Australian Health Promotion Association

The Australian Health Promotion Association is the only professional association specifically for people interested or involved in the practice, research and study of health promotion. 

Mission 

The mission of the Australian Health Promotion Association is to provide knowledge, resources and perspectives needed to improve health promotion research and practice. 

Objectives

• To provide opportunities for the professional development of members, including the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and information.
• To provide opportunities for the exchange of knowledge in the field of health promotion through the annual national health promotion conference, the joint population health congress held every four years, and the publication of the Health Promotion Journal of Australia and other contemporary media.
• To develop and comment upon existing and proposed health promotion policy and programs in the wider community and to advocate for contemporary directions.
• To support members in their endeavours to increase public awareness of the concept of health.
• To make recommendations with respect to the standards and practice of health promotion as well as the training of health promotion practitioners.
• To represent the interests of Australian health promotion practice when liaising with other organisations.

History

The Association has its origins in the ANZAAS Congress held in Perth during 1983. The planning committee for the Health Education Section of the Congress recognised the need for an organisation that could unify the growing number of people involved in health promotion and health education throughout Western Australia and promote liaison between them. This resulted in the formation of the Western Australian Professional Health Educators’ Association (WAPHEA) in 1985.

In response to interest shown in the organisation from health promotion professionals throughout Australia, WAPHEA changed its name, and in 1990 was nationally constituted as the Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals. The first state branch, Western Australia, was formed in 1992. Branches are now also constituted in all states and territories and there are also members overseas.

Since its incorporation in 1988, the Association has grown and developed so that it now has an established function and a central place in Australia's health promotion landscape. The Health Promotion Association is now recognised as an integral and vital component of the public health sector.

Major Activities

The Health Promotion Association operates at both the National and Branch level in order to achieve its objectives.

At the National level the Health Promotion Association's major activities include: 

• The Australian Health Promotion Association National Conference usually held annually and hosted by the Association Branches on rotation. A new initiative in 2008 was the inaugural Population Health Congress and there are plans for a second congress to be held in Adelaide in 2012.
• Health Promotion Journal of Australia
• Quarterly newsletter - the Australian Health Promotion Update
• An integrated website providing up-to-date professional industry and membership information
• A national listserv providing members with the latest employment opportunities and events information

At the Branch level

• Branches are heavily involved in professional development, including conducting seminars, workshops and training courses on a wide range of topics. Some branches also provide scholarships for health promotion students or graduates, mentoring programs as well as listservs and newsletters.

2009 - 2010 National Management Committee 

President: Suzanne Gleeson (NSW) - Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / Phone: 02 9515 9062

Vice President: James Smith (NT)

National Secretary: Tania Hanzar (ACT)

National Treasurer: Michael Sparks (ACT)

General Committee Members:

Jenni Judd (QLD)

Branch Presidents:

QLD - Kirsty Pickering

NSW - Chris Rissel

ACT - Ian White

VIC - Andrew Jones-Roberts

TAS - Sue Frendin

SA - Jeanette Brown

WA - Meagan Shand

NT - Robbie Lloyd