Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, correlates and interventions among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: a scoping review protocol

Introduction: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Australia experience poorer health outcomes in the areas of overweight and obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Contributing to this burden of disease in the Australian community generally and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, is the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). We have described a protocol for a review to systematically scope articles that document use of SSBs and interventions to reduce their consumption with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These results will inform future work that investigates interventions aimed at reducing harm associated with SSB consumption. Methods and analysis: This scoping review draws on a methodology that uses a six-step approach to search databases including PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Informit (including Informit: Indigenous Peoples), Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database and Mura, between January 1980 and February 2017. Two reviewers will be engaged to search for and screen studies independently, using formulated selection criteria, for inclusion in our review. We will include primary research studies, systematic reviews including meta-analysis or meta-synthesis, reports and unpublished grey literature. Results will be entered into a table identifying study details and characteristics, summarised using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis chart and then critically analysed. Ethics and dissemination: This review will not require ethics committee review. Results will be disseminated at appropriate scientific meetings, as well as through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.Jodie C Avery, Jacqueline A Bowden, Joanne Dono, Odette R Gibson, Aimee Brownbill, Wendy Keech, David Roder, Caroline L Mille

Testing common knowledge: are Northern Europeans and millennials more concerned about the environment?

This study explores whether there are differences in several environmental dimensions, when the European Region and Generation cohort are considered. In doing so, this study compares millennials in North and South Europe with members of Generation X in three environmental dimensions: attitudes, personal norms, and behavior. Using data from the European Social Survey (n = 6.216), the researchers tested the hypothesis that Northern Europeans and millennials have more pro-environmental standing than southerners and Generation Xers. The findings challenge the common belief that millennials are more committed to being environmentally conscious, showing that many millennials do not feel responsible for their climate footprint, nor do they behave in a way that shows more concern than previous generations to improve their environmental performance. Furthermore, contrary to expectations, Northern European participants are not the most committed, in all environmental dimensions, compared to Southern Europeans.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Personal pack display and active smoking at outdoor café strips: assessing the impact of plain packaging 1 year postimplementation

Aims: We observed tobacco pack display and smoking at outdoor venues over three summers to assess changes in their prevalence following Australia's introduction of plain tobacco packaging with larger pictorial health warnings. Methods: Between January and April 2012 (preplain packaging (PP)), 2013 (early post-PP) and 2014 (1 year post-PP), we counted patrons, smokers and tobacco packs at cafés, restaurants and bars with outdoor seating. Pack type (branded, plain or unknown) and orientation were noted. Rates of active smoking, pack display and pack orientation were analysed using multilevel Poisson regression. Results: Prevalence of pack display among patrons declined from pre-PP (1 pack per 8.7 patrons) to early post-PP (1 pack per 10.4), and remained low 1 year post-PP (1 pack per 10.3). This appeared to be driven by a sustained decline in active smoking post-PP (pre-PP: 8.4% of patrons were smoking; early post-PP: 6.4%; 1 year post-PP: 6.8%). Notably, active smoking declined more in venues with children present than in those without. While early post-PP, plain packs were less often displayed face-up (74.0%) and more often concealed (8.9%) than branded packs pre-PP (face-up: 85.2%; concealed: 4.0%), this was not sustained 1 year post-PP (face-up: 85.7%; concealed: 4.4%). Also, external case use increased from pre-PP (1.2%) to early post-PP (3.5%), but returned to pre-PP levels 1 year post-PP (1.9%). Conclusions: This study demonstrated a sustained reduction in visibility of tobacco products and smoking in public, particularly in the presence of children, from pre-PP to 1 year post-PP. This effect is likely to reduce smoking-related social norms, thereby weakening an important influence on smoking uptake and better supporting quit attempts.Meghan Zacher, Megan Bayly, Emily Brennan, Joanne Dono, Caroline Miller, Sarah Durkin, Michelle Scollo, Melanie Wakefiel

Barriers and facilitators for health professionals referring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tobacco smokers to the Quitline

Objective: To examine the barriers and facilitators among health professionals to providing referrals to Quitline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients who smoke. Methods: A brief online survey, based on the Theoretical Domains Framework, was completed by 34 health professionals who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Results: Respondents who frequently made referrals had higher domain scores than less frequent referrers for ‘Skills and knowledge’ (M=4.44 SD=0.39 vs. M=4.09 SD=0.47, p<0.05) and ‘beliefs about capabilities’ (M=4.33 SD=0.44 vs. M=3.88 SD=0.42, p<0.01). Barriers to providing referrals to Quitline were lack of client access to a phone, cost of a phone call, preference for face-to-face interventions, and low client motivation to quit. Conclusions: Health professionals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients should be supported to build their skills and confidence to provide referrals to Quitline and other brief cessation interventions. Building capacity for face-to-face support locally would be beneficial where phone support is not preferable. Implications for public health: Engaging with health professionals who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to increase referrals to Quitline is strategic as it builds on their existing capacity to provide cessation support.Kimberley Martin, Joanne Dono, Nathan Rigney, Joanne Rayner, Alana Sparrow, Caroline Miller, Andrea Mckivett, Kerin O'Dea, David Roder, Jacqueline Bowde

