In this edition, we'll look at a number of new breast cancer initiatives that have been launched to coincide with Breast Cancer Month in October.
We'll also highlight two recent safety alerts: one from the Therapeutic Goods Administration relating to a brand of hot and cold packs, and one from Food Standards Australia and New Zealand relating to Chinese lollies.
A new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report considers the progress that has been made in child and youth health, as well as foreshadowing future challenges.
The Federal Minister for Sport has just launched new national guidelines to promote safety in sport for children and young people, and a national sport injury prevention program.
And we'll look at a number of events on the health calendar for October 2008.
The National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre, one of HealthInsite's Information Partners, has developed a suite of new resources to improve the treatment and support of all cancer patients affected by secondary lymphoedema. These evidence-based resources have been produced with funding from an Australian Government grant.
To download or order the lymphoedema resources, visit www.nbocc.org.au/lymphoedema, or call 1800 624 973.
HealthInsite has a topic page with links to information on lymphoedema, as well as an extensive topic area on different cancers and their treatments.
Breast Cancer - Replacement breast prostheses
The Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) has welcomed the Australian Government's announcement that Medicare will reimburse women for new and replacement breast prostheses. The BCNA issued a media release earlier this month.
The program will come into effect in December this year, although women will be able to claim the reimbursement for purchases made from 1 July 2008. Medicare will reimburse $400 of the total cost of a prosthesis.
To ensure a better understanding of the new arrangements, go to the Medicare Australia (another trusted HealthInsite Information Partner) site.
About 100,000 women will be sought to take part in Australia's biggest in-depth study of breast cancer. The study is aimed at helping to improve the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
More details are available in the Minister for Health and Ageing's media release.
HealthInsite has links to a wide range of information on breast cancer, including risk factors, diagnosis, treatments, support, research, and statistical information. It also has a topic page on Clinical Trials, with a link to the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is recalling Thermoskin® brand gel hot/cold packs after testing revealed that the packs contain the toxic substance ethylene glycol, rather than the non-toxic ingredient propylene glycol.
The TGA's investigation was prompted by a report of an incident in NSW involving a case of accidental poisoning of a young child following the ingestion of the contents of a Thermoskin® brand hot/cold pack.
Source: TGA Urgent safety advisory - Thermoskin® hot/cold packs
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has formally requested that wholesalers and importers voluntarily withdraw White Rabbit Brand Candies from shops pending further results of testing for melamine.
Testing in New Zealand has confirmed that this product contains sufficiently high levels of melamine which may, in some individuals, cause health problems such as kidney stones if consumed in high quantities over a long period.
FSANZ has also issued a fact sheet regarding dairy products from China.
HealthInsite has topic pages on Food Safety and Food Regulation.
Making progress - how Australia's children measure up
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), another trusted HealthInsite Information Partner, has recently released a report that examines progress made in child and youth health and wellbeing over the last decade, and focuses on both improvements and future challenges.
The AIHW report, Making progress: the health, development and wellbeing of Australia's children and young people will be an essential resource for policy makers, researchers, practitioners, and anyone interested in the progress of Australia's children and youth.
HealthInsite links to a wide range of information on child and youth health.
New safety guidelines for children and young people in sport
The Australian Government has moved to make sport safer for young Australians with the launch by the Federal Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, of new national guidelines to promote safety in sport, and a national sport injury prevention program.
Australian studies have estimated that some one million Australians injure themselves while playing sport each year, and that children aged 5-14 years have the highest rate of injuries requiring treatment and affecting performance or participation in activity.
Ms Ellis said The Safety Guidelines for Children and Young People in Sport and Recreation and the National Smartplay program would help schools, teachers, coaches, parents and administrators to support safer sporting practices and reduce injury risks.
To access The Safety Guidelines for Children and Young People in Sport and Recreation and Smartplay, visit www.smartplay.com.au. More information is available in the Minister's media release.
Health Calendar - October 2008
October 2008 is another busy month in the health calendar! It is beyondblue's Anxiety and Depression Awareness (ADA) Month, and includes Mental Health Week from 5 - 11 October and World Mental Health Day on 10 October.
beyondblue is offering free ADA Month information kits and is encouraging people to talk openly about anxiety and depression at home, work or school. A free DVD, Stories of Hope and Recovery which includes an interview with Garry McDonald (the actor who starred as Norman Gunston, for those who are old enough!) talking about his experience of depression and anxiety, is available to be played at work, school, or community gatherings.
Other activities include Sleep Awareness Week from 5 - 11 October, National Nutrition Week from 12 - 18 October, and National Carers Week from 19 - 25 October. International Pregnancy and Infant Loss day is on 15 October, and National Babies Day on 17 October.
For the full 2008 calendar, please see the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing's Calendar of Health Events.
