Population Health Congress 2012

Population Health Congress 2012 is sponsored by the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA), the Australasian Epidemiological Association (AEA) and the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (AFPHM). The  theme of the Congress is ‘Population health in a changing world’ — reflecting the dynamic environment in which the broad public health field needs to, and does, operate — and there will be five sub-themes:

• Global health, climate and economics: what is the impact of change?
• Changing demographics in Australia and New Zealand: the social and health impacts.
• Complex systems thinking: changing contexts for action and advocacy on population health.
• How are translational research and knowledge transfer shaping the future of population health?
• Inequalities and social determinants – how are these being addressed and with what effect?

The Congress includes several workshops (see https://www.conferenceco.com.au/PopHealth/Workshops.asp), of which one on will be on ‘Limits to growth, ecology and public health’. The term ‘Limits to growth’ (LTG) refers to complex inter-related phenomena (including pollution and climate change) that restrict the scale and impact of global civilisation. During the past five years, scientific interest in LTG has revived, driven by rising global energy and food prices, and the increasingly apparent flaws of the dominant economic systems. Knowledge of adverse ecological change and critical biodiversity loss is also accruing, including increasing recognition of the relationships between ecosystems and human health. Leading Australian experts on aspects relevant to LTG, both within and outside public health, will make short, focused presentations, including on its systemic nature and relationships with food, energy, equity and health. Also discussed will be ecosystems, suppression, and psychological dimensions including denial and hope. Responses include speakers on philanthropy and education, as well as 25 minutes of discussion.

For further information and to register, visit https://www.conferenceco.com.au/PopHealth/