Volume 200 Issue 9

Threats to health from climate and ecosystem disruption must inform both practice and policy

Astika Kappagoda

The IPCC's latest assessment highlights risks, ethical challenges and planning needs

Anthony J McMichael MB BS, PhD, FTSE

Hand hygiene in public hospitals has improved, but remains suboptimal, especially before touching patients

Gwendolyn L Gilbert MD, FRACP, FRCPA

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Trevor Lockett · Clara Gaff

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Cate Swannell

MSF reflects on the emergency medical response in the wake of a disaster

Daniel Martinez Garcia MD · Alexandra L Brown BA

Singapore's model of health financing is complex, responsive and may hold lessons for Australia

Paul F Gross PhD

Universal health coverage in poorer nations may not reduce inequities in access to and outcomes from health care

David B Hipgrave MB BS, PhD, FRACP · Krishna Hort MB BS, MCH, FAFPHM

A consumer perspective on why Australia should not introduce copayments to see a GP

Adam Stankevicius BArts

Fixed-dose combination therapy can improve compliance; but comes at a cost

Philip M Clarke BEc, MEc, PhD · Alex B Avery BSc(Hons)

Assessing groups of doctors likely to be performing poorly would be better than wholesale assessment

Peter C Arnold

Closing the implementation gap: making sure CPD improves quality of care

Matthew J Links

UV radiation-related skin cancer as a result of excessive time spent outdoors is associated with less myopia

Maria Franchina · Seyhan Yazar · Michael Hunter · Adam Gajdatsy · Jean-Louis deSousa · Alex W Hewitt · David A Mackey

The sap of mango trees can produce effects similar to those of poison ivy and poison oak

William Sargent · Paula Ferguson

Information is accumulating about the impacts on environmental determinants of health

Marion G Carey · Helen Redmond · Melissa R Haswell

A greater emphasis on informal teaching may bring higher educational returns at lower cost

Kieran Walsh

Australia and New Zealand would do well to emulate some aspects of US health care, such as the can-do approach

Matthew H R Anstey MB BS, MPH, FCICM · Adam G Elshaug MPH, PhD · Lesley M Russell BSc(Hons), BA, PhD · Susan Wells MB ChB, MPH, PhD

Sustainable integration of telemedicine into routine care requires a change in mindset

Nigel R Armfield PhD, MSc, GradCertPubHlth · Sisira K Edirippulige PhD, MSc · Natalie Bradford PhDMPH · Anthony C Smith PhD, MEd

Reporting unadjusted average hand hygiene compliance rate conceals inadequate compliance at most hospitals

Syed Azim BSc, MSc · Mary-Louise McLaws DipTropPubHlth, MPHlth, PhD

People on a spleen registry are more likely to adhere to recommended antibiotic and vaccination guidelines

Julie Wang MB BS, BMedSci · Penelope Jones RN, GradDipEpi · Allen C Cheng MB BS, FRACP, PhD · Karin Leder MB BS, FRACP, PhD

Paediatric hospitals are making decisions about drugs based on poor evidence and incomplete documentation

Yashwant K Sinha MB BS(Hons), FRACP, PhD · Jonathan C Craig MB ChB, FRACP, PhD · Peter G Barclay BPharm, DipHospPharm · Hugh Miller BScPharm(Hons), DipHospPharm(Admin), GradCertMan · Sean C Turner BPharm, MSc, DipClinPharm · Joseph P Whitehouse BPharm(Hons) · Jo-anne E Brien BPharm, BS(Pharm), PharmD

Awareness of nutritional deficiencies and who is at risk is still required in developed countries

Alicia M Thornton MB BS(Hons), BSc · Catherine J Drummond MB BS(Hons), FACD

An event honouring the career achievements of the Journal's very own Editor-in-Chief, Emeritus Professor Stephen Leeder AO, was hosted by the University of Sydney on 1 May 2014. Friends, colleagues and students both past and present gathered to mark the formal occasion of Stephen's retirement from the university. An assembly of esteemed researchers, educators and health policy advocates contributed to a lively program which befitted his substantial professional achievements and ideals. Guest facilitator Professor Don Nutbeam, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, shared some amusing and informative insights as the program unfolded. Presentations centred on four main areas: chronic disease: an international epidemic medical education public health education and training for the 21st century health policy. Key themes emerged on the interplay between global economic forces and the health of populations. We learned of the shifting pattern of the burden of non-communicable disease from developed to developing countries and the advancements on the early work of epidemiologist Abdel Omran.1 We also learned of the different ways in which medical education is adapting to become more community-based, with fascinating examples highlighting the success of problem-based learning for health professionals in developing countries. And in what might be described as a rare consensus, colleagues in health policy were united in applauding Stephen for his many contributions to this field. The Honourable Dr Neal Blewett AC related the political realities of health policy reform and how capricious political intervention can derail initiatives such as food labelling. Later, the Honourable Jillian Skinner, New South Wales Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research, shared her own insights and led the audience in a standing ovation in recognition of Stephen's contributions at the conclusion of her address. Along the way, several entertaining anecdotes and “Leederisms” were shared, and proceedings concluded with a spirited interview of the man of the hour by award-winning health journalist Dr Norman Swan. This covered, among other topics, early experiences in Stephen's life and how these influenced his career choices. From the sentiments expressed by those in attendance, it is clear that Stephen has had an influence on many careers and is an ongoing source of inspiration to many in his field. It is our good fortune that we, at the Journal, benefit from the breadth and depth of his experience, and we join in congratulating him on this memorable occasion.

Christine Gee

As part of our Centenary Year celebrations, we will republish landmark papers and reflections from our archives. This issue we present the editorial written by editor Alister Brass for the 15 October 1983 issue.

Alister Brass

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Brian J Maguire DPH, MSA, EMT-P · Peter F O’Meara BHA, MPP, PhD · Richard F Brightwell PhD, BSc(Hons), PGCertEd · Barbara J O’Neill BSN, RN-OCN, PGCertNursEd · Gerard J Fitzgerald MD, FACEM, FRACMA

It is one of Australia’s youngest and smallest specialties but palliative medicine is rapidly establishing itself as essential for patient-centred end-of-life care

Annabel McGilvray

Jessica Dean is the new president of the Australian Medical Students’ Association in a year where the focus is on the mental health of tertiary students, fixing the internship crisis and improving the anatomy curricula

Cate Swannell