Free meningococcal vaccine to help protect Australian teenagers
More than 1 million Australian teenagers will receive a free meningococcal vaccine over the next 4 years, once it’s been added to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in April 2019. Meningococcal disease is a rare but life-threatening infection that, if it enters the bloodstream,…
Why contraception fails – and how to choose a method that works
It’s natural to assume that if you’re using contraception, you’re protected against unexpected pregnancy. But new research has revealed this isn’t always the case. In a study in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA), almost half of women (4 in 10) surveyed…
What not to say to an amputee
Prince Harry has accomplished a lot in recent years: he co-founded a charity to support orphans in Lesotho; he championed mental health issues with William and Kate; and he sealed the deal with Meghan Markle. His biggest achievement, however, may…
6 myths about cerebral palsy
Around 34,000 Australians live with cerebral palsy – and 1 in every 500 babies is diagnosed with it. But cerebral palsy (or CP) is often misunderstood and stigmatised. Not all people with CP use a wheelchair, have an intellectual disability or are…
Show your support for families living with childhood cancer
It was on a typical Sunday night a couple of years ago that mother-of-three, Simone, noticed that something wasn’t right with her 5-year-old son. As hard as he tried, Hayden couldn’t use his left arm to undress for the bath….
Perfume stinks: how fragrances can affect your health
If you avoid the perfume counter in department stores or wear a mask while cleaning your home, you’re not alone. They may smell sweet, but fragrances can make a person feel sick. About 1 in 3 people report having health…
Take medicines seriously
An estimated 9 million Australians take prescription medicine every day, and many more pop over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and vitamins. Almost one-quarter of a million people are hospitalised each year due to problems caused by their medication. Medicines play…
5 reasons to look after your eyes
You only get one pair of eyes. And while people often develop serious eye conditions as they age, or because of illness and injury, there are plenty of things you can do to protect your peepers from unnecessary damage. Here are 5…
Testing times for HIV
New notifications of HIV (the Human Immunodeficiency Virus) have — overall — stabilised in recent years. But HIV diagnoses have also increased in some population groups. Australia has made great progress in HIV prevention within the gay community. For example, HIV diagnoses in gay…
Why 4 in 10 mothers stop breastfeeding by 6 months
Most parents of newborn babies have heard that ‘breast is best’. But although 96% of children are breastfed soon after birth, only 15% of mums are still breastfeeding exclusively 5 months later. So, what’s preventing some parents from continuing to breastfeed,…