Pub Date : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100302
Thomas Aaron Ricks
{"title":"Is it a lack of an immunisation workforce or not using the workforce to its potential?","authors":"Thomas Aaron Ricks","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100302","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100302","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 1","pages":"Article 100302"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145780028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100294
Greer Humphrey , Gillian E. Caughey , Tracy Air , Clare Bradley , Noeleen Tunny , Alex Brown , Steve Wesselingh , Maria C. Inacio , Odette Pearson , the ROSA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Steering Committee
Objective
To study the trends in incident aged care service use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Methods
Annual incidence of aged care use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (2010–2019) were evaluated using the Registry of Senior Australians Historical Cohort and Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates. Trends were examined by incident rate ratios (IRRs) using Poisson or negative binomial regression adjusted for age, sex and remoteness.
Results
Among 15,106 individuals, incident aged care assessments increased from 10.6/1000 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.7–11.1) in 2010 to 14.6/1000 (95%CI: 14.0–15.2) in 2019 (IRR=1.04/year, 95%CI: 1.03–1.05). Incident aged care service use increased from 7.4/1000 (95%CI: 6.8–8.0) to 9.7/1000 (95%CI: 9.2–10.2; IRR=1.02/year, 95%CI: 1.01–1.03). Increases occurred in metropolitan and regional areas, with the greatest increase observed for home care packages (≥8% annually). In remote areas, the use of home care packages decreased by ≥5% annually.
Conclusions
Increased use of aged care programs is encouraging. However, declining use in remote areas highlight the need for improved access to aged care.
Implications for Public Health
Equitable access and use of aged care services will require the reforms underway to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preferences for aged care.
{"title":"Trends in the incidence of aged care program utilisation by older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 2010–2019","authors":"Greer Humphrey , Gillian E. Caughey , Tracy Air , Clare Bradley , Noeleen Tunny , Alex Brown , Steve Wesselingh , Maria C. Inacio , Odette Pearson , the ROSA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Steering Committee","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100294","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100294","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To study the trends in incident aged care service use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Annual incidence of aged care use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (2010–2019) were evaluated using the Registry of Senior Australians Historical Cohort and Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates. Trends were examined by incident rate ratios (IRRs) using Poisson or negative binomial regression adjusted for age, sex and remoteness.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 15,106 individuals, incident aged care assessments increased from 10.6/1000 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.7–11.1) in 2010 to 14.6/1000 (95%CI: 14.0–15.2) in 2019 (IRR=1.04/year, 95%CI: 1.03–1.05). Incident aged care service use increased from 7.4/1000 (95%CI: 6.8–8.0) to 9.7/1000 (95%CI: 9.2–10.2; IRR=1.02/year, 95%CI: 1.01–1.03). Increases occurred in metropolitan and regional areas, with the greatest increase observed for home care packages (≥8% annually). In remote areas, the use of home care packages decreased by ≥5% annually.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Increased use of aged care programs is encouraging. However, declining use in remote areas highlight the need for improved access to aged care.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><div>Equitable access and use of aged care services will require the reforms underway to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preferences for aged care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 1","pages":"Article 100294"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145712310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-10DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100292
Rachel Roskvist, Lovely Dizon, Bradley Drayton, Jade Le Grice, Analosa Veukiso-Ulugia, John Fenaughty, Bridget Farrant, Rona Carroll, Terryann Clark
Objective: Sexual violence is a persistent public health problem, particularly for adolescents. Identifying those most at risk enables the development of appropriate strategies to respond to sexual violence for these groups.
Methods: Using data from the Youth2000 series, a comprehensive, representative, cross-sectional youth health and wellbeing survey conducted in 2001, 2007, 2012 and 2019, the prevalence of unwanted sexual experiences in New Zealand adolescents are reported by demographic groups alongside trends over time.
Results: Sexual violence is widespread (12.4%) among adolescents, with girls (19%), Māori (15.3%), transgender (31.9%), sexual minorities (22.1%), those with long-term conditions (23.4%), those living in socio-economically deprived neighbourhoods (13.4%) and schools (15.3%), and those involved with statutory child protection (26.7%) experiencing higher prevalence. After an initial decline between 2001 and 2007, sexual violence increased from 2012 to 2019 (9.5% to 12.4%).
