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E-News Issue 60
| January 15, 2025 |NEWS & RESOURCES
SiREN wishes the network a happy holidays! As 2024 draws to a close, we would like to thank you for your continued support and engagement with us throughout this year. The SiREN Team will be out of office from Monday 23 December 2024 to Friday 3 January 2025. Please remember we can be contacted via email at siren@curtin.edu.au and have a wealth of resources available on our website, and via LinkedIn and Twitter/X. We look forward to working with you all in 2025. We wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy festive period, and all the best for the new year.
Development of the Fifth National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2024-2030. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Assistant Minister Kearney has announced that public consultation for the fifth National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2024-2030 is now open. This Strategy focuses on preventing and reducing the impact of STIs across Australia through improved education, testing, treatment, and support services. The consultation is accessible here and closes at 11:59PM on 20 December 2024. Questions about the Strategy can be directed to BBVSTITSH@health.gov.au.
Ninth National HIV Strategy 2024-2030 released. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. The newly published Ninth National HIV Strategy 2024-2030 provides a framework to guide and coordinate Australia’s national response towards virtual elimination of HIV transmission by 2030.
Chemsex Toolkit for health workforce in Asia-Pacific launched. ASHM. Chemsex Toolkit for clinical service providers working in the Asia-Pacific region was launched at the 6th Asia Pacific Chemsex Symposium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Developed by ASHM on behalf of UNAIDS and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Chemsex Toolkit for clinical service providers in the Asia-Pacific region is the first of its kind to provide tailored information on chemsex for clinical service providers in the Asia-Pacific region. Read the media release and access the Toolkit here.
World AIDS Day was held on 1 December raising awareness of HIV and AIDS in our community and across the world. It reminds us that HIV is still a global epidemic. In Australia there are an estimated 30,000 people living with HIV and globally 39.9 million people live with the condition. More than 42.3 million people have died of AIDS-related illnesses around the world and World AIDS Day is a significant day to commemorate and honour those who lost their lives. The Australian theme for 2024 is ‘It starts with me’. Learn more about how to get involved and show your support on the World AIDS Day's website.
L-R: Dr Roanna Lobo (SiREN & CERIPH), Dr Daniel Vujcich (WAAC), Dr Sophie Haywood (CERIPH) & Karina Reeves (WAAC) pictured above at WAAC's World AIDS Day Breakfast on 1 December 2024.
World Hepatitis Testing Week took place during the week of 18 November and is a global effort to encourage people to get tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Early detection is key to reducing the risk of liver cancer, and testing is the first step towards accessing life-saving care. Find out more at Hepatitis Queensland's website.
INHSU Prisons Hepatitis C Advocacy Toolkit. INHSU. This toolkit provides guidance across three core areas (Advocacy planning; Hepatitis C information and education; and Prison-based heptatits C care advocacy) that will support advocacy efforts for the scale-up or implementation of prison-based hepatitis C testing, treatment and prevention services.
2023-2024 Hepatitis Queensland Annual Report. Hepatitis Queensland's Annual Report is a reflection of continued commitment to improving the liver health of all Queenslanders. This year’s report highlights the significant strides made in supporting individuals to live free from the burden of viral hepatitis and liver disease.
Could It Be Syphilis? Clinical Indicator Tool. ASHM's one-page Could It Be Syphilis? Clinical Indicator Tool for healthcare workers provides information on priority populations for testing, syphilis symptoms, who to test, and treatment of syphilis.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Exploring Sexual Health Among Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa. UNSW CSRH. This study aims to explore attitudes and behaviours towards sexual health and HIV knowledge among migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. It is led by researchers at the Centre for Social Research in Health UNSW Sydney. The survey will take around 25 minutes to complete.
Are you an adult woman born in sub-Saharan Africa and living in Western Australia? Researchers at WAAC and Curtin University want to understand more about sub-Saharan African women’s opinions on different ways to stay healthy and prevent HIV, including thoughts on PrEP. Participants will be asked to participate in an interview or focus group discussion lasting around 1-2 hours. If you would like to take part in the study, complete the expression of interest form here. If you would like to promote this research within your networks or have any questions, please contact Roisin Hille at roisin.hille@postgrad.curtin.edu.au.
