Holistic Public Health from Cradle to Grave: Challenging Assumptions and Achieving Equity
IPAA Queensland Challenger Series with Health and Wellbeing Queensland
ABOUT THIS EVENT
It is well known that long-term health outcomes are impacted by a complex mix of social, economic, biological and environmental factors. With growth in government spending on health outstripping GDP growth for a decade[1], public health is not only a community wellbeing issue – it is a significant economic risk to governments across Australia.
Like other wicked and complex problems, there are no simple solutions regarding community public health and they cannot be solved by one agency alone. However, organisations such as Health and Wellbeing Queensland are tasked with improving the health and wellbeing outcomes of all Queenslanders and reducing health inequities.
This is not a small task and draws on some of the most essential skills in the contemporary craft of public service such as collaboration, systems thinking, understanding complexity, and fostering stewardship.
So, what are the challenges facing public health in the current climate? And, who needs to play a role in addressing these challenges?
And…
- What is the current research and best practice on holistic health and wellbeing for Queenslanders from both nutrition and human movement perspectives?
- How can the leaders of today achieve a better health future for the next generations of Queenslanders?
- How do we all ensure that future government coffers are not stripped bare by health budgets?
- What role do the Arts play as part of a community’s health and wellbeing agenda?
- How can public services work together to achieve these goals?
- What would success look like in 30 years?
These questions, plus more, were tackled by our speakers at IPAA Queensland’s Challenger Seminar Series held in partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland.
This event saw an esteemed panel of leading experts come together to share insight and perspective on the challenges of public health in Queensland, and shed light on the opportunities and solutions that require collective action across Queensland.
FORMAT
Opening presentation delivered by Dr Robyn Littlewood, CEO, Health & Wellbeing Queensland.
Followed by a panel discussion with an esteemed panel of speakers with conversation moderated by Professor Marina Reeves, Deputy Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health with University of Queensland.
PANELLISTS
- Dr Robyn Littlewood, CEO, Health & Wellbeing Queensland
- Professor Bruce Abernathy, Executive Director, UQ 2032 Games Engagement
- Helen Darch OAM, Chair of Mackay Hospital and Health Board, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Queensland Research Advisory Committee
- John Kotzas AM, CEO – Queensland Performing Arts Centre
For more, read our event blog here.
IPAA Queensland members can watch the entire event recording on the members portal.
ABOUT HEALTH & WELLBEING QUEENSLAND
Health and Wellbeing Queensland was established in July 2019 to improve the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders and reduce health inequities. They work in partnership with others to reduce risk factors that lead to chronic diseases. They have been given a mandate to develop a new way of working that requires innovation, partnerships and an element of risk-taking that government is not well placed to deliver.
While they are accountable to government, and the broader community, they are an independent organisation that will work relentlessly to achieve outcomes that benefit the whole of Queensland.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
Professor Marina Reeves
Marina Reeves is a Professor in the School of Public Health and Deputy Associate Dean Research (Researcher Development) in the Faculty of Medicine. She is also an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and in 2021 was awarded the Dietitians Australia Barbara Chester Award for her leadership in dietetics in Queensland. Her program of research is focused on the role of diet, physical activity, and weight/body composition in improving outcomes and quality of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Prof Reeves and her team have recently been awarded a $2M MRFF Rare Cancers Rare Diseases and Unmet Need grant to conduct a Queensland-wide phase III trial of an exercise and dietary intervention to improve the quality of life of women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (2022-2027). Her research has been funded by project grant and fellowship funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). Marina has a particular interest in the use of broad-reach, remotely delivered interventions (e.g. delivered via telephone, video, SMS) to improve population access to interventions.
Prof Reeves has secured approx. $7 million in Category 1 research funding as a chief investigator (>$4 million as CIA), has over 90 peer-reviewed publications, and has presented at national and international conferences and to community groups.
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Dr Robyn Littlewood
Dr Robyn Littlewood is the CEO of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, the state’s prevention agency committed to fostering a healthier and more equitable Queensland.
With over 25 years of experience in clinical care, research and education, Dr Littlewood has made significant contributions to paediatric healthcare. Dr Littlewood is a published author with over 100 publications and has trained hundreds of students over two decades of frontline service.
