lecturer. She is a Post-Doctoral Candidate on an NHMRC funded project with Canberra University. Summer is currently awaiting the outcome of her PhD at the University of South Australia. She also has extensive experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ethics. Since 2018 has a member of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW Ethics Committee and before that was the Committees Executive Officer. She was also on the National Health and Medical Research Councils Indigenous Working Group which revised the Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders 2018. Summers also works internationally and is the Co-Chair of the international Indigenous movement #IndigenousNCDs and is the Co-Vice Chair of the World Federation of Public Health Associations Indigenous Working Group. In addition to her work as an academic currently works as a freelance journalist for Croakey Health Media in several capacities, including as a contributing editor, and formally as a member of the #IHMayDay, #JustJustice and #JustClimate projects. She also has written for NITV the Guardian Australia and IndigenousX. Summer has also worked in a variety of different capacities with a variety of organisations across the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector, not-for-profit, university and for-profit sectors.

Paul Gardiner - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion SIG Representative, PHAA. Paul Gardiner is the Vice President of Finance for the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), is part of the leadership group of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Special Interest Group of PHAA, and is past President of the Queensland Branch of PHAA. He is a Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Health Services Research at The University of Queensland where his research focuses on healthy ageing and citizen science.

Patrick Harris - President, NSW PHAA Branch. Patrick Harris is passionate about influencing public policy to change the conditions that drive population health and health equity. He works at Sydney University. He has two children and therefore strives for a future world in which fairness is the most prized value for societies and individuals.

Joel Negin - Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney. Joel Negin has been the Head of the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney since November 2015. Joel graduated from Harvard and Columbia Universities and then worked for a number of years in sub-Saharan Africa on health and development projects before moving to Australia. In those years, he lived and worked in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kenya and collaborated with governments, the World Bank, academic institutions and United Nations partners. Joel started at the School of Public Health in 2008 as a lecturer in the Masters of International Public Health program and has always loved teaching and the interaction with students. With regard to research, Joel holds grants from the NHMRC and the Departmernt of Foreign Affairs and Trade focused on strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries. He maintains collaborations in Uganda, Vietnam, Indonesia and Fiji and maintains a passion for capacity building in the Asia-Pacific region.

Terry Slevin - CEO, Public Health Association of Australia Terry Slevin has been Chief Executive Office for the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) since May 2018. He is Adjunct Professor in the School of Psychology at Curtin University an Adjunct Professor in the College of Health and Medicine at the Australian National University. He is a Fellow of PHAA and was the first Vice President (Development) of the Association. Adj Prof Slevin is a regular media commentator on all aspects of public health and cancer, ranging from causes and early detection, to broader chronic disease prevention including nutrition, physical activity, weight control, alcohol, sun protection and gun control. He also has a special interest in Occupational and environmental cancer risks. Until April 2018 he was Director, Education and Research at Cancer Council WA where he worked since 1994. Mr Slevin holds a Masters in Public Health and an Honours degree in Psychology. As well as serving as Chair of Cancer Council Australia’s Occupational and Environmental Cancer Risk Committee, Mr Slevin has previously chaired Cancer Council's Skin Cancer Committee and was founding Chair of Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee, where he served for 10 years. He has contributed to the planning of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) World Cancer Congress from 2012 to 2016 and was Co Chair of the Scientific Committee for the World Cancer Congress in Kuala Lumpur in 2018. He is the editor of a book on skin cancer Sun, Skin and Health, released by CSIRO Publishing in 2014 and has published over 70 papers in the peer reviewed literature and a series of 15 articles on cancer myths. His current focus is on promoting evidence based public health policy in Australia with a focus on equity and improved health outcomes for the most disadvantaged Australians.

Abstract Presentation Awards

The abstract presentation awards have been created to highlight the great work presented during the virtual Australian Public Health Conference 2020 and recognise the contribution presenters have to the program and public health sector.

Abstracts submitted for the virtual Australian Public Health Conference 2020 will be reviewed against the award criteria below and five (5) abstracts from each criteria will be shortlisted as finalist in the abstract presentation awards. The Conference Advisory Committee will appoint reviewers for the virtual Australian Public Health Conference 2020 to review the abstract presentations and mark them against set criteria. The winners of the awards for each category will be announced in the closing session of the virtual Conference on Friday 30 October 2020.

