Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals
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Health Promot J Austr · Apr 2007
ReviewMaori physical activity: a review of an indigenous population's participation.
Indigenous populations have disparities in health along with disparities in modifiable risk factors, including low participation in physical activity. Given the importance of physical activity in moderating ill health, do all indigenous peoples exhibit low activity prevalence in concert with ill health? If an indigenous population is relatively active, what can be learned about physical activity development that has underlined this activity and could this be transferred to practice in other countries? ⋯ Despite health disparities, Maori are at least as active as European New Zealanders. The reasons for this lack of disparity in physical activity prevalence between Maori and European New Zealanders could be due to environmental influences, including those in the socio-cultural and policy environment.
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Health Promot J Austr · Dec 2006
Comparative StudyThe social determinants of health: is there a role for health promotion foundations?
If they are to respond effectively to health inequities, organisations involved in health promotion need to refocus on the social determinants of health (SDH) and the distribution of resources for health. ⋯ The public purpose, enterprise and innovation potential of health promotion foundations provides them with unique capacity to respond to SDH. In the complex and contested policy environment surrounding action on the determinants of health, the role that foundations can most usefully play is that of a change agent in a broader social movement seeking health equity.
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Health Promot J Austr · Dec 2006
Federal, State and Territory government responses to health inequities and the social determinants of health in Australia.
Planned actions by governments can play an important part in addressing the social determinants of health and health inequities. We assess the extent to which Australian health departments are committed to health equity as a core value, and the extent to which strategic directions and policies show evidence of action and achievement in reducing health inequities and attention to the social determinants of health. ⋯ Although substantial health inequities exist in Australia there is explicit or implicit recognition of the underlying value of equity within all jurisdictions and some policies designed to increase health equity in all. However, in most jurisdictions health equity could be more explicitly incorporated into core government and health department strategies and initiatives, and there is room for the development of the capacity to monitor change over time in access to services, quality of care, and improved health outcomes.
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Health Promot J Austr · Aug 2006
Comparative StudyPester power: snackfoods displayed at supermarket checkouts in Melbourne, Australia.
To establish the amount and accessibility of snack food displayed at supermarket checkouts located in Melbourne, Australia. ⋯ Foods displayed at supermarket checkouts in Melbourne are predominantly energy-dense confectionery items. They are often promoted in a way that targets children and encourages parents to impulse buy for their children.
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Health Promot J Austr · Apr 2005
Safety in numbers in Australia: more walkers and bicyclists, safer walking and bicycling.
Overseas research shows that fatality and injury risks per cyclist and pedestrian are lower when there are more cyclists and pedestrians. Do Australian data follow the same exponential 'growth rule' where (Injuries)/(Amount of cycling) is proportional to ((Amount of cycling)-0.6)? ⋯ As with overseas data, the exponential growth rule fits Australian data well. If cycling doubles, the risk per kilometre falls by about 34%; conversely, if cycling halves, the risk per kilometre will be about 52% higher. Policies that adversely influence the amount of cycling (for example, compulsory helmet legislation) should be reviewed.