Pandemic may offer opportunity to wind back unnecessary care

A systematic review of more than 80 scientific studies from around the world has found a pandemic-induced median reduction of 37 per cent in the use of healthcare services, such as visits to emergency departments.

Acting now to prevent dementia

Dementia prevention needs to be Australia’s next public health area of focus, as the nation heads towards a projected number of one million people with dementia by 2056.

Healthcare sector should reach out to technology scale-ups 

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of technology and opened opportunities for the health care industry, but also showed us that we need to make some critical changes.  

Medical workforce data shortage hampering access to care

Challenges with data collection and infrastructure are affecting medical workforce research and access to medical care, particularly in rural and regional Australia, according to Australian experts.

Telehealth services need to be accessible to all

Distance-based care such as telehealth is now likely to become a consistent feature of community-based care models well into the future.

Sleep keeps teens on track for good mental health

As families settle back into a new school year, sleep experts at the University of South Australia are reminding parents about the importance of teenagers getting enough sleep, cautioning them that insufficient sleep can negatively affect their mental health.

Jabs are the key to victory

COVID vaccinations are in the news, but this shouldn’t overshadow the importance of existing vaccinations to diseases such as measles in reducing child mortality, particularly in the developing world.

Early to bed, early to rise…

Staying up late is often a special treat for the kids over the holidays, but if it becomes a habit it could damage their health and wellbeing, according to new research from the University of South Australia.

Leadership lessons from Santa

As Father Christmas gears up for the busiest 24 hours of his year, two doctors reflect on the skills he uses to get a seemingly impossible job done effectively and safely – and whether they can be applied to medicine.

How COVID changed the way we use health care

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals how people’s use of health care services changed due to COVID-19.

Staying “food safe” this Christmas

The Food Safety Information Council has launched their Christmas and Summer entertaining food safety advice, with additional tips to avoid COVID-19.

Art of the mind

Artistic mediums such as visual art, music, dance and creative writing can help people recovering from mental health issues to share their stories and gain confidence and understanding of their illness.