High blood pressure is still our leading risk factor for premature death
Like the rest of the world, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for one in four deaths in 2019. According to the Heart Foundation around 120 people in Australia die from CVD each day, or one person every 12 minutes....
Understanding diagnostic delays in autism and ADHD
ADHD and autism spectrum disorder are neurodevelopmental disorders affecting millions of children worldwide. It is estimated that 1 in 100 people in Australia are on the autism spectrum and around 1 in 30 adults has ADHD. Both are commonly diagnosed in childhood, with...
Extreme heat linked to preterm birth
Preterm birth is a major global health issue that can lead to infant mortality and long-term health complications. In Australia more than 26,000 Australian babies are born preterm each year and 15 million babies globally. Defined as a birth occurring before 37 weeks,...
Is your practice ready for flu season?
It’s important that General Practices are prepared for flu season. This includes developing strategies for managing vaccine distribution, appointment scheduling and billing procedures efficiently. Leading Practice Intelligence Platform provider Cubiko outlines the...
Why everyone isn’t getting the new RSV vaccine
In recent years respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases have exploded in Australia. At the time of writing, there have been 24,211 notifications of laboratory confirmed RSV reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System this year. A new vaccine...
Don’t believe the headlines, Long-COVID is real
Queensland Health research about COVID has been in the news lately. Due to be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona in late April, the research found that a year after infection there was no evidence of worst...
Preparing your clinic 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 are vaccinated against influenza and are well equipped to avoid getting sick this flu...
Shingles Awareness Week
We recently marked Shingles Awareness Week which was established to raise awareness around misconceptions about the risks of developing shingles. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, about 1 in 3 people in the Australia will develop shingles in...
Heat-related occupational injuries to Australian workers
The relationship between high ambient temperatures and workplace health and safety is increasingly relevant as global warming increases average temperatures across the world. Previous studies have shown that heat stress can cause a range of occupational injuries, with...
Delaying cord clamping to help preterm babies thrive
Over 13 million infants are born prematurely worldwide each year, posing significant risks to their survival and long-term health. One area of major interest in neonatal care is the timing of umbilical cord clamping. While delayed clamping (waiting at least 60 seconds...
Opioids and cannabis use
Opioid and cannabis use disorders are a major concern worldwide, constituting almost 80 per cent of all illicit drug use disorders. Their co-occurrence is of particular concern to clinicians and public health officials, especially with a backdrop of opioid harms and...
Is mental health declining over generations?
Recent data from several countries, including Australia, indicate a notable trend of declining mental health, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. In Australia, this trend is particularly evident in the increasing rates of mental and behavioural issues as reported in...
