Radical cure called for
The world arrives to spread the farm health message
The inaugural National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) conference has been swamped by national and international applications from speakers.
Guaranteeing it will be one of 2010’s must-events in the area of rural health and wellbeing.
NCFH director, associate clinical professor Sue Brumby, said she was overwhelmed by the presentations received by organisers and support from sponsors.
With over 60 presenters covering critical areas such as service delivery, mental health, men’s health, climate variability, chronic disease, allied health, diet and disease, the challenges of social interaction (such as alcohol issues in farming communities), farming families, agricultural health and safety and animal health/human health.
“We have selected speakers we feel will deliver the most relevant, and varied, messages to conference participants, arming them with knowledge and positive information they can take back to their farming communities and workplaces, to make a difference”
“Which has seen us invite speakers and delegates coming from the US, UK and Sweden to attend the conference in Hamilton on October 11- 13”
The University of Iowa’s Professor Kelley Donham is focused on agricultural medicine, the specialty field of occupational health dealing specifically with the health and safety of agricultural producers, their families, and employees.
Production agriculture is recognised globally as one of the most hazardous occupations.
UK public health consultant Linda Syson-Nibbs will be speaking on the UK experience of the health and social inequalities experienced by farming communities.
Peter Lundqvist and Catharina Alwall Svennefelt, from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, will present on injury prevention in agriculture from a Swedish research perspective.
Organisers have worked hard to ensure the conference also recognises every aspect of life in rural and farming Australia.
Part of that has been the launching of a national photography competition in tandem with the conference.
“Its theme of celebrating rural life has already attracted a lot of interest – and entries – from around the country,” she says.
“Entries close on September 24 and they will be judged by a panel of award-winning photographers.
“Anyone can enter, with details on www.farmerhealth.org.au.”
The conference has also turned to the stage to help get its message across, with a night at the theatre featuring two comedies by Alan Hopgood AM on the evening of October 12.
Professor Brumby says these plays use humour to explore the effects diabetes and prostate cancer have on individuals and their families.
“Sponsored by DiabetesVic and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, the plays will be followed by a forum with medical professionals,” she says.
Ends
Further Information contact Sally Stevenson 03 5551 8533
National Centre for Farmer Health