Editorial

Welcome to the Christmas edition of the HealthInsite newsletter, and a special welcome to any new subscribers! Thank you for your feedback on the first edition in the new format. On the basis of that feedback, I am going to continue the thematic approach used for the last newsletter by highlighting the different events listed on the National Health Calendar and, where possible, linking you with the HealthInsite Information Partners that have the best and most relevant information relating to the conditions being highlighted.

I am delighted to be able to introduce you to a new managerial team that will be overseeing the work of HealthInsite: Jason Hitchick has replaced Suzanne Prosser as our Director; Lisa McGlynn has replaced Tam Shepherd as the head of e-Health Branch; and Richard Eccles has replaced Margaret Lyons as the head of the Primary and Ambulatory Care Division, of which we are now a part. All three have been taking an active interest in HealthInsite, and are in the process of considering the implications of the Operational Review of the site that has now been completed. It is anticipated that decisions about the implementation of the report's recommendations will be made early in the new year. I would also like to welcome Catherine Brady and Dale Heslin to our Editorial team.

On behalf of everyone associated with HealthInsite, I'd like to wish you all a safe and merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year! See you all in 2007...

Healthy Bones

National Healthy Bones Week was held from 6 - 12 August, and was coordinated by Osteoporosis Australia in conjunction with Dairy Australia. It has been a joint national initiative for the last 12 years and highlights the important role of dairy products in the development and maintenance of healthy bones and the prevention of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle, leading to a higher risk of fractures (breaks or cracks) than normal bone. Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals such as calcium, and the body cannot replace these minerals fast enough to keep the bones healthy. As a result, bones become thinner and less dense. Osteoporosis is almost as common as high blood pressure, and is more common than high cholesterol. Any bone can be affected by osteoporosis, but the most common sites are bones in the hip, spine, wrist, ribs, pelvis and upper arm. Osteoporosis has no signs or symptoms usually until a fracture occurs - this is why osteoporosis is often called a silent disease. Fractures due to osteoporosis are known as osteoporotic fractures. These can lead to changes in posture (eg developing a stoop or Dowager's hump in your back), muscle weakness, loss of height and deformity of the area affected. Fractures can lead to long-term pain and disability, loss of independence, and may even contribute to premature death.

This year, National Healthy Bones Week highlighted the release of the new Australian Government guidelines that recommend an increase in the daily calcium intake for all Australians over the age of nine years. There have been some preliminary discussions about Osteoporosis Australia becoming a HealthInsite Information Partner, and we would certainly be keen for this organisation to come on board! In the meantime, you can find out more about Osteoporosis Australia and its activities from its website at http://www.osteoporosis.org.au/html/index.php. World Osteoporosis Day, also coordinated by Osteoporosis Australia, was held on 20 October.

Osteoporosis

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Osteoporosis

Hormone Replacement Therapy

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Hormone_Replacement_Therapy

Menopause

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Menopause

Prevention of Osteoporosis

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Prevention_of_Osteoporosis

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Risk_Factors_for_Osteoporosis

Treatments for Osteoporosis

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Treatments_for_Osteoporosis

HealthInsite Information Partners dealing with Osteoporosis:

Jean Hailes Foundation

http://www.bonehealthforlife.org.au/

Hearing Awareness

Hearing Awareness Week was held from 20 - 26 August. Hearing Awareness Week is an annual event that provides an opportunity to raise community awareness of hearing impairment and ways to protect your hearing. This week is a key event for Deafness Forum of Australia - the national coordinating body. Hearing Awareness Week also provides an opportunity for the 22 percent of Australians aged 15 years and over (50% of Australians aged over 60 have a hearing impairment) who have a hearing impairment to share their experience and knowledge and help to create a greater understanding of their needs and aspirations. The National Week of Deaf People was held from 14 - 20 October and coordinated by the Australian Association of the Deaf.

