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The VicHealth Letter explores a health promotion issue in detail and is published three times a year.
Current Issue
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Using Research to Create Healthy Communities
Winter 2008 No. 32
VicHealth’s investment in public health and health promotion research has exceeded $100 million. We spend nearly $7 million of our $32 million annual budget on support for postgraduate scholars, post-doctoral fellows and research centres. Our research investments are tightly linked to the big issues – tobacco control, social inclusion, health inequalities, nutrition, alcohol and participation in physical activity.
Through consultation and collaboration with community and government, VicHealth and Victorian researchers have helped shape the very questions that Victorians need answered to improve our collective health and wellbeing.
This VicHealth Letter showcases a variety of research investments that have had a positive impact on our community’s health and wellbeing.
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To Your Health? Exploring what's safe, sensible and social
Summer 2007 No. 31
Alcohol is entrenched in our society: we use it to celebrate, commiserate, relax and socialise. However alcohol is a common companion of violence and injury, unsafe sex, crime, poor mental health, car smashes and workplace absenteeism. The harms of alcohol are accelerating - particularly around young people. The urgency of addressing this cannot be stressed enough. But any strategy will need sustained commitment from local, State and Federal Governments, and the support of community organisations, workplaces, and researchers. In this issue we begin to explore what ‘safe, sensible and social’ can be in the face of some very serious challenges.
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Making the Link Between Cultural Discrimination & Health
Winter 2007 No.30
For some time VicHealth has identified discrimination and its resulting disadvantages as one of the important drivers of mental ill health. Discrimination based on a person’s ethnicity, culture or religion carries an enormous cost on the individual and has devastating effects on families and communities. It has the potential to harm us all by undermining community relations and social cohesion, stifling productivity and placing an unnecessary burden on our health, welfare and legal systems.
In this issue we not only raise awareness of the problem of discrimination and its associated health, social and economic costs, but provide some ideas towards reducing it.
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The Gold Medal for Participation: A new role for sport
Autumn 2007 No.29
Despite sports of all kinds emerging over the last 50 years, we’ve seen a steep decline in the amount of time allocated to sport and physical activity. People are less active than they were, and this is playing havoc with our health. So wouldn’t it seem logical that the connection between sport and public health would be as tight as a rugby scrum? That public health strategies would include sports and active recreation as an important element in tackling obesity and other health issues? Unfortunately, it isn’t happening to the degree necessary and although mutual understanding between the sectors is increasing, there remains much work to be done. In this issue of VicHealth Letter we explore some of the challenges of a public health/sport partnership. We also highlight some of the best examples of how sport is attracting more participants and promoting healthy environments.
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Respect, Responsibility & Equality: Preventing violence against women
Spring 2006 No.28
Violence against women is a universal problem and one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It has severe and persistent effects on women’s physical and mental health and carries with it an enormous cost in terms of premature death and disability. It also has devastating effects on families and communities. To reduce the levels of violence perpetrated against women we need preventative approaches at all levels and a stronger evidence base about violence prevention that will lead to better health. This Letter explores the myriad ways in which government, service providers and women’s and men’s groups are working to develop a program of research, community strengthening, organisational development and advocacy activity focusing on primary prevention.
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The New Frontline of Health: From roads, rates and rubbish to community wellbeing
Winter 2006 No.27
As a hub of knowledge, resources and networks, councils are increasingly using their unique position to encourage businesses, arts groups, community services, sports groups and others to find the common ground and work together to promote health and prevent ill-health. This VicHealth Letter profiles some of the work being done by local councils across Victoria. It demonstrates how they are responding to local circumstances and meeting the challenges of promoting health at a local level by developing practical, creative and often brave solutions.
