Performance Indicators

Information source/reporting frequency:
Incidence data obtained from:

• National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System;
• National Injury Surveillance Unit;
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare;
• State and Territory collections;
• Chronic Disease Surveillance – Computer Assisted Telephone Interview Surveys; and
• Hospital Separations records.

Prevalence data obtained through a range of surveys. Annual/intermittent reporting, dependent on survey timing. Mortality data obtained from:

• Australian Bureau of Statistics;
• National Coronial Information Service;
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; and
• State and Territory registers.

Information source/reporting frequency:

• Commissioned surveys of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour;
• feedback by Divisions of General Practitioners and practices about preventive interventions; and
• evaluating the effectiveness of social marketing campaigns.
  

Target:
Progress towards the effective use of best practice, recommended policies and guidelines and the achievement of program targets. Program guidelines and targets include, for example:

• progress towards 70% participation in breast screening amongst women aged 50-69 years;
• progress towards 95% coverage for childhood immunisation; and
• increase the percentage of older Australians immunised with flu vaccine.

Information source/reporting frequency:

Data obtained from:

• State and Territory data registries;
• jurisdiction reports against the Public Health Outcome Funding Agreements;
• Australian Childhood Immunisation Register;
• child and youth health reports; and
• local government reports.

Target:

Strategies take account of the needs of specified high needs groups and report information where available.

Information source/reporting frequency:

Data obtained from:

• analysis of national health strategy documentation;
• reports on the health and wellbeing of children and youth through the AIHW; and
• jurisdiction reports against the Public Health Outcome Funding Agreements.

Result: Target met.

In 2004-05, core funding of $8 million was provided to:

• the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research;
• the Australian Centre in Hepatitis C and HIV Virology Research;
• the National Centre in HIV Social Research; and
• the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society.

Core funding was also provided to:

• Andrology Australia ($4.3 million to continue research on issues of male reproductive health);
• the University of Newcastle and the University of Queensland (to continue the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health);
• the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases;
• the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre;
• the National Drug Research Institute; and
• the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction.

In addition, funding was provided to the National Drug and Law Enforcement Research Fund and the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare.

In 2004-05, economic evaluations included:

• a study examining 20 interventions targeting tobacco smoking, poor nutrition, alcohol misuse and physical inactivity;
• a study estimating the contribution of lifestyle to the burden of disease in Australia;
• an evaluation of the economic costs and benefits of the Government funded Hepatitis C Education and Prevention Initiatives implemented between 1999-2000 and 2004-05;
• an evaluation of the economic costs and benefits of introducing retractable needle and syringe technology into needle and syringe programs;
• a cost effectiveness study on bowel cancer screening; and
• a project designed to capture the economic costs and health burden of foodborne illness in Australia.

Result: Target met.

Improvements have been achieved in the quality of communicable disease data. Data is transmitted on a daily basis from the State and Territories into a national data acquisition system, and standard case definitions for notifiable disease have been adopted by all jurisdictions.

The Department also reports fortnightly to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia regarding national notifiable diseases data. This supercedes previous individual State and Territory reports and is a refinement of the notification process.

Result: No target number was specified in 2004-05.

The immunisation coverage rate, as notified by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR), for infants at 12 months of age was 91% as at 30 June 2005.

In addition to the ongoing program monitoring and evaluation under the National Immunisation Program, the universal National Childhood Pneumococcal Vaccination Program and National Pneumococcal Vaccination Program for Older Australians successfully commenced on 1 January 2005.

New initiatives developed in 2004-05 were announced in the 2005-06 Budget including the revision of immunisation advisory arrangements and ongoing and additional funding for National Immunisation Program Support Activities. In March 2005, two new programs for injectable polio vaccine and chicken pox vaccine were announced and will commence on 1 November 2005.

Evaluations of the National Q Fever Management Program, the Young Adult MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) Program, and the Influenza Vaccination Program for Older Australians were completed in 2004-05.

Initiatives that have been implemented in 2004-05 by the Department to reduce the transmission of blood-borne viruses include:

• the provision of education grants to peak community-based organisations and professional associations to implement initiatives aimed at reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS;
• the provision of funding by the Hepatitis C Education and Prevention Initiative to peak organisations and State and Territory governments to undertake activities focusing on prevention of spread of hepatitis C, and education for those living with hepatitis C and their health care providers;
• the development and dissemination of a range of education resources for needle and syringe programs and pharmacy workers;
• increased operating hours for a range of needle and syringe programs; and
• increased education and counselling services.

In 2004-05, the Department:

• funded a wide range of projects to assist businesses in upgrading their food safety management systems, including implementing food safety programs; and
• contributed to the development of primary production and processing standards by reviewing epidemiological data on diseases from consumption of poultry, seafood, eggs and dairy foods.

In 2004–05, the OzFoodNet network managed by the Department continued to investigate and improve surveillance of foodborne illness around Australia. The Foodborne Illness in Australia report was published, providing the most comprehensive and accurate data currently available on the incidence and causes of foodborne illness in Australia. The Department played an integral role in editing, producing, publishing and funding this report. To support the Biosecurity Surveillance System, OzFoodNet trialled a web-based database used to capture information on patients during outbreaks of foodborne illness affecting multiple jurisdictions. The system significantly reduced the time taken to gather national information during outbreaks.

