NEWS & RESOURCES

SiREN Symposium. The SiREN Symposium was held on June 24, bringing together over 140 delegates in-person and online from across Australia. The Symposium celebrated a decade since the WA Department of Health first funded Curtin University to support SiREN and effectively realise its potential. Throughout the event, presentations and discussions demonstrated the SHBBV sector's commitment to learning and working together to constantly improve service delivery and health outcomes in the context of ever-changing epidemiological, social, and political landscapes.   

MiBSS Roundtable. On June 23, members of the SHBBV and migrant health sectors came together for a roundtable discussion, to make recommendations about how the sector can respond to the findings of the Migrant Blood-borne Virus and Sexual Health Survey (MiBSS) study. MiBSS was the first national attempt to measure the sexual health and blood-borne virus knowledge, attitudes, and practices of migrants living in Australia. The roundtable provided a platform to set strategic directions and research priorities aimed at reducing the burden of sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses in WA’s migrant communities. A Communique containing key recommendations is being finalised and will be made available on the MiBSS website. The purpose of the Communique will be to identify areas for potential action in the sector, and to provide recommendations for possible next steps. 

Sex Industry Representatives Call for Major Changes in WA. The Law and Sex Worker Health (LASH) 2.0 Study explored the impact of the law on Western Australian sex workers; their health and safety; and the intersections between sex workers, health service providers and Police. The current partial criminalisation was found to have an adverse impact on the health and safety of sex workers. Hear from Dr. Jonathan Hallet in this recent article, that calls for the decriminalisation of sex work and draws on findings from the LASH 2.0 Study. 

Participate in the Flux Study. Kirby Institute. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Flux Study collected important data to measure the impact of the pandemic among gay and bisexual men across Australia to better understand the ongoing risk of HIV and sexual and mental health.. The Flux Study is seeking new participants (especially young men) to share their experiences and perspectives. For further information, contact Garrett Prestage at gprestage@kirby.unsw.edu.au.

Our Forgotten Epidemic Podcast. Burnett Foundation. This six-part podcast series is about Aotearoa New Zealand's response to HIV and some of the many brave individuals who changed the course of history. Episode 1 was released on 19 July and the remaining episodes will be released fortnightly thereafter. 

International Overdose Awareness Day. Recognised annually on August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have lost their life and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind. Learn more here. 

HIV and Mobility Report Card 2022. The Community of Practice for Action on HIV and Mobility (CoPAHM) HIV and Mobility Report Card 2022 aims to capture activity related to HIV and Mobility that was undertaken during the Eighth National HIV Strategy 2018-2022. The Report Card will map activity related to the six Priority Actions proposed for addressing gaps in Australia's current response to HIV and Mobility. You are invited to contribute to the Report Card. Participation involves a 30-minute survey. Click here to complete the survey. Please contact Karina (CoPAHM Coordinator) via copahm@curtin.edu.au if you would like to discuss your activity over a phone call, or for any queries. 

Free treatment available for people with HIV who are ineligible for Medicare. On World AIDS Day, 1st December 2021, then Commonwealth Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Greg Hunt announced an investment of $39m over five years to provide treatment for people with HIV who are ineligible for Medicare. From 1st July 2022, people with HIV who are ineligible for Medicare will be able to access their treatment free of charge through government-funded hospital pharmacies. Several pathways to access treatment are available. Click here for more information. 

Responding to monkeypox virus among gay and bisexual men in Australia. UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health. Monkeypox virus (MPXV) was identified in 1970 and is endemic in some Central and West African countries. In 2022, MPXV cases began to be identified in high income countries, particularly among gay and bisexual men (GBM). This project aims to assess knowledge about and attitudes to MPXV, behavioural risk reduction strategies and willingness to vaccinate among GBM in Australia. The project is conducting a national survey, assessing knowledge and concern about MPXV, changes to behaviour in response to MPXV, and willingness to be vaccinated. Access the survey here.

'Good Arts, Good Mental Health' community consultation survey. The Good Arts, Good Mental Health project aims to create an arts-mental wellbeing campaign, programs and multi-sector professional development to enhance community wellbeing and arts-mental wellbeing knowledge, policy and practice. To guide this process, a community consultation survey is being conducted. Survey submissions close 28 October 2022. Access the survey here.

CONFERENCES

2022 NDARC Annual Research Symposium. The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales. The 2022 NDARC Annual Research Symposium will showcase the work of leading national and international researchers in the alcohol and other drugs sector and related fields. Online. September 20-21.

10th International Conference on Health and Hepatitis Care in Substance Users. International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users. This conference brings together a global community of people dedicated to improving the health of people who use drugs, providing sessions on the topics of drug policy, health and well-being of people who use drugs, harm reduction, hepatitis C and other infectious diseases. Abstract submissions are closed. Glasgow. October 19-21.