Conclusions: Some adolescent population groups experience a greater burden of sexual violence.
Implications for public health: A one-size-fits-all approach to prevention and service delivery is inappropriate in Aotearoa. Prevention strategies and services must support an intersectional approach recognising that inclusive, culturally and developmentally appropriate strategies are necessary to address inequity.
{"title":"Sexual violence and unwanted sexual experiences among adolescents: Prevalence, trends and disparities among a representative cross-sectional study of high school students in Aotearoa New Zealand.","authors":"Rachel Roskvist, Lovely Dizon, Bradley Drayton, Jade Le Grice, Analosa Veukiso-Ulugia, John Fenaughty, Bridget Farrant, Rona Carroll, Terryann Clark","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100292","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100292","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Sexual violence is a persistent public health problem, particularly for adolescents. Identifying those most at risk enables the development of appropriate strategies to respond to sexual violence for these groups.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using data from the Youth2000 series, a comprehensive, representative, cross-sectional youth health and wellbeing survey conducted in 2001, 2007, 2012 and 2019, the prevalence of unwanted sexual experiences in New Zealand adolescents are reported by demographic groups alongside trends over time.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sexual violence is widespread (12.4%) among adolescents, with girls (19%), Māori (15.3%), transgender (31.9%), sexual minorities (22.1%), those with long-term conditions (23.4%), those living in socio-economically deprived neighbourhoods (13.4%) and schools (15.3%), and those involved with statutory child protection (26.7%) experiencing higher prevalence. After an initial decline between 2001 and 2007, sexual violence increased from 2012 to 2019 (9.5% to 12.4%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Some adolescent population groups experience a greater burden of sexual violence.</p><p><strong>Implications for public health: </strong>A one-size-fits-all approach to prevention and service delivery is inappropriate in Aotearoa. Prevention strategies and services must support an intersectional approach recognising that inclusive, culturally and developmentally appropriate strategies are necessary to address inequity.</p>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":" ","pages":"100292"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145740594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100284
D. Maganja , M. Marklund , J.H.Y. Wu
{"title":"Industrially produced trans fats in Australian supermarkets in 2023","authors":"D. Maganja , M. Marklund , J.H.Y. Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100284","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100284","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"49 6","pages":"Article 100284"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145501932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100288
R. Laws , P. Love , P. Mehdipour , L. Orellana , K. Campbell , M. Adam , E. Denney-Wilson , H. Cheng , R. Gelman , S. Marshall , H. Koorts , E. Ganakas , V. Brown , J. McWhinnie , V. Graham , F. Mitchell , J. Browne , K.D. Hesketh
Objective
To describe the equitable reach of INFANT, an evidence-based early life nutrition and movement behaviour program when scaled up.
Methods
INFANT, comprising a free app and practitioner-led groups, was offered across Victoria, Australia, from 2021. Practitioner training was tracked via records, and caregiver participation measured through an app survey. Program reach was estimated per 1000 births in each local government area (LGA). Logistic regression models identified factors associated with group enrolment/attendance.
Results
By November 2024, INFANT groups were offered in 48 (61%) Victorian LGAs and the app was used in 78 (99%) reaching 11,358 caregivers. LGAs with higher rates of practitioners trained achieved better program reach. Compared to Victorian women of reproductive age, a higher proportion of INFANT participants were university educated, English speaking, from advantaged communities and outside major cities. In LGAs offering both program components, group enrolment/attendance was higher among first-time parents, those practicing mixed feeding, living in disadvantaged communities and outside major cities.
Conclusions
INFANT achieved high reach, with group sessions reaching more disadvantaged parents. Efforts continue to expand reach for priority groups.
Implications for Public Health
This is the first study to assess the equitable reach of an early life health promotion program at scale.
