Melissa Sweet

New South Wales

Public Health Journalist at Freelance

Journalist sharing news re health equity, First Nations health, climate justice, health in all policies. See @CroakeyNews @WePublicHealth. She/her.

Articles

How the children suffer

3 days ago | croakey.org | Melissa Sweet

Introduction by Croakey: As so much global attention focusses on the high-stakes power plays between Israel, Iran and the United States, children in Gaza are at risk of dying from violence, thirst and acute malnutrition. Meanwhile, a new report shows a dramatic jump in the number of children suffering grave violations in armed conflicts around the world.
“We took action” - turning up to protect Country in Australia and Aotearoa

5 days ago | croakey.org | Melissa Sweet

*** Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article mentions someone who has passed ***Introduction by Croakey: The Banjima people’s longstanding struggle against asbestos contamination at Wittenoom in Western Australia and a determined Māori campaign opposing deep sea oil exploration off Aotearoa/New Zealand were among the stories of protecting Country shared at the Lowitja Institute’s 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference.
Walking together in wellness, where collective rights enable Indigenous Peoples to thrive

5 days ago | croakey.org | Melissa Sweet

Introduction by Croakey: An emerging paradigm shift for First Nations people in Canada, reflecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), is supporting a transformational shift from a focus on healthcare and “the narrative of enhanced service delivery” towards collective wellness, according to a leading Indigenous scholar.
Important priorities for improving access to alcohol and other drug services

5 days ago | croakey.org | Melissa Sweet

Introduction by Croakey: Wide-ranging recommendations for building “a brighter and kinder future” for people who use or have used alcohol and other drugs were shared at a recent conference hosted by the Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (NADA).
Medical organisation condemns bombing of Iran as illegal, reckless and destabilising

6 days ago | croakey.org | Melissa Sweet

Introduction by Croakey: An emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors will be held tomorrow following the United States’ bombing of three nuclear sites in Iran. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the US bombing as “a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security”.
The Zap: latest health and aged care news, and a helpful list of consultations now open

1 week ago | croakey.org | Melissa Sweet

Recommendations for improving Australians’ access to specialist care, implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, tackling elder abuse, and addressing healthcare inequities in rural and remote areas are compiled in The Zap this week.
If productivity is about people, health expertise must be in the room

1 week ago | croakey.org | Melissa Sweet

Introduction by Croakey: The Cabinet room in Federal Parliament, which will host the Albanese Government’s productivity summit from 19-21 August, only has about 25 seats, Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers noted this week. The small group of invitees to the summit would include “a mix of government, business, union and civil society representatives and experts,” Chalmers told the National Press Club.
“Truth-telling is a reckoning”: Yoorrook Commission’s Walk for Truth arrives at Parliament

1 week ago | croakey.org | Melissa Sweet

More than 5,000 people joined Yoorrrook Justice Commissioner Travis Lovett this week on the final legs of his 500-plus kilometre #WalkForTruth across Victoria. “Silence ends here,” Lovett said after arriving at Parliament House, on the lands of the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin nations.
Envisioning a brighter future for people who use alcohol and other drugs

1 week ago | croakey.org | Melissa Sweet

Introduction by Croakey: About 550 people working in the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector recently attended the Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (NADA) conference in Sydney, upon the Country of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.
“War is not the answer” - health and humanitarian groups call for peace

1 week ago | croakey.org | Melissa Sweet

Jason Staines writes:Health professionals, humanitarian organisations and rights advocates are calling for urgent international action to prevent further escalation in Gaza and the broader Middle East, warning of catastrophic consequences for civilians, regional stability and global security. Their calls follow a series of recent developments, including:Escalating regional tensions following Israeli strikes on Iranian military assets.