Deafness and Hearing Impairment

Hearing Impairments

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Hearing_Impairments

Deafness

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Deafness

Hearing Impairments in Children

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Hearing_Impairments_in_Children

Tinnitus

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Tinnitus

Hearing Aids

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Hearing_Aids

Hearing Services

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Hearing_Services

HealthInsite Information Partners dealing with Hearing Impairment

Australian Department of Health and Ageing, Office of Hearing Services

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/Publishing.nsf/Content/Hearing+Services-1

Cancer

Daffodil Day was held on 25 August and is the Cancer Council Australia.s flagship annual fundraiser. More and more answers about cancer, its causes, and how best to treat it are being found thanks to the money raised on this day. Cancer affects nearly one in three Australians and, in the Southern Hemisphere, Daffodil Day is the largest merchandise-based fundraising event of its kind for cancer research, education, and patient support. By purchasing a daffodil, Australians helped support The Cancer Council Australia's members to provide more than $32 million to cancer research in 2006. Not only do community funds support cancer research finding causes and potential cures, these donations also support programs for patients and their families, a cancer helpline, and educational programs aimed at preventing cancer.

Cancer researcher and 2006 Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer said that by funding medical research, great things eventually came. .The vaccine for cervical cancer that I and my late co-researcher, Dr Jian Zhou, developed didn.t happen overnight. In fact, it took nearly 20 years and, in the early stages, it took a lot of support and faith from everyday people who helped fund this work,. said Professor Frazer. .Research can seem a long, painstaking, frustrating undertaking, but good things do come out the other end.. Thanks to continuous improvements in research, we now know how to prevent one third of all cancers, and more than half of all cancers can be successfully treated.

Pink Ribbon Day, also coordinated by the Cancer Council Australia, was held on 23 October. Pink Ribbon Day brings together communities from all over the nation supporting the Council's work on breast cancer. No one should face breast cancer alone and, with the community.s help and generosity, proceeds from the day fund research, prevention and education campaigns, and foster hope for those affected by this life-threatening disease.

National Bandanna Day (one of my favourites!) was held on 27 October and coordinated by CanTeen - The Australian Organisation for Young People Living with Cancer. It is CanTeen's signature fundraising event, and was again very successful. The bandanna was chosen as the symbol of the organisation because certain forms of cancer treatment result in hair loss, and many people undergoing treatment choose to wear one during this period.

November was Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and 17 November was Global Lung Cancer Day. Both events were coordinated by The Australian Lung Foundation and were designed to raise awareness about the special needs of people with lung cancer, to build patient support groups, and to facilitate research and professional development in lung disease.

National Skin Cancer Awareness Week was held from 19 - 26 November, again coordinated by the Cancer Council, and coincided with a new national skin cancer awareness campaign designed to significantly reduce the impact of the nation.s most costly yet preventable cancer. Cancer Council spokesperson and melanoma surgeon, Emeritus Professor Bill McCarthy, said that the campaign would make a significant contribution to changing the attitudes and behaviour of young people to skin cancer and sun protection. .Skin cancer claims around 1500 lives and costs the health system $300 million each year, yet it is largely preventable by taking sun-protection measures,. Professor McCarthy said. .Young people are at particular risk and are the most difficult group to convince of the need to protect themselves.. 

Cancer

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Cancer

Types of Cancer

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Types_of_Cancer

Living with Cancer

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Living_with_Cancer

Cancer Support Services

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Cancer_Support_Services

Cancer Statistics

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Cancer_Statistics

Children with Cancer

HealthInsite Information Partners dealing with Cancer

Cancer Council Australia

http://www.cancer.org.au/

Cancer Council Victoria

http://www.cancervic.org.au/index.htm

National Breast Cancer Centre

http://www.nbcc.org.au/index.html

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

http://www.petermac.org/

Australian Prostate Cancer Collaboration

http://www.prostatehealth.org.au/index.html

Asthma

Every week, on average, six Australians die from asthma. National Asthma Week was held from 1 - 7 September. National Asthma Week was established in 1995 to raise awareness of asthma as a manageable condition. People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When exposed to certain triggers their airways narrow, making it hard for them to breathe. Three main factors cause the airways to become narrow: the inside lining of the airways becomes red and swollen (inflammation); extra mucous (sticky fluid) may be produced; and, the muscle around the airways tightens (bronchoconstriction).

The causes of asthma are not really understood, but there is often a family history of asthma, eczema or hayfever. Asthma can begin at any age and change over time. Unborn babies whose mothers smoke during pregnancy, and children exposed to smoke in early childhood have a higher risk of developing childhood asthma.

