In Australia, the beach is a favoured destination for recreational activities linked to physical, psychological, and social health benefits. Unfortunately, older people and people with disability face barriers to beach access that limit their participation in recreational activities. This study aimed to identify beach use behaviours, preferred beach activities, and perceived benefits for older people and people with disability in Australia.
Methods
A 39-item anonymous online survey was administered. Descriptive statistics reported beach use, preferences, and benefits.
Results
The survey had 350 respondents (69% female; mean age 52 years, range 2–90). Almost half (44.8%) could not visit the beach due to accessibility issues. Those who could visit did so year-round, with one third (34%) visiting weekly and 94% spending ≥ 30 min per visit. Factors for beach selection related to accessibility (95%) and the environment (76%). Preferred activities were swimming (56%), walking (51%), and socialising (49%). Perceived benefits included enjoyment/wellbeing (99%), reduced stress (95%), and physical benefits (86%).
Conclusion
Despite limited access, older people and people with disability engage or want to engage in beach-based activities and self-report a range of perceived health benefits.
So What?
Removing the barriers to beach access would improve participation in beach-based health-promoting activities for older people and people with disability.
{"title":"Seas the Day—Older Adults and People With Disability Seek Health and Wellbeing Benefits Through Beach Activities: An Australian Community Survey","authors":"Sasha Job, Luke Heales, Steven Obst","doi":"10.1002/hpja.70123","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hpja.70123","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In Australia, the beach is a favoured destination for recreational activities linked to physical, psychological, and social health benefits. Unfortunately, older people and people with disability face barriers to beach access that limit their participation in recreational activities. This study aimed to identify beach use behaviours, preferred beach activities, and perceived benefits for older people and people with disability in Australia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A 39-item anonymous online survey was administered. Descriptive statistics reported beach use, preferences, and benefits.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The survey had 350 respondents (69% female; mean age 52 years, range 2–90). Almost half (44.8%) could not visit the beach due to accessibility issues. Those who could visit did so year-round, with one third (34%) visiting weekly and 94% spending ≥ 30 min per visit. Factors for beach selection related to accessibility (95%) and the environment (76%). Preferred activities were swimming (56%), walking (51%), and socialising (49%). Perceived benefits included enjoyment/wellbeing (99%), reduced stress (95%), and physical benefits (86%).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Despite limited access, older people and people with disability engage or want to engage in beach-based activities and self-report a range of perceived health benefits.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> So What?</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Removing the barriers to beach access would improve participation in beach-based health-promoting activities for older people and people with disability.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145393792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amy E. Anderson, Christophe Lecathelinais, John Wiggers, Luke Wolfenden, Melanie Lum, Alice Grady, Sze Lin Yoong
Issue Addressed
The early childhood and education care (ECEC) sector has faced substantial contextual changes over the years. It is unknown whether prevalence of adoption of health promotion policies and practices has been impacted over this time. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of these policies and practices within New South Wales (NSW) ECEC services between 2013 and 2021–2022.
Methods
A repeat cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2013 and 2021–2022 with NSW ECEC services to assess their adoption of eight evidence-based healthy eating and physical activity practices. Separate logistic regression models were used to compare the difference in prevalence of adoption at the two time points.
Results
In 2013, 214 (85.3% consent rate) services participated, while 512 (49.9%) services completed the 2021–2022 survey (271 receiving healthy eating version and 241 physical activity version). The majority of services (> 60%) had adopted each of the practices at both time points. There was a significant increase in prevalence of adoption for five of the eight practices, no difference for two practices, and a reduction in one practice (providing staff professional development for physical activity) between 2013 and 2021–2022.
Conclusions
This study suggests that at a population level, services have maintained or increased their adoption of the majority of health promotion policies and practices over time.
So What?
State-funded implementation support provided to ECECs can result in the continued delivery of health-promoting policies and practices within ECEC services to create Healthy Settings for child health promotion.
