{"title":"A prescription model for vapes: the way we 'do' medicines policy in Australia.","authors":"Michelle Scollo, Claire Grace, Tanya Buchanan, Anita Dessaix","doi":"10.17061/phrp34122405","DOIUrl":"10.17061/phrp34122405","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>On 2 May 2023, the Australian Federal Government announced a suite of reforms aimed at ensuring the effectiveness of the prescription model of regulation of vaping (or e-cigarette) products in Australia. These reforms are intended to protect Australians, particularly young people, from the harms of vaping and nicotine dependence. The ensuing public debate on the issue has often created the impression that the options under consideration are to either retain 'recently introduced' prescription regulation or to 'revert to' a retail supply approach. However, the sale of nicotine vapes by retailers such as tobacconists and convenience stores has never been lawful in Australia. The reforms do not seek to change the way nicotine vaping products are regulated, but rather to ensure that the existing prescription model can be effectively enforced and can function as originally intended. This paper describes the historical context and rationale for strengthening prescription regulation of vapes in this country.</p>","PeriodicalId":45898,"journal":{"name":"Public Health Research & Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141065471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ben Smith, Timothy J Moss, Bernie Marshall, Nicole Halim, Robert Palmer, Simon von Saldern
{"title":"Engaging Australian men in disease prevention - priorities and opportunities from a national survey.","authors":"Ben Smith, Timothy J Moss, Bernie Marshall, Nicole Halim, Robert Palmer, Simon von Saldern","doi":"10.17061/phrp33342310","DOIUrl":"10.17061/phrp33342310","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objective and importance of the study: In Australia, preventable causes of morbidity and mortality are common among men. The National Men's Health Strategy 2021-2030 highlights the need to successfully engage men in disease prevention; hence, we aimed to examine the prevention priorities, attitudes and information sources reported by Australian men.</p><p><strong>Study type: </strong>Population survey.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Men aged 18 years and over were recruited from the nationally representative Life in Australia panel. Participants completed an online survey that measured the prevention issues of greatest concern, attitudes to prevention behaviours and services, and the health information sources considered most useful.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 1282 respondents, mental health issues, followed by those pertaining to chronic disease and relationships, were rated of highest concern. Weight management, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption were most often considered as important for personal health. Being 65 years and older and having adequate health literacy were strongly associated with positive attitudes towards prevention practices. More than three-quarters of men rated their doctor as the most useful information source, followed by health websites, internet searching, and their partner.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Psychological and social issues are of high concern to men, and their attitudes toward preventive behaviours and services often do not align with public health recommendations. Understanding the topics of greatest concern to men and their preferred sources of information can inform communication and engagement strategies to improve health-related practices among men.</p>","PeriodicalId":45898,"journal":{"name":"Public Health Research & Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"54231548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura Collie, Andrew Milat, Anurag Sharma, Siaw-Teng Liaw, Marianne Gale
{"title":"What role can 'health decision-makers' play in supporting knowledge translation of health and medical research?","authors":"Laura Collie, Andrew Milat, Anurag Sharma, Siaw-Teng Liaw, Marianne Gale","doi":"10.17061/phrp3422413","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp3422413","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>CEmbedding research users into the research process can better support its translation into health systems and services. Still, the role of health decision-makers (HDMs) as research partners is poorly understood. HDMs, such as policymakers, administrators, directors or other managers, understand the broader contexts of a health service and have a mandate to facilitate change where appropriate, so they could play an important partnership role in research activities.</p>","PeriodicalId":45898,"journal":{"name":"Public Health Research & Practice","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141421351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonathan Abrahams, Fiona Armstrong, Chiedza Malunga, Philipp du Cros
