Frontline health workers and everyday people in NSW who act F.A.S.T. are being celebrated this National Stroke Week.
National Stroke Week
80 percent the magic number?
A new report from the Grattan Institute says Australia can end lockdowns and start to reopen its border once 80 percent of the population is vaccinated – and we may be able to get there by the end of the year.
Digital health solutions for heart disease
There will be new clinical trials to address Australia’s deadliest disease, following an agreement between local digital health company Cardihab and medical research organisation the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.
The price of lost sleep
A report released by the Sleep Health Foundation estimates around one in ten Australians have a sleep disorder that can substantially affect their well-being, safety and productivity.
Needle free diabetes tests on the way
In a world-first, more than 460 million people living with diabetes are set to benefit from new saliva testing technology developed in Australia.
Healthcare workers put pressure on AGL
Healthcare workers have lashed out at Australia’s biggest climate polluter AGL Energy after it set out details of a demerger in a recent investor presentation.
Genetic research hope for SIDS
A state of the art genetic biobank could hold the key to preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), potentially saving the lives of hundreds of babies who die from the devastating condition each year.
Bone health matters
Osteoporosis is sometimes called the ‘silent disease’ because people usually don’t notice their bones becoming thinner and weaker until they break. As the disease progresses, even a slight bump or fall can cause a serious fracture.
Taking workplace lung disease seriously
Safe Work Australia has recently launched a major occupational lung disease awareness campaign.
Australians unaware of pancreatic cancer risk
Pancreatic cancer is Australia’s third deadliest cancer, killing over 3,300 Australians a year, yet a new survey shows only one in ten Australians are aware of this.
Empowering mums to manage mental wellbeing
Having a baby can be one of life’s most exciting and rewarding experiences, but for a new mother it can also be an emotional rollercoaster – sometimes you’re up, and other times you’re down.
New hope for dementia?
Dementia Australia has welcomed the announcement by the US Food and Drug Administration approving the first new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease for almost twenty years.
Migraine Awareness Month
Migraine Awareness Month happens in June each year, with over 35 countries conducting awareness activities and events. Although migraine is a very common condition, affecting almost five million Australians, there’s still a lot of misinformation and mystery about what it is, exactly.
Managing asthma
Asthma is a common condition which affects 2.7 million Australians, or 11 per cent of the population. Alarmingly, 389 people died from asthma in 2018 and 38,792 Australians were hospitalised in 2017-18.
Water safety strategy saving lives
Unintentional drowning deaths in Australia dropped by 28% in the twelve years to 2020, with the Australian Water Safety Strategy playing an important role in saving lives, according to a new study.
How to beat anxiety by thinking positive
Worried brains can reduce anxiety levels by learning to respond to everyday situations in a less threatening way, according to new research published by The University of Western Australia and the University of Virginia.
Health insurers hoarding cash?
Health insurance statistics released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) indicate private hospitals are continuing to recover from pandemic restrictions, while insurers are hoarding cash which hasn’t been needed for claims, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Pancreatic cancer breakthrough
Tackling the scar tissue that shields pancreatic tumours from effective drug access is a promising advance in a notoriously hard-to-treat cancer.
CSIRO tool to help combat junk food
Australia’s number one diet issue is in the sights of CSIRO, the national science agency. Their new Junk Food Analyser is here to help.
Young people missing out on mental health advice
Despite the high rates of mental trauma in adolescents, fewer than half of those who need help visit a doctor or mental health professional for treatment, according to a new study led by Monash University.
Sport not all good news for health
More than 1,100 Australians died while playing sport over the last two decades, an average of more than one each week, according to new research from Edith Cowan University.
Are screens in schools bad for children’s eye health?
Modern schooling could be shortening vision, warns Australian behavioural optometrist Gary Rodney.
Flu vaccines still important say RACGP
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is reminding Australians that it’s still important to get their influenza vaccine this year.
Parkinson’s Awareness Month
Every day, 38 Australians are told they have Parkinson’s, but until recently it’s taken years for many people to get an accurate diagnosis. Now UNSW researchers have created a detection method which takes only five hours.
Fundraisers move 745,000 km to fight cancer in the March Charge
Last month, people across NSW clocked up 745,300 kms of walking, running, and moving under their own steam, all to raise funds for people affected by cancer.
Don’t forget pet health in wild weather
With more stormy weather and possible flooding on the way in NSW, animal companions have their own special challenges and needs.
Lost for words: treating the aftermath of a stroke
A Southern Cross University lecturer is breaking new ground in dealing with the little known condition called aphasia, or the inability to communicate with speech.
Top ten child health concerns
Traditional health concerns for children have dropped to the bottom of the list for parents, with lifestyle factors including poor diet, lack of activity and screen time proving to be the biggest worries in 2021.