Asthma triggers

• Colds and flu

• Exposure to cigarette smoke

• Exercise/activity Inhaled allergens (e.g. pollens, moulds, animal dander, and dust mites)

• Environmental (e.g. dust, pollution, wood smoke, bush fires)

• Changes in temperature and weather

• Certain medications (e.g. aspirin)

• Chemicals and strong smells (e.g. perfumes, cleaners)

• Emotional factors (e.g. laughter, stress)

• Some foods and food preservatives, flavourings, and colourings (uncommon)

Every person's asthma is different. Not all people will have the same triggers, nor will they react to every trigger listed above. You may not always know what triggers your asthma. It is helpful to identify triggers in order to avoid them; however, this is not always possible (e.g. colds and flu). Your doctor and/or local Asthma Foundation will assist you.

Can asthma be cured?

Asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled so that you are able to carry out your daily activities without asthma symptoms. Controlling asthma involves:

1. taking asthma medications as directed;
2. monitoring asthma;
3. staying active and healthy;
4. avoiding triggers whenever possible;
5. having a written asthma action plan; and
6. visiting the doctor regularly .

Asthma

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Asthma

What is Asthma?

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/What_is_Asthma_

Causes of Asthma

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Causes_of_Asthma

Management of Asthma

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Management_of_Asthma

Asthma Complications

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Asthma_Complications

Asthma in Children and Young People

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Asthma_in_Children_and_Young_People

Asthma Support Services

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Asthma_Support_Services

Asthma Statistics

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Asthma_Statistics

Occupational Asthma

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Occupational_Asthma

HealthInsite Information Partners dealing with Asthma

Asthma Foundations of Australia

http://www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/

Asthma Victoria

http://www.asthma.org.au/

National Asthma Council Australia

http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/

Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)

http://www.allergy.org.au/

Dementia

Dementia is a broad term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses that cause a progressive decline in a person.s mental functioning. There are many different types of dementia and each has its own causes. Dementia symptoms include loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills, and normal emotional reactions. There are many different forms of dementia and each has its own causes. Dementia may also be a symptom that develops in the later stages of some illnesses. Some of the most common forms or causes of dementia include:

• Alzheimers disease
• Vascular dementia
• Parkinson.s disease
• Dementia with Lewy bodies
• Huntingtons disease
• Alcohol related dementia Korsakoff's syndrome
• AIDS related dementia
• Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD)
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Alzheimer.s disease is the most common form of dementia and accounts for between 50 and 70 per cent of all cases. It is a progressive degenerative illness that attacks the brain. As brain cells shrink or disappear, abnormal material builds up as .tangles. in the centre of the cells and .plaques. form outside the cells. These disrupt messages within the brain, damaging connections between brain cells. The cells eventually die and this means that information cannot be recalled or assimilated. As Alzheimer.s disease affects each area of the brain, certain functions or abilities are lost. In its early phases, the symptoms can be subtle. Symptoms may include memory loss and vagueness, taking longer to do routine tasks or losing the point of a conversation. As the disease progresses, the changes will become more dramatic until, in the last stages, the person cannot care for themselves.

Dementia Awareness Month was held from 8 September to 8 October. This year marked the centenary of German physician Alois Alzheimer.s discovery of the condition e know now as Alzheimer.s disease. During Dementia Awareness Month and on World Alzheimer.s Day (21 September), Alzheimer's Australia said there is No time to lose . the dementia epidemic has arrived. The community awareness campaign looked to the past with the release of a dementia Centenary Document, featuring a timeline highlighting critical developments in dementia research and awareness over the past 100 years. The campaign also took stock of the present with the release of an Access Economics report commissioned by Alzheimer's Australia on behalf of the 15 Asia-Pacific members of Alzheimer's Disease International, .Dementia in the Asia Pacific Region: The Epidemic is Here.. And there was preparation for the future with a new booklet, Mind your Mind . a user.s guide to risk reduction, which gives practical everyday tips on how to reduce your risk of dementia. All of these publications are available on Alzheimer Australia'a website: http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?infopageid=2991.

