NEWS & RESOURCES

HIV Policy Lab. The HIV Policy Lab online platform has recently been released. The platform systematically gathers and monitors laws and policies adopted by countries around the world, documenting where key HIV science has been translated into policy. It is an open, growing global public resource that builds data from legal documents, government reporting, and independent research. In-depth country pages, an interactive global map, and comparison across issues and countries are available. View it here.

The WAACY World Café. The WA AIDS Council are holding a community consultation workshop on Oct, 20 to inform their new Strategic Plan 2021 and beyond. Those working in the sexual health and HIV space are encouraged to attend. RSVP essential, contact Rachel for more information.

Dual Pandemics - What will COVID-19 mean for hepatitis C elimination? This World Hepatitis Day Special Event is now available to stream free online. Facilitated by health reporter Dr Norman Swan, the event discussed the immense challenges COVID-19 brings to hepatitis C elimination and the health of people who use drugs, and discussed strategies to ensure Australia stays on track to become one of the first countries in the world to eliminate hepatitis C. 

New trans and gender diverse project for SHQ and WAAC. This new project with a primary focus on supporting transgender and gender diverse people in WA will adopt a harm-reduction approach, and seek to explore behaviours increasing risk of transmission of sexually transmissible infection and blood-borne viruses. SHQ and WAAC are looking for members of the transgender and diverse community, as well as allied health professionals to give input to the project and resources. Click here to see how you can contribute.

The I-SHARE (International Sexual Health And REproductive Health) Survey examines the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on sexual and reproductive health in diverse low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries.  Click here to complete the survey if you reside in Australian and are 18 years of age or older. 

CONFERENCES

Australian Public Health Conference: VIRTUAL. Public Health Association of Australia. The theme for the virtual conference is: ‘Public Health action: Response to bushfires, climate and coronavirus’, which responds to a series of realities which, in different ways, are ‘crises’ impacting on public wellbeing. Oct, 19 - 30. Online.
 
Adherence 2020. This virtual conference will feature the presentation and discussion of antiretroviral therapy and biomedical prevention adherence within the context of optimizing care and prevention continua to achieve HIV epidemic control. Adherence 2020 will consist of 2-days of live-streamed plenary sessions that will be supplemented by pre-recorded panel and oral/e-poster abstract sessions. Nov, 2 - 3. Online. 

2020 Joint Australasian HIV&AIDS and Sexual Health Conferences: VIRTUAL. ASHM. The joint conference will now be delivered virtually this year, and ASHM would like to hear your thoughts on how the conference should be run.  More information to come. Click here to complete the short survey. Nov, 16 - 20. Online.

HIVR4P // Virtual - HIV Research for Prevention. The International AIDS Society. The conference will focus on today’s fast-changing HIV prevention paradigm, incorporating cutting-edge science on COVID-19. Delegates from around the world will be able to access the latest in biomedical HIV prevention research and implementation. Jan, 27 - 28 and Feb, 3 - 4 Feb. Online. 

Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference. ASHM. The conference is run by ASHM in collaboration with key sector partners as a platform for the dissemination and presentation of new and innovative research findings and better management across the Australasian viral hepatitis sector.  Abstract submissions and registrations are now open. May 30 - June 1, 2021. Brisbane.

TRAINING & SEMINARS

STIs in WA Primary Care. Sexual Health Quarters. This online course can be completed anytime, and 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. Online. 

Enhancing Evaluative Thinking and Reasoning. Australian Evaluation Society. This workshop teaches evaluative thinking, a disciplined and systematic approach to enquiry that informs and supports the reasoning process and the identification of credible findings, lessons, and recommendations for program improvement, accountability, and decision-making. Oct, 19. Online. 

Hepatitis C in Drug and Alcohol Settings. ASHM. People who inject drugs represent approximately 90% of newly acquired hepatitis C (HCV) infections. This course aims to provide practitioners working in alcohol and other drugs settings with the skills and knowledge to diagnose HCV, manage comorbidities and treat HCV. Oct, 16. Online

Rapid Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature. Child and Adolescent Health Service Research Education Program. This seminar provides simple strategies to help focus your reading, examine validity of results and decide whether to accept and apply them in your setting. Oct, 16. Live Seminar at Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands and online at other locations around WA. 