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Healthy Planet, Healthy People: Shaping a sustainable healthy future
Summer 2006 No.26
There are a bewildering number of terms used to describe the links between the environment and health – ecological public health, healthy sustainable communities and eco-cities to name a few. What they are all trying to articulate is that our health depends on the quality of our environment – natural, built, social and cultural. To help push the debate forward about how sectors can work better together to promote healthy environments we have asked some influential commentators to contribute to this VicHealth Letter, including the ACF’s Prof. Ian Lowe and ANU social analyst Richard Eckersley.
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Want to know more? Go to our Health and Ecology Forum July 2005
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An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure: Making the case for choosing health promotion
Winter 2005 No.25
If an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure, why don’t government and societies fund health promotion appropriately? In this issue we look at what needs to be done to overcome the many barriers to investing in public health, be they economic, commercial, political, cultural or administrative. The articles cast light on a number of different facets of the interaction between health promotion and prevention concepts, our practice, and the decision-making processes in our society.
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VicHealth Letter: Summer 2005 (Issue 24)
Summer 2005 No.24
One of VicHealth's major objectives is to increase participation in physical activity. Physical activity is ranked second only to smoking as the most important issue affecting our health. This current issue raises a number of critical questions, including: What do the leading researchers in the area think are the major issues? What does the latest research tell us about children and physical activity? What input can children have to influence their own environment? And what role can parents and families play?
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VicHealth Letter: Winter 2004 (Issue 23)
Winter 2004 No.23
VicHealth recognises the arts as an effective way to promote health for both participants and audience alike. This issue looks at: the health benefits of social circuses; evaluating community arts participation; the benefits of public art in housing estates; key parterships with arts organisations that are marking arts more accessible for everyone; and more.
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VicHealth Letter: Summer 2004 (Issue 22)
Summer 2004 No.22
A taste of what was to come when Melbourne hosted the 18th World Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education. In this issue we speak with indigenous health experts from Canada and New Zealand; we find out what rapid globalisation means for health; we look at a successful bullying prevention program; and the UN's global report on the challenge of the slums.
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VicHealth Letter: Spring 2003 (Issue 21)
Spring 2003 No.21
This issue looks at the activity and developments around the promotion of mental health and wellbeing – the key to physical health and quality of life. Find out why mental health and wellbeing is as much an emerging political and social project as a health project; why a welcoming school environment and participation in sport is important; how a project in Bairnsdale is turning around the health of young people; and see a successful partnership in action.
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VicHealth Letter: Autumn 2003 (Issue 20)
Autumn 2003 No.20
VicHealth has overhauled its approach to public health research; we are now approaching evidence-gathering from several angles. This issue looks at translating research to practice; the evidence that shows the benefits of public health; the potential benefits of the VicHealth Fellowship program in Victoria; and more.
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VicHealth Letter: Summer 2003 (Issue 19)
Summer 2003 No.19
Our local environment drives many of our actions. It determines our capacity to be healthy and maintain good health in both subtle and overt ways. In this issue we look at the work being done to ensure our local environment promotes health and supports local communities to create environments that are conducive to health. We examine the connection between the built environment and health; find out the many benefits of the Walking School Bus Program; look at the fine art of town planning; and lots more.
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VicHealth Letter: Spring 2002 (Issue 18)
Spring 2002 No.18
Koori communities, with the support of VicHealth and its partners, have embarked on an innovative series of programs designed to improve the health status of Indigenous Victorians. In this issue we look at some of these initiatives (including the Victorian Community Leaderships Projects, Leadership for the Future Network and the Koori Imaging Project), highlight issues that impact on Koori health and wellbeing, and make a small contribution to the discussion of an important health issue in this state and country.
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VicHealth Letter: Autumn 2002 (Issue 17)
Autumn 2002 No.17
Simultaneously improving the overall level of population health and striving to narrow the gap between those with the lowest health status and those with the highest is one of VicHealth's goals. In this issue we examine the impact of social and physical contexts and the role of GPs, as well as government resources, community engagement, access to food, and more.
