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April 2012 News

More Australians admitted to hospital
Written by: Suzanne Still
30/04/2012 - 6:40pm

The latest government figures released today (April 30) have revealed that hospital admissions in Australian continue to rise.

Published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the Australian hospital statistics 2010-11 report showed hospital admissions increased 8.9 million in the 12 month period - up from 8.5 million in 2009-10.

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Health insurance trap for higher income earners
Written by: Suzanne Still
30/04/2012 - 6:39pm

The introduction of means testing for the federal government's 30 per cent rebate will have a significant impact on higher earning Australians with private health insurance from July 1.

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Health costs rising in 2012
Written by: Jethro Still
30/04/2012 - 5:18pm

The latest consumer data results released today (April 30) has revealed that Australians are paying more for medical and health services.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI) results for March, the cost of pharmaceutical products rose by 14.1 per cent in the three-month period.

While food, education and rent were all among the rising household costs recorded, the price of medical and hospital services also increased by 2.1 per cent.

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Strategies to keep your health insurance rebate
Written by: Suzanne Still
27/04/2012 - 5:22pm

From July 1, Australians will have their health insurance premium rebate means tested. At present, everyone is entitled to a 30 per cent government rebate to help make their health insurance premiums more affordable. However, some people on higher income will now lose this incentive.

The good news is that the means testing - and possible loss of rebate - does not happen until after June 30 - providing the opportunity for individuals to prepay premiums using the current 30 per cent rebate.

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New dads battle baby blues too
Written by: Suzanne Still
27/04/2012 - 4:03pm

New fathers are just as likely to suffer from postnatal depression as mothers, according to a recent Australian study.

Research published in the journal of Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology indicates that the first 12 months of a newborn's life can affect the mental health of both parents equally.

According to study co-author Jan Nicholson from Melbourne's Parenting Research Centre, there is a 40 per cent increase in the risk of developing postnatal depression for fathers under the age of 30. 

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Victoria urged to ban smoking outdoors
Written by: Jethro Still
27/04/2012 - 2:42pm

Health groups in Victoria are calling for the state government to follow the example set by the rest of the country and ban smoking at selected outdoor venues.

Four of the state's leading organisations - Quit Victoria, the Australian Medical Association, the Heart Foundation and the Cancer Council - have made a submission to health minister David Davis requesting a smoking ban in outdoor dining and drinking areas, as well as children's playgrounds and public transport stops.

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Means testing to significantly impact corporate health plans
Written by: Suzanne Still
26/04/2012 - 6:14pm

While there has been a lot of focus on how the means testing of the federal government's 30 per cent private health insurance rebate is going to affect individuals, little has been said on how the reform will impact on companies that choose to pay for their employees' private health insurance under their corporate health plans.

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Increasing health challenges facing adolescents
Written by: Suzanne Still
26/04/2012 - 5:33pm

An international study of adolescent health across 27 high-income countries has revealed that factors such as smoking and obesity must be addressed in order to prevent diseases later in life.

Published in the British journal The Lancet, the research evaluated the mortality rate of those aged between ten and 24.

Lead author of the initial paper, University of Melbourne professor Susan Sawyer, believes that the 4.8 million adolescent Australians are the missing link in the approach policymakers take to health in our country.

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New patient care unit for Belmont Hospital
Written by: Jethro Still
26/04/2012 - 2:39pm

Belmont Hospital in NSW's Hunter region has begun work on a new $4.6 million patient care unit.

The 16-bed addition will provide care and treatment for patients who need extra support before they can safely return home, and will see part of see the hospital's third floor fully refurbished to house the facility.

According to state minister for health Jillian Skinner, the additional beds will be used to take the pressure off existing acute hospital services in the Newcastle area.

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Study finds link between negativity and back pain
Written by: Edward Brewer
24/04/2012 - 7:00pm

An Australian health expert has suggested that lower back pain could be a result of negative thinking.

According to Western Australian Institute for Medical Research associate professor Markus Melloh, workers with a positive attitude were less likely to suffer from serious, persistent lower back pain than those who were unhappy in their role.

Speaking to Fairfax Media yesterday (April 23), the orthopaedic surgeon and rheumatologist stated that there is a direct correlation between positive attitude and the outcomes of back pain.

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