Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet news

Kidney health news

Wed, 19 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

Kidney health has generated many news items across Australia over the past week. The topics covered include: models of care to improve the management of kidney disease research on reprogramming adult kidney cells to repair damaged kidneys the impact of kidney disease on Indigenous communities. Please refer to the links below for the full stories. Please note that some news items may contain images and/or references to deceased people, which could cause distress or sadness particularly for some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Information Officer position available at the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Wed, 19 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

Edith Cowan University (ECU) is seeking an experienced and motivated person to be part of an expanding and innovative research team at ECU's award-winning Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet as an Information Officer. Reporting to the Deputy Director, the appointee will undertake information searches across a variety of health and health-related areas for the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet web resource and provide general research and admin support to the research team. The role is an excellent opportunity for a professional wishing to make a difference in Indigenous health. Applications close 8 July 2013. For more information about the position please see the links below.

Review of kidney disease among Indigenous people is now available

Wed, 19 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet has updated its comprehensive review of kidney disease among Indigenous people. The review is now available for viewing and for download on the HealthInfoNet web resource. HealthInfoNet Director Neil Thomson says that kidney disease is a significant issue for Indigenous Australians, particularly in relation to accessing appropriate health care services. 'Kidney disease continues to be a significant, and frequently serious, health threat for many Indigenous people. Of particular importance are the high rates of end-stage kidney disease, which requires kidney replacement therapy, in the form of either dialysis or transplantation. Dialysis facilities are often not available in remote communities so many Indigenous patients have to move to regional centres or major cities to receive treatment. The negative social consequences of such relocations, along with the high cost of the medical care, demonstrate the need for a comprehensive health care approach that addresses both the medical and socioeconomic dimensions of kidney disease among Indigenous people,' Professor Thomson said. The factors contributing to the high levels of kidney disease among Indigenous people are complex, involving a combination of broad historical, social, cultural, and economic factors, and biomedical risk factors, particularly diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and repeated infections. This review has been prepared by the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet as a part of our efforts to contribute to 'closing the gap' in health between Indigenous people and other Australians by making relevant, high quality knowledge and information easily accessible to policy makers, health service providers, program managers, clinicians, researchers and the general community.

PhD scholarship available in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health

Wed, 19 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

A scholarship from Andrology Australia is available to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student to undertake full-time research towards a PhD degree with a focus on health service access and primary health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. The appointed PhD student will possess either a medical or allied health professional qualification and registered with their relevant association with a demonstrated research interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health issues. Practical research experience and ability to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males in discussions about their health and wellbeing are essential requirements for this role. Potential applicants will need to negotiate their candidature with an Australian University. Expressions of interest are requested by Wednesday 31 July 2013. Source: Andrology Australia

New group for Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing

Tue, 18 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

A new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advisory Group will advise the Federal government on practical and strategic ways to improve mental health and suicide prevention programs. The group will be led by two eminent Aboriginal experts in social and emotional wellbeing, Professor Pat Dudgeon, recognised as Australia's first Indigenous psychologist, and human rights campaigner Dr Tom Calma AO, the new Chancellor of the University of Canberra. The other members of the new Group are (alphabetically): Mr Tom Brideson, Ms Lisa Briggs, Mr Ashley Couzens, Ms Adele Cox, Ms Katherine Hams, Ms Victoria Hovane, Professor Ernest Hunter, Mr Rod Little, Associate Professor Peter O'Mara, Mr Charles Passi, Ms Valda Shannon, and Dr Marshall Watson. Professor Dudgeon, Mr Brideson, and Professor Hunter are also members of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet's Social and Emotional Wellbeing Reference Group. Source: Department of Health and Ageing media release

WA HealthInfoNet post-workshop survey

Fri, 14 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

If you have participated in a HealthInfoNet workshop in WA we need your feedback - please take a few minutes to complete this survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Western-Australian-health-workers-survey This survey seeks to find out about the use of our website by workshop participants. The survey will help to evaluate the pilot training program and find out more about how people working in Indigenous health use our website and what we can do to improve the services we offer, including providing better training. Kind regardsMichelle CattoWorkshop Coordinator

Otitis media guidelines now available as a web resource

Wed, 12 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

The EarInfoNet now has otitis media clinical care guidelines available in a user-friendly, online version accessible just one click from the home page. The Recommendations for clinical care guidelines on the management of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations are intended for use by healthcare professionals who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations to facilitate the delivery of comprehensive, effective and appropriate ear health programs. The web resource allows users to download the Guidelines in full as one PDF or read specific sections by clicking on an expandable contents page. Additionally, each section is available for download as a single PDF document and section covers are also available separately. A floating table of contents allows healthcare professionals to quickly jump out of one section to navigate to another. The Guidelines are listed in the Resources and equipment section of the EarInfoNet and are available using the links below.

