Australian and New Zealand journal of public health
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Aug 2013
Review Meta AnalysisReview of the evidence for the potential impact and feasibility of substituting saturated fat in the New Zealand diet.
To estimate the potential impact on cardiovascular health of modifying dietary intake of saturated fat across the New Zealand population, and whether this would be appropriate and feasible. ⋯ In order to achieve the population-wide dietary fat modifications needed to improve cardiovascular health for New Zealanders, a public health strategy (e.g. fiscal, regulatory and/or educational interventions) must be implemented. Further work is needed to establish the cost-effectiveness of the various strategies.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Aug 2013
Closing the Gaps: competing estimates of Indigenous Australian life expectancy in the scientific literature.
Closing the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and other Australians within a generation is central to national Indigenous reform policy (Closing the Gap). Over time, various methods of estimating Indigenous life expectancy and with that, the life expectancy gap, have been adopted with differing, albeit non-comparable results. We present data on the extent of the gap and elucidate the pattern of use and interpretations of the different estimates of the gap, between 2007 and 2012. ⋯ A specific estimate of the life expectancy gap has not been established among stakeholders in Indigenous health. Agreement on the magnitude of the gap is arguably needed in order to evaluate strategies aimed at improving health outcomes for Indigenous Australians. Moreover, measuring progress towards 'closing the gap' depends on the availability of comparable estimates, using the same techniques of measurement to assess changes over time.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Aug 2013
The Young Person Check: screening for sexually transmitted infections and chronic disease risk in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
This paper describes the implementation and selected outcomes of the Young Person Check (YPC), a high-coverage screening program in far north Queensland targeting remote youth aged 15-24 years for sexually transmissible infections (STI) and chronic disease risk. The YPC was conducted 19 times in eight discrete remote communities and one community cluster between 2009 and 2012. ⋯ Testing and treatment strategies form an important element of efforts to address endemic STI and reduce HIV risk in remote Australian populations. Complementary population testing strategies will continue to be utilised and may contribute, if coverage is satisfactory. Programs such as the YPC should be considered in settings where the conditions outlined here can be met.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Aug 2013
Cigarette availability and price in low and high socioeconomic areas.
To determine whether tobacco retailer density and cigarette prices differ between low and high socioeconomic status suburbs in South-East Queensland. ⋯ In South-East Queensland, cigarettes are more widely available in the most disadvantaged suburbs and at lower prices than in the most advantaged suburbs.