There are response mechanisms in place for handling requests for antidotes and vaccines. However, there were no requests in 2004-05 for any stockpile components.

The Department continues to develop a comprehensive National Medical Stockpile along with plans for deployment of the stockpile. New items for acquisition have been identified based on national threat assessments.

The National Drug Strategic Framework was externally evaluated in 2003 and this informed the development of the National Drug Strategy (NDS) 2004-09. The NDS 2004-09 will be subject to a robust evaluation and monitoring process, as agreed to by the Ministerial Council on Drugs Strategy in May 2005.

Following extensive stakeholder consultation, a new five year National Tobacco Strategy was developed and endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Drugs Strategy on 12 November 2004.

The National Tobacco Strategy 2004-09 builds on existing tobacco control efforts and achievements by the Australian Government and State and Territory governments, and is further enhanced by research into effective international tobacco control strategies. It is a long-term framework which builds on initiatives undertaken by the Department in the previous National Drug Strategy 1999–2003-04. In May 2005, two new initiatives were announced: Strengthening Cancer Care – quitting smoking during pregnancy; and the National Tobacco Youth Campaign.

Specific activities under Eat Well Australia in 2004-05 included:

• implementation of the national 'Go for 2 & 5™' fruit and vegetable campaign, in collaboration with State and Territory governments, to promote increased consumption of fruit and vegetables;
• implementation of the National Child Nutrition Program;
• the continued promotion of breastfeeding through funding agreements with the Australian Breastfeeding Association and the Australian College of Midwives Incorporated;
• provision of funding for a collaborative project for a food and nutrition monitoring and surveillance framework including a business case; and
• provision of funding to the NHMRC to undertake a review of Australia's recommended dietary intake publication.

Programs were implemented as planned. Some projects under the National Child Nutrition Program were extended because some recipients of grants did not complete their projects to the expected timetable.

The Department continued to widely disseminate and promote the Australian Dietary Guidelines across Australia. All resources associated with the dietary guidelines, such as scientific background papers and Food for Health consumer packages, have been promoted. On average 28,000 Food for Health resources are distributed each month.

The national 'Go for 2 &5™' fruit and vegetable campaign to promote increased consumption of fruit and vegetables launched in April 2005 includes campaign materials which are based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

In 2004-05, the National Obesity Taskforce continued to implement strategies for children and young people, and six initiatives were announced by Health Ministers in July 2004. This year the Department developed:

• new physical activity recommendations for children and young people;
• redesigned National Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults; and
• a resource kit for schools to promote healthy eating and physical activity.

In March 2005, the Department commenced research into strategies to reduce the prevalence of obesity in adults and older people. This work is being undertaken on behalf of the National Obesity Taskforce.

The development by the Department of the second phase of the National Illicit Drugs Campaign which targets youth with illicit drug prevention messages and the national 'Go for 2 & 5™' campaign were strongly guided by market research to ensure they met the communications objectives established for each initiative.

The Healthy and Active website is a vehicle to access information on the national 'Go for 2 & 5™' fruit and vegetable promotion campaign, and Healthy School Communities Grant Program. In addition, the website provides evidence-based information for consumers and health professionals on healthy eating and physical activity.

The second phase of the National Illicit Drugs Campaign, a prevention campaign targeting youth, was launched in April 2005. The campaign aims to educate young people and their parents about the risks and negative consequences of illicit drug use through print, television and cinema advertising, website resource materials and other communication activities.

National social marketing programs supporting the prevention of illicit drug use amongst young people and encouraging the increased consumption of fruit and vegetables were implemented in April 2005.

In 2004-05, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Safety Promotion Strategy (formerly known as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Injury Prevention Plan) was completed following an extensive consultation process. This is expected to be endorsed by Health Ministers during 2005-06.

In 2004-05, a range of programs and projects that support the strategies identified under the National Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Plan 2004-2014 were developed and implemented, including:

• the Child Safety on Farms Strategy – the development of key education materials and identified best practice models for rural communities;
• the Poisons Project on Child Resistant Packaging – research and advice on appropriate packaging for the Therapeutic Goods Administration Standards Committee; and
• the Kidsafe Playgrounds Project – the development of a playground safety training package for Kidsafe offices across Australia.

The Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot Program ran from November 2002 to June 2004. 56,907 invitations were sent to people eligible to participate in the Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot. These were sent to 11,045 people from Mackay, 18,431 people from Adelaide and 27,431 people from Melbourne. A total of 25,840 invitees responded by returning a completed Faecal Occult Blood Test, giving an overall participation rate of 45.4%.

The Family Planning Program provides access to differing perspectives, resources and tools to help all Australians make informed decisions about sexual health, reproductive health and family planning.

In 2004-05, funding for State and Territory Family Planning Organisations was incorporated into the new Public Health Outcome Funding Agreements (PHOFAs).