PNG Voices: Listening to Australia's Closest Neighbour: Papua New Guinean Perspectives on Australia and the World

In 2021, a broad coalition of researchers embarked on an unprecedented endeavour: to ask hundreds of ordinary Papua New Guineans about the strengths and challenges of Papua New Guinea (PNG), their dreams for PNG’s future, and how they see Australia’s relationship with PNG. PNG is Australia’s closest neighbour, and the single largest recipient of Australian development assistance. The two nations share a prehistory, and more recently, a colonial history. But despite this apparent closeness, few Australians today can say that they know how people in PNG feel about their own communities or about Australia, or about the impacts of Australian tax monies in PNG. The present study, PNG Voices, represents the first time, to our knowledge, that an Australian institution has sought the opinions of a wide swathe of PNG citizens about their realities and their perception of Australia. We asked 536 Papua New Guineans, originating in 21 of PNG’s 22 Provinces, to reflect on: the strengths and assets of their communities and of PNG as a whole; the challenges facing their communities and PNG as a whole; their dreams for their communities; Australia and Australians, and Australia’s relationship with PNG; the types of foreign investment in PNG by different actors. In sum, this has been the first major survey of Papua New Guinean attitudes toward PNG and Australia’s role in it. The key findings of PNG Voices do not always make for easy reading. Some readers may find points of dissonance between how some in PNG view Australia and how the Australia-PNG relationship is framed and understood by Australian policymakers. Let those points, along with the detail and subtleties of the responses as a whole, guide renewed reflection on Australia’s relationship with PNG and, perhaps, recalibration of Australian policies with our closest neighbour

Exposure to Organophosphates Reduces the Expression of Neurotrophic Factors in Neonatal Rat Brain Regions: Similarities and Differences in the Effects of Chlorpyrifos and Diazinon on the Fibroblast Growth Factor Superfamily

BACKGROUND: The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) superfamily of neurotrophic factors plays critical roles in neural cell development, brain assembly, and recovery from neuronal injury. OBJECTIVES: We administered two organophosphate pesticides, chlorpyrifos and diazinon, to neonatal rats on postnatal days 1-4, using doses below the threshold for systemic toxicity or growth impairment, and spanning the threshold for barely detectable cholinesterase inhibition: 1 mg/kg/day chlorpyrifos and 1 or 2 mg/kg/day diazinon. METHODS: Using microarrays, we then examined the regional expression of mRNAs encoding the FGFs and their receptors (FGFRs) in the forebrain and brain stem. RESULTS: Chlorpyrifios and diazinon both markedly suppressed fgf20 expression in the forebrain and fgf2 in the brain stem, while elevating brain stem fgfr4 and evoking a small deficit in brain stem fgfr22. However, they differed in that the effects on fgf2 and f4 were significantly larger for diazinon, and the two agents also showed dissimilar, smaller effects on fgf11, fgf14, and fgfr1. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that there are similarities but also notable disparities in the responses to chlorpyrifos and diazinon, and that robust effects were seen even at doses that do not inhibit cholinesterase, supports the idea that organophosphates differ in their propensity to elicit developmental neurotoyicity, unrelated to their anticholinesterase activity. Effects on neurotrophic factors provide a mechanistic link between organophosphate injury to developing neurons and the eventual, adverse neurodevelopmental outcome

Characterization of electrostatic shock in laser-produced optically-thin plasma flows using optical diagnostics

We present a method for evaluating the properties of electrostatic shock in laser-produced plasmas by using optical diagnostics. A shock is formed by a collimated jet in counter-streaming plasmas in nearly collisionless condition, showing the steepening of the transition width in time. In the present experiment, a streaked optical pyrometry was applied to evaluate the electron density and temperatures in the upstream and downstream regions of the shock so that the shock conditions are satisfied, by assuming thermal bremsstrahlung emission in optically thin plasmas. The derived electron densities are nearly consistent with those estimated from interferometry

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, Jjuice, artificially-sweetened soda and bottled water: an Australian population study