{"title":"Long-Term Adoption of Health Promotion Policies and Practices in Early Childhood Education and Care in New South Wales, Australia: A Repeat Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"Amy E. Anderson, Christophe Lecathelinais, John Wiggers, Luke Wolfenden, Melanie Lum, Alice Grady, Sze Lin Yoong","doi":"10.1002/hpja.70126","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hpja.70126","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Issue Addressed</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The early childhood and education care (ECEC) sector has faced substantial contextual changes over the years. It is unknown whether prevalence of adoption of health promotion policies and practices has been impacted over this time. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of these policies and practices within New South Wales (NSW) ECEC services between 2013 and 2021–2022.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A repeat cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2013 and 2021–2022 with NSW ECEC services to assess their adoption of eight evidence-based healthy eating and physical activity practices. Separate logistic regression models were used to compare the difference in prevalence of adoption at the two time points.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In 2013, 214 (85.3% consent rate) services participated, while 512 (49.9%) services completed the 2021–2022 survey (271 receiving healthy eating version and 241 physical activity version). The majority of services (> 60%) had adopted each of the practices at both time points. There was a significant increase in prevalence of adoption for five of the eight practices, no difference for two practices, and a reduction in one practice (providing staff professional development for physical activity) between 2013 and 2021–2022.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study suggests that at a population level, services have maintained or increased their adoption of the majority of health promotion policies and practices over time.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> So What?</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>State-funded implementation support provided to ECECs can result in the continued delivery of health-promoting policies and practices within ECEC services to create Healthy Settings for child health promotion.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145393823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<div> <section> <h3> Issue Addressed</h3> <p>Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) peoples experience many inequalities in health status and outcomes compared to non-Indigenous Australians. Given the strong association between health literacy and health status and outcomes, exploring definitions from an Indigenous perspective is critical to understanding what skills and attributes contribute to the development and maintenance of health literacy among Indigenous Australians. This scoping review sought to identify and describe definitions for health literacy found in health and wellbeing studies involving Indigenous Australians and how those definitions informed resource development in these populations.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods</h3> <p>A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's framework with the modifications recommended by Levac et al. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Emcare, ERIC, Informit and Scopus databases were searched for eligible studies with no restrictions on language or year of publication. The inclusion criteria were that studies required to be full-text peer-reviewed journal articles and empirical studies focused on culturally safe health literacy with Australian Indigenous peoples.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Results</h3> <p>Eighteen studies published between 2012 and 2022 met the inclusion criteria. Three of the studies defined health literacy and acknowledged how it assists Indigenous peoples to access and understand health-related information, aiding in their ability to make informed decisions about their health. In the remaining studies, no explicit definition of health literacy was provided; however, they each described various strategies Indigenous peoples learned to incorporate health information into decisions about health and wellbeing. Three themes within the included studies were identified: underlying health literacy problems, misaligned Western medical practices and difficulties accessing culturally appropriate services.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusion</h3> <p>While many of the studies included in this review reported adaptations of health literacy resources for Indigenous Australians, none of the health literacy definitions reflect the worldview of Indigenous Australians. This review highlights the lack of culturally safe definitions of health literacy informing the development of resources for improving health literacy in Indigenous populations. Definitions of health literacy must include cultural perspectives for future health resource development, including the understanding of health literacy through an Indigenous lens.</p> </section>
{"title":"Reporting Definitions of Health Literacy in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Resources: A Scoping Review","authors":"Jodi Brown, Tanya Langtree, Catrina Felton-Busch, Shaun Solomon, Cate Nagle","doi":"10.1002/hpja.70120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.70120","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Issue Addressed</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) peoples experience many inequalities in health status and outcomes compared to non-Indigenous Australians. Given the strong association between health literacy and health status and outcomes, exploring definitions from an Indigenous perspective is critical to understanding what skills and attributes contribute to the development and maintenance of health literacy among Indigenous Australians. This scoping review sought to identify and describe definitions for health literacy found in health and wellbeing studies involving Indigenous Australians and how those definitions informed resource development in these populations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's framework with the modifications recommended by Levac et al. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Emcare, ERIC, Informit and Scopus databases were searched for eligible studies with no restrictions on language or year of publication. The inclusion criteria were that studies required to be full-text peer-reviewed journal articles and empirical studies focused on culturally safe health literacy with Australian Indigenous peoples.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Eighteen studies published between 2012 and 2022 met the inclusion criteria. Three of the studies defined health literacy and acknowledged how it assists Indigenous peoples to access and understand health-related information, aiding in their ability to make informed decisions about their health. In the remaining studies, no explicit definition of health literacy was provided; however, they each described various strategies Indigenous peoples learned to incorporate health information into decisions about health and wellbeing. Three themes within the included studies were identified: underlying health literacy problems, misaligned Western medical practices and difficulties accessing culturally appropriate services.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>While many of the studies included in this review reported adaptations of health literacy resources for Indigenous Australians, none of the health literacy definitions reflect the worldview of Indigenous Australians. This review highlights the lack of culturally safe definitions of health literacy informing the development of resources for improving health literacy in Indigenous populations. Definitions of health literacy must include cultural perspectives for future health resource development, including the understanding of health literacy through an Indigenous lens.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145371916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Beyond Choice: Challenging Individualism in Public Health Narratives","authors":"Mark Robinson, Mark Chenery, James Smith","doi":"10.1002/hpja.70125","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hpja.70125","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145393774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Apartments are often located in dense, mixed-use neighbourhoods designed to encourage walking and support healthier lifestyles; however, the extent to which these environments benefit all population groups equally with respect to weight-related outcomes is unclear. We investigated the association between neighbourhood disadvantage (ND) and body mass index (BMI) amongst urban Australian apartment dwellers and the extent to which their local neighbourhood environment, apartment building environment, and health behaviours contributed to this relationship. We surveyed residents (n = 955) from recently constructed apartment complexes (n = 108) in areas of low, mid, and high disadvantage across Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Residents in more disadvantaged neighbourhoods had higher BMIs than those in more advantaged areas, with BMI differences of 0.80 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.18, 1.42) and 0.98 kg/m2 (95% CI: −0.01, 1.98) for middle and high disadvantage groups, respectively. Apartment building characteristics and neighbourhood characteristics contributed only marginally to this association, whilst meal consumption practises and physical activity behaviours emerged as key influences. The findings further underscore the entrenched relationship between ND and BMI, with a socioeconomic gradient present even for a population group that lives in more urban, higher density neighbourhoods. To address obesity-related inequities in Australia, there is a need for multifaceted interventions that support healthier energy-balance related behaviours amongst disadvantaged populations.
{"title":"Neighbourhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Body Mass Index Among Australian Apartment Dwellers","authors":"Alexandra Kleeman, Gavin Turrell, Sarah Foster","doi":"10.1002/hpja.70121","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hpja.70121","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Apartments are often located in dense, mixed-use neighbourhoods designed to encourage walking and support healthier lifestyles; however, the extent to which these environments benefit all population groups equally with respect to weight-related outcomes is unclear. We investigated the association between neighbourhood disadvantage (ND) and body mass index (BMI) amongst urban Australian apartment dwellers and the extent to which their local neighbourhood environment, apartment building environment, and health behaviours contributed to this relationship. We surveyed residents (<i>n</i> = 955) from recently constructed apartment complexes (<i>n</i> = 108) in areas of low, mid, and high disadvantage across Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Residents in more disadvantaged neighbourhoods had higher BMIs than those in more advantaged areas, with BMI differences of 0.80 kg/m<sup>2</sup> (95% CI: 0.18, 1.42) and 0.98 kg/m<sup>2</sup> (95% CI: −0.01, 1.98) for middle and high disadvantage groups, respectively. Apartment building characteristics and neighbourhood characteristics contributed only marginally to this association, whilst meal consumption practises and physical activity behaviours emerged as key influences. The findings further underscore the entrenched relationship between ND and BMI, with a socioeconomic gradient present even for a population group that lives in more urban, higher density neighbourhoods. To address obesity-related inequities in Australia, there is a need for multifaceted interventions that support healthier energy-balance related behaviours amongst disadvantaged populations.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145393801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Clemence Due, Moira Walsh, Sue Conaghty, Anna Ziersch
Issue Addressed
It has been well documented that refugees with temporary visa status have poorer physical and mental health than immigrants on permanent visas. This study aimed to investigate the perspective of service providers on temporary visa experiences of refugees and asylum seekers, to examine the pathways between visa-related post-migration difficulties and poor health and implications for health promotion. Working across refugees and asylum seekers with multiple and varying pre-migration experiences and cultural influences, service providers contribute an important perspective of client experiences within the temporary visa system.
