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Monash recognised in public health awards

16 November 2005

Two Monash projects have been acknowledged in the Victorian Public Health Awards for Excellence and Innovation.

At the ceremony, from left: Dr Harry Schwarz, Dr Deborah Glass, Associate Professor Andrew Forbes, Ms Bronwyn Pike, Dr Helen Kelsall, Ms Jill Ikin, Associate Professor Malcolm Sim and Mr Dean McKenzie.

The Australian Gulf War Veterans' Health Study received the 2005 Victorian Public Health Award for Research Excellence, while Andrology Australia's Men in Australia Telephone Survey received the award for Research Innovation.

Victorian Health Minister Ms Bronwyn Pike presented the awards at a ceremony on 8 November.

Associate Professor Malcolm Sim from Monash's Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (DEPM) led the Gulf War study, which was funded by the Australian Government's Department of Veterans' Affairs. It was the first comprehensive health study of an entire group of Australian war veterans involved in a single theatre of war.

Other members of the DEPM research team included Professor Michael Abramson, Associate Professor Andrew Forbes, Dr Deborah Glass, Ms Jill Ikin, Mr Peter Ittak, Dr Helen Kelsall, Dr Karin Leder, Mr Dean McKenzie and Professor John McNeil.

The research was a collaborative effort with, among others, Professor Mark Creamer at the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, University of Melbourne; Dr Harry Schwarz and his team from Health Services Australia Ltd; Dr Keith Horsley and the Department of Veterans' Affairs' contact and recruitment team; and Dr Lin Fritschi from the University of Western Australia.

The study investigated the physical and psychological health of 1871 Australian veterans of the 1991 Gulf War compared with a comparison group of Australian Defence Force personnel who were operational at the time of the Gulf War but who were not involved in that conflict.

The Men in Australia Telephone Survey provided a snapshot of general and reproductive health issues in men over the age of 40.

Dr Carol Holden with Professor David de Kretser.

The study was led by Andrology Australia chief executive officer Dr Carol Holden and director Professor David de Kretser.

Almost 6000 men took part in the study, which focused on socio-demographic issues, general health and lifestyle, sexual function, relationship issues, and knowledge, attitudes and beliefs on male reproductive health.

Andrology Australia is an Australian Government initiative administered by the Monash Institute of Medical Research,

The Victorian Public Health awards recognise innovation, use of evidence-based approaches, capacity to enhance public health, strategic partnerships, quality processes, communications of findings and impact on public health.