Reducing consumption of free sugars, such as those found in high concentrations in manufactured products such as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and 100% fruit juices, is a global public health priority. This study aimed to measure prevalence of widely available pre-packaged non-alcoholic water-based beverages (carbonated sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, artificially-sweetened sodas, fruit juices (any type), and bottled water) and to comprehensively examine behavioral, environmental, current health, and demographic correlates of consumption. A cross-sectional, nationally-representative population survey of 3430 Australian adults (18+ years) was conducted using computer-assisted telephone (mobile and landline) interviewing. Past week prevalence of pre-packaged drinks containing free sugar was 47.3%; daily prevalence was 13.6%. Of all the pre-packaged drinks assessed, consumption of fruit juices (any type) was the most prevalent (38.8%), followed by bottled water (37.4%), soda (28.9%), artificially-sweetened soda (18.1%), sports drinks (8.1%), and energy drinks (4.2%). Higher soda consumption was associated with males, younger age, socio-economic disadvantage, frequent takeaway food consumption, availability of soda in the home, obesity, and a diagnosis of heart disease or depression. A diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes was associated with increased likelihood of consuming artificially-sweetened sodas and decreased likelihood of consuming sugar-sweetened soda. SSB consumption is prevalent in Australia, especially among young adults and males, foreshadowing continued population weight gain and high burdens of chronic disease. To reduce consumption, Australia must take a comprehensive approach, incorporating policy reform, effective community education, and active promotion of water.Caroline Miller, Kerry Ettridge, Melanie Wakefield, Simone Pettigrew, John Coveney ... Gary Wittert ... et al

Are Australians ready for warning labels, marketing bans and sugary drink taxes? Two cross-sectional surveys measuring support for policy responses to sugar-sweetened beverages

OBJECTIVE:To assess public support for 10 potential policy initiatives to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. DESIGN:A 2014 historical data set, which employed a face-to-face survey in one Australian state (study 1), provided the basis for comparison with our 2017 nationally representative, cross-sectional, computer-assisted telephone interviewing population survey (study 2). PARTICIPANTS:Study 1: South Australians, 15+ years (n=2732); study 2: Australians, 18+ years (n=3430). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES:levels of support for SSB-specific policy initiatives. For the 2017 national study (study 2), demographic characteristics, body mass index, knowledge of potential harms caused by consuming SSBs and SSB consumption were included in multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS:In 2017, all 10 potential policy initiatives received majority support (60%-88% either 'somewhat' or 'strongly' in favour). Initiatives with educative elements or focused on children received high support (>70%), with highest support observed for text warning labels on drink containers (88%) and government campaigns warning of adverse health effects (87%). Higher support was observed for SSB tax paired with using funds for obesity prevention (77%) than a stand-alone tax (60%). Support for policy initiatives was generally greater among those who believed SSB daily consumption could cause health problems in adults (4%-18% absolute difference) and/or in children (8%-26% absolute difference) and lower among SSB high consumers (7+ drinks per week; 9%-29% absolute difference). State-specific data comparison indicated increased support from 2014 to 2017 for taxation (42%vs55%; χ2=15.7, p<0.001) and graphic health warnings (52%vs68%; χ2=23.4. p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:There is strong public support for government action, particularly regulatory and educational interventions, to reduce SSB consumption, which appears to have increased since 2014. The findings suggest that framing policies as protecting children, presenting taxation of SSBs in conjunction with other obesity prevention initiatives and education focused on the harms associated with SSB consumption will increase support.Caroline L Miller, Joanne Dono, Melanie A Wakefield, Simone Pettigrew, John Coveney, David Roder ... et al

Nothing beats taste or convenience: a national survey of where and why people buy sugary drinks in Australia

First published: 08 June 2020OBJECTIVE: There is limited knowledge of what influences sugary drink purchasing decisions in the Australian population. This study aimed to identify the most common locations and reasons across different demographic groups for purchasing sugary drinks in Australia. METHODS: A total of 891 respondents (who purchased sugary drinks for personal consumption at least occasionally) from a broader national population telephone survey of Australian adults conducted in 2017 (n=3,430) were included in the analysis. RESULTS: 'Taste' was a ubiquitous reason for purchase (94%) and the majority also agreed with 'easily available' (76%). Males, younger people and people of lower socioeconomic status (SES) were significantly more likely to agree that sugary drinks were 'cheap' and 'better value than water'. Furthermore, males and younger people were more likely to report buying sugary drinks because they were 'part of a meal deal'. The most common purchase locations were supermarkets (56%), followed by convenience stores (19%) and food or entertainment venues (17%). CONCLUSION: Taste is paramount in decisions to purchase sugary drinks, and widespread availability and value for money support consumption. Implications for public health: Policies and interventions targeting point-of-sale sugary drink purchasing decisions among the most 'at risk' consumers are warranted.Joanne Dono, Kerry Ettridge, Melanie Wakefield, Simone Pettigrew ... David Roder ... Caroline Miller ... et al