Gambling and its impact on public health will be a key focus for a major conference this week.

Public health experts and practitioners from around the world are in Perth for the Public Health Association of Australia’s (PHAA) 43rd Annual Conference.

From the pokies to a punt - Australia loves a bet, but there is a serious side to every little flutter.

Talks during the two-day conference cover questions of responsibility for gambling, from individual, government and industry perspectives, as well as a look at the promotion of gambling, alcohol and ‘family’ activities in social clubs around regional Australia.

Several of this year’s major talks were on Australia’s gambling addiction, but the broad schedule also covers: the impact of global corporations on public health; responses to alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems; law enforcement and public health; use of media, research and advocacy to promote public health; sustainability and the power of prevention in public health.

“We have a stellar line up of both national and international speakers this year, taking on some of the major public health challenges of our time,” says Professor Mike Daube, spokesperson for the PHAA Conference Organising Committee.

“What makes this program particularly exciting is that they will not only be highlighting problems but focussing on practical solutions.

“Among the hot topics to be discussed at the conference will be substance use and gambling, refugee health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ health, mental health and the future of primary health care in Australia,” he said.

Anyone not in attendance can keep abreast of events with the Twitter hashtag #PHAA2014 or via the official PHAA account.