Good communication is a key factor in creating an effective organisation. The recent focus groups that many of you attended were a great opportunity of how communication can bring about positive change - we are working on many of your suggestions that came up in the groups - and forge links between the many different Centres and groups within the School. This newsletter is another way we keep you informed. Is it effective? Let us know what you think in this survey. Results will be featured in the December newsletter. More measures to increase communication are on the way, including a weekly informal forum where School staff and students will discuss any concerns/issues and work together to resolve them.
We are well into second semester, which has been a particularly successful one for the School. We have more students enrolled now than we have had at any time in our history. You should all feel proud of this achievement, which is a result of your hard work and commitment to offering an excellent academic experience for our students.
I'm sure those of who you attended Professor Wayne Bryden's 20 September briefing on the School Review found it as valuable as I did. As Professor Bryden reminded us, the process is one that involves the whole School. Many of you are now engaged in writing contributions to the Review submission -- I appreciate your efforts and look forward to receiving them by the 30 November deadline.
I trust you enjoy reading about the events and people that shape your School.
Best Wishes.
Alan Lopez
SCHOOL STRUCTURE CHANGE
The Executive Dean has approved changes to the School of Population Health 's organizational plan, effective 1 October 2006. This revised structure has been discussed extensively within Divisions and is a good reflection of the evolution of the School since the last reorganization in July 2003. Since that time, there have been several staff changes, and the emergence of new areas of School strength, as reflected by grant success. Highlights of the new structure include:
- A new International Mortality and Health Metrics Unit , headed by Dr Chalapati Rao. The Unit aims to fulfil a growing global need for timely and reliable evidence on causes of death and illness.
- A new International and Tropical Health Unit , headed by Associate Professor Peter Hill
- A new Epidemiology and Biostatistics Group , headed by Professor Gail Williams
- A new Social Medicine Group , headed by Professor Annette Dobson
- A new Health in Communities Group , headed by Dr Fran Boyle
- A new Clinical Epidemiology Group , headed by Dr Jenny Doust
- Professor Wayne Hall now Deputy Head of the Divison of Health Systems, Policy and Practice
|
Dr Chalapati Rao
|
In order to improve familiarity with who is in the School's various units/groups/Centres, we plan to circulate a brief description about what each entity does, who are the staff whose primary affiliation is with that entity, and where staff are located. These descriptions, including staff photographs, will commence shortly and will highlight one group per week.
Mary Roset can provide an organigram of the new School structure, if you have not received it via email.
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
CHRONIC DISEASE BIGGEST KILLER IN RURAL INDIA
SPH Head, Professor Alan Lopez, has called for ‘urgent action’ to control chronic diseases in developing countries.
Professor Lopez said far too little attention has been paid to preventing adult death in poor countries partly because “we have not fully appreciated how common these diseases already are in these countries”.
“Urgent action is now needed to control chronic diseases in India and other developing countries.”
His comments come after publication of a paper co-authored by Professor Lopez that shows chronic disease is now the biggest killer in rural India.
India’s rapid economic and societal changes have seen a shift away from infectious disease, with cardiovascular diseases now the cause of 32% of deaths in Andhra Pradesh, the area studied.
Death from injury (self-inflicted injury, falls etc) was the second most common cause of death (13%). Infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, intestinal infections and HIV/AIDs caused 12% of deaths, and cancer caused 7% of deaths.
The study, a collaboration between The University of Queensland and Sydney’s The George Institute for International Health and funded by the Wellcome Trust in the UK, involved 45 villages in East and West Godavari Districts of Andhra Pradesh., with a population of more than 180,000.
While these villages are more developed than many rural regions of India, Professor Lopez, who has conducted similar studies in Africa and other parts of Asia, said the results are indicative of the new health issues that much of rural India will face in the coming decade.
“This highlights the need for a thorough review of health care services to address this huge new burden of chronic diseases,” he said.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for more than 16 million deaths annually. The majority of these deaths now occur in developing countries such as India.
WHO BULLETIN FEATURES 3 SPH PAPERS
The September issue of the World Health Organisation's bulletin features three papers by several SPH researchers.
