Australian and New Zealand journal of public health
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Dec 2007
A survey of suppression of public health information by Australian governments.
It is cause for concern when a democratically elected government suppresses embarrassing information by hindering public health research or the publication of research findings. We conducted a survey of Australian public health academics to estimate the level of acts of suppression of research by Australian governments, to characterise these events, and to gather views on what interventions might be effective in curbing them. ⋯ Systemic interventions are necessary to preserve the integrity of public health research conducted with government involvement.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Oct 2007
Population health and clinical data linkage: the importance of a population registry.
The Australian National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy supports development of a national research capability in population health and clinical data linkage. This paper illustrates the importance of incorporating a population registry within such a system using an example provided by the Manitoba Injury Outcome Study (MIOS) that quantified the long-term burden of mortality attributable to injury in working-age adults. ⋯ The effect of injury on mortality outcomes was over-estimated using only the injured cases, without use of the population registry. Use of the population registry enabled the selection of a matched non-injured group for comparison purposes, ensured comprehensive follow-up of almost all participants, and provided more accurate estimates of exposure time, incidence of mortality and relative risk.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Oct 2007
Comparative StudyDifferences in injury rates in child motor vehicle passengers in rural and urban areas in New South Wales, July 2000 to June 2004.
To investigate whether the pattern of hospitalised injuries in injured child motor vehicle passengers involved in traffic crashes differs in rural and urban residents of New South Wales (NSW). ⋯ There is an elevated injury incidence rate in rural resident children, compared with their urban counterparts. This differential should be addressed in future road safety initiatives.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Feb 2007
The 2004 Australian prison entrants' blood-borne virus and risk behaviour survey.
To assess the prevalence of blood-borne viruses and associated risk factors among prison entrants at seven Australian prisons across four States. ⋯ The findings support the view that prisoner populations are vulnerable to blood-borne virus infection, particularly hepatitis B and C. Prisoner populations should be included in routine surveillance programs so as to provide a more representative picture of blood-borne virus epidemiology in Australia.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Feb 2007
Equitable access to dental care for an at-risk group: a review of services for Australian refugees.
Despite the poor dental health of refugees, few specific services are available. This review maps public dental services for refugees across Australian jurisdictions, identifies gaps in provision, identifies barriers to accessing dental care, and provides recommendations for improving access and oral health promotion for this group. ⋯ Australia needs better co-ordinated, more extensive dental services that are easily accessible for this very high risk group. Identification of refugees as a special needs group and provision of targeted interventions addressing barriers to care are needed to establish adequate dental care.