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VicHealth Letter: Winter 2001 (Issue 16)
Winter 2001 No.16
The trend of decreasing rates of physical activity cuts across all ages and social groups. Increasing the rates of physical activity requires a multi-faceted approach at both the policy and community level. VicHealth recently moved to redirect the focus of its sport and recreation activities to promote participation at the community level, rather than concentrating on sponsorship at the elite level. In this issue we present views from a range of individuals and organisations to discuss how the rates of physical activity can be improved.
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VicHealth Letter: Summer 2001 (Issue 15)
Summer 2001 No.15
We are witnessing widespread concern about our young people and increases in problem behaviours such as substance misuse, bullying, homelessness, violence and suicide. If we continue to focus on specific issues in isolation, we won't get anywhere. It is important that we recognise that the health of young people is profoundly affected by the social, economic and physical environments in which they live. VicHealth is working to find ways to give young people a voice. This youth edition is one small step in that direction.
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VicHealth Letter: Winter 2000 (Issue 14)
Winter 2000 No.14
VicHealth's origins provide us with a unique position from which to examine the tobacco issue, publish our position on it and advocate for redoubled pressure on the single largest cause of preventable death and disease in Australia today. In this edition some of the world's most respected experts in the field examine the product, the politics, the industry, the harms and the success stories. We hear about the work of the new VicHealth Centre for Tobacco Control, report on some of the many projects working with the SmokeFree message, and much more.
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VicHealth Letter: Autumn 2000 (Issue 13)
Autumn 2000 No.13
The topic of illicit drugs has been high on the public agenda for over 2 years and shows no sign of abating as a significant public health issue. If therefore seems timely to articulate VicHealth's position on this controversial and sensitive topic. The issue showcases some VicHealth-funded projects on illicit drugs and incorporates commentary from some of our community partners, including Professor Margaret Hamilton, Director of Turning Point Drug and Alcohol Centre, and researcher Dr John Fitzgerald, as well as input from the Australian Drug Foundation and Surf Life Saving Victoria.
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VicHealth Letter: Spring 1999 (Issue 12)
Spring 1999 No.12
VicHealth believes in celebrating healthy ageing and was overwhelmed with interest from the public when we released the Positive Wellbeing for Older People Grant Scheme. This edition looks at the contribution many of these projects are making towards promoting better physical and mental health for older people across Victoria.
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VicHealth Letter: Autumn 1999 (Issue 11)
Autumn 1999 No.11
VicHealth believes improved outcomes in child and maternal health will influence the health status of the population as we grow older. Perhaps in no other stage of life is the health and wellbeing of two individuals so intricately bound than during these early development years. This issue looks at building the self-esteem of young mums and helping women with post-natal depression. We share advice for new mums from performer Jane Clifton, report on the benefits of community-based parenting support, take a look at a festival that's all about celebrating children, and lots more.
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VicHealth Letter: Spring 1998 (Issue 10)
Internationally and in Australia there is growing interest in adopting a public health approach to promoting the mental health of the population. VicHealth aims to take a leading role in the promotion of positive mental health by forging broad-ranging partnerships with the many organisations that make a significant contribution in this area. This issue looks at some of the work underway to promote mental wellbeing across all community sectors.
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VicHealth Letter: Autumn 1998 (Issue 9)
VicHealth has been developing health promotion programs in rural communities which take particular account of the social and cultural context in which they operate. Projects which target disadvantaged groups in rural Victoria have become a funding focus over the last few years. In this issue we look at peer support for young Bendigo men, community assistance for new mothers, art workshops in Gippsland, bush festivals, country sport, and much more.
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VicHealth Letter: Spring 1997 (Issue 8)
One of the most important health promotion steps that can be taken for culturally diverse communities is to promote the cultures of origin and develop health promotion programs that enhance the culture as well as promote healthy lifestyles. In this issue we look at some of the many VicHealth projects that focus on cultural diversity, from the different approaches needed for STD prevention and quitting smoking to tackling mental health through theatre and managing cultural diversity in the workplace.
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