The hat-trick of publications in the highly-respected and influential journal covers a diverse range of topics from intimate partner violence, mortality from heart failure in Australia and the community prevalence of human alveolar and cystic echinococcosis in a region of China.
Theo Vos is co-author of one of the papers, a study of the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the health of women in Victoria, Australia.
The study used burden of disease methodology to find that IPV poses a significant risk to women's health, particularly by increasing the risk of mental disorders and substance abuse.
Dr Yu Rong Yang is lead author of the human alveolar* and cystic echninococcosis** paper which focussed on a highly endemic region of Ningxia Hui, China. Professor Gail Williams is co-author.
Dr Yang said the research, carried out via community surveys of 26 villages, shows echinococcosis continues to be a severe public health problem in this part of China because of poor hygiene and lack of knowledge about the disease.
Three SPH researchers - Dr Farid Najafi, and Professors Annette Dobson and Konrad Jamrozik -- are co-authors of the heart failure study which assessed whether mortality from heart failure (HF) in Australia are due to a change in awareness of the condition or real changes in its epidemiology.
Researchers carried out a retrospective analysis of official data on national mortality data between 1997 and 2003, which showed deaths from HF had declined over the period.
The study's results indicate the decline probably reflects a real change in the epidemiology of HF, but that population-based studies are required to determinate accurately the influence of changes in incidence, survival and demographic factors.
For further information on these publications see news on the School's website
PREGNANT DRINKERS RISK OFFSPRING WITH ALCOHOL PROBLEMS
Women who drink while pregnant risk children growing up to be alcoholics, a new study by SPH researchers finds.
The study, led by SPH's Dr Rosa Alati and published in the September issue of US journal Archives of General Psychiatry, (impact factor 12.5) shows that women who drink three or more glasses alcohol on any one occasion in early pregnancy have a two-and-a-half times higher risk of their children developing an alcohol problem by age 21. Drinking in other stages of pregnancy also increases the risk but not by as much.
The research is part of the landmark Mater-Misiercordiae University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP) which has followed 2,100 pregnant women and their children since 1981.
This latest finding is one of the world's first to link a mother's alcohol consumption while pregnant with alcohol problems of her children.
STEROIDS DO NOT PROVIDE LONG-TERM RELIEF FROM TENNIS ELBOW
Physiotherapy or a "wait and see" approach are both more effective in tackling tennis elbow than corticosteroid (steroid) injections, according to a UQ study published today in the British Medical Journal .
The study's researchers, including Ms Elaine Beller , tested different treatments on three separate groups of patients with tennis elbow (pain on the outside of the elbow).
They allocated the "wait and see" approach to one group of participants. Group members were reassured that the condition would eventually settle down and encouraged to wait. They were also given specific instructions on modifying their daily activities to avoid aggravating their pain.
A second group was given a local corticosteroid injection and advised to gradually return to normal activities.
The final group received eight treatments of physiotherapy of 30 minutes over six weeks and taught home exercises and self-manipulation. The physiotherapy group also received a resistant exercise band and exercise instruction booklet.
Each group's progress was measured at six weeks, and again after a year.
"Initially, corticosteroid injections were the most successful treatment, with 78% of those in the group reporting improvements, followed closely by physiotherapy with a 65% success rate when compared to just 27% in the 'wait and see' group," principal investigator, Dr Bill Vicenzino said.
"However, after 52 weeks the injection group rates of improvement were significantly worse than those of the physiotherapy group.
"The injection group also had the most reported recurrences, with 72% of participants' condition deteriorating after three or six weeks - which could be due, in part, to a quicker initial recovery leading to greater use and over-taxing of the elbow."
The study also found that the superior long-term effects of physiotherapy were replicated by the wait and see approach - at the end of the study participants in both the physiotherapy and wait and see group had either much improved or completely recovered.
The British Medical Journal article said that "the.poor overall performance of corticosteroid injections should be taken under consideration by both the patient and their doctor in management of tennis elbow."
Dr Vicenzino said the study findings also supported the idea that tennis elbow is, in most cases, a self-limiting condition.
