Archived News for Health Sector Professionals - October, 2012
Palliative care admissions into hospital rose by over 50 per cent between 2001 and 2010, according to a new report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Australia records HIV spike
New diagnoses of HIV have increased by 50 per cent over the last decade, with an eight per cent spike in the 2011 period to 1137 new cases, according to new data released by the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Childhood cancer survival rates hit all time high
Survival rates for Victorian children diagnosed with cancer have hit an all time high, according to new research released by Cancer Council Victoria.
Screening program reaching target
Over 1.7 million women had a screening mammogram through BreastScreen Australia in 2009-10, with 1.3 million being in the 50-69 year old target group according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
$6.3 billion spent on mental health services
Australians spent over $6.3 billion, or $287 per head, on mental health-related services in 2009-10, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Elective waiting times stable
Waiting times for elective surgeries have remained stable despite a significant growth in numbers over the last 12 months, according to research released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Nation's top science students lauded
A student who’s novel approach to developing a vaccine that could render chlamydia a harmless bacteria is just one of the country’s recently named top science students at the 2012 AusBiotech/GSK Student Excellence Awards.
World first MS trial to roll out
The Menzies Research Institute has announced the start of a world first clinical trial that will aim to find whether Vitamin D can prevent the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS). The research will be based in Tasmania, who’s population suffers the highest rate of MS in the country.
Stewart to head WA mental health court
The Western Australian Government has announced the appointment of Magistrate Vicki Stewart to head up the state’s new dedicated mental health court for people with mental health problems and/or mental illness.
Government launches clinical trial website
The Federal Government has announced the launch of a new website that will offer easier access to clinical trials for new drugs, treatments and medical procedures.
UK expert examines individualised funding for SA
The South Australian Government has welcomed UK welfare reform specialist, Dr Simon Duffy, who has been requested to examine the potential for individualised funding for South Australians with a disability.
Vaxxas wins research collaboration
Biotechnology start-up Vaxxas has signed a research collaboration with major US pharmaceutical company Merck to further develop its Nanopatch platform for a future vaccine candidate.
ABS starts Indigenous Health Survey
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has commenced the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health survey which will improve our knowledge of the health issues affecting this group of Australians.
Survey shows archaic mental health views
A survey of attitudes towards mental health issues has revealed some startling results, showing that many Australians still hold stigmatising attitudes towards people with depression.
Unhappiness at work leading to spike in mental health claims
The feeling of dreading coming to work and the stressing out at the prospect of another day of unhappiness in the workplace is one of the driving factors for the increasing number of mental health claims, according to new findings released by Comcare.
Health, education and work all up but productivity lags
Australians have a higher income, an increased life expectancy and are better educated compared with a decade ago, but the number of threatened plants and animals has increased over the last ten years.
AIHW publishes breast cancer findings
While survival rates are improving across the country, 37 Australian women are being diagonosed with breast cancer each day, more than double the rate in 1982, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Mathematics to help manage pandemics
In conjunction with collegues in the UK, a University of Adelaide mathematician has developed a model that will help public health authorities better manage future outbreaks of influenza and other new disease outbreaks.
Stem cell research breakthrough earns Nobel Prize
This year’s Nobel Prize for Medicine has been jointly awarded to two scientists who discovered that mature, specialised cells can be reprogrammed to become immature stem cells, capable of developing into all tissues of the host body.
$17.6 million for rural health workforce
The Federal Government has announced $17.69 million in funding for a suite of projects aimed at boosting the healthcare workforce in regional and remote areas.
Breast cancer survival rates on the increase
89 per cent of women with breast cancer between 2006 and 2010 are still alive five years after their initial diagnosis according to the latest Cancer Survival in Victoria 2012 report.