Since launching in 2013, the know pathology know healthcare initiative has been flat out, and 2018 was no exception, with some great highlights to look back on.
Political engagement
On 27 June, along with Rowan Ramsey and Graham Perrett of the Parliamentary Friends of Diabetes and Diabetes Australia, Pathology Awareness Australia (PAA) helped organise a fantastic diabetes testing event in the Senate Alcove at Australian Parliament House. Attended by the likes of Health Minister Greg Hunt and Patrick Dodson, leading pathologists Professor Greg Johnson of Diabetes Australia and Professor Ken Sikaris, those attending not only had an HbA1c test but were presented with alarming statistics
Then on 12 September, Jason Clare and Warren Entsch of the Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness were there to help PAA build a prostate cancer testing event into a roaring success. With 217 men and 43 politicians taking prostate tests it was wall-to-wall in the Senate alcove, amongst the politicians were deputy PM Michael McCormack and shadow treasurer Anthony Albanese.
To date 95 federal politicians have come through pathology labs since they began. In this financial year there have already been 15 visitors, including Julie Bishop and Jim Chalmers, with more scheduled for early 2019.
International Pathology Day
this year was a ripping success with 23 federal politicians posting in support on social media, including creating their own videos, infographics, and even passing a motion in support of International Pathology Day in the senate. We also had 10 Health Consumer Organisations, such as Diabetes Australia and the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation supporting the day, with messages of support from CEOs.
All things media
In the social media space, for Facebook alone we had a reach in 2018 of 1,436,744 with 124,290 likes. A social media highlight was International Pathology Day, with 23 federal politicians posting in support of the day, helping us to reach 418,823 people.
The knowpathology website continues to grow on the back of informative stories, while we continue to run our Community Service Announcement TV advertisement, which had 721 spots across channels 10, 7, 7Two, and 7Mate over the course of 2018.
Health Consumer Organisations
In addition to the support from our HCO supporters on International Pathology Day and at testing events in parliament house, this year we have brought educators from organisations like Diabetes Australia to our political lab tours in order to give them a sharper focus on specific health conditions, a practice we look forward to continuing and expanding in 2019. Along with more social media sharing for awareness days, articles and events.
With more political engagement, media reach and HCO collaboration, the year 2019 should be one to celebrate for those either working in, or engaged with, the pathology sector.
Until then, enjoy the rest of the year and enjoy the festive season.
