Australian Health Promotion Association

by Derek R. Smith, Ning Wei and Rui-Sheng Wang

Abstract: Although the community smoking rate within most industrialised countries is undergoing a continuous decline, in developing regions it is actually increasing by around 3% per year. China represents one such area where tobacco use has boomed, largely because of an increasingly affluent society and aggressive marketing by tobacco companies. It is now the world’s largest consumer of tobacco and tobacco-related products, with more than

by Philippa H. Youl, Monika Janda, John B. Lowe and Joanne F. Aitken

Issue addressed: The incidence of skin cancer is rising in many populations around the world. In Australia, men have both the highest incidence of thick melanoma and an increased risk of dying from this disease. Skin screening may provide a method for detecting lesions at an earlier stage. This study sought to assess the impact of two methods of encouraging men to attend free open-access skin screening clinics.

by Rodrigo Mariño, Clive Wright, Victor Minichiello, Margot Schofield and Hanny Calache

Issues addressed: Qualitative process evaluation of a community-based health promotion program conducted to improve the use of oral health services, oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of older Greek and Italian adults living in Melbourne, Australia.

by Grant Schofield, Karen Croteau and Grant McLean

Issue addressed: To examine levels of trust for various sources of physical activity information.

by Dorothy L. Robinson

Issue addressed: Estimated health costs and principal sources of air pollution are reviewed, together with estimated costs of reducing pollution from major sources in Australia.

by Armita Adily and Jeanette Ward

Issues addressed: This article addresses availability and implications of evidence about culturally diverse subgroups in population.

by Sean Sullivan

Issue addressed: Participation in gambling by young people aged 13-18 years.

by Leonie Neville, Susan Furber, Sarah Thackway, Erica Gray and Darren Mayne

Issue addressed: This article describes a prospective health impact assessment (HIA) on a local government environmental management plan, the Shellharbour Foreshore Management Plan (SFM Plan). The health outcomes of interest were physical activity and social cohesion.

by Katja Mikhailovich and Kerry Arabena

Issue addressed: Many Indigenous Australians are dealing with a wide range of sexual health issues including contraception, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. The Indigenous Peer Education Program provided training to young, marginalised and disadvantaged Indigenous people to become sexual health peer educators within their communities.

by Alexandra McManus, Jenny Smith, Jennifer McManus, Emma MacDonald and Megan Williams

Issue addressed: Perth, Western Australia, has the highest proportion of per capita car ownership in Australia. Despite the various health, environmental and traffic-related benefits, the uptake of alternative forms of transportation such as walking, cycling and public transport are low.

by Stephanie Jackiewicz, Ray James and Cathy Campbell

Issue addressed: The term ‘lifestyle’ has become popularised and is used across a variety of fields. This has diminished its currency in the health field somewhat. The term is also used to describe behaviour change and does not include social and environmental influences on health status. Many health professionals now question whether this term is appropriate to use in health promotion today.