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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The Sidney Sax medal is awarded for outstanding contributions to the development and improvement of Australia’s healthcare system.
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Dental marketing insights from leading authority
Winning the Australian Dental Industry Award for Marketing has had a big impact to Dental Marketing Solutions. As Angus comments in closing, “Receiving the award is social proof to say, well, these guys must know something, because an independent body of their peers has assessed them and said”. He added, “Certainly it’s been good in terms of building our business.”
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Prioritising Oral Health in Aged Care and Disability Support
Leonie Short is a Dental Practitioner and Dental Therapist. She started working as a dental therapist in Rural NSW and then moved into being an academic and researcher. Through her career, Leonie has worked at 6 universities across New South Wales and Queensland, and remaining community focused.
Leonie’s mission is to have improved oral health experiences and outcomes, however she recognises, the health system really needs to work hard to make it happen and for people to understand why it needs to be a priority.
