News Articles
Tasmania is a step closer to voluntary assisted dying
Last Updated: 11-11-2020
Voluntary assisted dying is a step closer in Tasmania after legislation to legalise the practice passed the state's upper house. Tasmania has moved closer to legalising voluntary assisted dying, with the landmark legislation passing one chambe Read More...
Last Updated: 11-11-2020
Growing up, and into young adulthood, Dominique Ribeiro Da Silva lost count of the number of doctors who told her she was overreacting, imagining things, or to go away and have a couple of Panadol. The unhelpful advice came, despite years of painf Read More...
NSW travel app predicts when trains will be crowded
Last Updated: 10-11-2020
The NSW government has stopped short of mandating mask use on public transport, instead introducing a new app feature that predicts when trains will be crowded. The NSW government is still resisting calls to mandate masks on public transport and i Read More...
Victoria is preparing a testing blitz after having no new cases
Last Updated: 10-11-2020
As Victoria has another day without any coronavirus deaths or new cases, the state is preparing a testing blitz. Victoria is preparing to launch its first large-scale asymptomatic testing program as the state's run of no coronavirus deaths or Read More...
Gyms in Melbourne have now reopened
Last Updated: 10-11-2020
Fitness centres closed for most of the year have now reopened, with an industry boom predicted, while restaurants and pubs are also enjoying eased restrictions. Melbourne pilates teacher Aaron Smith was so keen to reopen his studio after four mont Read More...
How strong your grip is says a lot about your health
Date of Posting: 10-11-2020
The human hand is remarkable. Not only does it allow us to throw, grab, climb and pick things up, it can also be a measure of health. Using hand-grip strength – which assesses the amount of force a person can generate with their grip &n Read More...
Walking downhill increases risk of falls in older adults
Date of Posting: 10-11-2020
Falls are a common cause of injury in older adults and can lead to disability. Luckily, the risk of falls can be reduced with regular exercise– but not all exercise. Our latest study shows that so-called eccentric exercise – such Read More...
We studied mental toughness in ultra-marathon runners
Last Updated: 10-11-2020
For most people, running a marathon sounds like a lot of work — and they probably wouldn’t even consider completing more than one within 24 hours. The will to go the extra mile is what lies at the very heart of ultra-endurance ev Read More...
An eminent psychiatrist says a second wave of coronavirus-linked mental health is starting
Last Updated: 09-11-2020
Australian policy-makers must be willing to turn society upside down to flatten the "mental health curve" stemming from COVID-19, an eminent psychiatrist says. An eminent psychiatrist has warned a second wave of coronavirus-linked mental Read More...
CSL to make vaccine in Australia
Date of Posting: 09-11-2020
CSL will start manufacturing the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine but its rollout still depends on the success of its clinical trials and regulatory approval. Biotech giant CSL will start manufacturing a coronavirus vaccine for a planned release in th Read More...
Significant psychological toll from COVID-19 lockdown
Last Updated: 06-11-2020
Research published today has confirmed the nationwide Alert Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown had a significant toll on New Zealanders’ well-being, especially for younger people – but the results were not all negative. Researchers from the Uni Read More...
Experts say a cholesterol plan could save thousands
Date of Posting: 05-11-2020
Thousands of Australians could avoid a heart attack or stroke if the federal government implements measures to tackle cholesterol problems, experts say. Two Australians could be saved every day if the federal government implements measures to bett Read More...
A new report highlights Indigenous vision loss
Date of Posting: 05-11-2020
A new report shows Indigenous Australians over 40 have had three times the rate of vision loss than non-Indigenous Australians. Older Indigenous Australians have been far more likely to suffer vision loss than their non-Indigenous peers, according Read More...
Diabetic Australians unaware of organ risks
Date of Posting: 02-11-2020
A new study has revealed many Australian diabetics don't know about kidney and heart failure - two common, deadly complications caused by the disease. If Joseph Kizana had known he would suffer organ failure, spend 300 consecutive days in hosp Read More...
NARI survey of older Australians highlights physiotherapists' frustrations
Last Updated: 02-11-2020
The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) survey of aged care residents has revealed that inadequate care is causing mental and physical ill-health in older Australians. It is the first detailed study of its kind in Australia and highlights the h Read More...
Rural LAP approved to continue supporting vacant positions until 31 December 2020
Date of Posting: 30-10-2020
We understand that most health professionals are no longer taking CPD or recreation leave and are working overtime to ensure their local community continues to receive high quality care during this global pandemic. With all hands on deck at health Read More...
COVID-safe rules for trick or treating this Halloween
Date of Posting: 30-10-2020
Trick-or-treating this Halloween needs to comply with COVID-safe guidelines, with health authorities suggesting several changes to the popular tradition. Trick-or-treating this Halloween needs to be different on Saturday, with families being urged Read More...
Who pays compensation if a COVID-19 vaccine has rare side-effects?
Date of Posting: 30-10-2020
In last week’s federal budget the Australian government announced it had given the suppliers of two COVID-19 vaccines indemnity against liability for rare side-effects. Although details are unclear, it appears the government would foot Read More...
Children may need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 too. Here's what we need to consider
Last Updated: 30-10-2020
An ideal COVID-19 vaccine would not only protect people from becoming ill, it would also stop the virus spreading through the population. The best way to do this is to vaccinate as many people as possible. If the best available vaccine is on Read More...
Why COVID mental health measures must target disadvantaged areas
Last Updated: 30-10-2020
COVID-19 outbreaks and the resulting lockdowns, particularly in Victoria, have adversely affected many people’s mental health. Social isolation, financial stress, and anxiety about contracting COVID-19 can all contribute to psychologic Read More...
