Partially paralysed craft lover living with asthma, Maree, 63, Bundaberg, developed a severe episode of the potentially life-threatening infection, pneumococcal pneumonia, in March 2016. A member of the ‘Stolen Generation’, Maree spent most of her youth in the North Queensland bush, working on cattle and sheep stations, which kick-started a regular smoking habit, along with…

Mother-to-three, grandmother-to-two, accountant and cake decorator, Leigh, 56, Sydney, has always led an active life. She loves to travel, go to the football, attend aqua aerobics and spend quality time with her grandchildren. In June 2009 however, Leigh’s world came crashing down, when the ex-smoker developed an unrelenting headache, and was overcome by exhaustion. Eight…

Scientists seeking NSW volunteers to complete Aussie recruitment of world’s largest anorexia nervosa genetics study Interim data from the world’s largest and most rigorous genetic investigation into anorexia nervosa reveal less than a third of Australian study participants are under the care of a medical professional, with fasting and exercise their most common methods of…

One in five Australians battling chronic illness is celebrating the Federal Government’s trial of the ‘Healthier Medicare’ package, released Thursday, March 31, 2016. Set to launch in July, 2017, the package aims to support people living with chronic illnesses, by offering them a more consistent treatment plan with access to a regular GP. The initial…

Today (February 29, 2016) marks World Rare Disease Day – a public health awareness day designed to shed light on the daily lives of patients, families and their carers living with a rare disease through patient organisations, medical professionals, researchers, politicians and industry, by demonstrating solidarity against rare diseases. This year’s theme for World Rare…