Economists and public health experts will gather in Melbourne today and tomorrow, 18-19 November, to discuss how commercial factors affect our collective health, and how to balance these priorities.
Hosted at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre by the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and VicHealth, the inaugural Commerce, Economy, Trade, and Public Health Conference represents an important gathering for advancing economic and public health collaboration.
It brings together economists, and experts from trade, commerce and public health, to explore how the decisions that businesses make - from local to major corporations - can significantly influence our lives, our health, and the planet.
On the agenda are topics like the illicit tobacco trade and whether Australia should follow Ireland’s lead and put cancer-warning labels on alcohol. The conference program and abstracts are available here.
“This is an opportunity to ask – how are the rules of commerce and trade, and economic drivers, impacting how we live and how healthy we are?” says PHAA CEO, Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin.
“Junk food and alcohol marketing, the proliferation of gambling, and unequal access to medicines around the globe are the obvious examples of how commerce, economy and trade shape the broader conditions that affect our health.
“But behind the influences of those business sectors are multi-lateral and bilateral trade agreements, tariffs, and a multitude of regulations and drivers that we need to better understand - and where necessary, seek to influence.
“This is an important moment to consider how to balance financial and economic objectives with public health.”
VicHealth’s Executive Manager (Health Promotion Systems), Michelle Murray, says “VicHealth is proud to work alongside PHAA on this inaugural event. It is a valuable opportunity to share insights, enabling a deeper understanding of the impact corporations have on our collective health and wellbeing.”
Note to Editors
Media are invited to apply for an in-person or online media pass for the Commerce, Economy, Trade and Public Health Conference by emailing communications@phaa.net.au.
The Conference is being held on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 November 2024 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Naarm/Melbourne. It will include in-person and online attendance and feature a mix of keynote speakers and panel discussions.
About us:
About the Public Health Association of Australia
We’re Australia's peak body for public health and advocate for the health and wellbeing of everyone. We strive to help prevent, rather than cure, illness and disease. Our campaigns and activities span numerous public health issues from environmental health, immunisation and pandemic control, through to tobacco, gambling, physical activity, junk food marketing, preventive mental health, health education and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Our 2,000+ individual members represent over 40 professional groups interested in the promotion of public health. We also have branches in every State and Territory.
Learn more at phaa.net.au
About VicHealth
The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) is a pioneer in health promotion – enabling people to increase control over and improve their health.
VicHealth creates and funds world-class interventions, conducts vital research to advance Victoria’s population health, produces and supports public campaigns to promote a healthier Victoria, and provides transformational expertise and insights to the government. VicHealth works with all levels of government, across political parties and communities, and a range of sectors across health, sports, research, education, the arts, and media.
For more information on VicHealth please visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/about/what-we-do
Contact details:
For further information/comment:
Jasmine Lykissas, PHAA Communications Officer, 0481 159 618 jlykissas@phaa.net.au
Nickila De Silva, VicHealth External Communications Coordinator, 0426 576 453 ndesilva@vichealth.vic.gov.au
