POPULATION SCREENING FOR CHRONIC DISEASE MAXIMISING BENEFITS, MINIMISING HARMS Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) hold conference on current and future advances in population screening
With
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, Chief Executive Officer
Public Health Association of Australia
Australian Health Journal Segment
Filmed in Sydney | March 2025
Population screening is an important contributor to advancing health outcomes through the early detection of and successful intervention for chronic disease. The evolution of science, technology and evidence relating to diseases which are or may be amenable to a population screening approach deserve broad discussion and the sharing of expertise and evidence. They also warrant close scrutiny in context of health policy and health resource allocation considerations.
There are established (and proposed) screening programs relevant to a range of diseases, notably breast, cervix, bowel cancer, and more recently for skin and lung cancer screening. There are a number of other chronic diseases where as new technologies are emerging and evidence is being gathered to support organised screening, (including but not limited to diabetes, CKD, MAFLD as well as cardiovascular and other risk assessment for primary prevention in general practice.
Population-based criteria for screening, based on WHO criteria and the Australian Population Based Screening Framework, aim to ensure that the benefits of screening outweigh and minimise any potential harms. These criteria are well understood by those involved in established screening programs and advocates for emerging screening programs are keen to learn from past experience how to compile evidence, design, implement and monitor programs, as well as ensure equitable participation. Similarly, there is much to learn from emerging programs and new technologies for those involved in established programs where adopting advances in evidence and technology can be challenging and perceived as slower.
In March, Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) convened Screening Conference Conference 2025 with the theme of ‘Population Screening for Chronic Disease – Maximising Benefits, Minimising Harms’.
The conference provided opportunities for attendees to exchange information on population screening and learn from each other’s experience, across a range of disciplines. Those in attendance and presenting came from research, society, Government, program delivery, policy, consumers and clinicians.
Source: Adapted from Screening 2025 Conference website (PHAA operated)
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Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Synopsis, including modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors
Talking to the Australian Health Journal, Professor Russo states there is a particular concern in joint operations, such as hip or knee replacements, as infections in these areas can have severe consequences, including the removal of the infected joint, prolonged treatment, and significant costs for both hospitals and patients. Despite the substantial impact of surgical site infections, Australia lacks a national surveillance program for these infections, making it challenging to obtain accurate data. However, an estimate suggests that around 45,000 surgical site infections occur annually in Australia, resulting in approximately 900 deaths.
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Reflecting on a pivotal year for pharmacy
Dr. Kate Wang, a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy at RMIT University and Adjunct Senior Lecturer, University of Western Australia, has over a decade of experience in both hospital and community pharmacy settings.
Dr Wang spoke to Australian Health Journal on some of the key topics in 2024 that have been pivotal as a pharmacist, academic and researcher for the pharmacy profession.
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Awareness campaigns and HCP Toolkits for thyroid health
In 2021, the Australian Thyroid Foundation released analysis to show, well over 1 million Australian are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder, including thyroid cancer, lower IQs, lifelong disability, and a causal or possible contributory factor – in the development of other neurological disorders such as ADHD and autism. Some of the challenges for diagnosis and treatment can be addressed by producing material for health care practitioners during patient presentations.
‘Recent statistics show well over 1 million Australians are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder, awareness and testing can prevent unwarranted outcomes for mothers and their babies’ says ATF CEO Beverley Garside OAM
The Australian Thyroid Foundation has lodged a Pre-Budget Submission for the Federal Budget 2024-25 to counter increasing misinformation on social media creating dietary deficiencies such as an increasing number of young women, who are planning pregnancy or already pregnant opting for plant based milks such almond, soy or oat milk coffee as an alternative to standard cow’s milk, which is a source of iodine and alternate milks do not include.
