News Articles
Media reporting on mental illness, violence and crime needs to change
Last Updated: 25-08-2020
The media is a key source of information about mental illness for the public, and research shows media coverage can influence public attitudes and perceptions of mental ill-health. But when it comes to complex mental illnesses such as psychos Read More...
Survey tracks impact of COVID-19 and bushfires on new mums and babies
Date of Posting: 25-08-2020
A new survey developed by The Australian National University (ANU) will examine the effects of this year’s bushfires and COVID-19 on pregnant women and their babies. The four-part survey is part of a larger study in partnership with the Univ Read More...
Immediate coordinated action needed to save lives of people living with dementia
Date of Posting: 25-08-2020
Dementia Australia today called for immediate action to prevent neglect or worse - premature death – and ensure appropriate support and care of people living with dementia in residential aged care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dementia Read More...
Discovery promising for millions at risk from antibiotic resistance
Date of Posting: 25-08-2020
There is new hope for approximately 700,000 people who die each year from antibiotic resistant infections, with University of Queensland researchers discovering how bacteria share antibiotic-resistance genes. UQ’s Professor Mark Schembri sai Read More...
Veterans and their families seeking help during COVID-19
Date of Posting: 25-08-2020
Veterans and their families who are struggling during the coronavirus pandemic have been increasingly accessing support through Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling in a positive step forward in breaking down the stigma surrounding m Read More...
Lost for words? Don't worry, speech therapy will help find them
Date of Posting: 25-08-2020
All of us have word lapses but a conversation usually happens without a second’s thought – literally. However, for millions of people affected by stroke, dementia, autism, Down’s syndrome, motor neurone disease, cerebral palsy, bra Read More...
Victoria's Phillip Island penguins are to become international live video stars
Date of Posting: 25-08-2020
The Phillip Island penguins, a major Victorian tourism drawcard, are to have their own nightly live video feed as they waddle onto shore. As the state's tourism industry continues to suffer from coronavirus restrictions, the nightly penguin pa Read More...
Self-care during International Year of the Nurse and Midwife
Last Updated: 24-08-2020
2020 has changed life for many people. COVID-19 has challenged us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Nurses and midwives have stepped up to battle this health emergency. Now more than ever it is vital to look after YOU.[subscribe] Nurses Read More...
Key gene identified in endometrial cancer could be targeted in future drug trial
Date of Posting: 24-08-2020
A new study has identified a key gene in aggressive endometrial cancer, which could lead to a targeted therapeutic strategy to improve survival rates. UNSW Sydney medical researchers have identified the gene known as ROR1 as a future target for th Read More...
Digital contact tracing alone may not be miracle answer for COVID-19
Date of Posting: 24-08-2020
In infectious disease outbreaks, digital contact tracing alone could reduce the number of cases, but not as much as manual contract tracing, new University of Otago-led research published in the Cochrane Library reveals. Senior Research Fellow in Read More...
Cloth masks do protect the wearer - breathing in less coronavirus means you get less sick
Last Updated: 24-08-2020
Masks slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 by reducing how much infected people spray the virus into the environment around them when they cough or talk. Evidence from laboratory experiments, hospitals and whole countries show that masks work, and the Ce Read More...
Simple, inexpensive tools can help reduce risk in Victorian hospitals
Date of Posting: 24-08-2020
A series of novel behaviour change trials run in Victorian hospitals over the past three years has revealed insights on the role that human behaviour plays in avoidable medical errors and how some simple, low-cost interventions could help to reduce t Read More...
COVID-19 vaccine used in Papua New Guinea has been banned
Date of Posting: 21-08-2020
A report that Chinese miners in Papua New Guinea had been vaccinated against COVID-19 has prompted a ban on the use of all unproven vaccines in the country. The Papua New Guinea government has banned the use of unapproved coronavirus vaccines afte Read More...
The Victorian government will fund disability pay scheme to slow virus
Last Updated: 21-08-2020
Victorian disability care staff will be reimbursed for not doing multi-site work, with the state and federal governments funding the $15 million scheme. The Victorian and federal governments will put $15 million into the disability sector to compe Read More...
South Australia will introduce pandemic leave payments
Last Updated: 20-08-2020
The South Australian government will introduce pandemic leave payments for locals workers who lose pay when forced into COVID-19 quarantine. South Australia will unveil a scheme within days to provide a pandemic leave payment for people who lose t Read More...
Blood donors urgently needed nationwide
Last Updated: 18-08-2020
More than 10,000 blood donors are urgently needed to prevent a nation-wide shortage of plasma and blood. A nationwide shortage of blood and plasma stocks could be only weeks away if more than 10,000 additional donors do not sign up to give blood.[ Read More...
Victorian government has funding for family violence services
Last Updated: 17-08-2020
The Victorian government has announced an extra $20 million for family violence services to help keep survivors safe in their own homes. Victoria is pouring an extra $20 million into domestic violence services to help keep survivors safe in their Read More...
Researchers in Australia are testing a treatment for COVID-19
Last Updated: 17-08-2020
Australian researchers are testing a treatment for COVID-19, hoping it will prevent lung infection and stop infected patients from passing on the live virus. Australian researchers are testing a treatment for coronavirus they hope will provide rel Read More...
Rural GPs psychological skills training helps patients impacted by bushfires & COVID-19
Date of Posting: 17-08-2020
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is boosting the skills of GPs in rural and remote Australia so they can better help patients with mental health concerns. The RACGP’s accessible online training upskills GPs so th Read More...
