Feature tile artwork by Arone Raymond Meeks, cover of Us Mob and HIV 4th Edition 2021.
World AIDS Day 2021 - Us Mob and HIV
To tie in with today's World AIDS Day and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week (ATSIHAW) 2021 which runs from 29 November to 6 December 2021 Anwernekenhe National HIV Alliance (ANA) and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) have launched a short 30-second video to promote their updated Us Mob and HIV booklet and new website. The video will play on TVs in waiting rooms in Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) across Australia over ATSIHAW.
My Health Record securely stores HIV status
When Kalkadoon, Barahda Barna and Wangi man Michael Brown first discovered he was HIV-positive, he was living in Cairns in far north Queensland. He initially suffered some judgement in his interaction with health services and as a result, had limited trust in the health system and care he was receiving.
This changed following a positive interaction with pharmacist in Cairns, a doctor who treated him with dignity and a leap into digital health. Michael is now a firm advocate for My Health Record and is encouraging other HIV-positive people to use their record and take control of their health, knowing their privacy is protected.
Michael, who now works as a sexual health project officer in the Cherbourg Aboriginal community, said while "Indigenous people are 2.6 times at higher risk of acquiring HIV than any other demographic in Australia, HIV doesn't have to be a death sentence. People need to know to come and get tested. They need to know they are at risk. I didn't realise I was at risk. When I started doing my study in Indigenous primary health care, there was no sexual health studies."
You can listen to Michael Brown's story below and read the Australian Digital Health Agency's media release in full click here.
World AIDS Day Parliamentary Breakfast
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), the national federation for the community response to HIV in Australia, has thanked those who attended the World AIDS Day Parliamentary Breakfast earlier today. You can view a recording of the event below.
AFAO welcomed several announcements from the Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt during the event, including a $39 million investment to provide HIV treatment for people ineligible for Medicare, $11m for the continued work of peak HIV organisations and reconfirmation of the Government's commitment to Agenda 2025, a plan developed to end HIV transmission by mid-decade.
You can see the latest HIV data in the AFAO's HIV in Australia 2022 infographic publication here, access the World AIDS Day Booklet here and read AFAO and National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) joint media release here.
AMSANT urges Omicron caution
The NT's peak Aboriginal health group has called for supervised COVID-19 quarantine to be reinstated after Omicron was detected in the Top End. Currently, fully vaccinated international travellers are permitted to "home quarantine" in the NT for seven days as long as they submit to mandatory testing.
The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) says that should be paused to protect the territory's vulnerable Aboriginal population now Omicron has arrived. "The NT should be cautious until we know more about this new variant," CEO John Paterson said yesterday.
You can read why the World Health Organisation has declared Omicron a variant of concern here and view the Port Macquarie News article about AMSANT urging caution here.
Howard Springs, NT quarantine. Image source: SBS News.
NCSP Guidelines feedback reminder
Cancer Council Australia has been contracted by the Australian Department of Health to perform an update to the The National Cervical Screening Program: Guidelines for the management of screen-detected abnormalities, screening in specific populations and investigation of abnormal vaginal bleeding to support the planned policy change to provide universal access to self-collection.
The updates are now open for public consultation. The updates to the affected chapters have been compiled into a single word document for you to consider. To facilitate your review, changes are marked in colour; the majority of the text in chapters (in black) has not changed.
If you wish to submit feedback you can do this in one of two ways;
- Insert comments directly into the word document
- Alternatively, you can submit feedback simply in the body of an email, replying to this email or direct to Laura Sergeant here.
The deadline for response is 5:00 PM Sunday 5 December 2021.
To view the media release relating to this request for feedback click here.
Image source: Victorian State Government My Options website.
Cannington headspace opens its doors
headspace Cannington has recently opened its doors to provide young people, their families and friends access to youth friendly support for their mental health and other wellbeing challenges. Arche Health, who have been engaged to establish and run headspace Cannington, have worked closely with local service providers and the community to ensure the centre complements the existing strong local investment in youth support services in the area.
Arche Health CEO, Sujeewe Gamagedera said "headspace Cannington listens to young people's views on the type of services offered and adapt services where necessary to achieve better outcomes. We will also be encouraging the involvement of family and friends in any recovery process, recognising the immense benefit this support creates."
To view the media release in full click here.
Better cardiac care measures for mob
The sixth national report on the 21 Better Cardiac Care measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, has been released with updated data available for 14 measures. The level of access for cardiac-related health services is improving for Indigenous Australians and mortality rate from cardiac conditions is falling although it is still higher than among non-Indigenous Australians.
To view the report click here.
Image source: Heart Foundation.
Employment, housing prevent recidivism
New research has shown that employment and housing for those leaving prison are key to preventing recidivism and a subsequent return to detention. The research, which focused on former detainees in the ACT, highlighted the importance of reducing barriers to employment for people leaving prison, so that they are better equipped to begin life after detention and stay out of the justice system.
ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: "The ACT has one of the highest rates of re-imprisonment in the country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT experience re-imprisonment at the rate of 94% - the highest rate of any jurisdiction. "The ACT Government has committed to a program of justice reinvestment. However, too many detainees are being released from the ACT's prison without adequate support and into homelessness, unemployment and economic uncertainty," said Dr Campbell.
To view the ACTCOSS media release in full click here.
Image source: Amnesty International.
New process for job advertising
NACCHO have introduced a new system for the advertising of job adverts via the NACCHO website and you can find the sector job listings here.
Click here to go to the NACCHO website where you can complete a form with job vacancy details - it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.
International Day of People with Disability
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations observed day that occurs annually on 3 December. The day celebrates and recognises the achievements, contributions and abilities of people with disability as well as aiming to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and promote inclusion.
The Australian Government has been supporting IDPwD since 1996 and provides funds to promote and raise awareness of the day and support activities around Australia. To find out more about IDPwD and how you can get involved and help break down barriers (both structural and attitudinal) for people with disability click on the IDPwD website here.
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