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November 2023 News
Join us at the forefront of innovation and collaboration at the 15th Australasian Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion Conference, taking place at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre in Rotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand, from March 11th to 13th, 2024.
With the overarching theme of "Weaving knowledges for injury prevention and safety promotion; creating a new way together," this conference promises a unique and invaluable opportunity. The Australasian Injury Prevention Network recognizes the distinct cultures and deep connections of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori, and Pacific Islander peoples to their lands. Embracing a fresh approach, we're shedding light on indigenous wisdom, offering a beacon of hope and excellence in reimagining injury prevention and safety promotion.
We invite diverse backgrounds and disciplines, from government representatives to clinicians, practitioners, researchers, and communities, to collectively address the complex nature of injury—stretching beyond conventional paradigms. Moreover, we aim to integrate Indigenous knowledges into our discussions, exploring themes such as safe practices, storytelling, and holistic health, fostering a platform for learning and collaboration. Register now and be part of this pivotal moment where we weave various perspectives into a new, stronger, and more connected approach to injury prevention and safety promotion.
15th Australasian Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion Conference
Vale Professor Kypros Kypri
Professor Kypros (Kyp) Kypri, a distinguished behavioural scientist at Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia, Professor, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Australia, and an Honorary staff member at the University of Otago, New Zealand, died on 21st October due to injuries sustained in a bicycle crash in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Kyp’s research, characterized by its intellectual rigor and meticulous research methodology, has provided invaluable insights into the realm of injury prevention and public health. He was an international leader shaping our understanding of the effectiveness of strategies aimed at reducing unhealthy alcohol use and preventing alcohol-related harm, and of the influence of the social and physical environment on drinking behaviour.
Throughout his career, Kyp authored many highly cited papers that shed light on critical topics such as web-based screening and brief intervention (e-SBI) to reduce excessive alcohol consumption in university primary care settings, the efficacy of universal e-SBI programmes, the population impacts of e-SBI, and the application of e-SBI as a routine preventive medicine. His research has real world impact, influencing alcohol policy and law changes in Australia; he was acknowledged in the Sax Institute’s 2017 Research Action Awards for his work in alcohol-related violence. He was particularly interested in upstream determinants of public health, including commercial practices, industry influence on policy and how governments procure and use scientific research in policymaking.
He is remembered for his passionate evidence-based advocacy, kind mentoring, sharp intellect and fierce support of academic integrity. He was a caring and interested colleague and friend. He will be dearly missed on both sides of the Tasman, and internationally.
Kua hinga he totara i te wao nui a Tane
A totara has fallen in the forest of Tane
A totara is a large native tree of Aotearoa-New Zealand that grows for hundreds of years and Tane, in Māori mythology, is the god of forests and birds. For a totara to fall is a great tragedy.
AIPN Member Spotlight
Who you are?
My name is Roisin Sweeney and I am the Research, Evaluation and Practice Lead at Injury Matters. A key part of my role is ensuring that the diverse range of activities we deliver are informed by the latest evidence and that we are effectively evaluating our activities to support continual improvements.
How did you get into Injury Prevention?
Like a lot of people, injury prevention somewhat found me. I always thought I wanted to treat people, but after realising the value of prevention, the diverse nature of injury and its evidence-based foundation, injury prevention turned out to be the perfect fit.
What is your favourite part of being involved with the AIPN?
Being slightly isolated over here in WA, the AIPN provides insight into what is happening across Australasia. It can be very easy to keep doing business as usual, but seeing what others are doing provides the motivation to try something new.
A fact about yourself that most people wouldn't know?
Hardly a secret, but I am a sports enthusiast. Outside of work you can find me playing, coaching or watching anything.
Roisin Sweeney
Research Evaluation and Practice Lead, Injury Matters
Upcoming Events
AIPN AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Australasian Injury Prevention Network will be held on Tuesday 21st November 2023, at 2.00pm, Australian Eastern Daylight Time.
The AGM will be held via zoom.
We are excited to invite you to step up and play an active role in shaping the future of the AIPN by nominating yourself to be a part of our Executive Committee. Your unique skills, passion, and perspective are invaluable assets that can drive positive change and innovation within our community. The following positions will be available for nomination at the upcoming AGM:
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Treasurer
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Secretary
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4 General Committee Members.
If you are interested in nominating for one of these positions, please complete the Nomination Form and return it to the secretariat@aipn.com.au or rmeade@injurymatters.org.au by Friday, 17th November.
Why Should You Consider Nominating Yourself?
