Make a mental health promise

It is Mental Health Week, leading up to World Mental Health Day (WMHD) on Friday, 10 October, a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy.

Educating for consumer engagement in health care

Professor Peter Brooks AM is Professorial Fellow of the Centre for Health Policy School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne. At the recent Global Access Partners Summit on Education he addressed some of the major challenges for our health system.

Gene patents not so bad

There has been strong opposition to a Federal Court decision that human genes can be controlled by private companies. Medical ethicist Dr Alberto Giubilini says the patenting of genes by private companies is not necessarily a bad thing provided it’s well regulated.

Together we can stop the heartache

This September big-hearted Australians are again invited to help save lives and make research possible by supporting the Heart Foundation Big Heart Appeal.

Get blue

Early diagnosis and research are the two ways to beat cancer. Blue September is raising funds for awareness of cancers affecting men and cancer research.

Inspire conversations

Thursday 11 September we are encouraged to meaningfully ask “Are you ok?” There is research suggesting that this simplest of questions can make a difference in suicide prevention.

Retail therapy that’s good for the community

Op shops raise vital funds for community welfare programs while playing an important environmental role. Kerryn Caulfield encourages us to take the time and visit our local op shop to donate unwanted clothes and household items.

What if bioinformatics could measure health for an early diagnosis of disease?

Bioinformatics joins biology and computing together to analyse data from biological samples. Professor Shoba Ranganathan recently hosted a conference that addressed how we can mine biological data to quantify health and develop preventive healthcare strategies.

Effective childcare programs for children with ASD – yes we can!

Standard community services often don’t have the resources to support intensive home programs for pre-schoolers with autism. Dr Giacomo Vivanti shares research on how an effective intervention model can be delivered successfully in a childcare setting.

Clear your head, make a difference

Give up alcohol as part of a team or as an individual for Dry July and raise funds for adults living with cancer and their families to improve their quality of life.

Australia’s response to the HIV/AIDS crisis

The first cases of HIV/AIDS first occurred in the early 1980. Professor David Penington was Chairman of the National AIDS Task Force at the time and recounts how the recognition and response to the disease unfolded in Australia ahead of a global AIDS conference in Melbourne.

Disability pension cuts misguided

An Interim report of the McClure welfare review proposes moving thousands of people off the Disability Support Pension if they have some capacity to work. Marie Sheahan says tackling discrimination of disabled people in the workforce should be prioritised over pension cuts.