NEWS & RESOURCES

HIV Long Term Survivors Day. Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO). June 5th is HIV Long Term Survivors Day, and 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the first report of what would become the HIV/AIDS epidemic, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions. Since then, an estimated 32.7 million people have died from HIV/AIDS-related conditions. On June 5th each year, we acknowledge long-term survivors of the epidemic as well as highlighting the unique challenges many still face. A new roadmap document, Agenda 2025: Ending HIV transmission in Australia will be launched at Parliament House on June 17. For more information, read AFAO's media release. You can also view reflections and evidence from the last 40 years, in The Lancet special edition: 40 years of the HIV/AIDS response. 

National Network for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Researchers. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has established a national network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers, aiming to bring together unique skills across culture, knowledge and health research to address the health priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Network will be led by some of Australia’s most eminent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, including: Dr Pat Anderson AO (The Lowitja Institute), Professor Sandra Eades (Curtin University), Professor Gail Garvey (Menzies School of Health Research) and Professor Alex Brown (University of Adelaide/South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute). 

Flux Study Reaches One Year Milestone. The Kirby Institute. The Flux Study has a particular focus on the use of drug and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Australian Gay and Bisexual Men. When the pandemic emerged, Flux was uniquely placed to monitor behavioural changes prior to and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and during the period after its most significant impacts, and to provide insights into how GBM experience, engage with, and will emerge from, COVID-19. The study has reached the milestone of one year of weekly data collection, with over 700 men participating. For study findings and lessons learnt, click here.

New PrEP Resources. The WA AIDS Council (WAAC) has developed a resource that provides a brief guide to PrEP. The resource answers frequently asked questions about PrEP, such as who can take PrEP and where to go to obtain PrEP in WA. The information can also be accessed via the WA AIDS Council website.

YEP Consent Cards Consultation. The Youth Educating Peers (YEP) Project is a sexual health program which provides education to young people and the youth sector in WA. The YEP Project is currently developing a consent resource for young people aged 12-25, in the form of a series of cards outlining a specific element or situation about consent. The YEP Project intends to make them widely available for the youth sector via their website, accompanied by some talking points for educators. The resource is open for feedback from the wider community. You can view the draft resources and provide feedback via this link, by 9.30am Tuesday 8 June.

Condom Buddy - Get Ready to Party. Aboriginal Health Council of WA. Condom Buddy - Get Ready to Party, is a short video which aims to encourage young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to practise safe sex when attending a party by using condoms. View the video and share with your networks.

Us Mob and HIV. Australian Federation of AIDS Organisation (AFAO). This resource is the fourth edition of HIV resources targeted at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The resource was developed and produced by AFAO in partnership with the Anwernekenhe National HIV Alliance (ANA), and contains information about HIV and a series of 'yarns' from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Print copies are available from AFAO upon request.

Sex Worker Briefing paper and COVID-19 Impact Report. Scarlet Alliance. A briefing paper has been released, which provides the definitive definition for sex work decriminalisation. This encompasses the full decriminalisation of sex work-specific criminal and licensing laws, and police powers for all sex workers, including sex workers from marginalized groups. Further, Scarlett Alliance alongside key sex worker groups including Magenta, have released a report that documents the impacts of COVID-19 on sex workers in Australia and the extensive mobilisation of sex workers and sex worker peer organisations to provide support to a community in crisis. Discussion of gaps and recommendations for the future are made.

CONFERENCES

STI & HIV 2021 World Congress. International Society for STD Research, International Union against STI World. The 2021 congress is an online meeting of academics, policymakers, community organisations and more within the global context of STIs and HIV. “Sexual diversity and the city” is this year’s theme and the mission is to address diversity, health and sexuality in the urban context. Abstract submissions have closed. Conference dates: July, 17 - 18. Online. 

Joint Australasian HIV&AIDS and Sexual Health Conferences 2021. ASHM. The annual joint conference is the premier sector conference in Australasia including NZ, and Asia and the Pacific regions. The conference provides a forum for the workforce to keep up-to-date with research, clinical management, prevention, best practice and policy, including professional development and activities for relevant accreditation. Abstract submissions are closed. Conference dates: September, 6 - 9. Melbourne, Australia.

Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health. World Association for Sexual Health. This year's conference theme is Leave No One Behind, and will take place online. More details to be announced soon. Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 June. Conference dates: September, 9 - 12. Cape Town, South Africa. 

The YEP Project Sector Summit 2021. The summit aims to support and educate young people on relationships, sexuality and SHBBV issues. The theme is: 'Healthy Relationships for Young People and Sexual Health Needs of Subpopulations: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, LGBTIQA+ young people, culturally and linguistically diverse young people and young people living with disabilities. Abstract submissions are closed. Conference date: September, 22. Maylands, Australia.

Australian Public Health Conference. Public Health Association of Australia. ​The 2021 conference theme is: ‘Supporting and Re-Energising Public Health in a disrupted world’. The theme responds to the COVID-19 pandemic and climate emergency, impacting on public wellbeing and the public health response. Abstract submission deadline: 13 June. Conference dates: September, 23 - 24. Canberra, Australia and online. 

Shifting Perspective - WA Alcohol and Other Drug Conference. Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies. The conference will provide a platform for esteemed local, national, and international speakers with presentations that reflect contemporary issues affecting the sector. Presentations will be informed by our conference themes: the impact of COVID-19, co-occurring and complex issues, law reform, and health reform. Abstract submissions are closed. Conference dates: October 7 - 8. Perth, Australia.

TRAINING & SEMINARS

Health Literacy, Plain Language Writing, and Plain Language Basics. Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health. The online courses are designed to build skills in better communicating with people from culturally and linguistically and diverse backgrounds. The courses are being offered at half price until the June, 30. Online. 

Sharing Case Studies for Change: Celebrating and Learning from Civil Society-led Responses to HIV and Covid-19 in Asia and the Pacific. UNAIDS Asia-Pacific. A high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS will be convened from 8 to 10 June 2021, in New York. The UNAIDS Asia-Pacific have convened a side event, to showcase the strength of communities with speakers from different countries throughout Asia and the Pacific, and to celebrate their innovative and effective HIV & COVID-19 response. June, 7. Online. 

Hepatitis C for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners. ASHM. This 2-part online workshop aims to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners with practical skills and knowledge in hepatitis C diagnosis and care to support their clients and communities. View the flyer for more info. June, 4 & 11. Online.

HIV Research and the Community Forum: Where do I Fit? The Role of Community. Thorne Harbour Health. The forum will consider the history of community participation in HIV research through the decades from demonstrating in the streets for research and access in the early days of HIV medicine, to more recent research initiatives that examine PrEP and undetectable viral load. June, 9. Online. 

Hepatitis B in Primary Care - RACGP Webinar. ASHM. This webinar will provide General Practitioners and primary care nurses with introductory knowledge regarding the care and management of hepatitis B. June, 10. Online.

Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation. Australian Evaluation Society. This workshop introduces participants to basic concepts related to evaluating projects and programs. The workshop will explore topics such as: fit for purpose evaluation processes and approaches; interpreting data and producing findings; engaging with stakeholders; the nature and use of evaluation; ethics in evaluation; and key issues and trends in the field of evaluation. June, 15. Perth. 

Sexual and Reproductive Health in Primary Care. ASHM. This two-part course aims to provide practitioners with an overview of sexual and reproductive health care in general practice. Topics in this session include sexual health, sexual history taking, STI screening, contraception and unintended pregnancy consultations. June, 19  & 26. Online.

HIV and Shared Care for Chronic Disease Management. Shine SA. This webinar will cover: current HIV treatment in Australia, managing people living with HIV through chronic illness and ageing, and how to increase effectiveness of shared HIV care with specialist colleagues. June, 23. Online. 

Relationships and Sexuality Education Symposium. The Relationships, Sexuality and Education Project. This event is for teachers, school nurses and other school staff, to support teaching of Relationship and Sexuality Education in Australian schools. The event will feature a keynote presentation from Dr Louisa Allen, a youth panel and interactive workshops. June, 25. Bentley. 

