Background
Zero-alcohol drinks (<0.5% alcohol by volume) appear and taste like alcoholic drinks. Many feature brands from parent alcohol products (“brand extensions”), while some employ “new-to-world” brands. Despite their resemblance to alcohol, zero-alcohol drinks are regulated akin to soft drinks due to their low alcohol content, and are available for sale in locations frequented by young people such as supermarkets and convenience stores – increasing young people’s exposure to alcohol-like products and branding. We examined whether exposure to zero-alcohol drinks prompts adolescents to think of alcohol, using a reaction time protocol drawn from studies of category prototypicality.
Methods
331 Australian adolescents aged 15-17 years participated in an online within-subjects reaction time experiment in which they viewed 20 randomly-ordered images of alcohol, zero-alcohol, and soft drink products and indicated whether these images made them think of alcohol. Generalised linear mixed effects models were used to examine differences in response time and agreement by drink type, adjusting for clustering of responses within participants, recent consumption, survey device (mobile/computer), and parental presence.
Results
Exposure to most images of alcoholic (94.4%), brand extension zero-alcohol (90.7%), and “new-to-world” zero-alcohol (85.6%) drinks prompted participants to think of alcohol, compared to 5.2% of soft drinks. In the mixed effects model, compared to alcoholic drinks, participants on average responded 72 milliseconds slower to brand extension zero-alcohol drinks and 215 milliseconds slower to “new-to-world” brand zero-alcohol drinks.
Conclusions
The combination of high levels of agreement and slower reaction times suggests that adolescents categorise zero-alcohol drinks as non-typical alcoholic drinks, rather than as soft drinks. Thus, exposure to zero-alcohol drinks had similar effects to exposure to alcoholic drinks, potentially increasing desire to try or acting as a prompt to consume alcohol. Regulatory approaches that limit adolescents’ exposure to alcohol should extend to both “brand extension” and “new-to-world” zero-alcohol drinks.

Problem
Alcohol is regulated under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). Food labels are a source of information for consumers; however alcohol labels do not require nutrition information, and most nutrition content claims are prohibited, except carbohydrate claims (e.g. ‘low carb’). Sugar claims (e.g. low sugar) are a grey area. In 2017, Food Ministers requested FSANZ review sugar claims on alcohol due to concern that they may mislead consumers, and an already high prevalence of these claims. In 2019, Food Ministers requested FSANZ investigate alcohol energy labelling to improve understanding of the impact on energy intake. FSANZ has considered these labelling elements in parallel, however recommendations to include energy information on the back-of-pack while retaining potentially misleading sugar claims on front are contradictory.

What you did
A coalition of public health groups have engaged in the parallel consultation processes, developing consensus positions, media advocacy and multi-strategy targeting of decision makers. The coalition was largely supportive of energy labelling , but strongly opposed the proposed permission of sugar claims.

Results
FSANZ’s research supports recommendations to provide energy information for weight management, yet de-prioritises reducing alcohol-related harms by prohibiting misleading carbohydrate and sugar claims. Inclusion of energy may help consumers to make healthier choices, but continued use of sugar and carbohydrate claims creates a health halo on harmful products, contradicting the goals of reducing alcohol use on weight grounds.

Lessons
The coalition contributed to clear consensus messaging throughout the process. Positively, alcohol energy labels were recommended to be mandated in the Code. However, despite consumer research showing that sugar claims are potentially misleading to consumers, the proposed approach will allow them to be placed on alcohol. The final decisions on these issues will be tabled to the FSANZ Board late in 2024 and will be included in the presentation.

Background: Stigma, misinformation, and trust barriers significantly impact access to information about alcohol and other drugs (AOD). A 2023 Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) survey found that while one in four Australians seek alcohol information and one in five seek drug information online, varying information quality and stigma often delay help-seeking behaviours.

Aims: To evaluate how integrated digital strategies can overcome barriers to accessing AOD information by:

1) Providing anonymous, stigma-free access through AI technology;

2) Countering misinformation through evidence-based social media content; and

3) Building trust through consistent, accessible messaging across platforms.

Methods: The Alcohol and Drug Foundation implemented a two-pronged strategy combining AI chatbot technology with strategic social media. The chatbot was developed with ethical frameworks prioritising accessibility and trust, integrating the Alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST) and evidence-based content. Social media focused on drug facts and harm reduction using audience-appropriate language. Evaluation included user testing with 100+ participants and analytics tracking information accuracy and accessibility.