{"title":"Global health action delayed: people's health and wellbeing denied.","authors":"Jonathan Abrahams, Fiona Armstrong, Chiedza Malunga, Philipp du Cros","doi":"10.17061/phrp3422411","DOIUrl":"10.17061/phrp3422411","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45898,"journal":{"name":"Public Health Research & Practice","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141421347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A survey of eyecare affordability among patients seen in collaborative care in Australia and factors contributing to cost barriers.","authors":"Rene Cheung, Angelica Ly","doi":"10.17061/phrp3422415","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp3422415","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>The decline in the real value of rebates from Australia's national public health insurance scheme, Medicare, over the past decade has contributed to increased out-of-pocket costs for eyecare services, which threatens affordability. This study measured eyecare affordability and cost barriers among patients seen in collaborative care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 252 patients who had attended a collaborative eyecare clinic in the previous year. A modified affordability subscale was used to measure eyecare and general healthcare affordability. Two population scores were calculated: the average percentage of patients experiencing cost barriers (mean of the five item percentages for general healthcare, and optometric and specialist eyecare), and the proportion indicating one or more cost barriers. Factors associated with eyecare and general healthcare affordability were identified using linear regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The response rate was 46.8% (n = 118/252). The mean percentage of patients not obtaining services because of cost ranged from 23.4% (standard deviation [SD] 8.8) for general healthcare to 25.5% (SD 6.3) for specialist eyecare. Direct or indirect cost barriers to one or more services were experienced by 45.2% (n = 52/115) of respondents for optometric eyecare and 40.4% (n = 44/109) for specialist eyecare. Services not covered by private health insurance or Medicare (for example, out-of-pocket dental and optical) were ranked the most difficult to afford. Poorer self-rated health (p = 0.004, β = 0.293) and the lack of private hospital health insurance (p = 0.014, β= 0.249) were associated with reduced optometric eyecare affordability. This was also true for specialist eyecare affordability (self-rated health p = 0.002, β = 0.306; private hospital health insurance p = 0.004, β = 0.286). A lack of private hospital health insurance (p = 0.001, β = 0.312), younger age (p < 0.001, β = -0.418) and holding a concession card (p = 0.011, β = 0.272) were all associated with reduced affordability of general healthcare.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A high proportion of patients seen in collaborative care experience cost barriers to accessing eyecare, particularly for services not covered by private health insurance or Medicare. These findings indicate that affordability concerns exist despite significant reductions in the direct cost of services within a collaborative care setting. They also provide insights on the subpopulations most vulnerable to rising eyecare costs.</p>","PeriodicalId":45898,"journal":{"name":"Public Health Research & Practice","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141421346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improving access to catch-up immunisations for humanitarian arrivals: a qualitative study.","authors":"Shamila Ginige, Holly Seale, Kate Alexander","doi":"10.17061/phrp3422417","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp3422417","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45898,"journal":{"name":"Public Health Research & Practice","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141421349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Forrest C Koch, Monica Tang, Ramesh Walpola, Maria Aslam, Sallie-Anne Pearson, Benjamin Daniels
{"title":"Changes in systemic cancer therapy in Australia during the Delta and Omicron waves of the COVID-19 pandemic (2021-2022): a controlled interrupted time series analysis.","authors":"Forrest C Koch, Monica Tang, Ramesh Walpola, Maria Aslam, Sallie-Anne Pearson, Benjamin Daniels","doi":"10.17061/phrp34012402","DOIUrl":"10.17061/phrp34012402","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Australian lockdowns in response to the initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in 2020 were associated with small and transient changes in the use of systemic cancer therapy. We aimed to investigate the impacts of the longer and more restrictive lockdowns in the Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria during both the Delta subvariant lockdowns in mid-2021 and the Omicron subvariant outbreak in late 2021/early 2022.