News Articles
Interactive tool helps physios with complex fine motor skills
Last Updated: 03-03-2020
A new device is helping student physios at the University of Melbourne to improve their complex fine motor skills, which are critical to assessing and treating patients suffering physical conditions, such as back pain and spinal cord injuries. Dev Read More...
Changes to mandatory notifications requirements in effect 1 March
Date of Posting: 03-03-2020
Amendments to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (National Law) requirements on mandatory notifications came into effect on 1 March 2020. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and National Boards believe that it Read More...
4 myths about polycystic ovary syndrome - and why they're wrong
Last Updated: 03-03-2020
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition. When using the definition supported by the international guidelines, it affects just under one in six young Australian women. To meet the diagnostic criteria of PCOS, women nee Read More...
Worried about your child getting coronavirus? Here's what you need to know
Last Updated: 03-03-2020
The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19, has infected nearly 90,000 people and caused more than 3,000 deaths so far. Parents are understandably concerned. But it’s important to keep in mind that comparatively Read More...
This is how we're preparing for a jump in coronavirus cases
Last Updated: 03-03-2020
While countries around the globe have been taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, it has now been reported in 37 countries outside China. As of February 26, close to 3,000 cases and Read More...
The deadly opioid fentanyl is turning up in disguise on Sydney streets
Last Updated: 03-03-2020
On February 21 NSW Health issued a warning about methamphetamine and cocaine being contaminated with the dangerous opioid fentanyl. Several people who had taken these illicit stimulant drugs presented to Sydney hospitals with symptoms of opi Read More...
New positive cases and death are testing Australia's readiness to tackle the coronavirus
Date of Posting: 03-03-2020
The first person-to-person transmissions in Australia, new positive cases and a man's death are testing the country's readiness to tackle the coronavirus. Biosecurity control orders could soon be imposed to direct Australians suspect Read More...
The state's health minister revealed the first coronavirus transmissions in Australia
Date of Posting: 03-03-2020
Two of the three new coronavirus cases in Sydney were likely acquired locally within NSW, the state's health minister has revealed. The sister of a man recently returned from Iran and a health worker have been confirmed as the first cases of p Read More...
Attorney-general has warned that Aussies can be detained under biosecurity laws
Date of Posting: 03-03-2020
Under new biosecurity powers, health authorities can detain and question coronavirus-positive Australians, the attorney-general has warned. Australians who test positive for coronavirus could be legally detained and questioned over their travel an Read More...
Due to coronavirus outbreak, hospital operating theaters extend over weekends and during Easter
Date of Posting: 02-03-2020
Operating theatres in Queensland hospitals will remain open over weekends and during the Easter holiday break to help battle a major coronavirus outbreak. Queensland's hospital operating theatres will remain open over weekends and during Easte Read More...
Doctors say they are losing the battle of the bulge with obese patients
Date of Posting: 02-03-2020
Queensland doctors say overweight patients are not prepared to change their lifestyle to lead a more healthier life despite the health implications. Queensland doctors say we are losing the fight against obesity with a five per cent increase acros Read More...
The NSW government rejects 5 ice inquiry recommendations
Date of Posting: 28-02-2020
The report from NSW's special commission of inquiry into the drug ice has been been made public a month after it was handed to the government. The NSW government won't support the recommendations of an independent inquiry into ice which ca Read More...
Upcoming flu season could exacerbate the spread of coronavirus
Date of Posting: 28-02-2020
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant have warned the upcoming flu season could exacerbate the spread of coronavirus. The upcoming flu season could exacerbate the spread and effect of coronavirus in NSW, state he Read More...
Asian look doctors feel effect of virus paranoia
Date of Posting: 28-02-2020
An Asian doctor at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital was told by family to stay away from a child she was treating amid fear of the coronavirus outbreak. A doctor of Asian appearance at a Victorian hospital was told by parents to stay Read More...
A little-known insurance product for Aussie travellers
Last Updated: 28-02-2020
Some travel insurers offer a little known optional extra that could save Aussie travellers forced to cancel their trips because of the coronavirus outbreak. Aussies intending to travel overseas have been told to hunt down a little-known insurance Read More...
Clinical studies link chance of disease to gender
Date of Posting: 28-02-2020
The likelihood of men developing obesity and related metabolic diseases and women to suffer from autoimmune diseases has been linked to their immune systems. Differences in male and female immune systems may have a direct link to men's propens Read More...
Rare disease new action plan is being funded by federal government
Date of Posting: 26-02-2020
Improving early detection and treatment of rare diseases is the focus of a new plan being funded by the federal government. When Kane Blackman's son started experiencing severe symptoms of an unknown condition, he was told his child was delaye Read More...
I'm taking glucosamine for my arthritis. So what's behind the new advice to stop?
Last Updated: 26-02-2020
The Australian Rheumatology Association this week warned people not to take the supplement glucosamine for their osteoarthritis due to possible allergic side-effects. What’s the evidence behind this latest advice? And do you rea Read More...
How aged care is failing LGBTIplus people
Last Updated: 26-02-2020
Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) people fear discrimination, exclusion and isolation in Australia’s aged care services, we found in our research. With an ageing cohort of LGBTI+ people needing to access, Read More...
I think my child has outgrown their food allergy. How can I be sure?
Last Updated: 26-02-2020
Some children grow out of their food allergies, but researchers don’t exactly know why. Here’s how to work with your allergy specialist if you suspect your child isn’t allergic any more. Who’s more likely to gr Read More...