Why trust digital health? Understanding the perspectives of communities affected by BBVs/STIs and social stigma. University of new South Wales Centre for Social Research. In this seminar, key findings from the national community survey and key informant interviews conducted in the Trust in Digital Health study will be presented. This study is a partnership between the UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health and community organisations representing people with HIV, sex workers, gay and bisexual men, and trans and gender diverse people in Australia. Oct, 21. Online. 

Alcohol and Other Drug Skills for Counsellors. Workforce Development, Mental Health Commission. Strengthen your skills when working with clients around their alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. This training event will suit human service providers in a counselling role who are new to working with clients who use AOD. It aims to provide foundation knowledge and skills required to work effectively with these clients. Oct, 21 - 22. Perth. 

Introduction to Evaluation. Australian Evaluation Society. This workshop is targeted at new, emerging, or experienced evaluators seeking to consolidate their understanding of the field. It discusses key concepts, terms, and approaches that are relevant to commissioning or conducting evaluation projects. Oct, 26 and 29. Online.

Outcomes Measurements. Centre for Social Impact UWA. Delivered over 2 days, this workshop will enable participants to learn the tools needed for outcome measurement including program logic, qualitative and quantitative methods, data analysis, outcomes reporting, communication and learning. Oct 29 and 30. Nedlands. 

HIV s100 Community Prescriber Course. ASHM. The course is designed to support clinicians in managing and treating HIV, providing them with the opportunity to establish relationships with local specialist services for ongoing mentoring and referrals, and to become accredited prescribers of s100 highly specialised drugs for the treatment of people living with HIV. A limited number of travel scholarships are available for regional/ rural GPs and NPs via WA Department of Health. Please email SHBBVP@health.wa.gov.au to express your interest. Oct, 31 & Nov, 11. Perth. 

SHARE Meeting. SHARE is a network for people who work with young people around sexual health. SHARE aims to provide regular support, through meetings, so workers can better support and educate the young people they work with. This edition of the meeting will cover all things pleasure. Nov, 3. Northbridge. 

STARS. Sexual Health Quarters. STARS is a two-day introductory course to help build knowledge and confidence to Start Talking About Relationships and Sexual health with young Aboriginal people. Nov, 4 - 5. Northbridge.

Relationships Education. SECCA. This workshop shows interactive strategies that educators, parents or carers can use to teach topics related to relationships. The workshop discusses ways to teach the best practice of Sexuality and Relationships Education, dating, health relationships, consent, rejection and break ups. Nov, 5. West Perth. 

NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The theme of NAIDOC Week 2020 is Always was, always will be, which recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. All Australians are encouraged to participate in the celebrations and activities that take place across the nation during NAIDOC Week. Click here for events in your area. Nov 8 - 15. Australia wide. 

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

ASHM Scholarships Program. ASHM provides a variety of scholarships to assist members, affiliates and others in the HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health sector to attend national and international conferences to support their continuing professional development. Scholarships to attend the 2020 Joint Australasian HIV&AIDS + Sexual Health Conferences: VIRTUAL are currently open. Apply now.

AHPA Graduate Scholarships. The Australian Health Promotion Association WA Branch Scholarships Program is funded by Healthway and offers four six-month workplace scholarships starting in February 2021 under the following categories: One graduate scholarship; One Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarship; One regional scholarship (graduate and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) and; One scholarship of any category. Apply now. 

JOBS (WA)

Aboriginal Education and Engagement Opportunities. Sexual Health Quarters are looking for people who can help shape SHQ’s direction when it comes to working with Aboriginal people, who can consult with community about their important needs. Express your interest here.

Remote Area Nurse/Sexual Health Nurse. Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services. Reporting to the Clinic Manager, you’ll be required to work as part of a team delivering coordinated and comprehensive Primary Health and emergency care to members of the Remote Area region. This role is based in Kutjungka, WA, on a full-time basis, 6 weeks on, 3 weeks off. Apply now.

JOBS (NATIONAL)

Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society PhD Opportunities. The ARCSHS has a number of research scholarships available for PhD candidates: Investigating sexual identity and gender orientation change efforts in Australia; Infectious disease, gender and stigma; Drugs, sex/gender and human rights. Applications will close with appointment of a suitable candidate. Click here for more.