Men's health week news: men's sheds benefit from grants

Wed, 12 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

Minister for Indigenous Health Warren Snowdon announced yesterday that 51 more Men's sheds in communities across Australia will receive funding to upgrade their facilities or buy new equipment and tools. The announcement comes during Men's health week, a promotional campaign which aims to empower people on the frontline of health to work with and reach out to local men and boys. Under its National Male Health Policy, the Australian Government funds the Australian Men's Shed Association to run the Shed development program, which includes $250,000 a year over three years to directly assist Men's sheds, plus $125,000 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander shed activities. 'Men's sheds are more than just a place for blokes to do some woodworking and have a cuppa. They offer a welcoming environment where men can find support when they need it,' Minister Snowdon said. 'In this funding round, we looked at giving priority to sheds that are committed to working with local councils, community health services, welfare organisations, men's health services and other community services. Through these important community links, more socially disadvantaged or isolated men can benefit from the supportive atmosphere of their local Men's shed. The funding particularly supports sheds that have been established in areas of high unemployment and where social isolation and disadvantage are most common,' he said. 'We provide the money for the set up and tools, but it's the men and their mateship that make these sheds work,' Mr Snowdon said. Since 2010, the Australian Government has awarded grants to 211 Men's sheds across the nation in recognition of the important work that Men's sheds do in their communities. Round 6 of the grants program is now open and will close on Friday 26 July 2013. Source: Minister for Indigenous Health The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet now has a Men's health twitter page. You can follow us here: @AIHMen

Indigenous woman recognised for distinguished service in health and social welfare programs

Tue, 11 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

Indigenous woman June Oscar has been appointed an officer in the Order of Australia for leading the campaign to successfully introduce restrictions on the sale of full strength take-away alcohol in Western Australia's Fitzroy valley. Ms Oscar, a Bunuba woman, is the chief executive of the Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre in Fitzroy Crossing and a member of the Fitzroy Valley futures governing committee. Her groundbreaking efforts, along with Emily Carter, in 2007 contributed significantly to lowering the rates of alcohol-related violence and injuries in the region. Ms Oscar continues her struggle to fight the effects of alcohol on people in her community as chief investigator of the Liliwan project researching the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in the Fitzroy Valley. She has also been instrumental in pushing for increased capabilities to diagnose and provide better services and support for people with FASD. Ms Oscar has been recognised 'for distinguished service to the Indigenous community of Western Australia, particularly through health and social welfare programs'. Source: The Australian

Progress towards Closing the gap targets reported as PM sets new early education target

Wed, 05 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Reform Council has released the fourth independent assessment of progress towards Closing the gap targets. The report's release is just one day after Julia Gillard's announcement of a new Closing the gap target to ensure Indigenous children attend preschool or kindergarten (in response to the report's recommendation). Chairman of the COAG Reform Council, the Hon. John Brumby said it was fair to say that the report highlighted some success as well as some cause for concern. ‘While Australia is on track to halve the gap in Indigenous child death rates, the Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction on track to meet the 2031 target to close the gap on overall death rates.' And while both rates of Year 12 achievement have increased and levels of post school qualifications have risen, the data also suggest that improved educational success has not yet translated into improved employment outcomes. Indigenous students are also not faring well in reading and numeracy - the most basic skills for education, work and personal wellbeing - with numeracy even showing some decreases since the National assessment program - literacy and numeracy (NAPLAN) began in 2008. The Prime Minister said the new target would aim to ensure 90% of enrolled indigenous children across Australia attend a quality early childhood education program in the year before they start full-time school. 'Setting this participation target will help focus governments' efforts in early childhood education and drive sustained improvements in school readiness for Indigenous children across Australia.' Source: Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Reform Council and the Australian Government

Just released: Summary of Australian Indigenous health 2012

Tue, 04 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

The Summary of Australian Indigenous health status 2012 has been released and is now freely available from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website. It provides a plain language summary of the most recent indicators of the health of Indigenous people. The Summary includes Indigenous-specific information on: population births deaths common health problems health risk and protective factors. The Summary has been prepared by the HealthInfoNet as part of its effort to help 'close the gap' by providing the evidence base to inform practice and policy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The Summary aims to make this information available to all people, including those without a specialised knowledge of the health field. The HealthInfoNet makes relevant high quality knowledge and information readily accessible to policy makers, health service providers, program managers, clinicians, researchers and the general community.

