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Smoking
When you smoke, you are doing damage to your entire body. The areas of your body that are worst affected by smoking cigarettes are your lungs, arteries and especially your heart. YOUR LUNGS Some people who smoke know the damage smoking is doing to their lungs. They know that they feel short of breath and […]
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Our Health, Our Future
Together we are building a happier, healthier community. The recent release of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey 2004-2005 revealed that there are still lots of health problems in our community. But it also showed that we are becoming more responsible about getting the health care we need. According to the survey, […]
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Keeping Our Kids Safe (Family Health)
You can’t be there to protect your kids every moment of every day. But there is plenty you can do to educate your kids and gain their trust. Here are some great tips for parents and carers, to keep our kids safe. Listen to them Try to understand what they’re saying and doing ” and […]
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Beach Bugs
Now that summer is here, so is the danger of getting unwelcome attention from some of the creatures that live in the sea. Sea lice and jellyfish (such as bluebottles and box jellyfish) can turn a day at the beach into a tearfest in the sand dunes in minutes! Jellyfish If you are unfortunate enough […]
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Stress
Stress is not always a bad thing. Experts say we can’t live without it yet too much of it can threaten our health. Stress pushes some people to new heights of achievement and can get them through school exams or major sporting competitions. For others it drives them to alcoholism, drug abuse, mental illness or […]
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Burning Up
New research highlights serious fever risk that’s hurting our kids. New research has found that Indigenous kids are being increasingly struck down by acute rheumatic fever while the rest of the population remains relatively unaffected. Rheumatic fever is an infection that is a delayed complication of an untreated throat infection (strep throat) . It’s an […]
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All About Gout (Foot Health)
Despite the fact that many have never heard of it, gout is one of the world’s oldest-known diseases. Soccer fans would have read about Socceroos’ star Harry Kewell being stuck down with a case of gout during the recent World Cup, leading him to miss out on Australia’s second round match against Italy, which saw […]
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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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