Crikey journalist Amber Jamieson recently reported that the National Health and Medical Research Council is examining whether anti-wind farm campaigner Sarah Laurie has breached ethical codes of research conduct. The NHMRC and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency were recently sent a dossier raising questions about the work of Laurie, CEO of the Waubra Foundation [...]
READ MOREArticles by Melissa Sweet
We should help, rather than stigmatise, vulnerable parents
It’s important to challenge those who seek to demonise parents who use alcohol and drugs as “bad parents”, according to Donna Ribton-Turner, Director Clinical Services at UnitingCare ReGen. Rather than scapegoating parents with alcohol and drug issues, they deserve appropriate support and care, she says. *** Stigmatising vulnerable families only makes things worse Donna Ribton-Turner [...]
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Every year. One million babies. Die on the day they are born.
Unprecedented progress has been made in reducing maternal and child deaths around the world since 1990, according to a new report from Save the Children. Nonetheless, the statistics remain shocking. Of the three million babies who die each year in their first month of life, almost two-thirds are from just ten countries. Thanks to Joanne [...]
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A rather large wrap of health news from the Federal Budget – and some mixed reaction
This post offers an overview of health-related news from the Budget and a wrap of reaction. Here are links to: • Health and Ageing Budget statements • A table giving a quick overview of health spends and cuts • Ministerial press releases • Closing the Gap press release • The Treasurer’s speech ***
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The medical conference industry: selling exotic travel junkets, or useful education?
The AMA has been campaigning hard against changes to tax deductions for work-related self-education that are likely, amongst other things, to reduce the attractiveness of conferences in exotic locations. Paul Smith, political editor at Australian Doctor, has exposed one of the vulnerabilities of the AMA’s campaign with a story about its Queensland branch’s annual conference, [...]
READ MORENew review on chemical residues backs breastfeeding
Concerns about the presence of man-made chemicals in our bodies should not deter women from breastfeeding, according to a new review of the scientific evidence. The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) says breastmilk contains protective agents and helps children develop a strong immune system. Breastfeeding can mitigate the effects of chemical exposure in the [...]
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Where is the leadership on health research and climate change?
Alarm bells are ringing right around the world on climate change (see some of the most recent examples at the bottom of this post). But does the health and medical research sector have its thumbs jammed firmly in its ears? In the article below, Dr Elizabeth Haworth, Dr Brad Farrant and Fiona Armstrong lament a [...]
READ MOREIf the Feds wanted to use the Budget to improve population health….. (some out-of-the-box ideas)
If the Federal Government wanted to use the forthcoming Budget to boost population health, what would it do? Raise taxation generally (plus specific hikes for tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy foods), and remove subsidies on the use of fossil fuels. These are among the suggestions from Croakey contributors outlined in the post below. Contributors also said [...]
READ MOREBike share schemes boost public health
Should public health advocates be lobbying for bike share schemes in Australia? Yes, suggests Dr Melissa Stoneham of the Public Health Advocacy Institute WA (PHAIWA). In the latest edition of JournalWatch, she reviews a recent study investigating the impact of such a scheme in Montreal. *** On your bike!! Why we need more bike share schemes [...]
READ MORESome advice for researchers and services wanting to improve Aboriginal health
Some suggestions for how researchers and health services might do a better job of engaging with Aboriginal patients and communities have come from a research project spanning rural, regional and remote NSW. The suggestions include taking time to develop trust and relationships (including with community members outside of the health sector), recruiting Aboriginal staff, and [...]
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