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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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Cataracts
A cataract is progressive clouding of the lens inside the human eye. First it goes yellow, then brown, and finally totally opaque (cloudy). Cataracts usually develop as part of the aging process. But they may also develop as a result of injury, certain diseases, medications or even our genes. Children and infants can be affected […]
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Sun Sense
Don’t blister, sister! Don’t get burnt, brother! Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. This is because of our long, hot summers, our depleted ozone layer, and the fact that all Australians spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun. While skin cancer can be treated effectively if it’s detected […]
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Liver Safe Life
Hepatitis C is spreading fast, but there are ways to protect yourself. Hepatitis C is the most reported infectious disease over the last 10 years in Australia, with an estimated 16,000 new infections every year. There are estimated to be approximately 242,000 people with hepatitis C in Australia, but more recently a survey indicated that […]
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Power of the Pooch
Hayfever – something to sneeze at. Hayfever sufferers know the misery of their condition all too well – red, itchy eyes, runny, stuffy nose, itchy throat and uncontrollable sneezing. For those who don’t suffer from this affliction, you may think of hayfever as something that only happens in spring. But hayfever can happen at any […]
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Winter Colds and Flu
Now that the colder months are setting in, it’s important to keep yourself healthy in order to prevent colds and flu. Staying healthy means keeping warm, drinking lots of water and of course eating healthy foods, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables. Another way to stay healthy is to take a daily multivitamin, vitamin C and […]
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Learn To Swim
Don’t take risks! Learn to swim! You should be able to swim, tread water or at least stay afloat if you are in, or near, the water. If you cannot, make sure there is an adult looking after you who can swim. Never overestimate your swimming ability Young people often think they are good swimmers […]
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Diabetes – the Black Plague?
It’s one of the biggest health problems facing our community. Make sure you have the facts. It might feel like everywhere you turn people are banging on about diabetes, but the fact is, diabetes is still affecting more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than other Australians. A recent study by the Australian Institute of […]
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Back to Basics (Spine Damage)
The wrong schoolbag can damage your back. Recent research has revealed that up to 70 per cent of students may be damaging their spines by carrying their schoolbag incorrectly. Macquarie University in NSW recently surveyed a group of students, and found that 70-75 per cent of them displayed some form of lower or upper body […]
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Concussion
Concussion is a term used to describe a minor head injury, not usually life-threatening, and common to rugby league, rugby union and Australian Rules football players. Concussion is generally caused by either a direct blow to the head or from a sudden change in direction that causes the brain to hit against the inside of […]
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Sole survivor
You do not have to be an athlete to get athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin infection on the feet and is quite a common infection. It is believed to affect up to 70 per cent of Australians at some stage during their lives. The fungus that causes this condition is called trichophyton […]
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Toe the Line (Foot Health)
Get ready for summer ” feet first. One of the best things about summer is being able to wear open shoes like thongs or sandals. But if you’ve got gnarly toes, wearing summer shoes can mean a lot of embarrassment and discomfort. One of the most common foot problems is fungal nail infection. This can […]
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Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that causes high levels of sugar in the blood stream. It is caused by problems with the hormone “insulin” which is produced by the pancreas. There are two types: non-insulin diabetes, which is treated by weight reduction, diet and use of drugs to increase insulin in your body; and insulin dependant […]
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