The Alzheimer's Association WA is one of our trusted Information Partners.

Alzheimer.s Disease

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Alzheimer_s_Disease

Treatments for Alzheimer.s Disease

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Treatments_for_Alzheimer_s_Disease

Dementia

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Dementia

Carers of People with Dementia

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Carers_of_People_with_Dementia

Living with Dementia

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Living_with_Dementia

HealthInsite Information Partners dealing with Dementia

Dementia (Alzheimers)

Alzheimer's Australia WA Ltd

http://www.alzheimers.asn.au/

Stroke

FAST is an easy way for everyone to recognise the signs of stroke:

Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms?
Speech difficulty - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time to act fast - seek medical attention immediately

The signs of a stroke are:

• Weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg on either or both sides of the body
• Difficulty speaking or understanding
• Dizziness, loss of balance, or an unexplained fall
• Loss of vision, sudden blurred, or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Headache, usually severe and of abrupt onset, or an unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
• Difficulty swallowing

This year's National Stroke Week also aimed to promote the importance of the strokesafe" message to men in the Australian community. In the National Stroke Foundation's most recent Stroke Awareness Survey, it was revealed that&

" men are more likely to incorrectly define a stroke;

" about 1 in 5 Australians are unable to name a single sign of stroke and are more likely to be male; and

" males are not recognising that stroke is a medical emergency.

As you may know, strokesafe" is the broader public health campaign developed by the National Stroke Foundation to address the escalating rise in the number of strokes occurring because the population is ageing. It is estimated that 48,000 Australians have a stroke every year. This number will rise to a staggering 74,000 by the year 2017 if nothing is done. Of the 53,000 people that experience a stroke each year, one third will die in the first 12 months. Approximately 350,000 Australians who have suffered a stroke are living in the community.   While stroke is more common amongst the elderly, it is not isolated to this age bracket. Over 50% of people suffering strokes are under the age of 75 years, with around 5% of strokes under the age of 45 years. Importantly, stroke can be treated and is preventable.

Life after stroke has its own particular challenges that will take time, support and determination to adjust to. A stroke survivor has to get used to doing things differently and it can impact on intimacy, relationships and on work and hobbies. Help might be provided by your GP, by family or friends, from other stroke survivors of through organisations like the National Stroke Foundation.

Stroke

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Stroke

Prevention of Stroke

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Prevention_of_Stroke

Living with Stroke

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Living_with_Stroke

Treatments for Stroke

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Treatments_for_Stroke

Stroke Support Services

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Stroke_Support_Services

Stroke Statistics

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Stroke_Statistics

Stroke Rehabilitation

HealthInsite Information Partners dealing with Stroke

National Stroke Foundation

http://www.strokefoundation.com.au/

Brainlink

http://www.brainlink.org.au/

HealthInsite Information Partners dealing with Haemophilia

Haemophilia Foundation Australia

http://www.haemophilia.org.au/

Mental Health

Mental Health Week was also held from 8 - 14 October and is an annual national awareness week aimed at promoting the importance of mental health and wellbeing to the wider community. Mental Health Week is always the week that World Mental Health Day (10 October) falls within, and National Stress Less Day always falls on the Wednesday of the designated week. Activities and events are coordinated at the state/territory level, and local and regional events are organised by local groups and communities. The objectives of the week are common nationally: to increase knowledge and community education about mental health issues; to foster a more supportive and informed attitude to those who live with mental illness; and, to encourage participation in healthy lifestyle strategies.

The CEO of beyondblue (one of our trusted Information Partners), Leonie Young, said that we should all watch out for the signs of depression over the festive period and reach out to people who might need help. "Many people build up to this time of year with great expectations only to face an anticlimax if their hopes aren't fulfilled. Separation or divorce, or just being a long way from home, can bring back painful memories or create strong emotions".

beyondblue psychologist and Deputy CEO, Dr Nicole Highet said stress linked to Christmas and holidays should not be confused with the illness, depression. If the stress continues however, it can lead to distress, which may lead in some instances to depression."People with depression sometimes find that the holidays interfere with their regular routine and visits to health professionals may be disrupted because of the holidays. This means they rely more on their friends and family for support, which can create tension on both sides. We need to be aware of the feelings of people who aren't well, especially around the Christmas and New Year period."

