Australians unwilling to protect against fatal lung infection

Three-in-four Australian adults do not consider ‘life-threatening consequences’ as sufficient motivation to vaccinate against pneumococcal pneumonia. This is according to Lung Foundation Australia research released today (May 16, 2017) to mark Know Pneumonia Day. According to respiratory physician and Lung Foundation Australia Respiratory Infectious Disease Committee Chair, Associate Professor Lucy Morgan, Sydney, Australians are not being…

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Budget 2017: What it means for Australia’s health

Budget highlights for health: “The Government will establish the Medicare Guarantee Fund to secure the ongoing funding of the Medicare Benefits Schedule and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme into the future. “In this Budget, the Government will provide $1.0 billion to reintroduce indexation for certain items on the MBS. This will commence with General Practitioner (GP)…

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Poor childhood vaccination report card for inner-city Brisbane suburb

Brisbane’s well-heeled inner city suburbs have recorded some of the lowest vaccination rates in Australia. According to recently published Federal Health Department data reported by the Courier Mail, inner city Brisbane suburbs, including West End, South Brisbane, Highgate Hill, New Farm and Fortitude Valley have vaccination rates as low as 84.35 per cent for children…

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Study finds increasing healthcare spend not linked to improved health outcomes

Data from a new meta-analysis, has demonstrated that a higher healthcare spend has done little to improve key health outcomes. The authors looked at 65 different studies, conducted between 1965-2014, surrounding healthcare spending and its impact on health outcomes. The study conducted by researchers from Deakin University, titled, The impact of healthcare spending on health…

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Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute launches Wellness Plan recommending age-related vaccinations as a preventative health measure

On March 19, 2017, The Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne launched a publication designed to help Australians lead long, healthy and productive lives. Entitled ‘The Baker IDI Wellness Plan’, the publication includes a healthy action plan, healthy recipes and meal plans, tips for developing healthy habits, and a checklist of medical test recommendations…

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