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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Concerning increases in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and colorectal cancer
Dr Kieran Longley is a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centred care across a broad spectrum of digestive and liver conditions. He completed his medical degree at the University of Tasmania before undertaking physician training at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. Furthering his academic and clinical expertise, he obtained a Master of Science in Internal Medicine from the University of Edinburgh.
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HIGHLIGHTS The power of social determinants of health, panel discussion
Clinicians and consumers know only too well that life circumstances such as poor housing, income and food insecurity can have a negative impact on health outcomes. Conversely, participation in community activities, social connection and access to nature parks and leisure facilities can help maintain health and wellbeing.
More recent phenomena in public health have also focused us on the health and social care connection. Stress factors such as the sudden loss of employment and social interaction, moving to remote work or schooling, and the impacts of sudden, localised COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’ to prevent further outbreaks were triggers of increased psychological distress.
And loneliness is being described as our latest epidemic with chronic loneliness inked to a myriad of health problems and earlier death. A recent report found one in four Australians say they feel persistently lonely, and that loneliness costs $2.7 bn a year in health costs alone.
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Psychiatrists to discuss connectedness at RANZCP 2023 Congress
Next week, at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) meet for the RANZCP 2023 Congress on the theme of “New Horizons: Connected Futures”
Australian Health Journal spoke to current President-Elect Dr Elizabeth Moore and soon to be President, RANZCP about the Congress, as well as the recent Federal Budget announcements around mental health funding.
