Media releases

Latrobe Valley residents are being invited to take part in a new study to help inform future health campaigns in the region.

Associate Professor Joanne Porter from Federation University’s Collaborative Evaluation Unit is leading the study that will look at cancer screening and smoking in a bid to support people to live healthier lives.

It will seek to understand some of the barriers to screening, as well as the effectiveness of health campaigns.

The study ‘Screening saves lives’ is supported by the Gippsland Primary Health Network and forms part of the Latrobe Health Innovation Zone’s Early Detection and Screening including Tobacco Program.

The Gippsland-based Collaborative Evaluation Unit (CEU) works with a broad cross-section of organisations to co-design evaluation programs, projects and services supported by expert multidisciplinary teams across all sectors including health, education, environment and economics.

The CEU also provides training, workshops and mentoring to build capacity to enable organisations to conduct meaningful evaluations.

Associate Professor Porter and her colleagues have set up an online survey and invite adults living or working in the Latrobe Valley to participate.

The survey takes between 5 and 30 minutes to complete, is confidential, and can be accessed by via https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BVR9XF8

Quotes attributable to Federation University Associate Professor Joanne Porter

“Our ultimate goal is to prevent people from becoming ill, detect illness early, and ensure those who need treatment and support services can access them locally.”

“To do that, we need to understand what some of the barriers and challenges are.”

Quotes attributable to Federation University Gippsland Head of Campus, Ms Leigh Kennedy

“Federation University continues to play an integral role in supporting the health improvement and wellbeing of the communities it serves.”

“Partnering with local providers and educators helps to build sector capacity and a greater understanding of the community’s health needs.”