Curing Hepatitis C In Primary Care. ASHM. This course aims to provide general practitioners, nurse practitioners and other prescribing practitioners the skills and confidence to diagnose, assess, manage and treat HCV in primary care. CPD points available. June, 26. Online. 

Sexuality and Disability. SECCA. The workshop aims to develop awareness of our own values and attitudes in relation to sexuality, and consider how these may be barriers to the rights of the people we support. This workshop is recommended for people who live with, or care for people who have a disability. July, 1. West Perth.

Introduction to Program Logic. Australian Evaluation Society. This workshop introduces the program logic concept and lays out a step by step process for creating a logic model. The workshop concludes with an overview of how this logic model can be used for program design and to be the spine of a monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement framework. July 5. Online. 

Diversity Dialogues: Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Migrant Communities. Health Consumers Council WA. The second seminar of the Diversity Dialogues series will feature a panel discussion centred on the challenges around diagnosis and treatment of STIs and BBVs in culturally and linguistically diverse (particularly migrant) populations. July, 29. Online.

Optimising the Care of People Living with HIV: An update on management of comorbidities to improve patient health. ASHM. The Optimising Care series is a multi-day blended virtual and in-person  series to update the HIV healthcare workforce on current diagnostic and management principles of common medical conditions. It aims to maximise the health outcomes and quality of life of all Australians living with HIV. July 31, August 14 & 28. Online.  

Advocacy Short Course. Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA. This course is designed for practitioners, researchers and policy actors who do not have an existing specialism in the advocacy field but may have a responsibility or interest in the integration of advocacy into planning, projects and policy. August, 2 - 6. East Perth. 

Boundary Setting and Protective Behaviours #2. SECCA. This workshop introduces the two fundamental messages of Protective Behaviours and strategies to support teaching them, including the Social Circle Concept, which was developed to give people with disabilities an understanding of personal boundaries which is an essential element of Protective Behaviours. This workshop is for parents, carers, students, teachers and health professionals. August, 5. West Perth. 

Media and Communications in Research. Government of Western Australia, Child and Adolescent Health Services. Understanding how to work with the media is essential and a critical responsibility for all researchers, whether it’s the newspaper, TV, radio, or social media. This seminar will provide practical techniques on working with the media and ensuring your bottom line is delivered in an engaging, accurate, and responsible way. August, 13. Option to attend live seminar at Perth Children's Hospital and other locations around WA, or online. 

Nuts and Bolts of Sexual Health. Sexual Health Quarters. This course develops the core knowledge, attitudes and skills required to provide information and support for young people around respectful relationships and sexual health issues. October, 13 - 15. Perth. 

Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Health Promotion Interventions. Curtin University. This flexible online course aims to provide you with the skills needed to plan, implement and evaluate a health promotion program. You will be introduced to relevant health behaviour theories and health promotion frameworks as well as approaches to evaluation. 16 August - 21 November. Online.

STIs In WA Primary Care - Online Module. Sexual Health Quarters. The course is intended to provide primary health care professionals with comprehensive education about discussing STIs with patients, and testing for and managing STIs. It includes public health responsibilities and legal issues, and recommends useful online resources for ongoing use. Accessible anytime, online.

Syphilis Outbreak Training. ASHM. Professional development training is now available for health practitioners affected by the ongoing outbreak of infectious syphilis among young Aboriginal people in regions of Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia. The training can be accessed anytime on the ASHM Online Learning System under STI/BBVs in the course catalogue. An ASHM login is required.

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Nurse Practitioner Scholarships. WA Health Sexual Health and Blood-Borne Virus Program. Scholarships are available to help registered nurses and midwives working in the Western Australian public health system to study sexual health and/or blood-borne virus specialisation courses at nurse practitioner level to increase their working knowledge. Click here for instructions and eligibility criteria. No application closing date. 

JOBS

Expressions of Interest - Research Assessment Committee. Healthway is seeking to appoint an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health researcher/s to its Research Assessment Committee. The role will involve reviewing health promotion research applications to ensure that research targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is conducted in line with ethical research standards and is culturally appropriate. Applicants must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. Applications close Friday 25th June 2021. Please find attached further information and the application form.