Cervical, breast, heart, bowel: here's what women should be getting screened regularly
Date of Posting: 30-10-2020
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many have felt anxious about going to the GP and other health facilities, believing these places have had a greater risk of transmission. A lot of us have also had to juggle work, childcare and home-based educatio Read More...
Severe form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease linked to a strain of mouth bacteria
Last Updated: 30-10-2020
Bacteria from the mouth could hold clues to understanding – and potentially treating – severe ulcerative colitis, a painful bowel disease. Severe ulcerative colitis – a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – has been li Read More...
Women with endometriosis suffer "terrible" 6 year wait for diagnosis
Date of Posting: 29-10-2020
A new study has found that Australian women with endometriosis live with the painful condition for an average of 6.4 years before being diagnosed. Donna Ciccia, Director and Cofounder of Endometriosis Australia, told HealthTimes that “e Read More...
When too much news is bad news: is the way we consume news detrimental to our health?
Last Updated: 29-10-2020
Humans are curious and social creatures by nature. The news helps us make sense of the world around us and connects us with our local, national and international community. So it’s no wonder we’re drawn to it. Objective, l Read More...
Demand for Mental Health Counsellors Is Soaring in the Aftermath of COVID-19
Date of Posting: 29-10-2020
COVID-19 has had a vastly detrimental effect on Australians’ mental health. People have recently experienced a steep increase in the sorts of issues that would prompt them to seek counselling including isolation, bereavement, fear, stress, i Read More...
Research shows poor sleep linked to lifestyle factors
Date of Posting: 28-10-2020
Feeling tired? Obesity and depression are among the reasons why people are getting poor sleep, even if they're spending plenty of time in bed. Good quality sleep has a lot to do with life out of bed, new research shows.[subscribe] Lifestyle Read More...
Bushfires and COVID take their toll on new mums and babies
Last Updated: 27-10-2020
Almost seven-in-10 pregnant women and new mothers (65 per cent) in the ACT and southeast New South Wales say they were severely exposed to bushfire smoke in our recent summer. Almost nine-in-10 (85 per cent) said they isolated themselves and their Read More...
New nurse-led research to improve bereavement care in ICU
Last Updated: 27-10-2020
A new Graduate Research Studentship focused on enhancing palliative care has been awarded to PhD Candidate Alysia Coventry. The inaugural study grant was offered to Alysia by The Centre for Palliative Care and University of Melbourne’s Depar Read More...
COVID-19 a double blow for chronic disease patients
Date of Posting: 27-10-2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has escalated into a ‘syndemic’ for people with chronic illnesses, a new UNSW study analysing data from low and middle-income countries shows. There has never been a more dangerous time than the COVID-19 pandemic Read More...
Dementia care professionals welcome home-based program
Last Updated: 22-10-2020
Australian research has backed an innovative home-based program which specially trains nurses and occupational therapists to support people living with dementia and their families. “We know that 75 percent of people with dementia in Australi Read More...
Researchers survey shows aged care needs not met for most
Last Updated: 21-10-2020
Researchers at the National Ageing Research Institute say the needs of about three-quarters of the people living in aged care facilities aren't always met. About three-quarters of people living in Australian aged care facilities say their need Read More...
User Centred Design: How Practice Management Software is Developed
Date of Posting: 21-10-2020
If you’re like us, you may have noticed that over time software has progressively become simpler and easier to use. But have you ever stopped to consider why? Historically, software development followed a top-down design, starting with a gen Read More...
Experiences of discrimination drive distrust in digital health
Date of Posting: 21-10-2020
Communities affected by blood-borne viruses and STIs are more likely to opt out of digital health services, says a new national study. People who have experienced stigma and discrimination in health care settings are more likely to distrust digita Read More...
Polycystic ovary syndrome treatment may hinge on diet, mouse study suggests
Date of Posting: 21-10-2020
The Mediterranean diet may be investigated as a possible treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome after mice with PCOS-like features of the condition were found to benefit from a similar diet. Mice with induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that Read More...
National preventive health strategy must provide healing for Indigenous communities
Date of Posting: 21-10-2020
The Healing Foundation is urging the Government to ensure healing is part of the National Preventive Health Strategy (NPHS) to address trauma and its accompanying health effects on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In its submission to Read More...
Defibrillators is key to improving 10 percent survival rate
Date of Posting: 20-10-2020
Around 20,000 Australians have a sudden heart attack every year, and ensuring quick access to defibrillators is key to improving the 10 per cent survival rate. Every day the hearts of 16 Australians suddenly stop pumping and their chance of surviv Read More...
Older Australians deserve more than the aged care royal commission's COVID-19 report delivers
Last Updated: 20-10-2020
Amid the ongoing disaster in Victorian aged-care homes, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety yesterday released its special report into the COVID-19 pandemic. This report finally states who is responsible for aged care &mda Read More...
High fatalities from truck crashes demand greater safety standards
Date of Posting: 20-10-2020
Relying on regulation through licensing alone will not combat unsafe trucking practices, says UNSW’s Dr Christopher Walker. Tuesday October 20, marks 31 years since Australia’s worst truck accident resulted in 21 fatalities on October Read More...
COVID changed the way we use drugs and alcohol -- now it's time to properly invest in treatment
Date of Posting: 20-10-2020
During crises and disasters, alcohol and other drug use often changes. But the changes are not straightforward and impacts may be different for different groups of people. There doesn’t seem to have been significant overall incr Read More...
We could be doing more to prevent vision loss for people with diabetes
Last Updated: 20-10-2020
Diabetes-related vision loss is the leading cause of blindness for working-aged Australians. Yet it’s almost entirely preventable. A recent Australian study found only half of people with diabetes get the recommended annual eye Read More...
