Implementing the IVAC model: lessons from an Australian case

This paper discusses the engagement of a primary school teacherwith a democratic approach to the teaching of environmentalhealth education as part of a Health Promoting Schools project.The Investigation—Visions—Action-Change (IVAC) modeldeveloped by Jensen was used to give students an opportunityto define a local health or environmental problem of significanceto them, to acquire knowledge about the problem, to envisionpossible solutions and then, based on these, to take some actionto address the problem. The paper discusses two constraintsfaced by the teacher when using this model and makes suggestionsfor ways in which to overcome these.     

The financial impacts of the nursing shortage

This article examines the multiple factors leading to the nursing shortage and the financial impact of the nursing shortage on hospitals and health care providers, the government, society and educational institutions. Nursing shortages have occurred in this country throughout history, however, the current shortage is especially grappling due to the financial condition of the health care system, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Balanced Budget Act, the compounding conditions that have led up to the shortage and the forecasted health care needs. Many solutions have been proposed to improve the nursing shortage. This article provides recommendations to problem solving methods and discusses some current policy alternatives, including recently enacted "nurse-patient ratio" regulation, demonstrated by California state policy and the "Magnet Certification" program developed by American Nursing Credential Center (ANCC). This article further examines the financial impacts on nursing shortage problem.     

Australian public health: some history lessons from South Africa

OBJECTIVE: To draw historical parallels between inequalities in South Africa and Australia and their implications for public health, and especially Aboriginal health, in the latter. METHODS: To use the work of Terreblanche in South Africa and Houston in Australia to demonstrate the relevance of past inequalities to some of today's health problems. RESULTS: Economic structural issues remain crucial to the development of and the future health of these two countries. There are more grounds for hope for a more equal society in South Africa than there are in Australia. CONCLUSIONS: South Africa has made some attempt to face its past while Australia has not. Attempts to kill off Aboriginal culture continue. Aboriginal health will only improve when white Australia is prepared to face its 'black' past and move beyond the racism and indifference that surround Aboriginal affairs. The neo liberalism of both countries serves their disadvantaged populations ill.