Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the rise
Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are surging in the community Doctors are urging people to get immunised against the flu, especially the vulnerable and pregnant mothers, amid growing concerns that vaccination rates have plummeted, and with the start of...
What the recent Budget means for general practice
There are currently many challenges running a general practice - rising costs, reduced income, staff shortages, managing COVID, the list goes on. The Health Budget has been welcomed for its increased bulk billing incentives but there’s been far less discussion about...
Does the Mediterranean diet reduce the risk of heart disease in women?
There’s been a lot of evidence showing positive health outcomes for those who follow the Mediterranean dietary pattern, which is typically rich in vegetables, wholegrains, legumes and olive oil, low in processed foods and red meat and has a cuisine which cooks at...
How to help teens quit vaping
The Minister for Health, Mark Butler recently announced severe restrictions on access, formulation and packaging of vaping products which limit their use to assist smoking cessation with a doctor’s prescription. But that still leaves an unknown number of young...
Updated eligibility for oral COVID-19 treatments
An additional 160,000 Australians are now able to access subsidised COVID-19 antiviral treatments after the federal government expanded eligibility criteria under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). There are two oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines approved for...
50% of people with suicidal thoughts don’t tell anyone
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics more than eight Australians die every day by suicide and 75% of those who take their own life are male. That’s more than double the road toll. When someone says they are thinking about suicide, it's a key...
What’s in the recently released Australian Long COVID inquiry report?
A parliamentary inquiry into Long COVID and repeat COVID infections has recently handed down its final report. The recommendations included: Establishing a better COVID and Long COVID data collection system Reviewing antiviral eligibility Providing more support and...
Could music be the key to unlocking memories?
What was your favourite song growing up? What was the tune you danced to on your wedding day? Does a familiar melody bring you back to when you first heard it played? A recent study has found that when prompted, people from different age groups recall more personal...
Decluttering key to reducing falls in the elderly
Each year slips, trips and falls cause thousands of preventable injuries. Falls are a major cause of injury for older people. A new Cochrane review found that decluttering and reducing hazards around the home can significantly reduce the risk of falls for older people...
Smoking rose during the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a stressful time, with many people stuck at home for extended periods. We know this led to an increase in some unhealthy behaviours, like increased alcohol use and online gambling – and now new findings suggest smoking and nicotine use...
Tips for preparing your practice for flu season
With flu season fast approaching, it’s essential that General Practices are prepared for the upcoming flu season. General practice plays a critical role in ensuring that patients, especially vulnerable patients and practice staff are vaccinated against influenza. The...
Poor sleep linked to heart health issues
A good night’s sleep empowers the body to recover and lets a person wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day. Unfortunately, many people have sleep problems and don’t get the rest they need. Poor sleep can seriously affect a person’s quality of life and increase...