Methods
A mixed-methods design was utilised with a quantitative survey of service providers working with refugees and asylum seekers (n = 36) and in-depth interviews (n = 12). Participants were recruited through service networks and snowball sampling. Survey data were analysed descriptively with R, and interview data were thematically analysed.
Results
Temporary visas, particularly short-term bridging visas, were identified as negatively affecting both mental and physical health through uncertainty, inconsistencies, service access transitions and family separation, with impacts via a range of social determinants and psychological states and behaviours.
Conclusions
This study highlights the debilitating impacts of temporary visas on both mental and physical health, and the necessity to provide greater certainty to asylum seekers and refugees.
So What?
Although the current Australian government has transferred many humanitarian temporary visa holders to permanent visas, temporary humanitarian visas remain available for use in the future. Moreover, many asylum seekers will remain on short-term bridging visas. The findings from this study stress the imperative of considering the mental and physical health consequences of immigration policy decisions for asylum-seeker and refugee populations. A deeper understanding of the interplay of components within the temporary visa pathway highlights multiple foci for future research and preventative intervention priorities.
{"title":"“It's Like Damocles' Sword”: Australian Service Provider Perspectives on the Impact of Temporary Visas on Mental and Physical Health for Refugees and Asylum Seekers","authors":"Clemence Due, Moira Walsh, Sue Conaghty, Anna Ziersch","doi":"10.1002/hpja.70119","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hpja.70119","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Issue Addressed</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>It has been well documented that refugees with temporary visa status have poorer physical and mental health than immigrants on permanent visas. This study aimed to investigate the perspective of service providers on temporary visa experiences of refugees and asylum seekers, to examine the pathways between visa-related post-migration difficulties and poor health and implications for health promotion. Working across refugees and asylum seekers with multiple and varying pre-migration experiences and cultural influences, service providers contribute an important perspective of client experiences within the temporary visa system.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A mixed-methods design was utilised with a quantitative survey of service providers working with refugees and asylum seekers (<i>n</i> = 36) and in-depth interviews (<i>n</i> = 12). Participants were recruited through service networks and snowball sampling. Survey data were analysed descriptively with <i>R</i>, and interview data were thematically analysed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Temporary visas, particularly short-term bridging visas, were identified as negatively affecting both mental and physical health through uncertainty, inconsistencies, service access transitions and family separation, with impacts via a range of social determinants and psychological states and behaviours.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study highlights the debilitating impacts of temporary visas on both mental and physical health, and the necessity to provide greater certainty to asylum seekers and refugees.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> So What?</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Although the current Australian government has transferred many humanitarian temporary visa holders to permanent visas, temporary humanitarian visas remain available for use in the future. Moreover, many asylum seekers will remain on short-term bridging visas. The findings from this study stress the imperative of considering the mental and physical health consequences of immigration policy decisions for asylum-seeker and refugee populations. A deeper understanding of the interplay of components within the temporary visa pathway highlights multiple foci for future research and preventative intervention priorities.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145393580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amy Coates, Emma Lea, Hannah Fair, Kathleen Doherty
Issue Addressed
This study explores how community health and social service providers in Tasmania perceive local health challenges, navigate system barriers, and support socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. In the context of Tasmania's ongoing public health reform, these perspectives are critical for shaping equitable strategies grounded in lived experience.