Research Manager position available at the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Mon, 03 Jun 13 00:00:00 +0800

Edith Cowan University (ECU) is seeking an academic or public health professional with an extensive record of research to play a crucial role in the work and ongoing development of ECU's award-winning Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. The successful applicant will possess strong research, communication, leadership, management and engagement skills, as well as demonstrating personal attributes congruent with the University's values of integrity, respect, rational inquiry and personal excellence. The Research Manager, who reports to the Director of the HealthInfoNet, will make significant contributions to the HealthInfoNet's translational research activities, research team development, the development and maintenance of collaborative networks and partnerships and to the strategic planning of the centre. Applications close 30 June 2013. For more information about the position please see the links below.

A new reason to test for kidney function

Tue, 28 May 13 00:00:00 +0800

At the launch of national kidney health week on 27 May 2013, the Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek, and Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Shayne Neumann, an addition to the Practice incentives program (PIP). A kidney function test will be added to the minimum requirements of the annual cycle of care under the PIP diabetes incentive to encourage general practitioners to identify chronic kidney disease in patients with diabetes at an earlier stage. 'Chronic kidney disease is a major health problem that is thought to affect around one in seven Australians, although the exact number is unknown as many people remain undiagnosed,' Ms Plibersek said. The condition may be genetic for some people, but for many others the risks can be significantly reduced by eating a nutritional diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and not smoking. People with type 2 diabetes are at a particularly high risk of chronic kidney disease. 'Because of this risk, a kidney function test will be added to the minimum requirements of the annual cycle of care under the PIP diabetes incentive to encourage general practitioners to identify chronic kidney disease in patients with diabetes earlier', said Ms Plibersek. Through the PIP diabetes incentive, payments are given to general practitioners that complete an annual cycle of care to support patients with diabetes. This includes eye examinations, body mass and blood glucose monitoring, self-care education and reviews of diet, smoking, and physical activity. The new kidney function test will be added to the program from October 2013 and general practices will be notified of the changes shortly. Source: Minister for Health, Department of Health and Ageing

Unique trial of a smoking intervention for pregnant Indigenous women wins award

Tue, 28 May 13 00:00:00 +0800

A unique trial of a smoking intervention for pregnant Indigenous women is the winner of the 2013 Medical Journal of Australia's (MJA) Medical Defence Association National Prize for Excellence in Medical Research for the best research paper published in the MJA in the previous calendar year. Entitled An intensive smoking intervention for pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: a randomised controlled trial, the winning paper was authored by a unique collaboration of researchers from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, the University of Newcastle, the Apunipima Cape York Health Council and the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council. Smoking rates for Indigenous women are high and a particular problem is the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy, which is thought to be about 50%. In this trial - the first of its kind - 263 women attending their first antenatal visit at one of three Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services were randomly allocated to two pathways. The intervention group was invited to participate in a program of tailored advice and ongoing support to quit smoking, delivered by a general practitioner and other health care workers. The 'usual care' group received standard advice and support from the GP at scheduled antenatal visits. There was a high uptake of the intervention by the women to whom it was offered but this was a 'negative study' in the sense that smoking rates remained high at 36 weeks of pregnancy - 89% in the intervention group and 95% in the usual care group - a difference that was not statistically significant. This was in some ways a disappointing outcome, especially as it came on the back of extensive background research from the research team. However, the judges from the MJA's Content Review Committee recognised that this research, conducted with robust and transparent methodology in a difficult real-world setting, contributes to the very important endeavour of improving the health of Indigenous women and their children. Sponsored by Medical Defence Association National this prize awards the authors $10,000 cash. Source: NACCHO Aboriginal Health News Alerts

Indigenous suicide prevention strategy

Tue, 28 May 13 00:00:00 +0800

This national strategy seeks to address the high rate of suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities - reported to be twice that of non-Indigenous Australians. As part of the strategy, a holistic, early intervention approach will be focused on working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to build strong communities. The aims are to reduce the causes, prevalence, and impacts of suicide on individuals, families, and communities. The strategy will see increased investment for suicide prevention activities that are culturally specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities. National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Chair, Justin Mohamed, commented that, as Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations have the biggest impacts on holistic improvements in Aboriginal health, including mental health, they are a trusted source of primary health care within the community and have a pivotal role to play in the strategy. Source: NACCHO communiqué

