Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health最新文献

{"title":"The costs of diagnosing and treating skin cancer: Findings from the QSkin Study","authors":"Daniel Lindsay,&nbsp;Louisa G. Collins,&nbsp;Catherine M. Olsen,&nbsp;Nirmala Pandeya,&nbsp;David C. Whiteman","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100326","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100326","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To estimate the proportion of all healthcare expenses attributable to diagnosing and managing skin cancer in a large, population-based cohort, and identify characteristics of high users of skin cancer services.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A prospective cohort study of 40,338 Queensland residents with linked healthcare data from the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS), Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection databases. We quantified the frequency of use and healthcare costs (out-of-pocket and government) for MBS services, PBS services and hospital admissions related to skin cancer.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Over an average of 8.5 years follow-up, 71% (n=28,498) of participants used 245,919 skin cancer services, costing the government approximately $43.1 million (2.4% of all health service costs). In total, 51% (n=20,548) of participants had ≥1 skin biopsy, 36% (n=14,458) had ≥1 keratinocyte cancer excision and 8% (n=3,226) had hospital admissions. Out of the total government or out-of-pocket costs for skin cancer services, 44% and 41% were for keratinocyte cancer excisions, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Services for diagnosing and treating skin cancer accounted for 2.4% of all direct health service costs in this Queensland cohort.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><div>As skin cancer is largely preventable, investing in enhanced primary prevention efforts may mitigate these significant burdens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 100326"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148359013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Australian and New Zealand introduces the CONSIDER Statement as part of its peer review process","authors":"Summer May Finlay","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100592","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100592","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 100592"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148738177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Staff and student acceptability and feasibility of an evidence-based integrated physical activity and mental wellbeing program in Australian secondary schools: A pilot study","authors":"Rebecca K. Hodder,&nbsp;Jessica Wrigley,&nbsp;Emma Ainsworth,&nbsp;Katrina McDiarmid,&nbsp;Kate M. O’Brien,&nbsp;Nicole Nathan,&nbsp;Kate Bartlem,&nbsp;Daniel Groombridge,&nbsp;the Healthy Children’s Initiative Secondary School Advisory Group,&nbsp;Tara Clinton-McHarg","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100580","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100580","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To determine the acceptability, feasibility, perceived effectiveness and factors influencing the implementation of an evidence-based integrated physical activity and mental wellbeing program in Australian secondary schools.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A pilot study of a teacher-delivered 5-week physical activity and mental wellbeing program for Year 7 students was conducted in two New South Wales (NSW) schools. Surveys and focus groups collected teacher- and/or student-data regarding fidelity of implementation, acceptability, feasibility, usefulness, confidence to deliver, enjoyment, perceived effectiveness and factors influencing implementation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seven teachers and 87 students participated. Both schools implemented all program components. Teachers reported that the program components were acceptable (40%–100%), feasible (71%), that the resources were useful (86%–100%) and confidence in delivering all components (71%–100%). Students reported that the program information was acceptable (74%-78%) and enjoyable (48%–62%). Teachers and students perceived positive student health and wellbeing impacts (40%–83%). Key teacher-reported factors influencing implementation were sufficient financial resources (86%) and recognition for program implementation (71%). Students suggested increasing active lessons relative to theoretical lessons, peer and teacher participation and lesson activity autonomy to improve participation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The integrated physical activity and mental wellbeing program was acceptable and feasible, and important factors to improve implementation and student participation were identified.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><div>Findings support a controlled study to assess effects on student health and wellbeing outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 100580"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148711209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology and mortality among hospital-acquired cases of COVID-19 in the pre-Omicron and Omicron periods: A data-linkage study in Victoria, Australia","authors":"Lyn-li Lim,&nbsp;Stephanie K. Tanamas,&nbsp;Suresh Karunappan,&nbsp;Leon J. Worth,&nbsp;Ann Bull,&nbsp;Elizabeth J. Robinson,&nbsp;N. Deborah Friedman","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100579","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100579","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of this study was to compare the epidemiology and mortality of hospital-acquired versus non-hospital-acquired COVID-19 infections among hospitalised patients.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a retrospective cohort study of COVID‑19 hospitalisations in Victoria, Australia (January 2021–June 2024), using linked state surveillance systems. Episodes were classified as hospital acquired if the first positive test occurred ≥8 days post admission. Age, sex, intensive care unit admission and 30‑day mortality were compared between hospital-acquired and non‑hospital-acquired cases across pre‑Omicron and Omicron periods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 6,485 hospital-acquired and 62,670 non-hospital-acquired episodes, median age for hospital-acquired versus non-hospital-acquired cases was 77.8 versus 77.6 years before Omicron and 52.6 versus 73.1 years during Omicron. Monthly proportion of hospital-acquired cases increased during Omicron (range: 1% to 21%). Case fatality rates were higher in hospital-acquired than in non-hospital-acquired cases, with a larger difference before the Omicron (incidence rate ratio: 4.49, 95% confidence interval: 2.02, 9.99) than during the Omicron period (incidence rate ratio: 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.44, 1.82). Intensive care unit admission was associated with 30-day mortality for hospital-acquired (adjusted odds ratio: 4.4, 95% confidence interval: 2.3–8.4) and non‑hospital-acquired cases (adjusted odds ratio: 4.0, 95% confidence interval: 3.5–4.7).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Hospital-acquired COVID-19 infections remain significant, associated with higher mortality rates than non-hospital-acquired infection and disproportionately affecting older patients.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><div>Our findings underscore the need for robust hospital COVID-19 infection prevention strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 100579"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148590398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Public Health at Risk: Insights from the 2026 Communicable Disease and Immunisation Conference","authors":"Luke Wolfenden,&nbsp;Alix Hall,&nbsp;Sam McCrabb","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100575","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100575","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 3","pages":"Article 100575"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148238556","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}