Method
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with leaders from diverse health and social service organisations in southern Tasmania. Analysis combined inductive thematic coding with a critical realist framework to map relationships between the local context, mechanisms of change, and outcomes.
Results
Health risks and chronic conditions are closely entwined with socioeconomic disadvantage, unmet basic needs, and systemic challenges. Providers responded with adaptive, community-based strategies emphasising trust, accessibility, and contextual sensitivity. Yet, these mechanisms were constrained by limited resources, low health literacy, and broader contextual barriers, producing mixed outcomes ranging from engagement and empowerment to persistent disengagement and cycles of poor health.
Conclusion
Community health and social service providers are essential intermediaries, bridging gaps through integrated, localised programs. Findings support Tasmania's vision for an integrated wellbeing approach and highlight the need for greater investments in prevention, stronger local governance and coordination, and strategies that address the structural determinants of health and enhanced community participation.
So What?
This study extends Tasmanian health promotion scholarship by foregrounding provider perspectives and provides a unique system-level account of how providers adapt to entrenched disadvantage. It also demonstrates the value of a critical realist lens for understanding cycles of disadvantage. Together, these insights offer practical guidance for equity-oriented public health reform.
{"title":"“The Poorer You Are, the Harder It Is”: Perspectives on Community Health Promotion in Tasmania","authors":"Amy Coates, Emma Lea, Hannah Fair, Kathleen Doherty","doi":"10.1002/hpja.70116","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hpja.70116","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Issue Addressed</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study explores how community health and social service providers in Tasmania perceive local health challenges, navigate system barriers, and support socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. In the context of Tasmania's ongoing public health reform, these perspectives are critical for shaping equitable strategies grounded in lived experience.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with leaders from diverse health and social service organisations in southern Tasmania. Analysis combined inductive thematic coding with a critical realist framework to map relationships between the local context, mechanisms of change, and outcomes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Health risks and chronic conditions are closely entwined with socioeconomic disadvantage, unmet basic needs, and systemic challenges. Providers responded with adaptive, community-based strategies emphasising trust, accessibility, and contextual sensitivity. Yet, these mechanisms were constrained by limited resources, low health literacy, and broader contextual barriers, producing mixed outcomes ranging from engagement and empowerment to persistent disengagement and cycles of poor health.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Community health and social service providers are essential intermediaries, bridging gaps through integrated, localised programs. Findings support Tasmania's vision for an integrated wellbeing approach and highlight the need for greater investments in prevention, stronger local governance and coordination, and strategies that address the structural determinants of health and enhanced community participation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> So What?</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study extends Tasmanian health promotion scholarship by foregrounding provider perspectives and provides a unique system-level account of how providers adapt to entrenched disadvantage. It also demonstrates the value of a critical realist lens for understanding cycles of disadvantage. Together, these insights offer practical guidance for equity-oriented public health reform.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/hpja.70116","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145393622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lisa Irene Jones, Brett Dyer, Amanda Wedemeyer, Lieke Vorage, Nicola Wiseman, Alanna Philipson, Skye Frazer-Ryan, Andrew Resetti, Neil Harris
Introduction
Connecting2u (C2u) is a mobile health (mHealth) intervention supporting Queensland families. The 2021–2023 iteration focused on the first 2 years of a child's life. This study evaluated whether C2u supported maternal and child well-being during this period.
Methods
This longitudinal study used a self-administered online survey at four points over 2 years. Survey items included the Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale, Modified Medical Outcome Social Support survey, child immunisation status, agreement statements, and open-ended questions on C2u support and satisfaction. Parenting confidence and social support were modelled using linear quantile mixed models; univariate and qualitative content analysis were applied to remaining items.
