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HIV/AIDS – the facts (HIV)
HIV/AIDS has been in Australia for more than 21 years, and the costs have been high. By the end of 2003, more than 6370 Australians had died and a further 13,600 were living with HIV infection. What is HIV?HIV stands for the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a virus that lives and reproduces in the […]
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Doctor Didj
A new study has found that playing the didgeridoo could help people who suffer from asthma. The study, which was published in the Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal and run through the University of Southern Queensland’s Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health, used music therapy to help young Indigenous asthmatics manage their condition. […]
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Turning a Blind Eye (Trachoma)
Why are Indigenous Australians still suffering from trachoma? Trachoma is a preventable condition that is almost entirely a disease of undeveloped countries. However, while mainstream Australians rarely – if ever – contract trachoma, the condition is rife in many Indigenous communities. What is trachoma?Trachoma is a contagious infection of the eye caused by bacteria. It’s […]
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The Eyes Have It (Eye Health)
Your eyes are not just the windows to your soul; they’re also how you see. So look after ’em! Our eyesight is essential for so many things. We need our sight to read, to drive, to learn and to spot danger. If you have a problem with your eyesight, it can make life very difficult. […]
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Good Nutrition
Nutrition is the science of food. All foods are made up of chemical compounds. When we eat various foods our body breaks them down into chemicals that we can then use. There are five groups of chemicals present in the various foods we eat: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Proteins Proteins are found in […]
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Cancer answers
Cancer is one of the most feared – and the most misunderstood – diseases. Although it’s often thought to be a disease that old people get, cancer rates among young people are getting higher. And Indigenous Australians are at a greater risk than the rest of the population. The most common cancers in Indigenous communities […]
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Pooped? (Chronic Fatigue)
A largely misunderstood illness that can really wear you out. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a largely misunderstood illness that causes extreme exhaustion. What are the symptoms?Sufferers can experience severe, disabling tiredness, especially after physical or mental exertion. Sleeping often fails to bring refreshment. Other symptoms include aching muscles and joints, headaches, a sore throat […]
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Heart to Heart (Cardiovascular Disease)
Avoid our biggest killer ” keep your heart healthy. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia ” it kills one Australian every 10 minutes. According to the Heart Foundation, Indigenous Australians are up to two and a half times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than the rest of the population. […]
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This Month – Puff Bunny
Having asthma shouldn’t mean that you can’t reach your goals. Just ask Joe. Joe Williams is 23 years old, a father of two and one of the NRL’s rising stars. He also has asthma. But Joe hasn’t let asthma stand in the way of his success with the South Sydney Rabbitohs ” he’s learned how […]
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Nurture your body
Our bodies are continually changing. We grow and change from a baby girl to a big girl to a young teenage girl, then into a woman and into old age. Throughout these phases, our body goes through many different changes and faces many challenges. To best cope with our ever-changing bodies and to be strong […]
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Breathe easy
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the air passages that run from your windpipe to your lungs. It affects many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children. Bronchitis is contagious and can be spread by direct or indirect contact. It may be caused by a virus, bacteria, smoking or the inhalation of […]
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Nature’s Nasties (Bites)
Do you know what to do if you encounter one of these creatures? Australia is famous for its many venomous creatures. A lot of these creatures are more commonly encountered in the summer months, so it’s important to be alert if you’re outside. Some of the more dangerous venomous creatures are: The Funnel Web SpiderThe […]
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Bad Bugs
It’s one of the most lethal diseases known to man – what you need to know about meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease is an extremely serious infectious disease that can kill in a matter of hours. Meningococcal can cause death or serious damage terrifyingly fast, and the risk of this is compounded by the fact that […]
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Obesity
Obesity is another name for being very overweight. Causes of obesity may include: * Overeating; * eating too much fatty or sugary food; * drinking too much grog; and * not doing enough exercise. Being obese can cause: * heart attacks; * your cardiovascular system to become overworked; * your physical and mental health to […]
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Seeing Spots? (Acne)
Acne – the bane of every teenager’s life. So what can be done? Acne is a skin problem that affects a lot of people in their teens. During this time, your body produces more of the male hormone testosterone, which causes your skin to produce more oil. This oil blocks pores, causing bacteria to grow. […]
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Say Cheese (Dental Health)
Look after your teeth and you’ll be laughing all the way to the dentist. Healthy teeth look great and feel great. But if you want to keep that gleaming smile, you’ll need to look after them properly. Your teeth bite and chew food so that it’s small enough to be swallowed and digested. They also […]
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