He said the researchers concluded that "patients with tennis elbow can be reassured that, in the majority of cases, they will improve in the long-term when given information and ergonomic advice about their condition."
UQ is currently seeking further people with tennis elbow to participate in ongoing studies. Volunteers need to be 18-65 years old with pain in one elbow, aggravated by activities such as gripping, squeezing, lifting objects or playing sports.
Participants will be required to visit the Musculoskeletal Pain and Injury Research Unit at UQ`s St Lucia campus (free parking available).
SPH STAFF EXTRAORDINAIRE!
SERIOUSLY B.A.D.
'Seriously B.A.D.' or Team no. 102, in the Oxfam Trailwalker team event this year, included SPH staff member Elaine Beller from the Queensland Clinical Trials Centre based at PA Hospital.
Oxfam Trailwalker is one of the toughest team challenges in the world. It is an endurance event in which teams of four attempt to complete a 100km trail within 48 hours. In addition they must also raise at least $1,000 to help to support the word of Oxfam Australia.
The 2006 event was held in Sydney from Friday 25 August to Sunday 27 August.
 |
 |
First checkpoint passed |
Still smiling at the 75km point! |
| Seriously B.A.D. completed the 100km walk in 36 hours 44 minutes, just outside their goal of 36 hours. They estimate they spent about 27 hours of that time walking, and the rest taking breaks at the 8 checkpoints, including a brief sleep from 2am to 4:30am on Saturday morning. At the end of the event, Elaine (with team members Rosemary, Cath and Gemma) thanked all sponsors. Elaine also advised 'My feet will never forgive me, as I had monster blisters, but we had no major injuries, sang every song we knew from the 60s and 70s with another team during the night walking, and we're still friends.' |
For more information on the Oxfam trailwalker program visit their website at: www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker
ROB WARE IS SERIOUSLY GOOD
 |
Rob Ware (Research Fellow in the School's Longitudinal Studies Unit), recently won the Australian 100km championships held at Runaway Bay .
It was his first race over the distance and, after a steady start, he slowly worked his way through the field before taking the lead at 60km.
For the next 25km he was chased hard by Tim Sloane, the national record holder from Tasmania , before he pulled away at the end of the race to win comfortably.
Rob's time was 7 hours and 51 minutes, which is the fastest time by an Australian so far this year. It turned out to be a double win for UQ's Herston Campus, as the women's race was won by Zoe Lawrie , a Research Assistant in the School of Medicine , in the excellent time of 9 hours and 6 minutes.
For full story: http://www.goldcoast100.com/GC100/story06.html |
Rob Finishing |
|
All change for QEG
The Queensland Evaluation Group (QEG to friends) is enjoying the fresh perspective that changes bring. Dr Jan Barendegt, of the School’s Centre for Burden of Disease and Cost-Effectiveness, now heads up the Group that evaluates submissions for the inclusion of new drugs in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
The group has also welcomed new staff members Peter Coxeter, Dr Erika Turkstra and Marion Connell.
FAMILY ALBUM
JACK FLYGHT ADAMS - born 2nd August 2006
 |
 |
|
Jack Flyght Adams was born at 11.30am on the 2nd August at the Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital.
Jack weighed in at 7lb 13oz.
Both Jack and his mum Sam are doing well.
Proud, first-time Dad is Jon Adams, Senior Lecturer in Social Science and Health. |
|
COMING EVENTS
BURDEN OF DISEASE WORKSHOP BEGINS NOVEMBER 27
A/Prof. Theo Vos |
Researchers are invited to enrol now in an intensive workshop hosted by SPH from 27 November to 6 December in Brisbane.
The eight-day workshop ‘Practical Aspects of Conducting a National Burden of Disease and Injury Study’ is designed for both researchers already working in this field and those who would like to enter it.
Presented by leading SPH academics, including Professor Alan Lopez (co-author of WHO’s Global Burden of Disease Study) and Associate Professor Theo Vos (author of Australian Burden of Disease Study), the workshop provides detailed instruction and practical experience in conducting a national or sub-national burden of disease and injury study.
