Year: 2017
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A Foundation for a smoke-free world…funded by a cigarette multinational: more smoke and mirrors?
The Swiss like butter on both sides of their toast. Headquartered in Lausanne, half an hour’s train ride from the World Health Organisation in Geneva, you’ll find the headquarters of the world’s most profitable tobacco company, Philip Morris International (PMI). Makers of Marlboro and other global brands. A few years ago, at the end of…
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IVF stuff-ups and tort liability for loss of genetic affinity
Most of us know Singapore for its excellent airport, excellent food and other diversions. But a recent decision of Singapore’s Court of Appeal, ACB v Thomson Medical, deserves attention. The case is noted here. In this case, a mistake was made in the process of an in vitro-fertilisation procedure involving a Singaporean Chinese woman and…
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Upcoming events: The Food Governance Showcase
On Friday the 3rd of November, Sydney Health Law is co-hosting the Food Governance Showcase at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre. The Showcase will present new research from University of Sydney researchers and affiliates, examining the role of law, regulation and policy in creating a healthy, equitable, and sustainable food system. The Showcase…
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Announcement: Sydney Law School, QUT combine in hosting health law masterclass
Sydney Health Law, the focal point for health law teaching and research at Sydney Law School, and the Australian Centre for Health Law Research at QUT, are co-hosting a health law masterclass at Sydney Law School on Friday 6 October, 9.00am-4.00pm. Click here for registration, and a preview of the program and of the presenters.…
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Liability for failure to effectively manage morbidly obese patients: it’s time to look again at Varipatis v Almario – here’s why
What should a GP do with a morbidly obese patient who is in denial about their weight problem? Although it involved a complex set of facts, it’s time to revisit Almario v Varipatis (No 2) [2012] NSWSC 1578, reversed on appeal (Varipatis v Almario [2013] NSWCA 76). Doctors should take no comfort in the fact…
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Excluding bottled water, only 1.3% of food and beverage advertising across the Sydney train network is consistent with a healthy diet
New research from the Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders at the University of Sydney, and Sydney Law School, has investigated the quality of nutrition of food and beverage advertising on every station of Sydney’s metropolitan train network. Judged by revenues, outdoor advertising of food, on billboards and other advertising spaces, is…
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Queensland’s Healthy Futures Commission
Health promotion in Queensland could receive a turbo-boost if the Healthy Futures Commission Queensland Bill 2017 is passed. This Bill illustrates a sometimes neglected aspect of public health law: use of law to build new institutions, to encourage partnerships, and to create a clear legislative mandate to address health challenges. The Healthy Futures Commission was an…
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Upcoming events: Engaging with Advocates
On Friday the 28th of July, Sydney Health Law is hosting Engaging with Advocates, along with the Food Governance Node and the Healthy Food Systems Node at the Charles Perkins Centre. This event aims to connect early career researchers with leading civil society advocates in order to foster collaboration and increase the impact of research. Representatives…
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Promoting health goals in a self-regulating industry
Earlier this year I published an article on self-regulation of food marketing to children in Australia. I focused on two voluntary codes developed by the Australian food industry to respond to concerns about children’s exposure to junk food advertising, and how it might affect their eating habits. My article pointed out the many loopholes in…
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#FitSpo? No thanks.
Now that we’re in May, it’s likely that everyone’s New Year’s resolutions to eat better and drink less have fallen by the wayside. And as we move into winter (in the Southern hemisphere at least), it’s getting harder to convince yourself to get out from under the blankets and go for an early morning run. It’s…
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Dr David Nabarro, WHO D-G candidate, on a sugar tax
The World Health Organisation may be in for interesting times if Dr David Nabarro becomes the next Director-General. Only three candidates are now in the contest. Two of them were Commissioners of the WHO Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity: Dr Nabarro, from the UK, and Dr Sania Nishtar, from Pakistan (who was Co-Chair of the…
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“Party like it’s payday!” urges Diageo Australia (before your welfare cheque runs out?)
It looks like Diageo Australia is at it again. No, this time they’re not advertising Bundy Rum to a 3 year old. Instead, they’re urging Western Australians to “Party like it’s payday” – hoisting ads for Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold Rum around the Perth suburbs, including right outside a Centrelink office. Whatever were they…
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Self-regulation of junk food advertising to kids doesn’t work. Here’s why.
Recently, Cancer Council NSW published a study finding that food industry self-regulation in Australia has not been effective in reducing children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing. Australian children still see, on average, three advertisements for unhealthy foods and beverages during each hour of prime time television they watch. This figure remains unchanged despite the Australian…
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Advancing the Right to Health: the Vital Role of Law
More than 20 years ago, Chris Reynolds, an Australian pioneer in our understanding of public health law, wrote that: “law is a powerful tool, as potent as any of the medical technologies available to treat disease”, and yet “our understanding of the potential of [public health law]…to help…citizens to lead longer and healthier lives, is…
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