Malaria discovery could expedite antiviral treatment for COVID-19
Date of Posting: 17-08-2020
New research into malaria suggests targeting enzymes from the human host, rather than from the pathogen itself, could offer effective treatment for a range of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The study, conducted by an international team a Read More...
COVID-19 testing sites will be opened in Victoria
Date of Posting: 14-08-2020
Fresh off recording its lowest daily COVID-19 case total in three weeks, Victoria will ramp up testing in the regional cities of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. Three new COVID-19 testing sites will be opened in Victoria's major regional centre Read More...
Vic emergency departments during COVID-19: overall presentations down but assault & DIY injuries up
Date of Posting: 12-08-2020
COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria have had a marked effect on how and where we spend our time. For many people, home has become the workplace, and for most school-aged children, home is also the classroom. We compared Victorian emergency dep Read More...
Australian researchers hope alpacas could help fight the coronavirus
Last Updated: 12-08-2020
Australian medical researchers hope the unique immune response of alpacas can be harnessed into a prevention and treatment for COVID-19. Australian medical researchers have found an unlikely hero in a pair of alpacas they hope will help them devel Read More...
New Zealand has COVID-19 cases again
Last Updated: 12-08-2020
Four New Zealanders in one Auckland family have tested positive for COVID-19, ending the country's 102-day run without community transmission. New Zealand's golden COVID-19 run is over, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern placing Auckland i Read More...
Australian's aged care residents trapped in a 'catch 22' due to COVID-19 restrictions
Date of Posting: 11-08-2020
While the Australian Physiotherapist Association has welcomed new research that proves Australians want a better funded aged care system, the group has called for additional funds to be allocated towards allied health, particularly in light of the de Read More...
New research will examine long-term virus recovery
Date of Posting: 11-08-2020
A new study by Australian researchers will examine how the country's most seriously-ill COVID-19 cases recover from the virus over six months. New research led by an ICU specialist working at the epicentre of the Victorian outbreak will examin Read More...
NSW aged care providers call to hospitalise residents with virus
Last Updated: 11-08-2020
Coronavirus-infected aged care residents must be automatically hospitalised to avoid the numbers of elderly dying like in Victoria, NSW aged care providers say. The NSW government must promise to automatically hospitalise coronavirus-infected aged Read More...
Victoria health workers need more PPE
Last Updated: 11-08-2020
Health workers have told a survey they have limited access to protective gear they need to safely fight coronavirus, but authorities say it's being distributed. Victoria might need to improve getting protective equipment to health workers, but Read More...
Young girls exposed to negative peers at risk of adult mental health issues
Date of Posting: 10-08-2020
School-aged girls who socialise with negative peers are more likely to not only experience depression during their youth, but are at an increased risk of mental health problems as adults, a world-first study by international economists has found. Read More...
Treating people with chronic wounds
Date of Posting: 10-08-2020
The nation’s peak body for wound prevention and management, Wounds Australia, is hoping to leverage the public’s high trust ranking of healthcare specialists to educate people on the risks and treatment of chronic wounds. The organisat Read More...
New free online platform to help young people on the autism spectrum prepare for their working life
Last Updated: 10-08-2020
myWAY Employability, Autism CRC's new smart web platform for young people on the autism spectrum, was launched today by Jackie Coates, Head of Telstra Foundation. According to ABS 2018 data, more than one third of people on the autism sp Read More...
Combination asthma medication is over-prescribed to Australian children
Date of Posting: 10-08-2020
Children aged 5 or under shouldn’t be prescribed combination asthma controllers at all, according to the national asthma guidelines – but reality looks different, a UNSW study has shown. Australian children – preschoolers in part Read More...
COVID-19 research call for domestic violence workers
Date of Posting: 10-08-2020
UNSW researchers seek workers helping people impacted by domestic and family violence for a study into how services are meeting community need during the coronavirus pandemic. New UNSW Sydney research will interview workers in the domestic and fam Read More...
RACGP survey finds GPs keen on telehealth
Date of Posting: 10-08-2020
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has released the results of a survey showing that GPs and patients are embracing telehealth consultations. The survey found that many GPs are willing to adopt or continue using teleheal Read More...
Australians urged to join global study of COVID-19 mental and physical health impacts
Date of Posting: 10-08-2020
Australians are invited to participate in the world’s largest survey of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health, to generate new insights that can drive better health policies and investments. With more than 80,000 Read More...
Victorian government is investing in mental health at home
Last Updated: 10-08-2020
The Victorian government is investing a further $60 million towards acute mental health support to keep people out of the state's busy emergency departments. The Victorian government is investing $60 million to keep people suffering acute ment Read More...
Limited childcare in Melbourne due to lockdown
Last Updated: 06-08-2020
Access to childcare will be limited in Melbourne as part of the stage-four lockdown, with arrangements being confirmed on Wednesday night. Only children of permitted workers in Melbourne or the vulnerable can access childcare, with the state gover Read More...
Australians are warned over fake COVID-19 medications
Last Updated: 06-08-2020
Australians have been urged not to take medicines being touted as a cure or preventative for COVID-19 with a doctor warning they can be "downright dangerous". Australians have been reminded there's no treatment or cure for COVID-19 a Read More...
Remote interpreting services are essential for people with limited English
Last Updated: 05-08-2020
According to 2016 Census data, 3.5% of Australians have limited English proficiency. When they’re receiving health care, it’s essential these Australians have access to interpreters. Research has shown professional interpr Read More...
5 ways to get mental health help without having to talk on the phone
Date of Posting: 05-08-2020
Access to mental health support has never been more important, as Melburnians are hit with a stage 4 lockdown and much of the rest of Australia braces for a potential second wave of COVID-19. This year, many mental health professional Read More...