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Make a Meaningful Impact: Serving on the Executive Committee allows you to directly influence the direction and decisions of the AIPN. Your input can lead to initiatives that align with your vision and passion.
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Personal Growth: Volunteering in a leadership role provides you with a platform to enhance your skills, develop leadership qualities, and expand your professional network.
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Broaden Your Horizons: Working with a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds and experiences exposes you to new ideas and perspectives, fostering personal and professional growth.
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Give Back to the Community: Contributing your time and expertise is a powerful way to contribute to injury prevention in Australasia.
In light of the upcoming International Day of People with Disability, join Injury Matters, in partnership with Paraplegic Benefit Fund, for an informative webinar where we will explore ways to create inclusive spaces and events for people with disability. Inclusive spaces not only benefit organisations, but also improve health outcomes for people with disability and prevent injury outcomes in WA.
This webinar is suitable for health professionals, organisations, design planners and Local Government bodies.
Tuesday 28 November 2023
9:00am-10:00am (AWST)
Online via Microsoft Teams
Head Injury Symposium
Head injuries have been in the news throughout 2023. What is new and where are we going with research and practice? Join us at this year’s AIPN AGM Symposium to learn the latest on the topic. The Symposium will follow the conclusion of the AGM.
Head injuries 2020-2021 | Dr Heather Swanston, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Every four minutes, someone in Australia is hospitalised for a head injury. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s report presents data on 2020–21 emergency department presentations, hospitalisations and deaths due to injuries to the head including injuries to the eye and orbit, traumatic brain injury and concussion. It describes the main types and causes of injury, variation among specific populations, and the severity of head injuries compared with all injuries. Additionally, the report presents a ten-year time series to assess trends.
Brain Health Research Program | A/Prof Andrew Gardner, University of Sydney
The Former Athletes’ Brain Health Research Program is a prospective, longitudinal study designed to evaluate the brain health of former athletes. The program is designed to examine exposure to: (i) sport; (ii) concussion; and (iii) brain health risk factors, through clinical interview, health questionnaires, cognitive testing, neuroimaging, blood samples, and a combination of eye, vestibular, and somatosensory testing. The program was set up in 2012 and has been operational for 11 years; 10 years at the University of Newcastle, 1 year and continuing at the University of Sydney. The program fills a much-needed gap to holistically evaluate the role an athletic career and lifestyle, and exposure to repetitive head trauma through sport-related concussion may have on later in life health outcomes and dementia risk.
Healing Right Way | Professor Beth Armstrong, Edith Cowan University
The Healing Right Way project (NHMRC 2017-2023) was a stepped-wedge cluster randomised-control-trial that recruited Aboriginal adults>18 years hospitalised for stroke or TBI across four metropolitan and four regional hospitals in Western Australia. The aim was to test the impact of a culturally-secure intervention model for Aboriginal people with brain injury. The primary outcome measure was quality of life at 6 months post injury, with secondary outcomes including level of disability, depression and anxiety, and amount and quality of services received. The intervention was two-pronged and consisted of cultural security training for hospital staff and an Aboriginal Brain Injury Coordinator service supporting participants/families for 26 weeks post-injury.
Those attending the AGM do not need to register separately.
Free Webinar | Creating inclusive spaces for people with disability
Reports & Publications
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently released a report on Lithium-ion Batteries and Consumer Product Safety (the Report).
The ACCC considers a multifaceted approach, with action by government, industry and consumers, is needed to address the risks and hazards associated with rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries.
The ACCC makes 6 recommendations to improve the safety of Lithium-ion batteries.
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Recommendation 1 (Incident data): Commonwealth, state, and territory governments should improve, expand and standardise data collection practices around the hazards posed by consumer electrical products, including lithium-ion batteries. Wherever practicable and to the extent permitted by law, lithium-ion incident data should be regularly shared among stakeholders to facilitate a better understanding of emerging risks and hazards.
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Recommendation 2 (Consumer safety): Consumers should have clear and accessible educational resources on lithium-ion battery safety.
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Recommendation 3 (Disposal and end-of-life): The Australian Government and industry should continue to develop infrastructure, regulation and supporting policies to enable the safe and efficient collection and recycling of lithium-ion batteries.
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Recommendation 4 (Regulatory landscape): State and territory governments should build a fit-for-purpose, nationally consistent regulatory framework for electrical consumer products, supported by the Australian Government.
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Recommendation 5 (Regulations): State and territory electrical safety regulators should introduce, administer and enforce clear requirements for the testing, labelling transportation and storage of lithium-ion batteries and products containing lithium-ion batteries. These requirements should be consistent across all jurisdictions.