Results: The strategy demonstrated effectiveness through increased willingness to seek information via private chatbot interactions, strong engagement with accessible social media content, and successful correction of AOD myths through coordinated messaging. This initiative managed to maintain credibility with health professionals while improving public accessibility, establishing a framework for responsible AI use in prevention.

Conclusions: This evidence-based approach demonstrates how emerging technologies can overcome barriers to AOD prevention information. By addressing stigma, trust, and misinformation through integrated digital channels, organisations can improve access while maintaining clinical standards and sector trust.

Background: Racism contributes to inequities faced by people of colour and minority groups. While there is widespread recognition of this, programmes to combat it have not made much impact. Research in racism in healthcare has concentrated on personal experiences of healthcare workers and patients, assuming that racism and the concept of race are similarly understood by all. However, ethnicity and race are often conflated and racism seen as primarily interpersonal and ahistorical.

Purpose: To explore healthcare workers perceptions of racism, its impact and reduction to aid development of anti-racist strategies.

Methods: Forty-nine staff within one Australian hospital participated in individual qualitative interviews regarding the definition, impact, and ways of reducing racism. Interviews were analysed with a reflexive thematic analytic approach using a Postcolonial framework.

Results: There was unanimous agreement that racism was experienced by minority groups, people of colour and Aboriginal peoples in Australia with a detrimental effect on health and wellbeing. There was uncertainty for some as to what constituted ‘actual racism’-it was commonly thought of as individual prejudice though structural racism was also noted. Participants commonly defined race as involving physical or cultural differences, suggesting that discredited historical and colonial concepts of race continue in Australian society.
Racism was not described as an ideology created to justify colonial distribution of power and resources. While many felt that education was the best way to reduce racism and its impact, it was noted that being educated did not necessarily change racist behaviour.

Conclusions: The lack of accurate understanding of the concept of race and racism likely contributes to the relatively poor effect of current strategies to combat racism. This research supports calls to clarify the definition of racism as an ideology to aid in its elimination, which may contribute to health equity.

The under-five-year-old mortality remain a critical public health issue in Cambodia, that 28 of 1,000 of neonatal mortality were reported in 2018. Most neonatal death within the first week are often linked to nosocomial infection by Enterococci species, particularly E. faecalis and E. faecium. The global health burden of antimicrobial-resistant nosocomial bacteria, including Enterococci, exceeds 700,000 per annum. In Cambodia, data on the prevalence and resistant level of Enterococci in clinical setting are scarce. This study investigates the presence and antibiotic resistance profile of the pathogenic Enterococci on 25 environmental surfaces in a neonatal care centre located in Phnom Penh city of Cambodia. The samples were collected weekly for four by using sterilized cotton swabs soaked with Tryptic Soya Broth (TSB). All the swabs were enriched overnight, as the bacteria cell cultures and isolations were performed on a selective agar plate. Among the 100 samples, Enterococci presented at 35% distribution in all the environmental surfaces. High contamination frequencies (>2 times positive) were observed on bedsides, baby scales, medical equipment, trash cans, patient trolly beds, and computer keyboards. For species identification, 11 isolates were characterised by morphology and selected for identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI/TOF). Three major Enterococci species were identified: E. faecalis (n = 9), E. faecium (n = 1), and E. casseliflavus (n = 1). Through the validation between colony morphology and MALDI/TOF date, among all isolates: E. faecalis (60%), E. faecium (20%), and E. casseliflavus (20%). Antimicrobial resistance profiling revealed high resistance to erythromycin (46%) while ampicillin and linezolid inhibited 97% and 89% of the isolates, respectively. Ciprofloxacin resistance was found in 17% of the isolates. This study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive data on AMR in nosocomial infections in Cambodia to inform public health strategies and improve neonatal care.

