http://hdl.handle.net/2123/8727 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:07:38 GMT 2013-06-20T02:07:38Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9218 Title: POVERTY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH IN PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: This paper does not aim to present policies and strategies that might be adopted by Australia and the US, separately and together, to address the environmental and health problems that confront Pacific Island countries. Rather, its purpose is to summarise the underlying issues and the available data. As such, it is hoped that this paper can serve as a useful resource in the course of the development of the needed policies and strategies, and will help generate informed discussion and debate towards these goals. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9218 2009-04-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9217 Title: ANALYSIS OF THE 2009-10 HEALTH BUDGET Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: This analysis looks at the health and ageing and related provisions in the 2009-10 Commonwealth Budget in the context of current and past strategies, policies, programs and funding support. The opinions expressed are those of the author who takes sole responsibility for them and for any inadvertent errors. The Budget measures aimed at ‘Closing the Gap’ in Indigenous disadvantage have been analysed separately, are can be found on the website of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy, along with Budget analyses from previous years. The rounding errors for funds used in this paper are those used in the Budget Papers. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9217 2009-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9215 Title: WHY BOWEL CANCER SCREENING IS A NEEDED HEALTH CARE INVESTMENT Authors: Wenham, Sarah; Russell, Lesley Abstract: This year 17,000 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer, every week 80 people will die from this disease, and the cost of treatment will hit $1 billion. So it is shocking to realise that Australia’s nascent National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) has run out of funding and ground to a halt. We have been warned that the May budget will be tight, with strict fiscal rules. However with Australia facing an aging population, and hence an increased burden of bowel cancer, restoring the NBCSP is a sound investment in the health of all Australians and in the long-term health of the budget. Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9215 2011-03-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9214 Title: Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage: Progress towards this important goal Authors: Russell, Lesley; Wenham, Sarah Abstract: In the early days of his Prime Ministership, Kevin Rudd committed to ‘closing the gap’ on Indigenous disadvantage. Time is ticking in terms of the self imposed timeframe on several of these targets. It’s not clear how much progress has been made. Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9214 2010-07-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9213 Title: AN ANALYSIS OF THE 2008-09 HEALTH BUDGET Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: AN ANALYSIS OF THE 2008-09 HEALTH BUDGET Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9213 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9211 Title: ANALYSIS OF THE 2010-2011 HEALTH AND AGEING BUDGET Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: The 2010-11 Budget and the raft of health care reform announcements that preceded it will supply the platform on which the Rudd Government will run in the forthcoming election. It deserves scrutiny to determine if it delivers on previous election commitments and to assess how well it reflects the recommendations provided by the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, the National Preventative Health Task Force, the National Primary Health Care Strategy External Reference Group, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health and Ageing Working Group, the Maternity Services Review, and reviews of rural health and MBS items. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9211 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9210 Title: ANALYSIS OF INDIGENOUS HEALTH BUDGET 2008-09 Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: The Rudd Government has set ambitious targets for closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage with respect to life expectancy, child mortality, access to early childhood education, educational attainment and employment outcomes and stated that this will be done in a new partnership with our Indigenous people. Since coming to power the new Government has committed $1.2 billion in new and redirected funding to Indigenous initiatives, including $718.7 million / 5 years in the 2008-09 Budget. The majority of the funding allocated in the Budget ($426.6 million / 5 years) is provided for activities in the Northern Territory (NT), including $320.9 million in 2008-09 for activities that are part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER). But ‘closing the gap’ will require a focus well beyond the NT and substantial new long-term resources for a range of national programs. Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9210 2008-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9209 Title: A REFORM PROPOSAL FOR MATERNITY SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA Authors: Boxall, Anne-marie; Russell, Lesley Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to outline a policy framework for improving the standard of maternity services in Australia. This framework does not address many of the longer-term issues under consideration by the Rudd government’s current review of maternity services – the consistently poorer outcomes for rural and Indigenous women, limited access to health professionals and maternity services in rural and remote areas, the high proportion of births taking place in hospitals, high caesarean and intervention rates, and low breastfeeding rates (1). While the overall goal for maternity services in Australia is to ensure seamless and coordinated antenatal, birthing and postnatal care for women and babies, this paper focuses specifically on risk management and better integration of care during pregnancy and birth because these two critical issues are amenable to change in the short-term. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9209 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9208 Title: AN ASSESSMENT OF COMMONWEALTH MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: Mental illness is a major social and economic burden for individuals, the health care system and the nation. One out of every five Australians will experience some form of mental illness each year, and three out of every ten people will be seriously affected. At least one third of young people have had an episode of mental illness by the age of 25 years. Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent mental disorders experienced by Australians and depression is predicted to be one of the world’s largest health problems by 2020. The majority of mental illnesses begin between the ages of 15 and 25 years, and the 2001 National Health Survey estimated that 1.8 million Australians (9.6% of the population) had a long-term mental or behavioural problem . There are strong links to drug and alcohol problems, incarceration, unemployment and homelessness. This growing mental health burden poses a significant threat to our nation’s future workforce capacity and economic prosperity and there are strong links to drug and alcohol problems, incarceration, unemployment and homelessness. It is estimated that the total annual cost of mental illness is approximately $20 billion, which includes the cost of lost productivity and participation in the workforce and $6.5 billion in government spending on health services. However while the recent focus has been on the need for health reforms that focus on prevention and early intervention, facilitate better management of chronic illnesses in the community so that people do not end up inappropriately in acute care, and provide transitional care or step-down care for patients discharged from acute care, mental health seems to be increasingly off the agenda. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9208 2008-07-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9207 Title: AN UPDATE ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: AN UPDATE ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES INCLUDING AN ANALYSIS OF 2009-2010 MENTAL HEALTH BUDGETS FROM THE COMMONWEALTH AND STATE AND TERRITORY GOVERNMENTS Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9207 2009-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9206 Title: Mental health provisions in the 2011-12 budget Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: For health policy analysts who have attempted to follow the way that federal funds are spent on mental health services over the years and the success or otherwise of these investments, this task has become increasingly difficult. The names of programs change along with departmental responsibilities for their delivery and continuing programs are often presented de novo, with the pretence that these represent new funding investments. A classic example this year is the way funding is provided for the flexible care packages. Most egregiously in all these pea and shell games, there is little focus on the evaluation of quality and effectiveness, with measures of activity presented program outcomes. Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9206 2011-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9205 Title: BUDGET 2007-08 Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: The purpose of the MYEFO report is to provide updated information to allow the assessment of the Government's fiscal performance against the fiscal strategy set out in the current Budget Papers (ie Budget Paper No. 1). Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9205 2008-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9204 Title: BUDGET 2008-09 Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook Abstract: The purpose of the MYEFO report is to provide updated information to allow the assessment of the Government's fiscal performance against the fiscal strategy set out in the current Budget Papers. Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9204 2009-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9203 Title: BUDGET 2009-10: A HEALTHY MID YEAR ECONOMIC AND FISCAL OUTLOOK? Authors: Russell, Lesley; Beaton, Angela Abstract: The purpose of the MYEFO report is to provide updated information to allow the assessment of the Government’s fiscal performance against the fiscal strategy set out in the current Budget Papers. The Treasurer must publicly release and table a Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) report by the end of January in each year, or within 6 months after the last budget, whichever is later. Typically, the MYEFO is released in November each year. This year it was released on November 2. Over the past 12 months the global economic conditions have seriously impacted the fiscal outlook so this year the MYEFO was anxiously anticipated. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9203 2009-11-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9202 Title: Poverty, climate change and health in pacific island countries Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: This is an updated version of a paper previously released in April 2009 and prepared during my tenure at the University of Sydney.1 The impact of the environment on health and the health consequences of global warming are issues that have become increasingly prominent in political and policy debates in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. They play out with even greater economic and social consequences in the developing countries of the Pacific Ocean, where fragile environments, failing economies, poor population health and a shortage of needed workforce skills mean there are fewer resources to prevent and manage them. This is a geo-political region where Australia, New Zealand and the United States have major interests - territorial responsibilities, trade and security - reinforced by strong cultural ties as a consequence of the large number of Pacific Islanders now resident in all three countries. Australia, New Zealand and the United States are important sources of aid and technical support to these countries. Their leadership, cooperation and resources will be essential in the international effort to improve and sustain the environment and health status in Pacific Island nations and territories. Even a brief survey of the literature shows that there is a plethora of initiatives in Pacific Island countries that are operated and funded by a wide range of government and non-government organizations and aimed at addressing environmental and health problems and the underlying issues such as poverty and governance that aggravate these problems and hinder their solution. However the volume of reports from these organizations is not matched by up-to-date data that facilitate planning and the measurement and evaluation of results. What data there are highlight that there is much more work to be done, and that timelines for action are increasingly short. This paper does not aim to present policies and strategies that might be adopted by Australia, New Zealand and the United States, separately and together, to address the environmental and health problems that confront Pacific Island countries. Rather, its purpose is to summarize the underlying issues and the available data. As such, it is hoped that this paper can serve as a useful resource in the course of the development of the needed policies and strategies, and will help generate informed discussion and debate towards these goals. Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9202 2011-04-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9201 Title: Scorecard on Government Health Commitments Authors: Russell, Lesley; Beaton, Angela Abstract: While the Rudd Government has delivered on quite a few of its pre-election commitments, obesity and dental health are two of the stand-out issues yet to be addressed in any depth. Australia is one of the most overweight countries and both childhood and adult obesity are on the rise. Let’s not forget the range of worrying co-morbidities associated with overweight and obesity, including diabetes and heart disease, and the social, economic and health costs of these largely preventable conditions. Dental disease also worsens these chronic conditions and the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC), in its interim report ‘A healthier future for all Australians’, estimates that there were 50,000 avoidable hospital admissions arising from preventable dental conditions in 2004–05. There has been some progress in tackling these issues. In late 2007 the Minister for Health, the Hon Nicola Roxon MP, attended a summit aimed at tackling childhood obesity in Australia, and outlined the new government’s commitment to making obesity prevention a National Health Priority Area. In addition, obesity was identified as a key issue at the ‘2020 Summit’. On dental health, while the NHHRC supports the principle that dentistry should be included in Medicare, the Government has failed to gain the support needed in the Senate to pass legislation for the Commonwealth Dental Plan. Last month, the Standing Committee on Health and Ageing tabled its report on the inquiry into obesity in Australia, ‘Weighing it up: Obesity in Australia.’ It focuses on future implications for Australia’s health system and complements the National Preventative Health Taskforce process. In addition to the recently released NHHRC report ‘A healthier future for all Australians’, a number of other major reports are expected to be released in coming weeks, including those of the National Primary Health Care Strategy External Reference Group and the Preventative Health Taskforce. The Government’s response to these reports will have a significant impact on how prevention issues will be tackled and how health care services will be delivered. The reports might also provide the impetus for the Australian Government to deliver on further important election commitments to combat obesity and the poor oral health status of many Australians. Real health care reform will require a concerted, long-term and well-resourced commitment to both obesity prevention and treatment and better and more affordable dental health care. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9201 2009-07-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9200 Title: SCORECARD ON GOVERNMENT HEALTH COMMITMENTS Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: Scorecard on Government Health Commitments 2008 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9200 2008-09-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9199 Title: AN ANALYSIS OF THE 2009-10 STATE AND TERRITORY HEALTH BUDGETS Authors: Russell, Lesley; Beaton, Angela Abstract: This analysis of the 2009-10 State and Territory Health Budgets has been prepared by assessing the budget commitments, as we found them in the publicly available budget papers and related information, against the partnership commitments agreed through the COAG process. Given the dramatically different ways in which governments present their budgets, and different levels of detail, this has not been an easy task. However we would argue that if the COAG partnerships to drive forward health care reform nationally are to be effective, efficient and publicly accountable, then the ability to make this sort of analysis annually is essential. Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9199 2009-08-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9198 Title: Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Outlook Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: The Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 requires the Secretaries to the Treasury and the Department of Finance and Administration to release a pre-election report that provides updated information on the economic and fiscal outlook. The pre-election Economic and Fiscal Outlook (PEFO) report, which must be released within ten days of the issue of the writ for a general election, was released on October 23, 2007. Coming so soon after the release of the MYEFO report, the PEFO this election year contain little in new information, particularly in the health portfolio. Description: Dr Lesley Russell summaries the pre-election Economic and Fiscal Outlook (PEFO) report, released on October 23, 2007. Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9198 2007-10-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9115 Title: CLOSING THE GAP ON INDIGENOUS DISADVANTAGE: An analysis of provisions in the 2013-14 Budget and implementation of the Indigenous Chronic Disease Package Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: This paper presents the author’s analysis of the Indigenous provisions in the Australian Government’s 2013-14 Budget in the context of current and past strategies, policies, programs and funding support. It also looks at the implementation and impact of the Commonwealth’s Indigenous Chronic Disease Package. This work has been done using only materials and data that are publicly available. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author who takes responsibility for them and for any inadvertent errors. This work does not represent the official views of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy, the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) or the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing which funds APHCRI. Wed, 29 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9115 2013-05-29T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9114 Title: ANALYSIS OF THE HEALTH PROVISIONS IN THE 2012-13 MID-YEAR ECONOMIC AND FISCAL OUTLOOK (MYEFO) Authors: Russell, Lesley Abstract: This paper looks at the health provisions in the 2012-13 Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2012 13 (MYEFO). It is done in the light of current and past strategies, policies, programs and funding and is supported by data drawn from government documents, Senate Estimates, Medicare Australia, reports and published papers. The opinions expressed are those of the author who takes full responsibility for them and for any inadvertent errors. Wed, 29 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9114 2013-05-29T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2123/8988 Title: Report of the Evaluation of HealthOne Mount Druitt Authors: McNab, Justin Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2123/8988 2013-03-19T00:00:00Z