Last hurdle for Mind Medicine Australia?
Citing scientific and humanitarian grounds, Mind Medicine Australia is urging the Therapeutic Goods Administration to reverse its interim decision to block the legal availability of psilocybin and MDMA as controlled medicines.
Unknown danger of gestational diabetes
Women who develop gestational diabetes are ten times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in later life, but only a third of these women realise they’re at high risk.
Coeliac disease still going undiagnosed
Rising awareness of coeliac disease in the community is the result of a growing number of people being diagnosed with the disease, but pharmacists say many cases are still going undiagnosed in Australia.
Cardiac drug helps with breast cancer
A team of researchers from Monash University have discovered a cardiac drug can reduce breast cancer progression and mortality.
Sleep all-important for teens
As families settle back into a new school year, sleep experts are reminding parents about the importance of teenagers getting enough sleep, warning them that insufficient sleep can negatively affect the mental health of adolescents.
How’s your digital health?
Safer Internet Day is this week, with the Australian Digital Health Agency urging Australians to talk about online safety and manage their personal information trails, known as digital footprints.
Life and death risks of gambling
Research from the UK has revealed high levels of gambling is associated with a 37% increase in mortality.
Big step forward for 3D bone printing
Australian scientists have successfully used a 3D printer to create new bone-like material containing living cells.
Rural Australia disadvantaged with COVID vaccine?
With the first COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia today, the National Rural Health Alliance is urging Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt to ensure that vulnerable people in rural, regional and remote Australia are prioritised for vaccination.
Surviving heart attack
Heart Research Australia says people make two dangerous mistakes about heart attacks, and their new Heart Smart pocket guide can help.
Check your blood pressure for 2021
Stroke Foundation is urging Australians to make a healthy start to the year by getting a blood pressure check.
Caring for carers
There are now more than 2.5 million unpaid carers in Australia – many of whom don’t even realise they’re classified as carers.
More to myopia than blurred vision
The nearsightedness epidemic affecting the vision of millions of people worldwide is continuing to grow, and change lives.
Health risks of contaminated floodwater
After the recent storm events, the North Coast Public Health Unit is urging residents and visitors to keep away from floodwater to avoid illness or infection.
The dark side of fun in the sun
According to new research from Southern Cross University, surfers, swimmers and stand-up paddle boarders get melanoma at six times the rate of the general population.
When hoarding becomes a health problem
Hoarding is a recognised mental health condition and should be treated as such – without stigma – according to UNSW clinical psychologist Professor Jessica Grisham.
Thunderstorm asthma season warning
Thunderstorm season is hitting hard and fast across Australia and warnings are out for the high risk of asthma attacks.
Focus on health for International Men’s Day in 2020
Launched in 1999, and now celebrated in more than 80 countries worldwide, thousands of men are alive today because of International Men’s Day, according to organisers.
How oral health affects your overall health
When you consider the importance of your oral health, you might think this is mainly about avoiding conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease. But taking good care of your teeth and gums can also help to improve your overall health and wellbeing.
Dr Jon Veranese, Conscious Dental Solutions
- A truly holistic approach to the health of the mouth, teeth and gums reflected in the balance of body, mind and spirit.
- Whole health dental kinesiology integrating left and right brain consciousness with whole health and wellbeing.
- Dr Jon Dental Oral Health Products.
Coastal Cosmetic Doctors
- Holistic, friendly, and professional care by compassionate and empathic qualified medical doctors with deep knowledge of facial anatomy and function offering a range of anti-ageing and rejuvenation procedures.
- Medically trained in the management of chronic dermatological, musculoskeletal, hair loss and reproductive health conditions.
Dr Chandra Patel, FRACS, Plastic Surgeon
Dr Patel has over 35 years’ experience as a highly respected plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the Australian Hand Surgery Society and the Harold Kleinert Society for Hand Surgery, and is a regular participant in cosmetic and plastic surgery conferences in Australia and throughout the world.
Dr Alex Phoon, Plastic, Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgeon
- Dr Alex Phoon is a qualified plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon and a founding director of Sydney’s Park Clinic Plastic Surgery, a specialist surgical practice located in East Sydney.
- Covering the entire spectrum of procedures, from breast surgery (both cosmetic and reconstructive), abdominoplasty and muscle repair, to post weight loss surgery, and many more.
Brunswick Heads Pharmacy
‘Brunswick Heads Pharmacy’s mission is to to improve the quality of life of the community through expert health advice, support, and the curation of quality brands and products, in a highly individual manner.’
Ananda Clinics
Ananda Clinics is a medical practice in Byron Bay specialising in endocannabinoid medicine and integrative health.
