https://www.croakey.org informed, engaged communities for health Thu, 07 Dec 2023 01:52:44 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 https://www.croakey.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-croakey_COVID_head_icon-copy-32x32.png https://www.croakey.org 32 32 https://www.croakey.org/the-national-health-and-climate-strategy-could-be-transformational-if-these-concerns-are-addressed/ https://www.croakey.org/the-national-health-and-climate-strategy-could-be-transformational-if-these-concerns-are-addressed/#respond Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:44:16 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=195751 More than six years after a framework for a national strategy on health and climate change was put forward by health and medical organisations, the Australian Government has launched the country’s first National Health and Climate Strategy. As reported earlier […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/the-national-health-and-climate-strategy-could-be-transformational-if-these-concerns-are-addressed/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/as-national-cabinet-spruiks-their-commitment-to-health-reform-policy-experts-want-more-detail-and-vision/ https://www.croakey.org/as-national-cabinet-spruiks-their-commitment-to-health-reform-policy-experts-want-more-detail-and-vision/#respond Wed, 06 Dec 2023 19:52:53 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=195710 Below are details from the statement issued after yesterday’s National Cabinet meeting, and responses from some health policy experts. Focus on health, NDIS and gun control The statement from National Cabinet says: First Ministers have agreed to a further $1.2 […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/as-national-cabinet-spruiks-their-commitment-to-health-reform-policy-experts-want-more-detail-and-vision/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/what-more-could-be-done-to-protect-aged-care-residents-from-covid-plenty-it-turns-out/ https://www.croakey.org/what-more-could-be-done-to-protect-aged-care-residents-from-covid-plenty-it-turns-out/#respond Wed, 06 Dec 2023 18:49:05 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=195557 The safety of people in residential aged care remains at grave risk, with evidence of wide-ranging failures to protect them from COVID-19, reports Jennifer Doggett in a special Croakey investigation. The current review of Australia’s COVID response provides an opportunity […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/what-more-could-be-done-to-protect-aged-care-residents-from-covid-plenty-it-turns-out/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/leadership-in-the-room-iaha-conference-was-a-masterclass-in-indigenous-knowledges-practices-and-voices/ https://www.croakey.org/leadership-in-the-room-iaha-conference-was-a-masterclass-in-indigenous-knowledges-practices-and-voices/#respond Wed, 06 Dec 2023 07:16:23 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=195460 Introduction by Croakey: Last week, the annual conference of Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) took place on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi peoples, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. In the post below, Danielle Manton, a Barunggam woman-grown on Dharug […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/leadership-in-the-room-iaha-conference-was-a-masterclass-in-indigenous-knowledges-practices-and-voices/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/snaps-and-selfies-from-the-indigenous-allied-health-associations-conference/ https://www.croakey.org/snaps-and-selfies-from-the-indigenous-allied-health-associations-conference/#respond Wed, 06 Dec 2023 07:03:19 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=195488 Introduction by Croakey: The 2023 Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) National Conference, held last week on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi peoples, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, recognised the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the diversity […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/snaps-and-selfies-from-the-indigenous-allied-health-associations-conference/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/celebrating-some-auspicious-anniversaries-in-health-policy-with-a-focus-on-community-health-services/ https://www.croakey.org/celebrating-some-auspicious-anniversaries-in-health-policy-with-a-focus-on-community-health-services/#respond Wed, 06 Dec 2023 01:45:31 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=195472 Introduction by Croakey: It’s time for celebrating some auspicious anniversaries. As we recently reported, the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam Government’s Community Health Program is a reminder of the importance of comprehensive primary healthcare – and of inequities in access […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/celebrating-some-auspicious-anniversaries-in-health-policy-with-a-focus-on-community-health-services/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/the-health-wrap-covid-concerns-turmoil-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-and-a-deep-dive-into-health-reform/ https://www.croakey.org/the-health-wrap-covid-concerns-turmoil-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-and-a-deep-dive-into-health-reform/#respond Tue, 05 Dec 2023 03:08:33 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=195424 As COVID-19 cases spike, greater efforts are needed to get more Australians vaccinated and to understand why booster vaccination rates are so low, according to Adjunct Associate Professor Lesley Russell. In her latest column, Russell also investigates the latest on […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/the-health-wrap-covid-concerns-turmoil-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-and-a-deep-dive-into-health-reform/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/health-system-spending-on-the-response-to-covid-new-report/ https://www.croakey.org/health-system-spending-on-the-response-to-covid-new-report/#respond Wed, 29 Nov 2023 19:19:02 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=195343 Introduction by Croakey: COVID’s impact on health expenditure in Australia has been lower than in many other comparable countries, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. This reflects a combination of “good luck and […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/health-system-spending-on-the-response-to-covid-new-report/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/vale-to-an-outstanding-advocate-for-rural-and-remote-communities-professor-dennis-pashen/ https://www.croakey.org/vale-to-an-outstanding-advocate-for-rural-and-remote-communities-professor-dennis-pashen/#comments Fri, 24 Nov 2023 06:37:33 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=195108 *** This article was updated on 26 November*** Croakey was shocked and saddened to learn today of the passing of Professor Dennis Pashen, who retired last year after a career in medicine spanning more than 40 years, working in many […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/vale-to-an-outstanding-advocate-for-rural-and-remote-communities-professor-dennis-pashen/feed/ 1 https://www.croakey.org/icymi-protecting-protest-tobacco-lobbyists-at-work-and-what-children-want-to-do-about-toxic-marketing/ https://www.croakey.org/icymi-protecting-protest-tobacco-lobbyists-at-work-and-what-children-want-to-do-about-toxic-marketing/#respond Wed, 22 Nov 2023 12:16:07 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194952 Many of the items in the column this week examine the power and impact of the commercial determinants of health, and highlight the need for more concerted action for health equity. We also report on plans for the new Australian […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/icymi-protecting-protest-tobacco-lobbyists-at-work-and-what-children-want-to-do-about-toxic-marketing/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/the-health-wrap-callous-disregard-for-peoples-lives-and-other-covid-concerns-climate-updates-and-songs-for-connection/ https://www.croakey.org/the-health-wrap-callous-disregard-for-peoples-lives-and-other-covid-concerns-climate-updates-and-songs-for-connection/#respond Wed, 22 Nov 2023 05:38:54 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194865 In her latest column, Adjunct Associate Professor Lesley Russell takes a deep dive into the latest news on COVID, climate and research integrity. She also brings good news in Indigenous health, and reports on a project that found choir singing […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/the-health-wrap-callous-disregard-for-peoples-lives-and-other-covid-concerns-climate-updates-and-songs-for-connection/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/heres-a-critical-opportunity-to-align-the-stars-for-meaningful-national-mental-health-reform/ https://www.croakey.org/heres-a-critical-opportunity-to-align-the-stars-for-meaningful-national-mental-health-reform/#respond Wed, 22 Nov 2023 04:56:56 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194773 Introduction by Croakey: Innovation, funding and governance could be the key ingredients for real mental health reform in Australia, according to Dr Sebastian Rosenberg and Professor Ian Hickie at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney. It is possible […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/heres-a-critical-opportunity-to-align-the-stars-for-meaningful-national-mental-health-reform/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/as-another-workforce-review-launches-what-does-the-latest-oecd-health-stocktake-reveal/ https://www.croakey.org/as-another-workforce-review-launches-what-does-the-latest-oecd-health-stocktake-reveal/#respond Wed, 22 Nov 2023 03:13:45 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194863 Introduction by Croakey: The Federal Government has announced a review of current policies and programs that aim to promote a more equitable distribution of the health workforce. The Working Better for Medicare Review, to be led by nurse, advocate and […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/as-another-workforce-review-launches-what-does-the-latest-oecd-health-stocktake-reveal/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/for-planetary-health-how-does-our-use-of-medicines-need-to-change/ https://www.croakey.org/for-planetary-health-how-does-our-use-of-medicines-need-to-change/#respond Tue, 21 Nov 2023 10:13:02 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194790 What will it take to reduce waste in healthcare? These and related pressing questions were addressed recently by a series of speakers at the National Medicines Symposium, hosted by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. As […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/for-planetary-health-how-does-our-use-of-medicines-need-to-change/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/as-gaza-hospitals-become-scenes-of-death-devastation-and-despair-global-community-urged-to-act-for-peace/ https://www.croakey.org/as-gaza-hospitals-become-scenes-of-death-devastation-and-despair-global-community-urged-to-act-for-peace/#respond Wed, 15 Nov 2023 20:40:51 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194501 Below are two reports: the first compiled by Croakey gives an overview of current health issues in Gaza; and the second by Dr Sue Wareham OAM, president of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War, explores the ethical issues […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/as-gaza-hospitals-become-scenes-of-death-devastation-and-despair-global-community-urged-to-act-for-peace/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/for-those-who-follow-history-the-glass-of-health-reform-is-at-least-half-full/ https://www.croakey.org/for-those-who-follow-history-the-glass-of-health-reform-is-at-least-half-full/#respond Wed, 15 Nov 2023 06:08:01 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194417 Introduction by Croakey: If you haven’t already, it’s worth making time to read Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler’s recent speech to a Whitlam Institute event celebrating the history of the Community Health Program. The program, launched in 1973, supported […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/for-those-who-follow-history-the-glass-of-health-reform-is-at-least-half-full/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/wide-ranging-benefits-from-integrating-pharmacists-into-aboriginal-community-controlled-health-organisations/ https://www.croakey.org/wide-ranging-benefits-from-integrating-pharmacists-into-aboriginal-community-controlled-health-organisations/#respond Wed, 15 Nov 2023 04:55:48 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194411 Integrating pharmacists into Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) brings many benefits for patients with chronic diseases, according to Associate Professor Sophia Couzos, a public health physician with the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council. In the article below, she […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/wide-ranging-benefits-from-integrating-pharmacists-into-aboriginal-community-controlled-health-organisations/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/building-better-care-and-support-systems-for-people-with-adhd-what-will-it-take/ https://www.croakey.org/building-better-care-and-support-systems-for-people-with-adhd-what-will-it-take/#respond Wed, 15 Nov 2023 03:48:19 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194390 Introduction by Croakey: A Senate inquiry has made wide-ranging recommendations to improve healthcare and support for people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); these can be read in a summary version here. The Senate committee heard from many people with ADHD […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/building-better-care-and-support-systems-for-people-with-adhd-what-will-it-take/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/important-steps-towards-reducing-health-sectors-carbon-footprint-but-so-much-more-is-needed/ https://www.croakey.org/important-steps-towards-reducing-health-sectors-carbon-footprint-but-so-much-more-is-needed/#respond Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:50:50 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194328 Positive steps are being taken to reduce the carbon footprint of the Australian health system, but many challenges and questions remain, according to presentations to the recent National Medicines Symposium. Alison Barrett reports below for the Croakey Conference News Service. […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/important-steps-towards-reducing-health-sectors-carbon-footprint-but-so-much-more-is-needed/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/calling-for-better-care-for-people-with-chronic-lung-disease-and-increased-prevention-efforts/ https://www.croakey.org/calling-for-better-care-for-people-with-chronic-lung-disease-and-increased-prevention-efforts/#comments Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:49:50 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194286 Introduction by Croakey: A draft clinical care standard for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has been released for public consultation by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Croakey readers have until 18 December to provide feedback. […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/calling-for-better-care-for-people-with-chronic-lung-disease-and-increased-prevention-efforts/feed/ 1 https://www.croakey.org/apra-data-shows-health-funds-benefitted-from-covid-19/ https://www.croakey.org/apra-data-shows-health-funds-benefitted-from-covid-19/#respond Sun, 12 Nov 2023 00:38:41 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194269 Introduction by Croakey: The latest annual applications by insurers to increase the premiums of their private health insurance policies are due this Wednesday 15 November. In the article below, Charles Maskell-Knight says the latest figures from the Australian Prudential Regulation […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/apra-data-shows-health-funds-benefitted-from-covid-19/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/doctors-who-work-with-refugees-urge-medical-organisations-to-speak-up-for-a-ceasefire-in-gaza/ https://www.croakey.org/doctors-who-work-with-refugees-urge-medical-organisations-to-speak-up-for-a-ceasefire-in-gaza/#respond Fri, 10 Nov 2023 09:02:21 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194272 Introduction by Croakey: The Australian Government must increase its efforts for peace in the Middle East, according to the Refugee Council of Australia, noting the devastating impacts of the conflict upon its members, supporters and refugee communities. The Council’s calls […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/doctors-who-work-with-refugees-urge-medical-organisations-to-speak-up-for-a-ceasefire-in-gaza/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/reducing-burnout-among-healthcare-workers/ https://www.croakey.org/reducing-burnout-among-healthcare-workers/#respond Wed, 08 Nov 2023 05:40:18 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194050 Introduction by Croakey: Burnout among healthcare workers is a well-known impact of the pandemic and wider workforce issues. And while