2022 Youth Health Conference. Australian Association for Adolescent Health. This conference provides the opportunity for researchers, health care professionals, academics, youth advocates and policy makers to come together with young people to network, share experiences and showcase the latest findings, practices and models of care in Adolescent Health. Abstract submissions are closed. Melbourne. November 7-9.

TRAINING & SEMINARS

SiREN Short Courses. SiREN has launched a new pilot program of free online training modules designed to support those working in the WA sexual health and blood-borne virus sector. Available on-demand, these modules will build your capabilities in health promotion planning and evaluation. These modules will suit you if you are new to public health and to applying a health promotion lens to sexual health and blood-borne viruses, or if you are interested in refreshing your skills and knowledge in this area. The training is open to those working in WA only. Enrolments are open for Foundations for Health Promotion, Evidence for Health Promotion and Planning for Health Promotion. Click here to enrol. 

The Birds and the BBVs 'The Bites'. Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA). The Birds and the BBVs 'The Bites' are informative online sessions running weekly throughout the month of August on Tuesdays during lunchtime. These sessions will explore a variety of sexual health topics. For information on these sessions, contact Veronica Walshe, veronica.walshe@ahcwa.org.

YEP Kalgoorlie Professional Development Session. Youth Educating Peers (YEP). The YEP Project, operating under the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) is travelling to Kalgoorlie to provide a series of free sexual health workshops for the youth sector. The series will cover Consent & Healthy Relationships, Professional Consultation, Safer Sex, STI Testing & Contraception, Porn & Sexting Harm Minimisation. Kalgoorlie. September, 6-8.

Effective Sexual Health Communication with people from CaLD Backgrounds. SiREN and CoPAHM. This online workshop aims to upskill those working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds to develop culturally appropriate resources and engage people from CaLD backgrounds with health messages. This workshop involves presentations and a skills-building workshop. Online. September, 9. 

Sexual Health Study Day. South Metropolitan Health Service. This one-day course provides an introduction to aspects of STI management for nurses and allied health staff. It will be an interactive day with a focus on communication and screening of priority groups, as well as an overview of current sexually transmitted infection statistics within the West Australian community. Fiona Stanley Hospital. September, 14. Contact fshnurmidedu@health.wa.gov.au for information on how to enrol.

Hump Day Health. WAAC. Hump Day Health sessions occur on the second Wednesday of every month and provide the workforce with valuable updates on HIV and current treatments, health promotion messaging and how to address stigma and discrimination in sexual health provision. Contact eshaw@waac.com.au to register your attendance. Online. September, 14.

Involving Aboriginal Communities in Research. Child and Adolescent Health Service Research Education Program. This seminar provides an overview of important considerations for engaging Indigenous people in research, including understanding cultural differences, ethical considerations, and the importance of consultation with communities. Online & Nedlands. September, 16.

Self Collection of Cervical Screening Webinar. Sexual Health Quarters (SHQ). People with cervixes who are due for cervical screening will have the option of self-collection from 1st July 2022. This webinar will assist clinicians to gain the knowledge and skills that will enable them to discuss this option with their patients. This webinar includes how the test is taken, the pros and cons of self-collection, and what to do if the result is abnormal. Northbridge. September, 28. 

Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation. Australian Evaluation Society. This workshop is designed to de-mystify the evaluation process exploring 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. Online October, 12. 

Nuts and Bolts of Sexual Health Course. SHQ. This course develops core knowledge, attitudes and skills required to provide information and support for young people around respectful relationships and sexual health issues. This course is suitable for a wide range of people working with young people. Northbridge. October, 19 - 21. 

Relationships and Sexuality Education Workshop. The Relationships and Sexuality Education Project. This workshop is for community groups, service providers, and others who wish to upskill in relationships and sexuality education from outside the school sector. The 2-day workshop will assist in developing skills to plan, implement and assess effective relationships and sexuality education in school settings. Bentley. November, 14 - 15.

Introduction to Syphilis for Midwives: Western Australia. ASHM. This course is for Western Australian midwives, to develop their skills to confidently discuss sexual health with patients, conduct guideline-based syphilis screening and testing, identify health pathways of pregnancy in syphilis, and initiate contact tracing. The training can be accessed anytime on the ASHM Online Learning System by searching 'Syphilis for Midwives' in the course catalogue. An ASHM login is required.

STIs In WA Primary Care - Online Module. SHQ. This 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. Access anytime. Online.

Syphilis Outbreak Training. ASHM. Professional development training is 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

East Metropolitan Health Service Aboriginal Health Research Grant 2022. The East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) is offering a $60,000 grant to support a research project that will improve Aboriginal health services. EMHS expects the grant will encourage our staff and partners to develop innovative and ambitious solutions to service delivery challenges by conducting a rigorous research project that will translate into better outcomes for Aboriginal people. Applications close September, 19. For more information click here.