With less than a week to go before the Federal Budget 2013, the leaks and rumours (and rumours about leaks) are increasing and speculation about possible new funding measures is mounting. The following analysis looks at the main items on the wish-lists of eight peak health groups and identifies key issues on which there is [...]
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High-speed broadband is high on the federal election agenda for the rural health lobby
The availability of high-speed broadband in rural and remote areas will be a critical election issue if rural health advocates have their way. The 12th National Rural Health Conference in Adelaide made 17 priority recommendations for advancing the health of rural and remote communities, with equitable access to high-speed broadband at the top of the [...]
READ MOREStopping fluoridation imperils Queenslanders’ dental health
John Spencer, Emeritus Professor at the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, writes: Mandatory water fluoridation introduced by the former Queensland government is being rolled back by some local councils, which have been given the power to decide whether to continue with the public health measure. There are even indications that some local government [...]
READ MOREFilling the gaps in Australia’s dental workforce
Peter Brooks and Mike Morgan write: Data released recently by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show the number of dentists has increased by 24% in the five years to 2011. There are now around 12,700 dentists in Australia, with 80% working in the private sector. Fearing an over-supply of dentists, the Australian Dental [...]
READ MOREDavos hears Australian voice on healthy cities
Besides former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the corporate heavyweights from Australia attending this month’s Davos economic summit was a leading figure in the campaign for healthier cities, Fiona Bull. The surging prevalence of obesity and calls for more effective measures to counter the convenience food and drink conglomerates were aired at the World Economic [...]
READ MOREAn open letter to Qld MPs: moving against fluoridation will have serious health and financial consequences
The health of Queenslanders will suffer as a result of moves against fluoridation of the state’s water supplies and the State Government’s broader undermining of public health activities. This is the thrust of a letter from Michael Moore, the ceo of the Public Health Association of Australia, which has just been sent to all MPs [...]
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Reporting on a recent summit on blogging, social media and diabetes
Blogging and other social media channels are developing networks and knowledge amongst people living with diabetes. Angela Mallon, from Diabetes Australia – Vic, reports on a diabetes social media summit, recently held in Melbourne. She gives an example of important policy decisions being made without consumer input, and says social media is providing new opportunities for [...]
READ MORERecommended reading on oral health, private health insurance policy and the baby bonus changes
For those with an interest in oral health, private health insurance policy, and the changes to the baby bonus announced last week – there is plenty of new reading at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library’s FlagPost blog (as summarised briefly below). *** Not much to smile about Amanda Biggs writes: Two new dental reports provide a [...]
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A mega wrap of the latest news on social media and health
So much is happening on the social media and health front that it’s difficult to keep up with the news. Below are details of some recent developments and a wealth of related material that may be of interest (and hopefully use) to Croakey readers, covering: Recent conferences Using social media to improve healthcare Enabling patient participation [...]
READ MOREHow Australia can reduce diabetes-related amputations
Pete Lazzarini and Shan Bergin write: Diabetes is arguably the nation’s greatest public health challenge, affecting over one million Australians. People with diabetes have high sugar levels in the blood which can damage nerves and blood vessels. In the legs, this damage can cause a lack of feeling and poor circulation to the feet, both [...]
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