"If you notice any changes in the behaviour of someone you care about, be there to offer support. If they don't seem to be coping, help the person to see a GP or other health professional. Keep in close contact with them and try not to leave them alone if they do have a problem," said Dr Highet.

World Suicide Prevention Day was held on 10 September and coordinated nationally by Suicide Prevention Australia.

Mental Health

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Mental_Health

Good Mental Health

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Good_Mental_Health

Mental Health of Australians

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Mental_Health_of_Australians

Mental Illnesses

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Mental_Illnesses

Mental Health Policies and Research

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Mental_Health_Policies_and_Research

Support for People with a Mental Illness, their Carers and Families

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Support_for_People_with_a_Mental_Illness__their_Carers_and_Families

Suicide Prevention

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Suicide_Prevention

HealthInsite Information Partners dealing with Mental Health

Mental Health Association NSW Inc.

http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/home.htm

SANE Australia

http://www.sane.org/

Australian Department of Health and Ageing. Mental Health and Wellbeing

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/Publishing.nsf/Content/Mental+Health+and+Wellbeing-1

beyondblue

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx

Black Dog Institute

http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/index.cfm

CRUfAD

http://www.crufad.com/cru_index.htm

DepressioNet

http://www.depressionet.com.au/sod.html

Carers Week

Carers Week was held from 15 - 21 October, and coordinated by Carers Australia. This year's theme was "Anyone Anytime", reminding us that any one of us at any time in our lives may be called upon to become a carer for a family member or friend. There are around 2.6 million carers in Australia, and some half a million of these people are primary carers. Caring is often a very private role performed out of sight of the public and of colleagues, without expectation of acknowledgment. Carers play a vital role in our community supporting people who are frail, aged, have a disability, or a debilitating condition. Carers Week gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the important role carers play, and to assist carers to find the support available to help them continue caring.

In the words of someone who was suddenly put in the position of becoming a carer, and experienced the support that carers can provide:

"At 8.15am on the 18th of March this year, my life changed - I became a carer. While my husband was in hospital, I was given so much information by so many people that I felt overwhelmed - where should I go for an answer to this question, or a solution to this problem? I struggled with balancing my responsibilities as an employee, and responding to my husband's needs and activities. If it wasn't for the carers' support groups helping with practical issues, counselling, and just good old encouragement, I would have had no idea how to find my way through the maze of paperwork to find the information and help I needed from the many community and government organisations."

To find out more about the wonderful support offered by the carer organisations in your state or territory, go to http://www.carersaustralia.com.au. For informative fact sheets, go to http://www.survivingthemaze.org.au.

Carers

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Carers

Carers of People with Dementia

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Carers_of_People_with_Dementia

Carers of People with Parkinson.s Disease

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Carers_of_People_with_Parkinson_s_Disease

Respite Care

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Respite_Care

Support Services for Carers

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Support_Services_for_Carers

Palliative Care

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Palliative_Care

Nutrition

National Nutrition Week was held from 15 - 21 October, and was coordinated by Nutrition Australia - yet another of our marvellous Information Partners. The theme for this year's event was Falling in love with food, and emphasised the need to take time to value yourself and your health and start falling in love with food by:

Discovering the pleasures of sharing a meal
Enjoying fresh foods, cooked from scratch
Exploring new tastes - savour the flavours
Choosing a balance of foods that enhance wellbeing

Nutrition Week Activities this year focussed on preparing and sharing. So whether at home, or at school, or at work, we want all Australians to appreciate the value in taking time to enjoy healthy meals together. To this end, Nutrition Australia developed nutrition kits for both schools and workplaces, and these kits are still available through http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/nutritionweek06/.

Compulsive Overeating Awareness Week was held from 13 - 19 November, and coordinated by Overeaters Anonymous.