{"title":"Understanding the reach of an evidence-based public health intervention to optimise nutrition and movement behaviour at scale: The INFANT Program","authors":"R. Laws , P. Love , P. Mehdipour , L. Orellana , K. Campbell , M. Adam , E. Denney-Wilson , H. Cheng , R. Gelman , S. Marshall , H. Koorts , E. Ganakas , V. Brown , J. McWhinnie , V. Graham , F. Mitchell , J. Browne , K.D. Hesketh","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100288","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100288","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To describe the equitable reach of INFANT, an evidence-based early life nutrition and movement behaviour program when scaled up.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>INFANT, comprising a free app and practitioner-led groups, was offered across Victoria, Australia, from 2021. Practitioner training was tracked via records, and caregiver participation measured through an app survey. Program reach was estimated per 1000 births in each local government area (LGA). Logistic regression models identified factors associated with group enrolment/attendance.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>By November 2024, INFANT groups were offered in 48 (61%) Victorian LGAs and the app was used in 78 (99%) reaching 11,358 caregivers. LGAs with higher rates of practitioners trained achieved better program reach. Compared to Victorian women of reproductive age, a higher proportion of INFANT participants were university educated, English speaking, from advantaged communities and outside major cities. In LGAs offering both program components, group enrolment/attendance was higher among first-time parents, those practicing mixed feeding, living in disadvantaged communities and outside major cities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>INFANT achieved high reach, with group sessions reaching more disadvantaged parents. Efforts continue to expand reach for priority groups.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><div>This is the first study to assess the equitable reach of an early life health promotion program at scale.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"49 6","pages":"Article 100288"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145601722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100270
Holger Möller , Rebecca Q. Ivers , Brett Shannon , Jodi Gray , Hossein Haji Ali Afzali , Sadia Hossain , Marnie Campbell , Rebecca Kimlin , Bobby Porykali , Patrick Sharpe , Courtney Ryder
Objective
To examine the burden of serious road transport injuries and fatalities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in New South Wales (NSW) and identify protective factors to inform targeted road safety initiatives.
Methods
This study utilised the NSW Centre for Road Safety linked crash-and-health data from 2005-2023 including police-reported crash, hospital, emergency department, and mortality data. Statistical analysis focused on the burden of serious injury and factors protective of serious injury.
Results
Between 2005 and 2023, 7,587 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 17 or older were seriously injured, and 320 were killed in a road transport crash in NSW. Car occupants (53%) and young adults aged 17-29 (48%) were most affected. Fractures (41%) and head injuries (19%) were the most common injuries. Pedestrians experienced the highest proportion of maximum severity injuries (15%). Protective factors for serious injury included wearing seatbelts, holding a standard licence, and crashing in urban areas.
Conclusions
The study highlights the significant burden of road transport injuries on communities and identifies key protective factors.
Implications for Public Health
Findings emphasise the need for culturally appropriate, community-led road safety initiatives to reduce transport injuries and deaths in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
{"title":"Road transport injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in New South Wales, Australia","authors":"Holger Möller , Rebecca Q. Ivers , Brett Shannon , Jodi Gray , Hossein Haji Ali Afzali , Sadia Hossain , Marnie Campbell , Rebecca Kimlin , Bobby Porykali , Patrick Sharpe , Courtney Ryder","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To examine the burden of serious road transport injuries and fatalities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in New South Wales (NSW) and identify protective factors to inform targeted road safety initiatives.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study utilised the NSW Centre for Road Safety linked crash-and-health data from 2005-2023 including police-reported crash, hospital, emergency department, and mortality data. Statistical analysis focused on the burden of serious injury and factors protective of serious injury.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Between 2005 and 2023, 7,587 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 17 or older were seriously injured, and 320 were killed in a road transport crash in NSW. Car occupants (53%) and young adults aged 17-29 (48%) were most affected. Fractures (41%) and head injuries (19%) were the most common injuries. Pedestrians experienced the highest proportion of maximum severity injuries (15%). Protective factors for serious injury included wearing seatbelts, holding a standard licence, and crashing in urban areas.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The study highlights the significant burden of road transport injuries on communities and identifies key protective factors.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><div>Findings emphasise the need for culturally appropriate, community-led road safety initiatives to reduce transport injuries and deaths in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"49 6","pages":"Article 100270"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145298559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100273
Stephen Harfield , Judith A. Dean , Peter Azzopardi , Gita D. Mishra , James Ward
Objective
This study examines the enablers and barriers to accessing primary health care services from the perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15–24 years in urban southeast Queensland.
