Australian and New Zealand journal of public health
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While there is a global trend to switch medicines from prescription to non-prescription status, Australia has created a unique schedule of 'pharmacist only medicines' (POM). Such medicines may provide consumers with greater choice and control of health care decisions. ⋯ The National Medicines Policy advocates a partnership approach to achieve improved health outcomes by the quality use of medicines, however currently no data on POM are available. Recommendations include changes to legislation, public health data collection and the provision of quality information including pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions.
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Australia has introduced a nationwide immunisation incentive scheme. This yet to be evaluated two-year program offers financial rewards to providers and parents to encourage childhood immunisations. ⋯ Effective incentives require collaboration of key players, using a program appropriate to the characteristics of the population. Although varying in cost-effectiveness, both monetary and non-monetary incentives can improve childhood immunisation uptake. Evaluation of current programs including the Australian ones will assist future allocation of resources.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Jun 1999
Substance use and socio-demographic factors among aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school students in New South Wales.
To estimate prevalence rates of substance use and associated socio-demographic factors among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) secondary students. ⋯ This is one of the first studies examining substance use in a large and representative sample of in-school ATSI youth. These results provide information useful for public health advocates, and require policy changes more likely to reduce substance use among ATSI youth.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Jun 1999
Australia's contribution to global polio eradication initiatives.
To provide evidence according to the requirements of the Global Commission for Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication that poliomyelitis has been eliminated in Australia. ⋯ Although Australia and other Western Pacific countries are likely to be certified as wild-polio free in 2000, a comprehensive immunisation program and surveillance must continue for three years after global certification (expected 2003-04).