</p><p><strong>Study type: </strong>Population-based, controlled interrupted time series analysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a national observational study using de-identified records of government-subsidised cancer medicines dispensed to a random 10% sample of Australians between July 2018 and July 2022. We used controlled interrupted time series analysis to investigate changes in the dispensing, initiation and discontinuation of all cancer medicines dispensed to residents of NSW and Victoria, using the rest of Australia as a control series. We used quasi-Poisson regression to model weekly counts and estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for the effect of (each) the Delta phase lockdown and the Omicron outbreak on our systemic cancer therapy outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between July 2018 and July 2022, cancer medicines were dispensed 592 141 times to 33 198 people in NSW and Victoria. Overall, there were no changes to the rates of dispensing, initiation or discontinuation of antineoplastics during the Delta phase lockdowns. In both states during the Omicron outbreak, there were significant decreases in the dispensing of antineoplastics (NSW IRR 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84, 0.93. Victoria IRR 0.92; 95% CI 0.88, 0.96) and in the initiation of endocrine therapy (NSW IRR 0.85; 95% CI 0.74, 0.99. Victoria IRR 0.78; 95% CI 0.65, 0.94), and no changes in the discontinuation of any systemic cancer therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The 2021 lockdowns and 2021/2022 Omicron outbreaks in NSW and Victoria had significant impacts on the dispensing, initiation and discontinuation of systemic cancer therapies, however, the overall effects were minimal. The impacts of lockdowns were less significant than the Omicron outbreaks, suggesting COVID-19 infection, health system capacity, and patient and community concerns were important factors for treatment changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":45898,"journal":{"name":"Public Health Research & Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139900681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David E Goldsbury, Damien McCarthy, Caroline G Watts, Chi So, Olivia Wawryk, Chris Kearney, Gillian Reyes-Marcelino, Kirstie McLoughlin, Jon Emery, Anne E Cust
{"title":"Skin checks for potential skin cancers in general practice in Victoria, Australia: the upfront and downstream patterns and costs.","authors":"David E Goldsbury, Damien McCarthy, Caroline G Watts, Chi So, Olivia Wawryk, Chris Kearney, Gillian Reyes-Marcelino, Kirstie McLoughlin, Jon Emery, Anne E Cust","doi":"10.1071/PU24003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/PU24003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives To describe patterns of skin checks for potential skin cancers in general practice and subsequent skin-related healthcare, and the associated costs. Study type Retrospective longitudinal health record linkage. Methods Patient encounters between 2010 and 2017 were extracted from clinical information systems at 73 general practice sites in Victoria, Australia, including Medicare billing information, from the MedicineInsight primary care dataset. The main outcomes were skin checks, skin-related healthcare up to 3 months after the skin check, and health system costs. Results There were 59 046 skin check encounters (0.7% of all general practice encounters) identified for 40 014 people with a median age of 52 years (interquartile range 36-67). Of these people, 26% had multiple skin checks. Of the subsequent skin checks, 28% were within 3 months of the initial skin check and 15% were after > 2 years. There was subsequent skin-related healthcare ≤ 3 months after 20% of all skin checks: 8% had a skin biopsy, 11% had a skin excision (of which 2% indicated a melanoma diagnosis, 29% keratinocyte carcinoma and 68% benign or other skin lesion), 2% had skin-related medicine prescribed and 5% had other skin-related treatment such as cryotherapy (not mutually exclusive). Ninety per cent of skin checks were billed as general practitioner (GP) consultations, including 65% as GP consultations of Conclusions Skin checks for potential skin cancers occur frequently in Australian general practice and accumulate substantial health system costs, with one in five skin checks resulting in subsequent treatment. This study adds to scarce real-world skin check and cost data in Australia.</p>","PeriodicalId":45898,"journal":{"name":"Public Health Research & Practice","volume":"35 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144183214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carmel Williams, Tahna Pettman, Ian Goodwin-Smith, Yonatal M Tefera, Somayya Hanifie, Katherine L Baldock
