Streams & Themes
Vision
This theme goes to the heart of what the conference is about. What interventions being used now are providing New Zealanders with more robust health and wellbeing into the future? Are there new and more innovative ways we could be working in public health? What about those programmes that are taking into account New Zealand’s ageing population? And its affect on the public health workforce itself?
It is an irony that the 22 February earthquake, while bringing such tragedy and destruction to Christchurch, has also provided a unique opportunity to incorporate public health principles in its future rebuilding: transport, green spaces, cycleways, urban design. Could Christchurch become the model city for public health?
What does public health need to do so the person in the street understands what it is and why it is important? We have had many years to do this, but have not got far with it, so we need to reframe how we promote our work. When there are so many things that need to be done and focussed on, how can we ensure public health does not get overlooked, not just in Christchurch, but everywhere in New Zealand.
Sustainable Communities and Environments
Since the Canterbury quakes, the conference committee has become very interested in presentations related to disaster recovery and community resilience. Those quakes and the one in Japan have focussed minds on how to come back from catastrophe.
A rare opportunity has been created by the Canterbury disasters: unprecedented neighbourhood spirit is offering a great chance to develop health initiatives for the community by the community.
Diversity
For projects or activities that reflect health development issues for specific communities or groups of people. There will, on the final day of the conference, be a focus on New Zealand’s Asian communities. The Asian population is the fastest growing in New Zealand but its health needs are not always well understood. The conference committee hopes the emphasis on this area at conference will trigger a national debate and action.The day will also look at the health issues of other populations such as Maori, Pacific, rural, women and so on.