Leveraging a systems-based and collaborative approach, Dr Littlewood continues to drive research and data outcomes in the area of health and wellbeing. Dr Littlewood leads a dedicated team focused on making healthy happen for all Queenslanders, with a particular focus on improving health outcomes for our next generation.
Dr Littlewood holds a raft of formal qualifications including a Bachelor of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics, a Master of Medical Science, a Masters of Business Administration and a PhD. Dr Littlewood has also completed a number of postgraduate qualifications in executive leadership and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Dr Littlewood holds Adjunct Professor appointments from UQ, QUT and Griffith universities, has been awarded Fellow of Dietitians Australia, the Barbara Chester Award and QUT Health Alumni of the year in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the dietetics profession.
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Professor Bruce Abernethy AM
Professor Abernethy is a first class Honours graduate and university medallist from the University of Queensland, a PhD graduate from the University of Otago, an International Fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, a Fellow of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation and a Fellow of Exercise and Sport Science Australia. He was the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences from 2014-2023 and is now Executive Director of UQ’s Engagement with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Professor Abernethy is a previous Deputy Executive Dean and Associate Dean (Research) within the Faculty of Health Sciences (2011 – 2013), Head of the School of Human Movement Studies (from 1991-2003) and from 2004 to mid-2011 was the Director and inaugural Chair Professor of the Institute of Human Performance at the University of Hong Kong.
His research interest is in the control and acquisition of skilled movement, with a particular focus upon understanding the processes underpinning the expert perception and production of patterns of human movement. The work is interdisciplinary and spans human movement and sport science, experimental psychology, neuroscience and medical and health sciences. Prof. Abernethy’s research work has been supported by a range of agencies including those funding basic science, such as the Australian Research Council and the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, as well as those supporting more applied research, such as the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Football League, the Australian Cricket Board, Worksafe Australia and the Motor Accident Insurance Commission.
In both his current role and previous role Professor Abernethy has spent much of his time building mutually beneficial partnerships between the University and health service providers and NGOS, including playing a key role in the formation of alliances such as the STARS Education and Research Alliance and the Oral Health Alliance with Metro North Health, the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences with Queensland Health’s Health Protection Unit, and Southern Queensland Rural Health with partners at UniSQ, Darling Downs Health and the SouthWest Hospital and Health Service.
Helen Darch OAM
Helen Darch is a prominent consultant with wide-ranging experience across a variety of industry sectors. She established and is the Managing Director of the Nedhurst Consulting Group in Brisbane. Prior to this she was a partner at Niche Consultants; Group Manager, Corporate Communication at Rowland Communication Group; and a consultant at SMS Management and Technology.
Helen has extensive governance, strategic planning, strategic communication, and change management experience, and has consulted widely in the education, health, government, not-for-profit and resources sectors.
Helen is currently Chair of the Domino’s Give for Good Pty Ltd Board, and a Director on the Multicap Board. Until 2018 she was Deputy Chair, Children’s Hospital Foundation, and interim Chair of the Children’s Health Research Alliance, an initiative of the Children’s Hospital Foundation and Children’s Health Queensland. She chaired the Cerebral Palsy League, Queensland Board, and its Nominations Committee and Executive Appraisal Committee until 2015.
John Kotzas AM
John Kotzas AM is Chief Executive of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), one of Australia’s most successful centres of live performance. Since joining QPAC in 1989, John has undertaken various creative and management roles, directing the inaugural Brisbane Festival, and establishing the Out of the Box Festival.
Under John’s leadership, QPAC has established itself not only as a major presenter, producer and investor, but also as a significant public space and centre for arts education. Since 2009, the QPAC International Series has presented exclusive seasons from some of the world’s leading arts companies. John led the organisation’s successful bid to build a new theatre, which on completion will make QPAC Australia’s largest performing arts centre.
In recognition of his distinguished service to the arts, John was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2021. He has also been awarded the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy) for his commitment to Italian arts, culture and community in Australia and he holds Honorary Doctorates from Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University.
EVENT PARTNER
This event is proudly sponsored by-
