Medica - Australian Healthcare News and Information

A passionate protest over the treatment of our disabled population. 8 million Australians are affected directly or indirectly by physical impairments. The disability alliance says the sectors been neglected for years. 19 November 2007

Australia is now one of the fattest nations in the developed world, according to a new international report.
The report, released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, shows Australia performing well on smoking rates and survival from breast cancer and heart attacks compared with the other 29 OECD nations.
But it was one of the worst performers on obesity, thanks to new statistics showing almost one in every four Australians now has a body mass index over 30. 19 November 2007

A protein that controls hunger is poised to help both cancer patients and extremely obese people overcome their struggles with weight. 8 November 2007

According to a study published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia, Australian men are exposed to a disturbing number of media messages promoting prostate cancer screening, despite limited support for screening from health groups. 8 November 2007

A recent study’s findings suggest that the amount of body fat a child accumulates over time may be related to their mother's body mass index prior to and during pregnancy. 8 November 2007

The findings were based on an analysis of sleep patterns and other data from a US government survey of 785 children aged 9 to 12. Eighteen per cent were overweight by the time they reached the sixth grade. The 12-year-olds who slept less than nine hours a night were more likely to be overweight than those who slept more, and those who got less sleep at age 9 were more likely to be overweight three years later, the study found. 8 November 2007

Doctors say patient care at Royal North Shore will be further compromised by budget cuts. Nursing overtime will be targeted in an effort to trim spending by 18 million dollars. And the government has secretly passed new restaurant hygiene laws but they don’t include a promise made earlier this year to make the results of the inspections public. 6 November 2007

A global campaign to ban soft drinks from schools and stop manufacturers marketing to children has been launched in Sydney. The dump soda campaigners believe eliminating soft drink is an easy way to cut down on sugary snacks. 6 November 2007

Dr Lynn Weeks, CEO of the National Prescribing Service says the reluctance some people have about using generic medicines for certain conditions is unwarranted. 24 October 2007

A major international study has found smoking is to blame for up to 90% of cot deaths. Scientists from England’s Bristol University found 9 out of 10 victims of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome had mothers who smoked while pregnant. Mothers to be who smoke are 4 times more likely to have their child die from SIDS than non smokers. Its renewed calls for Governments to ban pregnant from buying tobacco. 24 October 2007

A Chinese herbal diet pill has been pulled from sale across Australia following an investigation by 7 news. The product contains a drug that can cause serious side effects and should not have sold without a prescription. 24 October 2007