Please read the eligibility criteria and abstract format carefully for each of the awards below. Presenters will not be able to put their presentation forward for these awards at any time other than during the abstract submission process. Public Health Research Award To be eligible for the Research Award, the abstract must report on a research project that is completed, or a completed section of a program of research, and that has ethical approval, or quality improvement (minimal risk) approval or is a systematic review or a quality improvement project. In addition, the pre-recorded presentation must be of good quality, accessible through use of imagery and audio, be dynamic and engaging, and have clear key messages and outcomes. Abstracts to be considered for the Public Health Research Award: Abstract Title (maximum of 12 words) Maximum of 300 words; [Context and aim]; [Methods and analysis/research findings]; [Translational outcomes]; [Future actions] Implications for public health Translation to policy and/or practice change Identify 2-3 learning objectives significant to the presentation Present a long oral presentation via pre-recorded video, maximum of 10 minutes.

Advocacy & Leadership Award. The Advocacy and Leadership Award is presented to the best paper which presents on public health advocacy and leadership in one of the following areas: Leadership and ethics; Health equality; Social mobilisation and solidarity; Public education; People centric; Engagement; Communications; and Ecologically sustainable development. To be eligible for the Advocacy and Leadership Award, presentations must showcase how their research, policy or practice has influenced decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions through effective leadership and messaging. In addition, the pre-recorded presentation must be of good quality, accessible through use of imagery and audio, be dynamic and engaging, and have clear key messages and outcomes. Abstracts to be considered for the Advocacy and Leadership Award: Abstract Title (maximum of 12 words) Maximum of 300 words; [Context and aim]; [Methods and analysis/research findings]; [Translational outcomes]; [Future actions] Implications for public health Translation to policy and/or practice change Identify 2-3 learning objectives significant to the presentation Present a long oral or rapid fire presentation, via pre-recorded video, maximum of specified time.

Capacity Building Award. The Capacity Building Award is presented for the best paper presented, reporting on capacity building in the public health sector through workforce development, teaching, training and networking. This can include management/administration/policy issues and project work. In addition, the pre-recorded presentation must be of good quality, accessible through use of imagery and audio, be dynamic and engaging, and have clear key messages and outcomes. Abstracts to be considered for Capacity Building Award: Abstract Title (maximum of 12 words) Maximum of 300 words; [Context and aim]; [Methods and analysis/research findings]; [Translational outcomes]; [Future actions] Implications for public health Translation to policy and/or practice change Identify 2-3 learning objectives significant to paper Present a long oral or rapid fire presentation, via pre-recorded video, maximum of specified time.

Workshops and Networking Functions

Session 1 Date: Thursday 22 October 2020, 12:30pm - 1:15pm. Session 2 Date: Tuesday 27 October 2020, 2:15pm - 3:00pm. Session 3 Date: Thursday 29 October 2020, 3:15pm - 4:00pm. Facilitated By: Dr. Michael Doyle, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Special Interest Co-Convener on behalf of the PHAA The Australian Public Health Conference 2020 will feature a series of virtual Yarning Circle sessions. A Yarning Circle is a place which privileges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, and provides a place to listen, network and yarn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Whilst there are no formal presentations, Elders and other leaders will be invited to share their knowledge. Everyone is welcome to attend, but due to the nature of these Yarning Sessions, participation is limited and priority will be given to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conference participants. Expressions of interest are now open for registered Conference delegates.

