Health Industry News
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate
It’s a hotly debated topic at the moment – to vaccinate or not to vaccinate your children? As a small and reportedly increasing group of vocal parents continue to question the efficacy of vaccines and whether their potential risks outweigh their benefits, public confidence in immunisation appears to be eroding. Many of these “conscientious vaccine…
Read MoreThe Budget 2013 impact on health and pharma
Yesterday’s Budget contained some major health measures – good for some, not so good for others. Media commentators have hailed it as everything from ‘sensible’ and ‘weird,’ to ‘brave,’ and ‘dignified.’ Whichever way you look at it, it’s a budget from a Government which is highly unlikely to remain in power beyond the September 2013…
Read MoreNDIS to provide long-term funding for those in need
Yesterday, it was announced that the Government will be increasing the Medicare Levy from 0.5% to 2% from July 2014 to partially cover the $15 million needed for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The scheme was first recommended by the Productivity Commission in 2011 and is intended to provide funding support to Australians with…
Read MoreCan artificial intelligence replace the cancer physician?
You know you are well and truly in the 21st century when computers are outperforming doctors on predicting how best to treat cancer patients. The Independent (online) reports that scientists recently constructed mathematical formulas that were better able to forecast how cancer sufferers would respond to treatment. Dr Cary Oberije of Maastricht University Medical Hospital…
Read MoreIs the vaccination message getting through?
New research just published in the MJA has shown low rates of influenza vaccination uptake among pregnant women and that healthcare professional advice is crucial in influencing women to have the vaccine. The University of Sydney study of 815 pregnant women in three NSW hospitals, revealed uptake of the vaccine was just 27 per cent,…
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