Health action process approach: promoting physical activity, and fruit and vegetable intake among Australian adults.

Based on the health action process approach (HAPA) this study examined whether changes in social cognition constructs could predict change in physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake for adult participants in My health for life, an Australian health promotion behaviour change program. Variance-based structural equation modelling was used to analyse data obtained from Australian adult program participants (n = 167) at baseline (T1), week 14 (T2), week 26 (T2), and 6-month post-program (T4). Change scores were calculated for the social cognition constructs and behaviour.

Using a Collective Impact framework to evaluate an Australian health alliance for improving health outcomes.

Complex social issues such as population health mean that no one person, organization or sector can resolve these problems alone and instead require a collaborative approach. This study applied the Collective Impact framework to evaluate the alliance responsible for delivering a large-scale health promotion initiative. Committee meeting minutes for a 4-year period and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders (N = 14) involved in the design and implementation of the initiative explored the factors that contributed to collaborative efforts and initiative outcomes.

Changes in health behaviours in adults at-risk of chronic disease: primary outcomes from the My health for life program.

Background: Chronic disease is the leading cause of premature death globally, and many of these deaths are preventable by modifying some key behavioural and metabolic risk factors. This study examines changes in health behaviours among men and women at risk of diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD) who participated in a 6-month lifestyle intervention called the My health for life program.

Methods: The My health for life program is a Queensland Government-funded multi-component program designed to reduce chronic disease risk factors amongst at-risk adults in Queensland, Australia.

Geographic remoteness and socioeconomic disadvantage reduce the supportiveness of food and physical activity environments in Australia.

Objective: An analysis of food and physical activity environments in relation to socioeconomic disadvantage was conducted in 25 communities across Queensland, Australia.

Methods: Physical activity and food environments were assessed in 25 Queensland communities using The Systematic Pedestrian and Cycling Environmental Scan (SPACES) and the Nutrition Environment Measurement Survey (NEMS). Spearman's correlation tested the association between physical activity and food environments and degree of remoteness and socioeconomic disadvantage of each region.

A multi-component evaluation framework of a state-wide preventive health program: My health for life.

Issue: Chronic disease is a growing problem affecting approximately half of all Australian adults. In response to growing calls for action on chronic disease, the My health for life program was created, aimed at improving the health of individuals at high risk of developing preventable chronic disease. The preventive health program is multi-modal, cross-culturally tailored and contains complex social marketing, community engagement, risk assessment and health promotion components.

Successful surgical closure of an arterial duct in 18 children in a third world country.

Objectives: To perform surgical closure of a clinically significant arterial duct on children in a third world country.

Background: An arterial duct is one of the most common congenital cardiac defects. Large arterial ducts can cause significant pulmonary overcirculation, causing symptoms of congestive cardiac failure, ultimately resulting in premature death.