Results
Parenting confidence increased over the first 12 months, with faster improvements among first-time parents and modestly faster gains among parents with university-level education. Social support scores showed little change over the 2-year period, although qualitative data suggested C2u encouraged conversations between parents. Agreement statements indicated that C2u was well received and supported preventative health behaviours. Qualitative feedback reinforced these findings, with participants describing C2u as an extra layer of support, prompting self-care, encouraging bonding with their child, and offering timely guidance on introducing solids. By the end of the study, 100% of participants indicated their child had received the full schedule of age-appropriate immunisations.
Conclusions
C2u was well received by mothers. Enhancing its focus on partner support, expanding social support networks, guidance on sibling bonding, and self-care strategies could be beneficial. Queensland Health could consider implementing an online booking system to streamline child health appointments. So what? C2u is an innovative mHealth intervention. Our findings support refinement as C2u expands to include antenatal care messaging and support for children up to 5 years, helping to optimise outcomes for families.
{"title":"Using mHealth to Support Queensland Mothers and Children From Birth to Two Years: A Longitudinal Study of Connecting2u","authors":"Lisa Irene Jones, Brett Dyer, Amanda Wedemeyer, Lieke Vorage, Nicola Wiseman, Alanna Philipson, Skye Frazer-Ryan, Andrew Resetti, Neil Harris","doi":"10.1002/hpja.70117","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hpja.70117","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Connecting2u (C2u) is a mobile health (mHealth) intervention supporting Queensland families. The 2021–2023 iteration focused on the first 2 years of a child's life. This study evaluated whether C2u supported maternal and child well-being during this period.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This longitudinal study used a self-administered online survey at four points over 2 years. Survey items included the Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale, Modified Medical Outcome Social Support survey, child immunisation status, agreement statements, and open-ended questions on C2u support and satisfaction. Parenting confidence and social support were modelled using linear quantile mixed models; univariate and qualitative content analysis were applied to remaining items.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Parenting confidence increased over the first 12 months, with faster improvements among first-time parents and modestly faster gains among parents with university-level education. Social support scores showed little change over the 2-year period, although qualitative data suggested C2u encouraged conversations between parents. Agreement statements indicated that C2u was well received and supported preventative health behaviours. Qualitative feedback reinforced these findings, with participants describing C2u as an extra layer of support, prompting self-care, encouraging bonding with their child, and offering timely guidance on introducing solids. By the end of the study, 100% of participants indicated their child had received the full schedule of age-appropriate immunisations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>C2u was well received by mothers. Enhancing its focus on partner support, expanding social support networks, guidance on sibling bonding, and self-care strategies could be beneficial. Queensland Health could consider implementing an online booking system to streamline child health appointments. So what? C2u is an innovative mHealth intervention. Our findings support refinement as C2u expands to include antenatal care messaging and support for children up to 5 years, helping to optimise outcomes for families.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12519932/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145287225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eve T. House, Erin Kerr, Sarah Taki, Elizabeth Denney-Wilson, Louise A. Baur, Heilok Cheng, Sharlene Vlahos, Li Ming Wen
Issue Addressed
This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of an online continuing professional development (CPD) program for primary health professionals (PHPs) regarding early childhood nutrition and associated health behaviours.
Methods
An action research approach was used. Process evaluation included webinar observation to identify behaviour change and adult learning techniques used and post-webinar acceptability surveys. Impact evaluation examined changes in knowledge, attitudes, practices and self-efficacy using online surveys before and 1 month following webinars. Interviews with PHPs and facilitators informed process and impact evaluation.
Results
Thirty-six webinars were delivered from 2022–24, 1246 PHPs registered, and 463 attended live. Facilitation style reflected adult learning principles and incorporated behaviour change techniques targeting knowledge and skill improvement. Facilitators and attendees valued the national scope of the program but highlighted challenges achieving national reach and meeting the needs of a broad audience. Over 90% of attendees provided positive feedback in acceptability surveys; this was reflected in qualitative feedback: attendees enjoyed the practical, interactive content and opportunity to review program material. There was low uptake of effectiveness surveys. In qualitative interviews, PHPs reported intent to change practice; however, the extent of implementation of program content into clinical practice varied.
