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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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Hygiene in the Bush
Hygiene and safety are important things to keep in mind while in the bush. There’s nothing worse than getting sick or hurting yourself in the bush – it can ruin your weekend and may even be life threatening. To ensure your camping experience is trouble free, try and keep these things in mind: 1. Keep […]
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Avoid The Winter Flu Blues
The latest flu strains are heading our way, but thankfully so are the latest vaccines for influenza, as well as those for pneumococcal infections (such as pneumonia and meningitis). The Australian Government is once again making these vaccines available for free to all Aboriginal Medical Services, GPs and community health centres – so if the […]
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Bruce Martin
Deadly Vibe Issue 60 February 2002 Swim for it! Bruce Martin knows all about treading water. As a water polo player who has represented the ACT and Australia in the sport, he’s had to be careful not to touch the bottom (or sides) of the pool throughout games played in the former Yugoslavia, Hungary and […]
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Food Poisoning
Treat your food well to keep those nasty bugs at bay. If you’ve ever had food poisoning, you’ll know how sick contaminated food can make you. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea and can occur anywhere from half an hour to several hours after eating. If you want to keep yourself and your family […]
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Headlice
Nits and head lice are a big worry for many parents with kids of preschool and primary school age. Quite often, there is a sense of shame associated with having nits or head lice. But infestation is quite common – it can and does happen to anyone. There is nothing to be ashamed of! Nits […]
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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers that women – both young and old – have to deal with these days. Breast cancer is often thought of as a disease of ageing. This is because more than 70 per cent of cases occur in women over 50. However it is not unknown for […]
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Breathe Easy (Asthma)
Don’t let asthma take the wind out of your sails. More than 2.2 million Australians suffer from asthma. People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When they’re exposed to certain things, or “triggers”, their airways become narrower, which makes it harder for them to breathe. What causes asthma?The cause of asthma is not […]
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Early Warning (Heart Disease)
Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack could save someone’s life ” maybe even your own. Coronary heart disease and heart attack is the underlying cause of death for almost 25,000 Australians every year. Among Indigenous Australians, heart disease affects around one in eight people, with the 2004-2005 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander […]
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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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