Workshop 1 - How do we improve public health messaging during periods of bushfire smoke and poor air quality? - REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Date: Friday 23 October 2020 Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm​ Hosted By: Centre for Air pollution, energy and health Research (CAR) Facilitated By: A/Professor Fay Johnston, Dr Rachel Tham, Ana Porta Cubas, Professor Jane Heyworth The 2019-20 bushfire season shone a spotlight on the absence of consistent public health communication surrounding bushfire smoke and poor air quality more generally. This workshop, run by the Centre for Air pollution, energy and health Research (CAR) will bring together researchers, not for profits, public health organisations, public health practitioners and government representatives in a ‘knowledge exchange’ to discuss questions such as: What type of public health information does the public need around bushfire smoke and poor air quality generally? In what formats? What are the knowledge gaps that exist around the use and effectiveness of public health information during periods of poor air quality? What are the opportunities for the attendees to collaborate to improve public health information on poor air quality? What roles and responsibilities amongst different organisations are envisioned? This workshop will be highly interactive and discussions will be documented by CAR and provided to attendees after the conference. Participation from the following groups is encouraged; Public health professionals working closely with the community Members of departments/agencies tasked with public health messaging to the general public Members of not for profits particularly affected by high levels of air pollution (e.g. those representing ‘at risk’ groups) Members of associations with a keen interest in improving education around air pollution

Workshop 2 - Addressing Climate Change Vulnerability through Health Impact Assessment: A framework for Health Services - REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Date: 26 October 2020 Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm​ Hosted By: The Healthy Urban Environment Collaboratory Facilitated By: Fiona Haigh, Alana Crimeen, Ben Harris-Roxas Climate change impacts on human health are evident in Australia and are predicted to become more frequent and intense. While the effects of these climate changes are likely to impact everyone, disadvantaged populations are potentially at risk of being disproportionally affected, compounding the social and economic inequalities that already contribute to existing health inequities. Local Health Districts (LHDs) play a critical role in responding to changing health needs of the local population, and to the likely effects of climate change on health service resources, workforce and infrastructure. Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a systematic process that considers the potential health impacts of a proposal during the planning stages and offers recommendations to mitigate harms and maximise benefits. Climate change vulnerability health impact assessment (CCVHIA) provides a framework and process for health services to assess the potential impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations and develop responses using a vulnerability lens, which considers the interactions between exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity and resilience. The workshop consists of three parts. Firstly, we will present and discuss ways of conceptualising vulnerability and resilience in relation to climate change. We will then provide an introduction to and overview of to the CCVHIA framework and related tools. We will then facilitate an interactive session with participants.  

Workshop 3 - How do we use what we know? The practice-evidence exchange in disaster recovery - REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Date: 27 October 2020 Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm​ Hosted By: University of Melbourne Facilitated By: Professor Lisa Gibbs, Bhiamie Williamson, Phoebe Quinn This workshop will draw on over a decade of research collaborations between leading disaster recovery academics and end-user organisations. This has involved an ongoing process of policy/practice insights being used to identify evidence needs and the subsequent research findings being used to guide disaster recovery work. Key topics presented for discussion: 1) 10 years Beyond Bushfires – understanding the social elements of disaster recovery 2) Recovery Capitals (ReCap) – applying the evidence to guide practice 3) Aboriginal insights – a dialogue between different forms of knowledge 4) Taking care of the next generation – building strong school communities 5) Same but different – examining the human impacts of the recent series of emergency events The workshop will include the release of new practical evidence-informed resources to support community recovery. The presentations will explore the flow of knowledge over time and place which has occurred, leading to discussion about ‘What comes next?’

Introducing our virtual Conference Portal

As a registered participant of the virtual Australian Public Health Conference 2020, you will have access to our dedicated conference portal. This easy to use system provides access to all live and on-demand sessions in the one place throughout the duration of the Conference.

Portal Overview. Access: Prior to the Conference all registered delegates will be emailed unique access details. These should not be shared with anyone as only one device can access the portal at a time. We recommend using Chrome or Safari browsers to access the portal (not Explorer).

Interactive Timeline: The interactive timeline allows you to navigate your way through the agenda, day by day. Click on a date to see all scheduled sessions for that day. A countdown timer will appear on the right-hand side to remind you when the next session will start.

Virtual Exhibition: Attendees can visit exhibitor stands and interact with exhibitors. Attendees can ask to have a virtual video conversation with as specific exhibitor. Even if the virtual Exhibition Hall is not open, attendees can still visit and view exhibitor profiles and download brochures outside of opening hours.

Meeting Hub: Our Meeting Hub allows attendees to connect with each other, share contact details, request meetings and hold chats and instant one-on-one video meetings as needed any time throughout the conference.