Australian and New Zealand journal of public health
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Feb 2009
ReviewAustralian asylum policies: have they violated the right to health of asylum seekers?
Notwithstanding recent migration policy amendments, there is concern that Australian asylum policies have disproportionately burdened the health and wellbeing of onshore asylum seekers. There may be a case to be made that Australian governments have been in violation of the right to health of this population. The objective of this paper is to critically examine these issues and assess the implications for public health practice. ⋯ While the 'right to health' framework has much to offer public health, it is an undervalued and poorly understood discipline. The author argues for more education, research and advocacy around the intersection between heath and human rights.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Feb 2009
Comparative StudyMonitoring local trends in Indigenous tobacco consumption.
To compare two methods of monitoring tobacco consumption in remote Indigenous communities. ⋯ This wholesale data could be used to monitor local trends in remote Indigenous tobacco consumption, facilitating the evaluation of the impact of tobacco control activities and informing future work to reduce Indigenous smoking and its harms.
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To analyse the way in which a public health metaphor has been incorporated into Australian political practice to justify the exclusion or mistreatment of unwelcome non-citizens, giving particular attention to recent asylum seekers. ⋯ Substituting the existing metaphor for one that is more morally acceptable could help to redefine refugees and asylum seekers more positively and promote compassion in political leaders and the community.