studies and trials have shown the benefits of a shorter working week on employee wellbeing — and retention — adapting […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/reducing-burnout-among-healthcare-workers/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/who-did-the-heavy-lifting-in-health-spending-during-2021-22-not-the-private-health-insurance-sector/ https://www.croakey.org/who-did-the-heavy-lifting-in-health-spending-during-2021-22-not-the-private-health-insurance-sector/#respond Tue, 07 Nov 2023 01:58:12 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194045 Introduction by Croakey: Analysis by Charles Maskell-Knight into 2021-22 Australian health expenditure  finds, among four key takeaways, that states were again doing the heavy lifting on hospital funding, while the private health insurance sector did well out of the COVID-19 […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/who-did-the-heavy-lifting-in-health-spending-during-2021-22-not-the-private-health-insurance-sector/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/50-years-on-legacy-and-lessons-from-whitlams-landmark-community-health-program/ https://www.croakey.org/50-years-on-legacy-and-lessons-from-whitlams-landmark-community-health-program/#respond Mon, 06 Nov 2023 04:04:15 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=194019 Introduction by Croakey: “Ultimately, community health services have typically taken responsibility for the health and wellbeing of the whole community they serve in a way that other health services don’t, where the model is generally waiting for clients to come […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/50-years-on-legacy-and-lessons-from-whitlams-landmark-community-health-program/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/the-health-wrap-dropping-the-covid-ball-doing-it-tough-hard-won-health-reforms-and-news-on-vegemite/ https://www.croakey.org/the-health-wrap-dropping-the-covid-ball-doing-it-tough-hard-won-health-reforms-and-news-on-vegemite/#respond Fri, 03 Nov 2023 08:23:57 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=193979 The nutritional news on Vegemite, ongoing questions and concerns about COVID management, and lessons from the public health response to an outbreak of acute rheumatic fever are among the topics covered in the latest column from Adjunct Associate Professor Lesley […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/the-health-wrap-dropping-the-covid-ball-doing-it-tough-hard-won-health-reforms-and-news-on-vegemite/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/from-the-solomon-islands-to-geelong-sharing-powerful-stories-of-peace-making-and-identifying-big-challenges-for-health-promotion/ https://www.croakey.org/from-the-solomon-islands-to-geelong-sharing-powerful-stories-of-peace-making-and-identifying-big-challenges-for-health-promotion/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 20:22:48 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=193795 A remarkable story of a decades-long collaboration working for peace and reconciliation in the wake of a 1927 massacre on the Solomon Islands was shared at the recent Health Promotion Symposium 2023, where presenters also explored wide-ranging political, social, cultural, […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/from-the-solomon-islands-to-geelong-sharing-powerful-stories-of-peace-making-and-identifying-big-challenges-for-health-promotion/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/ahead-of-national-symposium-on-sustainability-and-medicines-what-are-the-key-concerns-and-potential-solutions/ https://www.croakey.org/ahead-of-national-symposium-on-sustainability-and-medicines-what-are-the-key-concerns-and-potential-solutions/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 19:43:13 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=193767 Efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of medicines, and to tackle waste, overdiagnosis, overtreatment and low value care will be discussed at the upcoming National Medicines Symposium, reports Alison Barrett in this preview article for the Croakey Conference News Service. […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/ahead-of-national-symposium-on-sustainability-and-medicines-what-are-the-key-concerns-and-potential-solutions/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/icymi-meta-under-fire-covid-messaging-storytelling-for-change-conference-watch-and-upcoming-events/ https://www.croakey.org/icymi-meta-under-fire-covid-messaging-storytelling-for-change-conference-watch-and-upcoming-events/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 11:06:33 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=193811 The commercial determinants of health are in focus this week – from the harmful business model of Meta, to a range of other dangerous and extractive industries. We also bring the latest news in global health, lessons from COVID in […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/icymi-meta-under-fire-covid-messaging-storytelling-for-change-conference-watch-and-upcoming-events/feed/ 0 https://www.croakey.org/new-research-underscores-urgency-of-political-reform-to-address-lobbying-by-harmful-industries/ https://www.croakey.org/new-research-underscores-urgency-of-political-reform-to-address-lobbying-by-harmful-industries/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 05:55:12 +0000 https://www.croakey.org/?p=193788 Introduction by Croakey: Recent media revelations about businessman Anthony Pratt’s strategies for cultivating political influence show the “urgent need to reform political funding laws”, according to a senior legal academic from the University of Melbourne. Pratt’s strategies have included making […]]]> https://www.croakey.org/new-research-underscores-urgency-of-political-reform-to-address-lobbying-by-harmful-industries/feed/ 0