{"title":"Social connection: The new frontier for better health in 2026","authors":"Rosanne Freak-Poli ,&nbsp;Kuljit Singh ,&nbsp;Jenny Kirschner ,&nbsp;J.R. Baker","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100571","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100571","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 3","pages":"Article 100571"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148216158","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}

{"title":"Nurse-led virtual triage is cost effective for bowel cancer screening referrals for colonoscopy: An economic evaluation of direct access colonoscopy in New South Wales","authors":"Sarah Gerritsen ,&nbsp;Martin Howell ,&nbsp;Winnie Chen ,&nbsp;Chirag Mistry ,&nbsp;Pippy Walker ,&nbsp;Philip Haywood ,&nbsp;Christopher Horn ,&nbsp;Kirsten Howard ,&nbsp;Nicola Scott ,&nbsp;Matthew Warner-Smith ,&nbsp;Sarah McGill ,&nbsp;Tracey O’Brien","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100330","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100330","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Assess costs and benefits to the New South Wales (NSW) health system and patients due to direct access colonoscopy (DAC) services from 2016 to 2023, plus 10-year projections, compared to the usual public hospital pathway.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data were from linked hospital records, the National Cancer Screening Register and NSW Cancer Registry. Three evaluations were informed by data analyses and the literature: 1) healthcare costs for DAC, 2) patient travel costs/CO₂ savings, and 3) long-term modelling of costs/outcomes of DAC.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>DAC had an average wait time of 12 days less than public outpatient clinics, fewer patients waiting &gt;120 days for colonoscopy (31.1% <em>vs</em>. 37.5%), and cost $115 more to the healthcare system than usual care but with 10-year projected savings of $46/patient. DAC as a change to care pathway did not directly produce better health outcomes but resulted in time/cost savings for patients and 4kg CO₂ equivalents saved for each in-person attendance avoided.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>DAC is a cost-effective initiative that marginally reduces wait times for colonoscopy, with positive effects on patient time and finances, and a small net improvement in healthcare costs over time.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><div>DAC epitomises NSW Health’s shift to value-based health care, focusing on outcomes that matter most to patients: shorter wait times, convenient care, and earlier cancer detection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 3","pages":"Article 100330"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148040984","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}

{"title":"The relationship between food security with diet quality and dental caries experience among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children","authors":"Wajeeha Zahid ,&nbsp;Lisa G. Smithers ,&nbsp;Lisa M. Jamieson ,&nbsp;Brianna Poirier ,&nbsp;Joanne Hedges ,&nbsp;Dandara G. Haag","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100329","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100329","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate associations between food security, diet quality and dental caries among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analysed cross-sectional data from the South Australian Aboriginal Birth Cohort study. Food insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, dental caries experience via DMFT Index &gt;0, and diet quality with Menzies Remote Short Item Dietary Assessment Tool. Linear regressions and generalized linear models estimated associations between food insecurity, diet quality and dental caries.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 219 children, 55.7% had caries. Nearly half of the children and families faced food insecurity: 13.7% mild, 28.3% moderate, and 14.6% severe. Children in severely food-insecure households had more caries, though the association was non-linear, with moderate insecurity linked to fewer caries than mild insecurity. Severely food-insecure children had slightly poorer diet quality, mainly due to lower vegetable intake, with negligible differences across other food groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study highlights the burden of food insecurity and dental caries experience among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, underscoring the need for targeted support to improve long-term health.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><div>Findings highlight the need for culturally appropriate food security measures and recognition of food security as a basic human right.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 3","pages":"Article 100329"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148040951","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}

{"title":"Community knowledge gap of climate change health effects: Findings of a cross-sectional state-based survey","authors":"Sharna Stinson,&nbsp;Sarah Joyce,&nbsp;Sallie Forrest,&nbsp;Peter Franklin","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100307","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100307","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>People are increasingly aware of climate change; however, little information exists regarding community understanding of the links between climate change and health.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To examine Western Australians’ perceptions of climate-related health risks.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional online survey of 1,164 adults was conducted in July 2022. Items explored included perceptions of climate change, its health implications, responsibility for managing health impacts, and preferred communication channels. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses identified demographic predictors of awareness.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Most respondents (87.5 %) believe climate change is happening, consider health extremely important (57.7 %), and are interested in climate-health co-benefits (85.9 %). However, fewer than half (46.4 %) think climate change will harm their own health within ten years, and 49.4 % had given little thought to health impacts. Only 44.7 % recalled recent climate-health information, and most felt poorly informed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Despite high climate awareness, understanding of its health impacts is limited. Many anticipate worsening environmental conditions but fail to connect these with health outcomes—e.g., concern about extreme heat without expecting more heat-related illness. This disconnect highlights the need for targeted communication to improve climate-health literacy and support adaptive public behaviours.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for public health</h3><div>Strategic public health messaging should address knowledge gaps and strengthen community resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 3","pages":"Article 100307"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148161447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The potential for adverse events or harms are not routinely assessed or reported in evaluations of public health interventions","authors":"Luke Wolfenden,&nbsp;Courtney Barnes,&nbsp;Alix Hall,&nbsp;Sam McCrabb","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100574","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100574","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"50 3","pages":"Article 100574"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148238630","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}