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Page 1 of 8  | In this issue of the PHASA newsletter we advertise the forthcoming 2009 PHASA conference; report on the WFPHA World Congress on Public Health, and the International Students’ Meeting on Public Health; highlight the novel influenza A/ H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic; ponder whether there is a role for Public Health professionals; and look at work and health in Southern Africa.
| | | Editorial: Flavia Senkubuge Public health world wide faces enormous challenges. The swine flu pandemic has swept across the world like wildfire, highlighting our interconnectedness as a global community. We can no longer dismiss ‘health happenings’ in one part of the world as ‘not our concern’. We are now faced with a world where diseases have no respect for political borders we’ve drawn. |  | |  | Our challenge is to engage in conversation that also disrespects these borders if we are to make an impact on public health issues. In April 2009 the various Public Health communities around the world gathered in Istanbul, Turkey to discuss the state of global public health under the banner of Making a difference in Global Public Health: education, research and practice. The public health community shared, debated and discussed the critical areas that need to be addressed in order for the world to attain better health for all. A first was the inclusion of students involved in the field of public health in the public health conversation. The role of the public health professional is further explored as we look at ever-changing health issues, so too will we have to challenge our roles and perhaps even redefine our roles as public health professionals. There is a lot to look forward to in this issue, and we feature our 2009 PHASA Conference to be held from 30 November to 2 December 2009 in Durban. | 
The theme is: Millennium Development Goals: Measuring progress in Public Health in South Africa. We look forward to receiving your public health conversation. |  | | |  |
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