Demonstration projects were completed on 30 June 2004.

National evaluation of the demonstration projects were completed and a report was provided to the Department in March 2005.

Key findings included improvements in health status and symptom control, reductions in up to 2 GP visits and up to 2 overnight hospital stays per person per year.

In 2004-05, the Department disseminated a range of guidelines relating to lifestyle risk factors:

• the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Smoking Nutrition Alcohol Physical Activity Guidelines were distributed to all GPs in Australia via Australian Family Physician magazine and to all Divisions of General Practice;
• in the period to May 2005, 1,000 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity kits were disseminated; and
• ongoing dissemination of the Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment of Alcohol Problems and related materials.

Australia formally ratified the FCTC on 27 October 2004. The FCTC came into effect on 27 February 2005, making the provisions of the Treaty legally binding for contracting parties. Australia currently meets all the FCTC requirements.

All payments were made on time to the WHO and its subsidiary organisations: the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the International Program for Chemical Safety.

For example, in the quarter ending 30 June 2005, Population Health Division's Frontdesk received 287 email enquiries. Of those enquiries, 276 (96%) were responded to and resolved satisfactorily within 21 days.

The Department received notes of thanks from the Secretariats and other Member States of the WHO and OECD for its contribution to meetings and working groups.

The Department manages OzFoodNet which assists in reducing foodborne illness. OzFoodNet received positive feedback from stakeholders at a Strategic Planning Meeting held in August 2004. Participants at the meeting reinforced the key role that OzFoodNet plays at a national level in the investigation, surveillance and control of foodborne illness.

An OzFoodNet Advanced Foodborne Disease Investigation Workshop also received positive feedback regarding epidemiologist training sessions held in Australia in May 2005. Participants put the principles learnt at the workshop into practice during a multistate investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella Hvittingfoss.

In 2004-05, research activities included:

• a range of alcohol and other drug use research, including the latest Australian Secondary Students' Alcohol and Drugs Survey and the National Drug Strategy Household Survey. First results were published in 2004-05;
• research funding was provided to the National Drug Research Institute, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre and the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction;
• data requests on foodborne illness, which were addressed by OzFoodNet in a timely manner. OzFoodNet produced 23 reports in 2004-05 and also produced timely quarterly reports, fortnightly cluster reports and an annual report; and
• the third edition of the report A Picture of Australia's Children, released in May 2005, was prepared by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and funded by the Department. The report provided a national statistical report on the health, development and wellbeing of Australia's children aged 0-14 years.

The following are examples of stakeholder participation in policy and program development:

• stakeholder expertise was utilised in the evaluation of the Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot, facilitated through a range of mechanisms including workshops and working groups;
• two national consultation forums, held in November 2004 informed the development of the new National HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmissible Infections and Hepatitis C Strategies 2005-2008;
• consultation on the implementation of the National Drug Strategy occurred through peak bodies such as the Australian National Council on Drugs, the Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs, the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia and the three National Drug Strategy Research Centres;
• in 2004-05 the Australian Health Disaster Management Policy Committee held a Clinical Stakeholder Forum. The Forum provided the opportunity to engage clinical colleges and specialist groups on health disaster management issues. Workshops were conducted on influenza pandemic planning, mass casualty triage standards and disaster medicine workforce issues; and
• the National Obesity Taskforce established a Consultative Forum including representatives from the food industry, the sports and recreation industry, advertisers, nutritionists, urban planners and public health organisations.

The Department received positive feedback from stakeholders in 2004-05, examples included:

• clinical groups welcomed the announcement of the phase in of a national bowel cancer screening program based on the successful Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot, through media statements; and
• stakeholders, including State and Territory governments through their involvement in the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy and the Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs, continued to support and express satisfaction with the development and implementation of national drug and alcohol strategies, including:
  • the identified priorities in the National Drug Strategy;
  • the agreed priority setting under the National Drug Complementary Action Plan;
  • the National Tobacco Strategy;
  • the National Alcohol Strategy; and
  • the National Cannabis Strategy.

Reviews confirm that targets have been achieved.

Reviews confirm that targets have been achieved.

The Department received positive responses from stakeholders in response to:

• consumer resources on physical activity recommendations for children and young people sent to all schools in Australia during the first term in 2005. On request, the Department sent over 100,000 extra brochures to schools and other organisations; and
• educational material promoting healthy eating, following the launch of the 'Go for 2 & 5™' fruit and vegetable campaign in April 2005.

The Department administered over 1,000 grants and contracts in 2004-05.

All State and Territory governments have signed the new PHOFAs for the period 2004-05 to 2008-09. The PHOFAs are consistent with the Australian Government's guidelines on Specific Purpose Payments and were signed within the required timeframe.

All State and Territory governments are paid on a monthly basis under the agreements. The State and Territory governments are required to provide annual financial acquittal statements and performance reports against the nationally agreed performance indicators to the Australian Government. The first financial statements and performance reports under the new PHOFAs are due by 30 November 2005.

Review of the Public Health Education and Research Program.