{"title":"Experiences of research-policy engagement in policy-making processes.","authors":"Carmel Williams, Tahna Pettman, Ian Goodwin-Smith, Yonatal M Tefera, Somayya Hanifie, Katherine L Baldock","doi":"10.17061/phrp33232308","DOIUrl":"10.17061/phrp33232308","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Objectives and importance of study: For public policy to respond effectively to social, economic, and health challenges, there is an urgent need for research-policy collaboration to advance evidence-informed policy. Many organisations seek to promote these engagement activities, but little is known about how this is experienced by researchers and policy actors. This study aimed to understand how policy actors and researchers in Australia experience collaboration and the impediments and enablers they encounter. Study type and methods: An online survey was developed, and using convenience sampling, self-identified Australian policy actors and researchers were invited to participate. Results: In total, 170 responses were analysed, comprising 58% policy actors and 42% researchers. Respondents reported the primary purpose for collaboration was evidence-informed policy making. Policy actors reported that the most common barrier to collaboration with academics was 'budget constraints' while academics reported 'budget, 'political risk' and 'structural barriers'. Reported enablers were 'leadership' and 'connections'. Conclusions: Our findings build upon existing evidence that highlights the importance of collaboration for facilitating evidence-informed policy. Structural deficits in both policy agencies and research funding systems and environments continue to present challenges to policy-research partnerships. Future initiatives could use these findings to implement preferred collaboration methods, alongside rigorous evaluation, to explore 'what works' in promoting engagement for evidence-informed policy.</p>","PeriodicalId":45898,"journal":{"name":"Public Health Research & Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9957870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Naomi E Clarke, Jessica O'Keeffe, Arvind Yerramilli, Caroline Bartolo, Nomvuyo Mothobi, Michael Muleme, Bridgette J McNamara, Daniel P O'Brien, Eugene Athan, Akhtar Hussain
{"title":"Use of targeted SMS messaging to encourage COVID-19 oral antiviral uptake in South West Victoria.","authors":"Naomi E Clarke, Jessica O'Keeffe, Arvind Yerramilli, Caroline Bartolo, Nomvuyo Mothobi, Michael Muleme, Bridgette J McNamara, Daniel P O'Brien, Eugene Athan, Akhtar Hussain","doi":"10.17061/phrp33342309","DOIUrl":"10.17061/phrp33342309","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>During winter 2022, as part of a multifaceted approach to optimise oral antiviral uptake in the Barwon South West region in Victoria, Australia, the Barwon South West Public Health Unit (BSWPHU) implemented an innovative, targeted SMS messaging program that encouraged people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be assessed for antiviral treatment. In this study, we investigated patterns of antiviral uptake, identified barriers and facilitators to accessing antivirals, and examined the potential impact of targeted SMS messaging on oral antiviral uptake.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional study of notified COVID-19 cases aged 50 years and older, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 30-49 years, in the BSWPHU catchment area over a 6-week period commencing 21 July 2022. We analysed survey data using descriptive statistics and generalised linear models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 3829 survey respondents, 36.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 35.2, 38.2) reported being prescribed oral antivirals, with 75.4% (95% CI 72.8, 77.9) of these aged ≥70. Antiviral prescriptions increased significantly over the 6-week survey period. Most prescriptions (87.5%; 95% CI 85.7, 89.2) were provided by the respondents' usual general practitioners (GPs). Barriers to receiving antivirals included respondents being unable to get a medical appointment in time (3.7%; 95% CI 3.1, 4.2), testing too late in their illness (2.3%; 95% CI 1.8, 2.8) and being unable to access medications in time after receiving a prescription (0.2%; 95% CI 0.1, 0.6). Facilitators to receiving antivirals included respondents first hearing about antivirals from a trusted source such as a family member, friend or usual doctor. Nearly one in eight people who were prescribed antivirals reported first hearing about them from the SMS message sent by BSWPHU.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Oral antiviral treatment uptake in south-west Victoria in July-August 2022 was high among survey respondents and increased over time. GPs were the key prescribers in the community. Targeted SMS messaging to COVID-19 cases is a simple, low-cost intervention that potentially increases antiviral uptake.</p>","PeriodicalId":45898,"journal":{"name":"Public Health Research & Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41158694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}