The presenters have expert knowledge in the issues confronting researchers in the initial stages of setting up a study, as well as experience working in data-poor environments both at a national level and globally. |
The workshop considers the needs of researchers working in both developed and developing countries. Lectures and exercises will draw on the practical experience gained through work in Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Tanzania, South Africa, the US and Australia, with the aim of equipping students with the skills they need to run a burden of disease study anywhere in the world.
Workshop places are limited. Find out more and enrol now to ensure your place.
.STUDENT NEWS
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY DINNER?
Not quite but close. These are MPH students enrolled in the International Health Aid Programs and Projects course. After attending highly interactive lectures, tutorials and presentations during the mid-semester break, the students sat down for a ‘working lunch’ with their course co-ordinator A/Prof Peter Hill. In the true SPH spirit, this group of seven came from various backgrounds and nationalities -- seven countries across four continents.
As upcoming international health program managers, they may as well form the next WHO working group!
(Thanks to Clementina Lwatula)
(Left to right) Maria-de-Natividade Quive, Sadia Rasheed, Houng Than, A/Prof Peter Hill, Maya Araki, Kerryn Ephrem, Joanne Morgan, Clementina Lwatula.
.STAFF NEWS
GREG FOWLER APPOINTED SCHOOL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS MANAGER
Mr. Greg Fowler |
Senior researcher (QADREC) Greg Fowler has been appointed the School Academic Programs Manager. This new role recognises the huge workload associated the School’s continuing commitment to offering the best academic programs in public health, including recent changes to several courses and programs. The tasks involved in this – including organising relevant staff training, meeting university requirements for course and program initiation, implementation and evaluation; responding to new opportunities etc – are beyond the capability of the School T & L Executive and require dedicated School support.
Greg, who has previously played a major role in recent teaching changes, will continue to use his expertise, experience and renowned diplomacy to ensure we make the most of opportunities to further develop the School’s academic programs. He will work closely with the School Management Executive and the School T & L Committee and hopes to have your full support as well. |
KATH MURRIE-JONES SECONDED TO ORPS
Kath Murrie-Jones, the School’s Research Development Officer – and newsletter writer extraordinare! – has taken up a nine-month secondment with UQ’s Office of Research and Postgraduate Studies (ORPS). The role is a challenging one and we wish Kath all the best with this great opportunity.
While Kath is away:
• Sarah Yeates will undertake the role of Research Committee Secretary and support for the Chair of Research Committee. Sarah will also undertake high end tasks associated with the School’s research monitoring system. Sarah can be contacted on s.yeates@sph.uq.edu.au or on extension 55543.
• Amy Orlandi will undertake management of the School’s seminar series and will call for items for the School Newsletter. Amy can be contacted on a.orlandi@uq.edu.au or on extension 64753. Please note that Amy is studying and so works on a casual basis. Email will be the best method of contact.
• Connie Naulls will manage research grant applications, DEST Bibliographic Collection, and other tasks associated with these areas. Connie will be located at Kath’s desk and can be contacted on c.naulls@sph.uq.edu.au or on extension 55441. Connie will be working three days a week and will advise staff next week when she commences, which 3 days she will be available.
• Wayne Pitman will help all staff with any information on procedures, or enquiries regarding the Research Development position. Wayne can be contacted on w.pitman@sph.uq.edu.au or on extension 55347.
Wayne can also help with any other queries regarding duties usually done by Kath.
VALE DAVID LEWIS
Staff and students of SPH were saddened to hear of the death of David Lewis, a former staff member of Indigenous health, in late September. David was much loved by his students, and provided a caring and reflective presence for staff in Indigenous health. He was instrumental in the development of most of the problem based learning scenarios prepared for the Bachelor of Applied Health Science (Indigenous Health), and in the teaching and facilitation of PBL sessions for that course.
A remembrance service, held at the Edith Cavell Building on 4th of October, was an opportunity for staff to share their memories of David. “David was a lovely man, an inspirational teacher and an excellent scholar,” said Megan Jennaway (International Health). “Those of us who had the privilege of knowing him will sorely miss him.”
|