Introduction: High under-5 mortality (U5M) reduction rates, followed by sluggish reductions or stagnancies that Bangladesh has episodically experienced since 2000, imply ineffective U5M prevention measures. It is likely that over time, the comprehensiveness of the measures became inadequate to prevent deaths caused by proportionately increasing complex medical conditions and led to episodic stagnancies. This research investigated the stagnancy reported at the beginning of the sustainable development goal era, as understanding this is crucial for effective mortality prevention.
Methods: Multilevel multivariable, multilevel multinomial and mediation analyses were conducted using the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2011, 2014 and 2017-18 data to examine this stagnancy.
Results: The analyses showed that the increase in all-cause U5M risk among twins, children born to adolescent mothers, overweight or obese mothers, mothers with low formal education, and children from households with no hand washing stations contributed to the stagnancy in U5M reduction. The study also revealed an increase in prematurity-related mortality risks among twins, children born to adolescent mothers or mothers with low formal education. Additionally, antenatal and postnatal care did not have the expected effect, and the effect of parental education declined over time.
Conclusion: When connected with existing literature, this study underscores the need for a strong political will and a collaborative approach for effective U5M reduction. It is imperative to strengthen the comprehensiveness of existing interventions: ensuring compulsory use of antenatal and postnatal care cards and strict monitoring of their use to improve the quality of care; early identification and careful monitoring of twin pregnancies through the continuum of care; updating school curricula with a greater emphasis on maternal and child health; more extensive approaches to prevent adolescent pregnancy; utilisation of managerial committees at different administrative tiers to promote collaboration and harmony in the implementation of interventions for U5M prevention across various sectors.

Problem: Traditional medicine has long been vital in Cambodia's healthcare system. However, its lack of formal integration into national health policies and insufficient scientific validation of phytochemical properties hinder its full potential in disease prevention and management. Reliance on imported pharmaceuticals and underutilization of local medicinal resources exacerbate healthcare disparities, especially in rural areas.

What Has Been Done: To bridge the gap between traditional and modern healthcare, several initiatives have been launched. Collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Environment (MOE) focus on cataloging and conserving medicinal plants, ensuring their availability for future generations. Research institutions have conducted comprehensive phytochemical screenings of rare plants, identifying bioactive compounds with significant health benefits. Additionally, pilot programs have been initiated to rigorously assess the efficacy of traditional remedies in preventive healthcare, aiming to validate and incorporate these practices into the broader healthcare system.

Results: These efforts have produced a growing body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of traditional remedies, particularly in preventing chronic diseases. The collaboration has led to the development of a national database of medicinal plants and guidelines for the safe and effective use of traditional medicine. Pilot programs have shown promising results, with significant reductions in disease incidence and improved health outcomes in participating communities.

Lessons: Integrating traditional medicine into national health strategies requires strong political commitment and supportive policies. Political will is crucial for allocating resources, enacting regulations, and fostering stakeholder collaborations. Recognizing the cultural significance of traditional medicine and leveraging local knowledge can enhance healthcare accessibility and sustainability. By prioritizing prevention through political action, Cambodia can achieve a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.

Keywords: Traditional medicine, Phytochemical properties, bioactive compound, National Health Policies.

Introduction
NSW experiences Australia’s highest rates of suicide (AIWH 2023). Priority populations such as LGBTIQ+ and Indigenous communities experience significantly higher rates. The impact of suicide and self-harm on individuals and communities is profound. In South Western Sydney (SWS), 80% of people who complete suicide have not reached out to the local health district (LHD).
Safe Havens, a recent NSW Government Towards Zero Suicides initiative, offer non-clinical, peer worker-led, culturally-sensitive alternatives for those experiencing suicidal distress. Initial attendances at a SWS Safe Haven were well below expectations.
Methods
Consultations included six community co-design groups, 15 in-depth interviews with subject matter experts, community leaders and health professionals, and a workshop with SWSLHD staff and local NGO mental health services. SWSLHD’s Safe Haven Lived Experience Advisory Group provided ongoing advice.
Research insights and a social marketing framework were applied to develop core campaign foundations and messaging.
Safe Haven guests and peer workers shared their personal experiences in a professional creative production across video, posters, social media, and out-of-home advertising. The campaign focused on Safe Haven’s peer-led culture, its openness to diverse groups and what to expect at your first visit.
Results
Initial consultations revealed a very low awareness and understanding of Safe Haven among health professionals and the wider community.
Following the campaign, awareness of Safe Haven among the South Western Sydney population increased from 12% to 22%, with awareness of the new Safe Haven Liverpool growing from 0% to 18% (n=100, March and October 2023).
SWS Safe Havens reported a 110% increase in attendance following the campaign.
Conclusion
Co-design principles and a social marketing framework underpin this effective local communication campaign. Strong, professional communication is important to support new approaches to suicide prevention, so communities know about the service and feel they will be welcome to attend.