Thread by @_PHAA_

Thank you @ACTHealth @RachelSS_MLA on your address, and outlining some of the responses to health challenges in the ACT which linger, despite the COVID19 pandemic. #AustPH2021.

Thank you @takeshi_kasai @WHOWPRO regional Director for joining #AustPH2021. His regional office features 600 staff, connecting countries to enable constant sharing of information and experience to COVID19, testing and contact tracing, PPE, oxygen concentrators, vaccines.

Dr @takeshi_kasai says 20 months into the pandemic, 8m infected across @WHOWPRO, 108,000 deaths. Situation worsened in early July when Delta strain and other surges arrived. Our share of global cases and deaths is rising, 12% global cases, 10% global deaths. #AustPH2021

Delta's higher transmissibility is straining @WHOWPRO already stretched health services. Carefully assess and manage risk in each local context. Must stay vigilant. Globally, the virus will not disappear in near future. #AustPH2021

Possible scenarios - living with the virus with vaccinations, trying to limit spread, protect most vulnerable, reducing broader outbreak, Dr @takeshi_kasai says.

Dr @takeshi_kasai @WHOWPRO says WHO grateful to Australia and members of its health teams who've helped across the region, eg in Papua New Guinea, where specialist emergency medical teams were deployed. #AustPH2021

It is within our power to reduce the threat of the virus in Australia and the region, Dr @takeshi_kasai @WHOWPRO says. He emphasises we must also deal with climate change risks, communicable diseases, ageing societies, and more. We must take action to change the future today.

PHAA President Prof @tarunw asks Dr @takeshi_kasai @WHOWPRO his thoughts on states' funding for public health responses. Dr Kasai says health is an investment in our societies. He is keen to hear more about working with politicians to invest in public health. #AustPH2021

Our next speaker, Prof Simon Lenton
@NDRIau @CurtinUni will explore 'Beyond Cannabis Prohibition – Middle ground policy options for cannabis public health policy.' #AustPH2021

Prof Lenton says evidence from USA suggests there have been increases in car crashes in states that have legalised cannabis, also in neighbouring states. Evidence similar to alcohol availability and harm. Difficulty in regulating the industry. #AustPH2021

Public health experts in Canada highlight various difficulties in trying to catch up and regulate cannabis, Prof Lenton says. Social media advertising explosion, targetting minors, Prof Lenton tells #AustPH2021

Average tax take now about $50/person in US states that have a cannabis industry, research says. Challenges in providing a product with potency. Product destroyed where it doesn't meet costly testing requirements, eg in Colorado, Prof Lenton tells #AustPH2021

Prof Lenton says cannabis social clubs or a community trust model or a mixed model as applies in Uruguay could be considered by Australian govts. It's not enough to remove criminal penalties. Must maximise public health, he tells #AustPH2021

Our final speaker this session is Prof @AlisonRitter1 @DrugPolicy_DPMP on regulatory options for illicit drugs. It can apply to all aspects of public health, she tells #AustPH2021. Good public health is to apply evidence-based policy, she says.

Lots of evidence is contested. Lots of evidence on cannabis, but not other illicit drugs, Prof @AlisonRitter1 @DrugPolicy_DPMP says. #AustPH2021.

Evidence is conflicted and contradictory. Various versions of "compulsory treatment." 2016 Review of literature found treatment associated with poorer treatment outcomes. Prof @AlisonRitter1 & colleague's work found different result, depending on type of treatment. #AustPH2021

Which "publics" do we mean when we discuss legalisation of heroin, or injecting drugs, Prof Ritter says. We can't assume that public opinion is driven by public interest. There is nuance.

Prof Ritter says we bring a values system when we think about public health topics eg obesity, drugs.
Outlines utilitarianism, communitarianism, paternalism and social justice value systems. These are not mutually exclusive. #AustPH2021

These value systems can be contradictory, Prof @AlisonRitter1 @DrugPolicy_DPMP tells #AustPH2021. Highlights a famous 'harm scale' study.

We don't lack evidence, Prof @AlisonRitter1 @DrugPolicy_DPMP says. We know there are values, and they need to be central to the decision-making process. Public health will benefit if we do, she tells #AustPH2021