Does high-intensity exercise boost memory function?
It’s the in-vogue form of exercising, and now another study suggests it has benefits over and above the everyday activities of jogging, swimming or cycling. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is characterised by periods of intense physical exercise, interposed...
Australians not good at identifying their own melanomas
Australians have some of the highest rates of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun. This results in a high incidence of skin cancer, including melanoma. Over the past four decades in particular, skin cancer rates have increased significantly, with two...
Do multivitamins make you live longer?
Multivitamins are commonly used in the belief that they prevent disease and maintain health. In fact, approximately 45% of Australians take vitamins, minerals or supplements and it’s estimated to be a $5 billion dollar industry. But in a new study, their use didn’t...
Does walking reduce low back pain?
Low back pain is pervasive globally, affecting millions. And though it is usually self-limited, recurring symptoms are common, adding significantly to both personal disability and economic costs. Despite exercise being recommended for prevention, the effectiveness of...
Dementia risk reduction and prevention: Tips from a leading expert
Dementia is the leading cause of death for women (second overall for the population) according to Dementia Australia. There is a lack of knowledge and understanding in the community about dementia, and it can often be a stigmatised or neglected group. Even the 1.6...
Fewer Australians are getting their annual influenza vaccine
It's peak flu season but about 540,000 fewer Australians have had a flu shot compared to this time last year at the time of writing. A National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) survey was conducted to find out why people were choosing not to...
Are precision medicine treatments more effective for children with cancer
According to the Cancer Council about 750 children aged 0-14 are diagnosed with cancer each year in Australia. Recent advancements in paediatric cancer research have highlighted the potential of precision-guided treatment (PGT) in managing high-risk cases. This study...
Risky behaviour for teens proves hard to change
Our teenage years are often seen as a risky period for developing lifestyle behaviours that are factors for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders. The Health4Life intervention, designed collaboratively by experts...
Vaccine misperceptions spread among parents
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted routine vaccination services worldwide, leading to a notable decline in childhood vaccination rates. This has been particularly acute in low and middle-income countries, but wealthy countries like Australia aren’t...
Webinar recording: Managing behaviours and psychological symptoms in people living with dementia.
Before being diagnosed with young onset Dementia, Lisa Campbell a mother of 3 children from Victoria, was working in a senior corporate role. According to her husband Luke, Lisa was a great mum, very intelligent, outgoing, energetic and a happy person. However,...
How do health care homes measure up?
In response to the high prevalence of chronic diseases among older adults in Australia, the Health Care Homes (HCH) initiative was implemented as a primary care trial from October 2017 to June 2021. The HCH model aimed to improve the management of patients with...
How does a GP’s lifestyle advice change behaviour?
Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor diet are well-known contributors to chronic medical conditions. Although many health guidelines stress the importance of clinicians encouraging lifestyle modifications, how effective such advice from...
