Medica - Australian Healthcare News and Information

According to a study published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia Comprehensive, protocols in emergency departments can allow rapid assessment of stroke patients eligible for early-stage treatment. 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

The latest annual Medicare report shows the Government’s HECS Reimbursement Scheme, designed to attract graduates to rural areas, is failing to realise its full potential. $5.95 million dollars per annum is allocated to the scheme, but the new figures show it is being underspent by $3.25 million each year. 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

Researchers are studying a new type of image that looks at the complex connections of the brain. Called a brain bow, the colourful map may shed more light on the development of conditions such as autism. 8 November 2007

7 months after being listed on the PBS for secondary prevention of fracture - Protos -strontium ranelate – will now also be available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for the primary prevention of fractures from 1st November. 6 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

AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said the AMA is encouraging doctors to adopt the new Medicare Easyclaim system as a service that will be greatly appreciated by their patients. 6 November 2007

AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said the potential devastating impact that climate change would have on human health has been largely ignored by the major parties as they spruik their environmental policies ahead of the Federal Election.
Dr Capolingua said the AMA supports the Research Australia report - Healthy Planet, Places, and People - that concurs with the AMA’s position on the threats to human health posed by climate change. 6 November 2007