Their approach takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle, and they emphasise the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient. They believe in facilitating the body’s innate healing response and using natural, minimally invasive treatments.
Mercato Medical Centre, Byron Bay
Providing the highest standard of patient care. Incorporating a holistic approach towards the promotion of good health, accurate diagnosis, effective management and prevention of disease. The team at Mercato don’t discriminate in the provision of excellent care and aim to treat all patients with due care and respect.
North Coast Dermatology, Byron Bay
A new specialist dermatology practice has set up in the Northern Rivers. Three dermatologists have created North Coast Dermatology, and are looking forward to providing access to expert care of all things skin, nails and hair, for patients across northern NSW.
Brunswick Heads Osteopathy
Relief from pain and recovery from injury. Brunswick Heads Osteopathy provides the benchmark for professionalism and excellence in osteopathic medicine and musculoskeletal care in the region, as well as offering a wide range of remedial massage services.
Graeme James, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Supervisor
Graeme James supports people to make sense of their lives, worries, and relationships in an impartial, caring, non-judgemental way. As an integrative therapist, Graeme tailors his approach to your specific needs. Sessions aim to help: increase your awareness; recognise and address reoccurring patterns, problems and feelings, and; learn and grow so that you manage better rather than react to life’s inevitable difficulties.
Move to Nurture Pilates Studio, Lennox Head
- Learn new movement habits to reduce pain and get back to enjoying everyday.
- Change movement patterns that limit your vitality, find freedom in your own body.
‘Pilates with Brigid was a game changer for me. It was like someone lifted a brick off my back, and I still have that feeling!’ – Kate Curtin, Ballina
The Wellness Pod Chiropractic, Mullumbimby
- A corrective chiropractic practice that offers holistic programs to help align your body and nervous system.
- Specialising in facilitating physical changes in postural and spinal alignment. The focus is on correcting the root cause rather than chasing pain.
- Using X-ray, specialised tools and examination techniques to work out and help solve your problem.
Brunswick Holistic Dental Centre
- By adopting an holistic philosophy, Brunswick Holistic Dental Centre aims to always make a positive impact on your overall health.
- Using technology and bio-compatible materials they deliver thoughtful, considered, exceptional care.
- Through observation, education and preventive regimes, patients achieve their dental goals faster.
Casuarina Dental Family and Holistic Care
Casuarina Dental offers holistic treatments, understanding that the mouth is the gateway through which every organ is nourished and sustained, and that problems with your teeth and gums, as well as bacteria, toxins and chemicals present in the mouth, have the potential to affect other parts of the body, and vice versa.
National Dental Care, Byron Bay
National Dental Care is an Australia-wide network with 63 dental practices. They have one goal: to set the benchmark in providing the best available oral health services in the country.
North Coast Cancer Institute marks a decade of care
Lismore’s North Coast Cancer Institute is marking ten years of operation in 2020, providing residents of Northern NSW with state-of-the-art cancer care.
Important to take medicines properly
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia say that taking medicines properly is essential if you want to get the most out of them.
Blue Knot Day
Blue Knot Foundation, the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma, is a non-profit organisation focused on helping the estimated one in four Australian adults who are survivors of childhood trauma.
STELLAR Awards launched to recognise outstanding health workers
The Northern NSW Local Health District has launched a new award program to recognise dedicated nursing and midwifery staff across the health service.
Teachers, food and children’s health
A recent study by researchers at the University of Sydney and Macquarie University has shown the essential role teachers play in educating children about nutrition and healthy eating. Yet a narrow view of education undermines their ability to help.
Have we forgotten to protect our eyes?
The Australian Society of Opthalmologists argues that 2020 has been the year when we’ve lost sight of the importance of everybody’s eyes, and they want to do something about it.
Preventing COVID-19
Dr John Langford-Smith thinks it’s unfortunate that simple measures for preventing and limiting COVID-19 are not better publicised, as the downside is insignificant compared with potential benefit.
Dementia: a little support makes a lot of difference
Dementia affects close to half a million Australians and that number is set to double in the next 25 years, according to Dementia Australia.
Doctors call for more RNs in aged care
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia has urged the federal government to require all aged care facilities to have a registered nurse on every shift.
Autism and social interaction
The latest research suggests people with autism may not have as much difficulty imagining the thoughts of others as previously believed.
Telehealth here to stay, but more room for improvement
National Rural Health Alliance CEO Dr Gabrielle O’Kane discusses telehealth and its challenges going forward.
Bionic people?
Things have come a long way since The Six Million Dollar Man.
People with autoimmune diseases – don’t stop the meds
People with autoimmune diseases often take medicines that suppress their immune system, but there are reports some people have stopped taking their medication due to COVID fears.