Conclusions
CPD regarding early childhood health promotion and obesity prevention was well received by PHPs. Future programs should consider incorporating comprehensive impact evaluation.
So What?
Findings should inform future program design, including the need for interactive and practical education. Reach and sustainability of future programs may be enhanced through integration into existing education services for PHPs.
{"title":"Pilot Evaluation of Early Childhood Health Promotion Training for Primary Health Professionals in Australia","authors":"Eve T. House, Erin Kerr, Sarah Taki, Elizabeth Denney-Wilson, Louise A. Baur, Heilok Cheng, Sharlene Vlahos, Li Ming Wen","doi":"10.1002/hpja.70113","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hpja.70113","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Issue Addressed</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of an online continuing professional development (CPD) program for primary health professionals (PHPs) regarding early childhood nutrition and associated health behaviours.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>An action research approach was used. Process evaluation included webinar observation to identify behaviour change and adult learning techniques used and post-webinar acceptability surveys. Impact evaluation examined changes in knowledge, attitudes, practices and self-efficacy using online surveys before and 1 month following webinars. Interviews with PHPs and facilitators informed process and impact evaluation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Thirty-six webinars were delivered from 2022–24, 1246 PHPs registered, and 463 attended live. Facilitation style reflected adult learning principles and incorporated behaviour change techniques targeting knowledge and skill improvement. Facilitators and attendees valued the national scope of the program but highlighted challenges achieving national reach and meeting the needs of a broad audience. Over 90% of attendees provided positive feedback in acceptability surveys; this was reflected in qualitative feedback: attendees enjoyed the practical, interactive content and opportunity to review program material. There was low uptake of effectiveness surveys. In qualitative interviews, PHPs reported intent to change practice; however, the extent of implementation of program content into clinical practice varied.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>CPD regarding early childhood health promotion and obesity prevention was well received by PHPs. Future programs should consider incorporating comprehensive impact evaluation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> So What?</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Findings should inform future program design, including the need for interactive and practical education. Reach and sustainability of future programs may be enhanced through integration into existing education services for PHPs.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145293761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vincent O. Mancini, Thomas Nevill, Briana Guerrini, Gregory Tsuklis
Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) work is a popular form of rotational work implemented by mining and resource companies to connect employees living in urban areas to operations in rural locations. Research outlining the potential risks that FIFO workplaces pose to employee wellbeing has led to initiatives promoting physical and mental health on-site. However, the potential impact of FIFO work on non-travelling family members, who are also impacted, remains under-researched. This commentary draws upon theoretical and empirical perspectives that compel us to contextualise FIFO work as a family experience. We then highlight the role of the health promotion community in helping to identify how FIFO work intersects with family health and functioning, and in developing evidence-based health promotion initiatives to support FIFO families. As FIFO work will continue to be a common form of employment for many families, ensuring that these families have access to tailored and targeted support is an essential target for Australia's health promotion community.
{"title":"Promoting the Health of Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO) Families: Considerations for the Health Promotion Community","authors":"Vincent O. Mancini, Thomas Nevill, Briana Guerrini, Gregory Tsuklis","doi":"10.1002/hpja.70118","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hpja.70118","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) work is a popular form of rotational work implemented by mining and resource companies to connect employees living in urban areas to operations in rural locations. Research outlining the potential risks that FIFO workplaces pose to employee wellbeing has led to initiatives promoting physical and mental health on-site. However, the potential impact of FIFO work on non-travelling family members, who are also impacted, remains under-researched. This commentary draws upon theoretical and empirical perspectives that compel us to contextualise FIFO work as a <i>family</i> experience. We then highlight the role of the health promotion community in helping to identify how FIFO work intersects with family health and functioning, and in developing evidence-based health promotion initiatives to support FIFO families. As FIFO work will continue to be a common form of employment for many families, ensuring that these families have access to tailored and targeted support is an essential target for Australia's health promotion community.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145287240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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