Internship: World Health Organization, Surveillance and Population-based Prevention Unit, Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion. To support implementation of the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, Resolution WHA53.17
May 2012 – July 2012 A very competitive self-funded internship with only a few hundred awarded out of thousands of applications. Surveillance and Population-based Prevention (SPP), Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion, Geneva, Switzerland under the direction of Dr Timothy Armstrong and Dr Godfrey Xuereb. Role: assisted with the implementation of the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, Resolution WHA53.17, specifically with ongoing collation of evidence on effective interventions for physical activity and identified "Best-Buys" for physical activity interventions. Highlights: Attendance at the 65th World Health Assembly along with health ministers and officials from all 194 WHO member states where I witnessed ‘behind the scenes’ policy formation on items 13.1 and 13.2. Attendance at the Tobacco Free Initiative seminar where Prof Jane Halton gave an inspirational talk about Australia’s struggles and successes. Attendance at a closed meeting (invitation only) between the SPP and a Minister of Health. Attendance at a closed meeting by the HEPA Europe (European network for the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity) group in Zurich.