Kidney health week: kidney disease often goes unchecked

Mon, 27 May 13 00:00:00 +0800

Despite one in three Australians being at high risk of kidney disease, the chronic illness remains low on the health radar of many people, chief executive of Kidney Health Australia, Anne Wilson says. Launching 'Kidney health week', Ms Wilson said smokers, Indigenous Australians, diabetics and people with high blood pressure were at higher risk of kidney disease. In Australia there are currently 11,000 people on dialysis, over 1,000 waiting for a kidney transplant and more than 54 die of the disease every day. Ms Wilson said despite the confronting statistics, the chronic disease often went unchecked. 'Improved early detection is the key to tackling chronic kidney disease, especially as our population ages, and more people enter high risk categories' she said. She said that while the disease was common, it was treatable if caught early, and if found early, many people could extend the life of their kidneys. Kidney Health Australia encourages people to talk to their general practitioner about the disease. Source: The Northern Star

Budget announcement assures future for the Lowitja Institute

Tue, 21 May 13 00:00:00 +0800

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet would like to congratulate our partner organisation, the Lowitja Institute, on successfully securing funding to enable them to continue their valuable work for the next five years. The Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Dr Craig Emerson, and the Minister for Indigenous Health, Mr Warren Snowdon, have confirmed that the Lowitja Institute (the Institute) will receive $25 million over 5 years commencing July 2014. After a public campaign to try to secure funding the Institute says the recent announcement is a big relief. Chief executive Lyn Brodie told the SBS that it will enable the organisation to continue research on critical issues affecting Indigenous health. The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet looks forward to collaborating with the organisation well into the future. Source: The Lowitja Institute, SBS News

Positive results received from EyeInfoNet survey

Fri, 17 May 13 00:00:00 +0800

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet recently conducted a survey on the eye health section of the website, the EyeInfoNet. The aim of the survey was to determine whether the EyeInfoNet was meeting the needs of users, gauge user satisfaction, and gain feedback about user interest in the creation of a plain language portal (sub-section linked to the relevant section) for eye health and related workers. The survey ran from 12 March to 19 April 2013, and had 68 responses from website users. The survey found that users were very satisfied with the AIH website, with 96% of respondents indicated it was ‘very easy' or ‘easy' to find the information they were looking for on the EyeInfoNet. More than half of users (61%) reported that the EyeInfoNet section ‘always' or ‘mostly' had the information they need for work, and there was also strong support for a plain language portal for eye health and related workers. Interested survey participants went into a draw to win a choice of either a camera, an iPod, or a $250 voucher. The HealthInfoNet would like to congratulate Laurel McCarthy from Queensland, who was the winner of the prize. The EyeInfoNet team thanks all participants for their valuable feedback. A three-page summary of survey results and written feedback, containing more detail, is attached as a pdf for download.

Indigenous Australians risk dementia

Thu, 16 May 13 00:00:00 +0800

Indigenous people aged over 60 are three times more likely to develop dementia than the non-Indigenous population. A new study suggests that head injury may be a contributing factor. Professor Tony Broe, the head of the Aboriginal health and ageing program at Neuroscience Research Australia, told Radio National's Samantha Donovan that potential protective factors for Indigenous people could include: the requirement for them to be able to communicate in more than one language the degree of social connection in Indigenous communities. Factors linked to the risk of developing dementia included high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and diabetes, head injuries and, possibly, problems in early brain development. Professor Broe said his team's research showed the need for more research and support services like the Koori dementia care project. Source: Australian Broadcasting Commission

Budget 2013-14: information of relevance to Indigenous health

Wed, 15 May 13 00:00:00 +0800

The Federal Budget for 2013-14 was delivered on Tuesday evening, 14 May 2013, by Treasurer Wayne Swan. Detailed information on various components of Indigenous expenditure is available in the respective Portfolio Budget Statements 2013-14. This includes: Health and Ageing Portfolio Budget Statements 2013-14 Outcome 8 - Indigenous health Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Portfolio Budget Statements 2013-14. Full Australian Government Budget details are available at the official Australian Government Budget website. Source: Australian Government