One in four young Australians are experiencing mental health issues, report reveals
Psychological distress is estimated to affect around 2.4 million Australians aged 18 and over, having a negative impact on individuals personal life, work life and overall health. A troubling new report released this month has revealed a reported rise in the levels of psychological distress amongst Australian Youth. Can we talk? Seven-year youth mental health…
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2019
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Australia, an annual campaign aimed at driving awareness of breast cancer, the importance of early detection and the impact it has on those affected by the disease. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Australian women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and is devastatingly the second most common…
VIVA! Communications clinches three awards at the annual NSW PRIA GTAs
VIVA! Communications clinched three awards at last night’s annual Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) 2019 Golden Target Awards (GTAs) held at 12- Micron, Barangaroo, Sydney. For the second year in a row, we are proud to be awarded best ‘Health Campaign’ of the year, for our ‘Community Pharmacists Public Health Plea Against Devastating Flu…
Osteoporosis Australia welcomes $4M for National Action Plan for Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis Australia (OA), and the Australian Government will officially launch the National Strategic Action Plan for Osteoporosis in Canberra today (Thursday 17 October 2019), with the Minister for Health, The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, in the lead up to World Osteoporosis Day (Sunday, October 20, 2019). The National Strategic Action Plan for Osteoporosis will provide…
New Australian research finds 1-in-5 people with migraines unaware of preventative treatment
According to a new study out of Australian National University’s Research School of Psychology, one-in-five Australians surveyed weren’t aware preventative treatment for migraines are available from their GP. Dr Stephanie Goodhew surveyed 229 students and found significant knowledge gaps, even among those that experience migraines, meaning many are unnecessarily living with the devastating symptoms, unaware…
New medicines improving & extending the lives of Australians
At Australia’s PharmAus19 conference held at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday (October 15) new research was released, indicating that Australian’s were living longer, healthier lives thanks to the introduction of new medicines. The research, Measuring the Impact of Pharmaceutical Innovation in Australia 1998–2018, was conducted by Professor Frank Lichtenberg from Columbia University Business School and…
States & territories continuing to lower age for pharmacy flu vaccination
Victorian Health Minister, Jenny Mikakos, yesterday announced that children as young as 10 years of age will now be able to receive in-pharmacy flu vaccinations Victoria-wide. Victoria is the latest state to decrease the age of in-pharmacy flu vaccination this year, with the Tasmanian Government’s Winter Management Plan and Western Australia’s McGownan Government also extending…
Eating disorders first mental illness to be assigned a MBS diagnostic category
Healthcare professionals urged to upskill on ED evidence-based care In an Australian first, eating disorders (ED) represent the first mental health disorder to be assigned specific item numbers under the revised Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) scheme, commencing November 1, 2019. This development has sparked an urgent call by ED experts to the Australian health workforce…
New MBS items to improve regional & rural access to primary healthcare services
The Department of Health announced earlier this week the details of 12 new telehealth item numbers on the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS). From November 1, 2019 residents in rural and regional Australia will be able to access GP and allied health professional consultations through video conferencing with no out-of-pocket expense. Patients living in Modified Monash…
Improving access to treatment for Australia’s leading cause of cancer death
VIVA! Communications is delighted to have partnered with the Prime Minister, The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Federal Health Minister, The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, medical oncologist, Professor Stephen Clarke OAM, CEO of Lung Foundation Australia, Mark Brooke, General Manager of Roche Australia, Stuart Knight and lung cancer patient, Pernille at the Northern Cancer Institute yesterday…