Methods
Thirty-five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15–24 years were recruited using multiple methods and participated in research yarns and yarning groups. Inductive thematic analysis was used.
Results
Enablers and barriers were identified across four strength-based themes that align with three levels of a modified social ecological model; individual: (i) health literacy is important for how young people access, understand and use primary health care services; family and community: (ii) family and friends play a key role in offering support and information related to healthcare, as well as assisting young people to access healthcare services; and systems and organisation: (iii) primary health care services that are accessible, equitable, holistic and culturally safe engage young people and (iv) health care providers can make all the difference in young people’s healthcare experience.
Conclusion
Young people’s perspectives on healthcare are distinct and multilayered; however, leveraging these perspectives will help improve both access and utilisation of primary health care for this population.
Implications for Public Health
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people’s perspectives can assist healthcare planning, governance, and clinical care pathways.
{"title":"‘Mob want to see mob’: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples’ perspective on accessing primary health care services in urban southeast Queensland","authors":"Stephen Harfield , Judith A. Dean , Peter Azzopardi , Gita D. Mishra , James Ward","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examines the enablers and barriers to accessing primary health care services from the perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15–24 years in urban southeast Queensland.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Thirty-five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15–24 years were recruited using multiple methods and participated in research yarns and yarning groups. Inductive thematic analysis was used.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Enablers and barriers were identified across four strength-based themes that align with three levels of a modified social ecological model; individual: (i) health literacy is important for how young people access, understand and use primary health care services; family and community: (ii) family and friends play a key role in offering support and information related to healthcare, as well as assisting young people to access healthcare services; and systems and organisation: (iii) primary health care services that are accessible, equitable, holistic and culturally safe engage young people and (iv) health care providers can make all the difference in young people’s healthcare experience.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Young people’s perspectives on healthcare are distinct and multilayered; however, leveraging these perspectives will help improve both access and utilisation of primary health care for this population.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><div>Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people’s perspectives can assist healthcare planning, governance, and clinical care pathways.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"49 6","pages":"Article 100273"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145342863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100283
Jaithri Ananthapavan , Veronica Le Nevez , Suzanne Robinson , Todd Harper , Vicki Brown
{"title":"Prevention pays: Investing in Australia's health and economic future","authors":"Jaithri Ananthapavan , Veronica Le Nevez , Suzanne Robinson , Todd Harper , Vicki Brown","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100283","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100283","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"49 6","pages":"Article 100283"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
To explore barriers contributing to low participation in bowel cancer screening among rural populations, while investigating community-identified recommendations to improve access.
Methods
A grounded theory approach was applied to qualitative, online, semi structured interviews. Empirical data were inductively coded with constant comparison applied across the data corpus to contextualise meaning.
Results
31 rural and remote Queenslanders participated. Theory surrounding the phenomena of low participation in bowel cancer screening highlighted broader system-level design-inhibited participation for geographically diverse populations. Pervasive themes prohibiting bowel cancer screening access stemmed from a lack of local healthcare availability across both primary care and endoscopic outpatient services as necessitated for community engagement and participation in bowel cancer screening.
Conclusion
This study highlights that access to both immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) and follow-up colonoscopy is fraught with barriers preventing equitable access to bowel cancer screening for rural and remote communities. Consumer-driven patient navigation strategies, improved healthcare availability and adjustments to the current program design are required to mitigate program disparities.
Implications for Public Health
Elevating the voices of lived-experience experts to influence existing models of delivery has the potential to increase participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and improve health outcomes for geographically diverse populations.
