School of Public Health News

• Welcome Sessions for New Students 24 & 25th July 2008
• Research Presentation Day
• Public Health Student Get-together
• The Bridge Newsletter April 2008
• The NSW Premier’s Award for Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year 2008
• Cycling: Getting Australia Moving - new report released
• In the News
• Stretching - important or a waste of time?

In this issue:

• Commissioned research: all good - Michael Frommer, Sydney Health Projects Group
• Bright Future for Scholarship Winner - Sharon Bonython-Ericson wins the Queensland Fulbright Scholarship
• Eureka - Alex wins prize again! - Associate Professor Alexandra Barratt wins the Pfizer Eureka Award
• Inaugural School of Public Health Alumni Reunion
• Qualitative Research's New Champion - Dr Stacy Carter's new appointment brings qualitative research in health into the limelight.
• Q & A with Professor Lalit Dandona, Director of International Public Health at the School of Public Health and Senior Director of The George Institute, India
• Institute expands for better health in India - The George Institute for International Health launches The George Institute, India in Hyderabad.
• Download The Latest Copy Now! (PDF-1.06MB)
• Click here for previous editions of The Bridge

Congratulations to Professor Simon Chapman who has been awarded the Premier’s Award for Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year 2008 at Cancer Institute NSW’s Awards Dinner on 22 May.

Simon was recognised for his outstanding research into tobacco control, which he has consistently maintained over more than 20 years, still continues and is now extending to tackle the growing problem of tobacco smoking in lower and middle income countries.

We are fortunate indeed to have research leaders of Simon’s calibre as academic leaders in our School.

View the Cancer Institute NSW's video about Simon and the presentation of his award here.

About the Award
The NSW Premier's Award for Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year was established to honour an individual who has made significant and fundamental contributions to any field of cancer research in NSW. These contributions must have had a lasting impact on the cancer field and must have demonstrated sustained progress against cancer.

The Premier’s Award for Outstanding Cancer Research Fellow and Premier’s Award for Outstanding Cancer Research Scholar are based on the review of Progress Reports for Cancer Institute NSW funded Fellows and Scholars. These reports are considered by the independent interstate Grants Review Committee.

Read more about Professor Chapman and this award at the University News website.

A national report, launched on 4 June, has for the first time placed a dollar figure on the benefits of cycling participation.

The report, Cycling: Getting Australia Moving, which was commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, estimates that cycling currently saves the government $227.2 million per year in health costs alone.

Professor Adrian Bauman and Associate Professor Chris Rissel from the University of Sydney, along with co-authors from Deakin and Curtin Universities and the Cycling Promotion Fund have identified key barriers and benefits to Australians getting on their bikes.

Read more

• Australian Men Ill-Served By Media Coverage Of Prostate Screening
  from Scoop Independent News 14 April 2008
  A study of Australian newspaper and television stories about screening for prostate cancer has found the vast majority aggressively promote it, ignoring the almost complete absence of evidence that it would save lives.
  An Australian researcher from the University of Sydney, Professor Simon Chapman, told the National Screening Symposium in Wellington today that an examination of newspapers across Australia and television news in Sydney over almost four years found 86 percent of all quotes framed prostate screening and its outcomes as desirable.
  Read the complete article here
• Prostate screening 'doesn't save lives'
  from The Australian 14 April 2008
  There is little evidence that prostate cancer screening saves men's lives, according to new research.
  Professor Simon Chapman of the University of Sydney said a study of Australian newspaper and television stories about such screening for prostate cancer found most of them promoted it aggressively, ignoring the almost complete absence of evidence that it would save lives.
  Read the complete article here

This is just what a groundbreaking research trial aims to find out. The trial, headed by Associate Professor Alexander Barratt and colleagues at the University of Sydney is a partnership between the University and the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services.
Read more