Nutrition

Food and Nutrition

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Food_and_Nutrition

Diet and Conditions

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Diet_and_Conditions

Family Nutrition

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Family_Nutrition

Food Safety

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Food_Safety

Beverages

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Beverages

Foods

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Foods

Key Nutrients

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Key_Nutrients

Nutrition and Diet Services

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Nutrition_and_Diet_Services

Nutritional Disorders

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Nutritional_Disorders

Eating Disorders

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Eating_Disorders

Obesity

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Obesity

HealthInsite Information Partners dealing with Nutrition

Nutrition Australia

http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/

Healthy Eating Club

http://www.healthyeatingclub.org/

Diabetes

World Diabetes Day was held on 14 November and coordinated by Diabetes Australia. The day capped off a year-long campaign involving the entire global diabetes community. The 2006 campaign .Diabetes Care for Everyone. has highlighted the fragmented delivery of essential diabetes care, prevention, and education to disadvantaged communities and vulnerable groups. To this end, Diabetes Australia has been working to address the issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes. Not only is diabetes more common among Indigenous people than in the rest of the Australian population, but its onset occurs at a younger age. The estimated number of Indigenous adults with type 2 diabetes is up to four times higher than that of Australians of European descent.

To coincide with World Diabetes Day, health professionals and Indigenous leaders in health and diabetes from around the world and Australia gathered in Melbourne to address the issues facing Indigenous communities at the two-day .Diabetes in Indigenous People Forum., hosted by Diabetes Australia and the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF). Drawing on expertise from Australian and internationally renowned specialists, the Forum sought to address the key areas of children, screening and prevention, pregnancy, and nutrition.

Other diabetes events that have taken place over the last few months include What's the Buzz Day on 16 September, and the Walk to Cure Diabetes on 15 October. What's the Buzz Day (again coordinated by Diabetes Australia) raised funds for diabetes awareness, research, education, and advocacy programs. The Walk to Cure Diabetes was coordinated by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and raised funds to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes

Diabetes

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Diabetes

Types of Diabetes

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Types_of_Diabetes

Prevention of Diabetes

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Prevention_of_Diabetes

Risk Factors for Diabetes

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Risk_Factors_for_Diabetes

How to Recognise Diabetes

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/How_to_Recognise_Diabetes

Complications of Diabetes

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Complications_of_Diabetes

Living with Diabetes

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Living_with_Diabetes

Treatments for Diabetes

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Treatments_for_Diabetes

Diabetes and Pregnancy

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Diabetes_and_Pregnancy

Diabetes Support Services

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Diabetes_Support_Services

Diabetes Statistics

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Diabetes_Statistics

HealthInsite Information Partners dealing with Diabetes

Diabetes Australia Victoria

http://www.dav.org.au/

International Diabetes Institute

http://www.diabetes.com.au/

We always welcome feedback on our services, so if you have any comments, questions, or general remarks on how we are going, please don't hesitate to email us at:

healthinsite.feedback@health.gov.au

I will be making a New Year's resolution to provide you with more regular editions of the newsletter in 2007! Until then, please take care of yourselves and your loved ones!

Best wishes

Bryn

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New Information Partners

Our newest Information Partner, the National Prescribing Service (NPS), joined the HealthInsite family at the end of November, and we're including some information about the NPS below. We would also encourage you to explore their substantial online resources.

National Prescribing Service

The National Prescribing Service is an independent, non-profit, member-based organisation, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to provide accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to health professionals and the community on Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). To achieve this, the NPS works in partnership with general practitioners, pharmacists, specialists, other health professionals, governments, the pharmaceutical industry, consumer organisations, and the community.

The NPS already had a partnership with HealthInsite through its involvement with the Australian Prescriber website.

Hot Tip
Consumer Medicine Information

Those of you who subscribe to, or take an interest in, Choice magazine may have seen a recent article on the difficulties associated with accessing Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) online.

HealthInsite provides access to nearly 2000 CMI's on the myDr website (http://www.myDr.com.au). These are included in HealthInsite's search database to help you easily find CMI's using either the trade or generic name of any of the included medications. You can find out more about searching for medicines information by going to the HealthInsite medicines topic page (http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Medicines)

Latest Resources

The HealthInsite team regularly adds new items to the database including new information partners, new topic pages and news items. Why not take a look at the list of new and updated material added to the database in the past months, but again the list will be quite extensive!

What's in the Next Edition?

Next edition, there will be a special Back to School feature...

That's it for now, from all of us at HealthInsite.

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