{"title":"Key recommendations to improve equity and access in colorectal cancer screening for rural and remote communities. A grounded theory study","authors":"Nicole Marinucci , Natasha Koloski , Kate Baker , Naomi Moy , Gerald Holtmann","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100295","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100295","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To explore barriers contributing to low participation in bowel cancer screening among rural populations, while investigating community-identified recommendations to improve access.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A grounded theory approach was applied to qualitative, online, semi structured interviews. Empirical data were inductively coded with constant comparison applied across the data corpus to contextualise meaning.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>31 rural and remote Queenslanders participated. Theory surrounding the phenomena of low participation in bowel cancer screening highlighted broader system-level design-inhibited participation for geographically diverse populations. Pervasive themes prohibiting bowel cancer screening access stemmed from a lack of local healthcare availability across both primary care and endoscopic outpatient services as necessitated for community engagement and participation in bowel cancer screening.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study highlights that access to both immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) and follow-up colonoscopy is fraught with barriers preventing equitable access to bowel cancer screening for rural and remote communities. Consumer-driven patient navigation strategies, improved healthcare availability and adjustments to the current program design are required to mitigate program disparities.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><div>Elevating the voices of lived-experience experts to influence existing models of delivery has the potential to increase participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and improve health outcomes for geographically diverse populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"49 6","pages":"Article 100295"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145666885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100280
Syed Afroz Keramat , Khorshed Alam , Rabeya Basri , Aliu Mohammed , Abdul-Aziz Seidu , Bright Opoku Ahinkorah , Abdullah Al Mamun
Objective
We aim to examine whether sleep quality and obesity are important risk factors for multimorbidity among middle-aged and older adults in Australia.
Methods
We analysed 22,551 person-year observations from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. We used fixed-effects multinomial logistic regression to explore the relationship between sleep quality and obesity with multimorbidity risk.
Results
We found that worsening an individual’s sleep quality from good to poor was linked to a 1.65-fold increase in their risk of multimorbidity (relative risk ratio: 1.65, 95% confidence interval: 1.33–2.04). Transitioning from a healthy weight to obesity was associated with a 2.28 times higher risk of developing multimorbidity (relative risk ratio: 2.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.55–3.37). We also found that transitioning from good sleep and healthy weight to poor sleep and obesity resulted in a 3.82-fold increase in their relative risk of multimorbidity (relative risk ratio: 3.82, 95% confidence interval: 2.35–6.19).
Conclusions
The findings highlight the need for public health strategies and health promotion programs to tackle these modifiable risk factors.
Implications for Public Health
A key priority should be funding evidence-based implementation research to identify the most effective ways to deliver the proven interventions for sleep health and weight management across diverse Australian communities.
{"title":"Sleep quality, obesity and the risk of multimorbidity among Australian middle-aged and older adults: Evidence from a national longitudinal household survey","authors":"Syed Afroz Keramat , Khorshed Alam , Rabeya Basri , Aliu Mohammed , Abdul-Aziz Seidu , Bright Opoku Ahinkorah , Abdullah Al Mamun","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100280","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100280","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3><strong>Objective</strong></h3><div>We aim to examine whether sleep quality and obesity are important risk factors for multimorbidity among middle-aged and older adults in Australia.</div></div><div><h3><strong>Methods</strong></h3><div>We analysed 22,551 person-year observations from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. We used fixed-effects multinomial logistic regression to explore the relationship between sleep quality and obesity with multimorbidity risk.</div></div><div><h3><strong>Results</strong></h3><div>We found that worsening an individual’s sleep quality from good to poor was linked to a 1.65-fold increase in their risk of multimorbidity (relative risk ratio: 1.65, 95% confidence interval: 1.33–2.04). Transitioning from a healthy weight to obesity was associated with a 2.28 times higher risk of developing multimorbidity (relative risk ratio: 2.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.55–3.37). We also found that transitioning from good sleep and healthy weight to poor sleep and obesity resulted in a 3.82-fold increase in their relative risk of multimorbidity (relative risk ratio: 3.82, 95% confidence interval: 2.35–6.19).</div></div><div><h3><strong>Conclusions</strong></h3><div>The findings highlight the need for public health strategies and health promotion programs to tackle these modifiable risk factors.</div></div><div><h3><strong>Implications for Public Health</strong></h3><div>A key priority should be funding evidence-based implementation research to identify the most effective ways to deliver the proven interventions for sleep health and weight management across diverse Australian communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"49 6","pages":"Article 100280"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145399496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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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