Social norms stop Ethiopian girls from making safe choices about pregnancy
Date of Posting: 26-02-2020
Despite progress in reducing the rate of adolescent pregnancy, more than 16 million adolescent girls globally become parents each year. According to the World Health Organisation, 90% of these young mothers live in the global South. Girls in Read More...
The FODMAP diet is everywhere, but researchers warn it's not for weight loss
Date of Posting: 26-02-2020
The FODMAP diet is used to help manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but it’s becoming more popular. Now bloggers and so-called health gurus have jumped on board, claiming it can treat everything from acne to weight loss. While it wo Read More...
Categorising people into low, moderate or high risk should be 'abandoned'
Date of Posting: 26-02-2020
NEARLY EVERYONE IS AT LIFETIME RISK OF STROKE, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND OTHER MAJOR NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES. Professor of Epidemiology and Neurology at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Valery Feigin, says clinicians often seek threshold Read More...
Alcohol too easy for minors to buy online
Date of Posting: 25-02-2020
Tougher laws for online alcohol sales are needed to prevent under-18s and people with an alcohol dependency from buying liquor at the touch of a button, UNSW public health researchers say. Buying liquor online is just too easy, new UNSW Sydney res Read More...
Australia's chief medical officer has warned that coronavirus vaccine is a long way off
Date of Posting: 24-02-2020
A group of Australians evacuated from China are being released from a Darwin camp, as the number of coronavirus cases among cruise ship evacuees rises. Australia's chief medical officer has warned there is no realistic prospect of a vaccine to Read More...
Report says overdose fears for users of GBH party drug
Date of Posting: 21-02-2020
The increasing popularity of illicit drug GBH has prompted a report into related overdose deaths with clinicians concerned users underestimate its potency. A knowledge of drug overdose symptoms and basic first aid could have saved dozens of Austra Read More...
BFHI: Separating fact from fiction
Date of Posting: 21-02-2020
An increasing number of maternity facilities and community health services are making an important commitment to mothers, their babies and families by becoming Baby Friendly accredited. Despite the increase in Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI Read More...
Australia extends China ban as evacuees arrive in NT
Date of Posting: 21-02-2020
Australian evacuees from a virus infected cruise ship in Japan have arrived in Darwin for isolation as the government extends the travel ban. Australia has extended its ban on foreign travellers from China for another week as the number of infecti Read More...
New research shows unequal on Victoria's lung cancer treatment
Date of Posting: 20-02-2020
Research presented at the Australian Lung Cancer Conference shows the times to access treatment vary greatly between private and public health care. A Victorian diagnosed with lung cancer has almost double chances to be on treatment within 14 days Read More...
All Cambodia liner passengers tested negative for coronavirus
Date of Posting: 20-02-2020
A Cambodian health ministry official says 781 passengers off the cruise liner Westerdam have been tested for coronavirus and all tested negative. Cambodian health officials have conducted tests for the coronavirus on 781 people, including many Aus Read More...
A mother was told to abort baby with disability
Date of Posting: 20-02-2020
Toni Mitchell has told the disability royal commission she was advised to have an abortion when an ultrasound indicated her son Joshy would have Down syndrome. The mother of a child with Down syndrome has told the disability royal commission she w Read More...
Reporting the facts on Indigenous STIs
Date of Posting: 19-02-2020
Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are being discouraged from seeking medical help due to public assumptions that sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are the result of sexual abuse. The University of Queensland’s P Read More...
Men also have a 'biological clock' that affects IVF success
Last Updated: 19-02-2020
New research by Australian fertility experts has shown that IVF success rates drop as men age, debunking the myth that only women experience declining fertility as they get older. The new study by researchers from Monash University and Monash IVF[ Read More...
Australians on virus-hit ship prepare to leave
Date of Posting: 19-02-2020
After more than two weeks stuck on a coronavirus-hit ship in Japan, about 200 Australians are set to be evacuated to Darwin for another 14 days of isolation. A horror holiday is close to being over for the hundreds of Australians stuck on a corona Read More...
Australians who were quarantined on Christmas Island return home
Date of Posting: 18-02-2020
Australians quarantined on Christmas Island while they waited to be cleared of the symptoms of coronavirus have started to return home. Australians who were quarantined on Christmas Island over the coronavirus crisis have expressed relief, gratitu Read More...
RACGP calls for national plan to deal with pandemics
Date of Posting: 18-02-2020
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging the government to develop a national plan to deal with potential pandemics after the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak revealed failures in the public health response. RACGP Pre Read More...
Is Australia's health system failing kids with autism?
Date of Posting: 18-02-2020
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are calling for changes to mainstream health services as new research from the University of South Australia shows significant gaps in health practitioners’ knowledge, understanding and tr Read More...
Thanks to you, we're ending HIV: ACON launches new HIV prevention campaign
Last Updated: 18-02-2020
A new HIV awareness campaign is highlighting the ongoing efforts of gay and bisexual men in the HIV prevention movement and issues a call to maintain momentum towards the virtual elimination of HIV transmissions in NSW. Produced by ACON, NSW&rsquo Read More...
Test measures immune response to improve ovarian cancer diagnosis
Date of Posting: 18-02-2020
Researchers have developed a simple blood test that measures the body’s own immune response to improve diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecologic cancers, with the highest mortality rate. About 300,000 Read More...
New gene mutation associated with Fabry cardiomyopathy
Date of Posting: 18-02-2020
The A143T variant of the GLA gene is associated with an increased risk of Fabry cardiomyopathy, according to a new study. The variant plays a role in lipid metabolism. According to the researchers, patients carrying the mutation and manifesting ch Read More...