TRAINING & SEMINARS
SiREN Short Courses. The SiREN Short Courses are free online training modules designed to support those working in the Western Australian SHBBV sector. Available on-demand, these modules will build your capabilities in health promotion planning and evaluation. Each course contains a series of modules with videos, readings and activities enabling you to apply the concepts to a topic relevant to your work. Experienced staff will join you on your learning journey. The training is open to those working in Western Australia only. Click here to enrol.
Boundary Setting & Protective Behaviours. SECCA. This workshop introduces the two fundamental messages of Protective Behaviours and strategies to support teaching them. This full-day workshop is suitable for parents, carers, students, teachers and health professionals. 13 December, West Perth, WA.
Nuts and Bolts of Sexual Health. SHQ. Nuts & Bolts develops knowledge, confidence and skills to provide information and support for young people around respectful relationships, consent and sexual health. 25-27 February 2025. Northbridge, Perth.
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV: For Health Professionals Online Course. SHINE SA. This course will increase your understanding of PEP as an emergency presentation and vital HIV prevention measure and assist in providing patients with optimal care and support when seeking PEP in the emergency setting. Available on-demand. Online.
Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion and Abuse eLearning. Sexual Health Quarters. This comprehensive eLearning package is designed to build understanding of intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion and abuse, and develop participants’ ability to recognise, respond and refer people experiencing violence. Available on-demand. Online.
CONFERENCES
27th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health. World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), Asia-Oceania Federation for Sexology (AOFS) & Society of Australian Sexologists (SAS). Hosted by SAS and in association with the AOFS, this landmark event will unite hundreds of professionals dedicated to promoting sexual health and rights for all. Abstract submissions are closed. 16-19 June 2025. Yuggera and Turrbal Country, Brisbane, Australia.
2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Point of Care (POC) Testing for Infectious Diseases. Rapid Point of Care Research Consortium for Infectious Diseases (RAPID) & ASHM. This conference aims to showcase innovations in POC testing, discuss strategies for implementation, and address challenges related to equitable access and healthcare integration. This collaboration fosters a comprehensive approach to tackling infectious diseases, improving diagnostic capabilities, and enhancing patient care in diverse settings across the region. Abstract submissions close 11.59pm ICT, Sunday 8 December 2024. 19-21 June 2025. Bangkok, Thailand.
15th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference. ASHM. This conference aims to support the health workforce, government and community to work towards the elimination of hepatitis B and hepatitis C through dissemination and presentation of new and innovative research findings and better management across the Australasian viral hepatitis sector. Abstract submissions close 11:59pm AEDT. 9 February 2025. 6-8 August 2025. Naarm, Melbourne, Australia.
Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference 2025. ASHM. This conference will bring together peers and community from around the country and the world to explore cutting-edge research and innovation, share success stories, and take another step towards making HIV elimination a reality. Abstract submissions open January 2025. 15-17 September 2025. Tarndanya (Adelaide) on Kaurna Country, Australia.
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
How2 Subsidised LGBTIQ+ training. Rainbow Health Australia. Are you a health and human services provider that receives Victorian Government funding? Do you want to work towards embedding LGBTIQ+ affirmative practice at an organisational level? If yes, you have an opportunity to secure places, free of charge, in Rainbow Health Australia's recently updated and redesigned How2 Program: Implementing LGBTIQ+ Inclusion and Excellence in health & human services. Submit an expression of interest here.
Centre for Social Impact Scholarships. Centre for Social Impact are offering two scholarships to students pursuing social impact studies at four partner universities; Flinders University, Swinburne University of Technology, The University of New South Wales, or The University of Western Australia. Application closing dates vary.
Scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focused workers. SHINE SA are offering scholarships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focused workers for participation in their courses and professional development programs. SHINE SA will cover the full cost of the applicant’s course of choice. Applications close 1 July 2025. Click here for more information.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship. Sexual Health Quarters are offering a scholarship to one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Doctor and one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurse to participate in one of their Certificate Programs. Click here for more information.