#GettingThroughThisTogether
The National Mental Health Commission has announced #GettingThroughThisTogether, a national conversation to support the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as COVID-19 rolls on.
Ovarian Cancer National Action Plan
Ovarian Cancer Australia has launched its National Action Plan for Ovarian Cancer Research for 2020-2025.
SCU investigates new treatments for complex pain in war veterans
Southern Cross University’s National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine is conducting the first comprehensive examination of integrative healthcare in military populations in Australia.
Australian oral health going backwards?
Dental Health Week kicks off today with some alarming statistics about what’s happening with the teeth of Australians.
Formula 1 attitude to dementia research
Dementia directly affects 50 million people around the world, and many more family members and loved ones. When British racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart’s wife Helen was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2014, Sir Jackie created Race Against Dementia (RAD).
Finding new normal after stroke
Contrary to common belief, stroke isn’t just something that affects the elderly. Byron Bay’s David Roland is determined to make life after stroke easier for fellow stroke survivors of working age.
Vaping – not good, but better
Vaping is increasingly popular among the younger generations but is also being used by adult smokers as an ‘off-ramp’ away from smoking. With national drug survey results freshly out from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Australia’s smoking targets are far from being met.
Diabetes for Smarties
Diabetes for Smarties is a new book being launched by Driving Diabetes to help people with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes make informed health decisions, reduce the risk of preventable complications, and manage the condition.
Pedalling back to health
Cycling has spectacular health benefits. It can protect you from stroke, heart disease, depression, diabetes and obesity. Unlike some forms of exercise, it’s also fun and useful, as it can get you and your stuff from A to B.
New treatment plan may increase cardiac survival and reduce stroke risk
Treatment effectiveness, health care costs and quality of life outcomes for the two to four per cent of Australians with the heart condition Atrial Fibrillation (AF), could be markedly improved under a new research project now underway in western Sydney.
Brain complications with COVID-19
Latest research out of the UK suggests that COVID-19 can have some alarming effects on the human brain, in addition to its better known symptoms.
The true extent of bushfire smoke on our health
Still a hazy topic, the effect of bushfire smoke on our health hasn’t been totally uncovered. Although, most of us would instinctively avoid inhaling bushfire smoke, getting to know the long-term and ongoing effects of it will aid firefighters and bushfire-prone communities alike.
Thick skin no defence from skin cancer
As Men’s Health Week draws to a close, it’s not too late for a reminder that men over the age of 40 are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed and 2.5 times more likely to die of melanoma than women of a similar age.
Negative thinking and Alzheimer’s risk
New research out of the UK suggests that persistently engaging in negative thinking patterns may raise the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Giant leap for wound healing
A revolutionary wound-healing technology developed by Australian scientists, led by Southern Cross University’s Dr Rosemary Craig, is attracting attention in an international competition run by NASA.
The fight against oral cancer
Last Sunday, the 31st May was World No Tobacco Day. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) is using the growing awareness of this day to set the record straight about the risks of oral cancer.
Open letter – put your health first
23 health organisations have collectively put pen to paper and written an open letter to the people of Australia, urging preventative action to prevent a second wave of health problems after successfully flattening the COVID-19 curve.
How co-parenting alters brain functions
A study led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) researchers has revealed how the physical presence of spouses who are co-parenting can alter each other’s brain activity.
Rheumatoid arthritis website launched
Rheumatoid arthritis is a big problem in Australia, affecting about 458,000 people. It’s an auto-immune disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints, and can strike at any age. Early diagnosis and treatment is vital. Now Arthritis Australia has designed a new, free website to help people living with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rise of the superbugs
As the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs threatens public health around the world, a new CSIRO study has revealed frighteningly low levels of community knowledge in the Australian public about antibiotics.
Flu season and COVID-19
The Government has a 3-step plan in place to ease restrictions over the coming months but have they taken into account the unknown affect COVID-19 will have during our flu season?
You got this mate
A new website has just launched to help rural men reach their best possible mental health. ‘You Got This Mate’ provides tips, information and personal stories from rural men about their struggles with mental health and what they do to keep well.
Tune in to music therapy
Music is weird stuff – invisible vibrations in the air that can make us laugh, cry, or dance. In the right hands, music can also heal. Music therapy combines evidence-based techniques to achieve clinical goals, improve lives and increase social and community participation.
Overcoming dental apprehension
For some, a trip to the dentist is like a fork in the eye – it won’t kill you but you’d rather not. Although, the fact of the matter is your oral health is a gateway to all other facets of your health.
A.I. health
Artificial intelligence isn’t just about machines beating humans at games like chess and go, and destroying the world in dystopian Terminator-style nightmares. AI is also making great strides in health care.