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Recommendation 6 (Online platforms): Regulators including the ACCC and state and territory Australian Consumer Law and electrical safety regulators, continue to work with online platforms regarding risks and hazards arising from products containing lithium-ion batteries being sold online.
Injury in Australia
Injury is a major cause of hospitalisation and death in Australia. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released a web report explores injury hospitalisations in 2021–22 and injury deaths in 2020–21. The top three causes of injury hospitalisation in Australia in 2021-22 were falls, contact with objects and transport accidents.
The new interactive geography dashboard in Injury in Australia presents small area geographic level data in an interactive dashboard, allowing comparison of injury case hospitalisation rates across Australia by state and territory, SA3 geographic level and by cause types, for both current and trend data.
Access the report here.
Injuries Related to Extreme Weather
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released a new web report about the injuries of extreme weather. The past decade has seen increasing injuries related to extreme weather. In the ten years from 2012–13 to 2021–22 there were 9,119 hospitalisations in Australia with direct evidence of extreme weather-related injury. Read further here.
Lithium-ion Batteries and Consumer Product Safety
Public Consultations
WA Firearms Reform Consultation
The WA Government opened the public consultation on the Firearms Act Reform. The opportunity to re-write the legislation is very rare, with only minor amendments made since the 1970s. This is a fantastic opportunity to improve community safety in Western Australia.
Public consultation closes Tuesday 14 November 2023.
Conferences
ANZ Falls Prevention Society and World Falls Congress 26-28 November
The 10th Biennial Australia and New Zealand Falls Prevention Conference (ANZFP) will for the first time be run as a joint conference with the World Congress on Falls and Postural Stability at the Perth Convention Centre, from the 26-28 November 2023. ANZFP is an initiative of the Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society (ANZFPS). The 1st World Congress on Falls and Postural Stability was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in December 2019-joint initiative of the Malaysian Society of Geriatric Medicine and the British Geriatrics Society.
World Conference on Drowning Prevention 4-7 December
This globally significant event will focus world attention on drowning prevention. WCDP 2023 will gather experts in drowning prevention, lifesaving and water safety with the goal of Shaping Global Strategy and Mobilising for Action.
15th Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Conference
The Australasian Injury Prevention Network (AIPN) are pleased to invite you to the premier injury prevention conference for Australia, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the Asia Pacific, the 15th Australasian Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Conference with the theme: Weaving knowledges for injury prevention and safety promotion; creating a new way together. The conference is to be held at the Sir Morrison Howard Centre in Rotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand, 11-13 March, 2024.
Safety 2024
The 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion #Safety2024
www.worldsafety2024.com will be hosted in the amazing rich in history and culture and architecturally beautiful City of New Delhi, India.
#Safety2024 aims to draw global attention to the critical issues surrounding safety and injury prevention. The gathering will serve as a platform for international experts in the field to come together with a shared mission of "Creating a Safer Future for All: Implementing Equitable and Sustainable Strategies for Preventing Injuries and Violence." We invite you to visit the #Safety2024 website to learn more about the World Conference, the program, and registration details. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the global effort to reduce injuries and violence and improve trauma care, and we believe your involvement will greatly enrich the conference and help make it a resounding success.
By way of updates, a call for abstracts is now open and details can be found here.
Expressions of interest for workshops may be submitted through a Google form here.
International Safety Media Awards
Recognizing the world’s best safety promotion and injury prevention media.
Held in conjunction with the World Health Organisation’s 15th Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Conference #Safety2024 to be held in Delhi, India from September 2-4, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALDHI25A-ng
An opportunity to honor high-quality and effective media. Why don't you enter the International Safety Media Awards 2024 for a chance to showcase your Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention messages?
Open Call for International Safety Media Awards (ISMA) is from Friday 20th October 2023
For more information please visit: www.isma-awards.org
The International Safety Media Awards have been a part of the World Health Organization’s SAFETY Conferences since 2006 in Durban, South Africa. The Awards provide a platform to recognize powerful and effective safety promotion and injury prevention media initiatives. The ISMAs also provide an opportunity to strengthen worldwide multi-sectorial partnerships and share state-of-the-art learnings. At the last conference over 600 pieces of media were received from every continent except Antarctica.
BE INSPIRED: Check out the previous winning entries at www.isma-awards.org of the 8th International Safety Media Awards (ISMA) presented at the World Safety Conference in Adelaide, Australia 27 to 30 November 2022.
