Wrapping up 2021
As 2021 draws to a close, Team VIVA! reflected on a year that brought not only new challenges, but also many reasons for celebration. Like many across Australia and around the world, the VIVA! team contended with the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, including lockdowns and disruptions to many facets our daily lives. “We are…
Shining a light on men’s mental health this International Men’s Day
Today is International Men’s Day, a day both celebrating the positive male role models in our communities, and also highlighting some of the current health challenges facing men around the world. To celebrate this International Men’s Day, we talked to loving husband, father-to-three and Managing Director and Owner of VIVA!, Paul Jans about some of…
Improving access to cervical cancer screening for Australian women
This week, Health Minister, The Hon Greg Hunt MP, announced Australia will become one of the first countries in the world to offer the “game-changing” self-collect cervical cancer screening test, through the National Cervical Screening Program. From July 1, 2022, all eligible women will be given the option to collect their own sample for their…
Research reveals a 63 per cent increase in eating disorders during last year’s COVID-19 lockdowns
New research recently published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health reveals how the COVID-19 lockdowns have fuelled a rise in the number of our nation’s reported eating disorders (EDs) The annual presentations of people living with an eating disorder (ED) to a specialist paediatric ED service in Melbourne, increased by 63 per cent…
Launch of world-first expert resource to foster best practice osteoporosis care in the Asia Pacific
Expert collaboration key to reducing burden of disease More than 50 per cent of the world’s hip fractures are expected to occur in the Asia Pacific by the year 2050. In a strong effort to stem the tide, and to promote quality care in osteoporosis, the Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis (APCO) has launched a…
New treatment for severe corneal inflammation from dry eye disease now listed on PBS
Today (Friday, 1 October, 2021), adults living with severe corneal inflammation from dry eye disease (DED) that has not improved with the use of artificial tears, will gain affordable access to a new, once-daily treatment option on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). In-licensed for the first time in Australia by Seqirus – a wholly-owned subsidiary…
Lack of access to COVID-19 vaccine threatening global immunity
Urgent plea to unite developing nations through vaccinations This week the Immunisation Coalition is issuing an urgent plea to Australians to help close the global COVID-19 vaccination gap by donating to UNICEF Australia in a bid to improve access in lower income countries. To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastatingly led to the death of…
My time at VIVA! – Matilda Parkinson
Undergoing any internship, you’re bound to be faced with a host of new challenges and unfamiliar tasks. Coming from a background in academia, my time at VIVA! certainly lived up to that, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and learn from such a wonderful team.…
More research needed for ovarian cancer screening
Did you know that in Australia one woman dies every eight hours from ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumour in one or both ovaries, which can spread throughout the body if not detected and treated early. Every year, approximately 1,800 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia, making it the eighth most…
Outcomes of Federal Budget 2021-2022
The 2021 – 2022 Federal Budget announcement includes some key changes for the healthcare industry. Notably, this budget delivers the largest investment in aged care and the largest investment in response to a Royal Commission in Australia’s history. The funding will work to afford older Australians greater respect, care and dignity through a five-pillar plan…