DSpace Collection: 249-418 (Juni, 2022)

Government support and commitment to universitylevel public health education, research and workforce development is critical

2023-04-13T04:20:04Z

Title: Government support and commitment to universitylevel public health education, research and workforce development is critical Authors: Gurnett, Tracy; Prokopovich, Kathleen; Ivers, Rebecca; Cullerton, Katherine; Stekelenburg, Naomi; Slevin, Terry

If soft drink companies can do it, why can’t government? Sugary drink sales policies in schools must be tightened

2023-04-13T04:17:16Z

Title: If soft drink companies can do it, why can’t government? Sugary drink sales policies in schools must be tightened Authors: Sundborn, Gerhard; Thornley, Simon; Veatupu, Loma; Lang, Bodo

Travel-weary to travel-worry: the epidemiology of injury-related traveller deaths in Australia, 2006-2017

2023-04-13T04:14:41Z

Title: Travel-weary to travel-worry: the epidemiology of injury-related traveller deaths in Australia, 2006-2017 Authors: Miller, Lauren; Franklin, Richard C.; Watt, Kerrianne; Leggat, Peter A. Abstract: Objective: To explore injury deaths in international and domestic interstate travellers, together with those newly arrived to Australia. Methods: A population-based cohort study of all injury-related deaths between 1January 2006 and 31 December 2017 registered with Births Death and Marriages in Australia was conducted using Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) Cause of Death information. Population data on travellers were obtained from Tourism Research Australia. Results: There were 4,503 injury-related traveller deaths (domestic interstate:3,055; international:934; new arrivals:514). The average annual age-standardised mortality rates in domestic interstate travellers was 0.75 per 100,000, compared with 2.22 per 100,000 in international travellers. Leading causes of injury-related death were land transport incidents (n=1495, 33.2%), self-harm (n=786, 17.5%) and falls (n=513, 11.4%), with differences in mechanism by state/territory, traveller type and age group. Intentional self-harm was common amongst all visitor types, however, it was the primary cause of death in new arrivals Conclusion: Age-standardised mortality rates were almost three-fold higher in international than domestic travellers. New arrivals, international and domestic travellers have different injury profiles, and each require specific prevention strategies. Implications for public health: While COVID has restricted travel to and within Australia, this has provided an opportunity for exploration, reflection, and consideration of risk factors for travellers, and to develop targeted injury prevention strategies for visitor types, so travel experience can be optimised and the magnitude of harm can be reduced.

Improving injury surveillance data quality: a study based on hospitals contributing to the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset

2023-04-13T03:58:56Z

Title: Improving injury surveillance data quality: a study based on hospitals contributing to the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset Authors: Sheppard, Dianne M.; Hayman, Jane; Allen, Trevor J.; Berecki-Gisolf, Janneke Abstract: Objective: In this paper, we describe the design and baseline data of a study aimed at improving injury surveillance data quality of hospitals contributing to the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD). Methods: The sequential study phases include a baseline analysis of data quality, direct engagement and communication with each of the emergency department (ED) hospital sites, collection of survey and interview data and ongoing monitoring. Results: In 2019/20, there were 371,683 injury-related ED presentations recorded in the VEMD. Percentage unspecified, the indicator of (poor) data quality, was lowest for ‘body region’ (2.7%) and ‘injury type’ (7.4%), and highest for ’activity when injured’ (29.4%). In the latter, contributing hospitals ranged from 3.0–99.9% unspecified. The ‘description of event’ variable had a mean word count of 10; 16/38 hospitals had a narrative word count of <5. Conclusions: Baseline hospital injury surveillance data vary vastly in data quality, leaving much room for improvement and justifying intervention as described. Implications for public health: Hospital engagement and feedback described in this study is expected to have a marked effect on data quality from 2021 onwards. This will ensure that Victorian injury surveillance data can fulfil their purpose to accurately inform injury prevention policy and practice.