The Preventative Health Journal

Study supports bigger role for physiotherapy

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:22:11 PST

A study in the latest Australian Health Review adds further weight to the growing evidence that physiotherapists should have a role in triaging patients with lower back pain to increase efficiency in the health system. Patients referred by a GP to an orthopedic surgeon wait between six months and two years. The study found that after an approximately nine week wait, patients were able to see a physiotherapist and most importantly, 67 per cent of...

Junk food drains health, tax and environment

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:52:57 PST

Calls to exclude processed food from the Australian Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) will cost Australians their health, tax dollars and the environment. The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) calls on the Federal Government to resist calls to exempt processed food (which includes junk foods) in the Australian Emissions Trading Scheme. CEO of the PHAA Michael Moore said: “Governments should have a long term vision of a...

Kidney failure higher in Australian men

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:51:43 PST

Australian men are being accepted onto dialysis programs at a rate 154% higher than women according to data released by Kidney Health Australia. In Australia in 2008, 1503 men and 973 women started dialysis. Tim Mathew, the medical director of Kidney Health Australia, said given the overall population in Australia where the sex ratio is about equal it is surprising to see such a large difference in the acceptance rate. Dr Mathew said the gap...

Harvard study highlights obesity health risk to women

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:52:39 PST

A new study by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) researchers has found that, among a large study population of women who lived until at least age 70, being overweight in mid-life was associated with having more health problems later in life, including multiple chronic diseases, and impaired cognitive function, physical function and mental health. Women who were lean at age 18 and maintained a healthy...

The power of hypnotherapy

editors@thephj.com (Alistair Horscroft) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:04:15 PST

In April 1955, after eighteen months of intensive study, a subcommittee of the psychological medicine group of the British Medical Association reported the following: Hypnosis is of value and may be the treatment of choice in some cases of psychosomatic disorders. It is valuable for revealing unrecognised motives and conflicts. As a method of treatment, it has proved its ability to remove symptoms and to alter morbid habits of thought and behavior....

Warning on high-strength vitamin supplements

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:31:51 PST

A cancer expert has warned that people who take high-dose vitamin and mineral supplements might do themselves more harm than good. Professor Martin Wiseman, the medical and scientific adviser for World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), has said it is difficult to make confident predictions on what impact supplements – and particularly high-dose ones - have on cancer risk. Lower dose supplements are recommended or can be a valuable safety net in...

Mental health shouldn’t be back of mind

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:42:39 PST

The majority of Australians believe there is not enough mental health education available to young people. The Health and Medical Research Public Opinion Poll 2009 published by Research Australia found 75 per cent of Australians believe there is not enough education and information for young people about mental health issues. Research Australia CEO Rebecca James said the poll was conducted annually to provide a community voice on current health...

On a mission to block bad bacteria

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:09:59 PST

An unassuming building in inner-city Ultimo has become Australia’s mission control for the investigation of inner space with the launch of sophisticated microscopy facilities by the University of Technology, Sydney. Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science Senator Kim Carr tomorrow will unveil facilities including Australia’s first DeltaVision OMX 3D-Sim Super-Resolution microscope, one of only two in the world. The $1.5...

Is fatigue affecting your work performance?

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:06:36 PST

As evidence mounts that Australians are increasingly working longer hours, professional services firm Deloitte has highlighted the importance of managing fatigue as a key risk for organisations seeking to maximise workplace performance while minimising the workplace accidents that currently cost millions of dollars a year. According to Deloitte partner Janet Lewell, understanding exactly when performance starts to be impacted by fatigue, the need to...

Why is Movember important?

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:20:56 PST

November marks the beginning of Movember, the annual moustache-growing charity event aimed at raising awareness and funding for men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer and depression. On average, Australian men have a life expectancy five years less than Australian women. More men die from diseases and other factors that could have been avoided – or at least managed – by seeking early medical attention and having...

Do not take your lungs for granted

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:51:17 PST

November is Lung Health Awareness Month and the Rudd Government is encouraging Australians not to take their lungs for granted. During the month a variety of events will aim to raise awareness of lung disease among Australians, especially those over 35 years of age, promote the importance of lung health and motivate people with lung disease symptoms to seek diagnosis and treatment. World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day, on 18 November,...

Prevention Bill stalled in Senate

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:19:11 PST

Preventative health has been dealt a blow with the Bill to establish Australia’s first ever Preventative Health Agency stalled in the Senate. The Honourable Nicola Roxon, the Minister for Health & Ageing, says: “We know that the Liberal and National parties have turned their back on prevention through statements made recently. “It now seems this malaise has spread to other Senators who have put off the legislation and flagged...

Inspiration vs motivation

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:41:50 PDT

“Inspiration comes forth from within. It’s what the light burning within you is about, as opposed to motivation, which is about thinking if you don’t do it, there will be negative repercussions. Motivation is about making myself do something that I don’t really want to do. Inspiration is having the clear picture of what I am wanting and letting universal forces come into play to get the outcome.” - Esther Hicks This...

Australia’s First Preventative Health Agency

editors@thephj.com (Rodney Appleyard) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:36:45 PDT

Australia’s first ever Preventive Health Agency will soon be established following the passage of important legislation in the House of Representatives. The Agency is a key part of the Rudd Government’s decision to invest more in preventative health measures than any other government in Australia’s history. The legislation is now with the Senate for consideration. It is essential that this Bill be passed without delay so that the...

Practitioner alert - only 7 free tickets left for business workshop

editors@thephj.com (Lifestyle Practitioner Academy) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:33:38 PST

Health professionals, who work in any kind of practice, from natural therapies, through to sports sciences, are being invited to take part in a workshop that will teach them how to make more money for working less hours. 7 free tickets are left for the workshop that will take place on November 14th. It is aimed at people who feel that they are earning less than they are worth as a health practitioner. Adam Gibson, the head of coaching at the...