Just ask: Inclusive language tool for midwives
Two Queer midwives have co-designed an inclusive birthing language poster for midwives and birth workers to help provide respectful care for all families. “When midwives use inclusive language, they make their families feel respected and comfortable and build trust more easily. “This approach allows for open and honest communication, which is crucial during the emotional […]
Emergency Department nurses of Flinders Medical Centre drive wellbeing initiatives
Each Friday, nurses working in the Emergency Department at Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia don vibrant scrubs to uplift the mood in the consistently hectic and high-stress ward. This uncomplicated gesture to boost morale is just one of numerous initiatives led by ED nurses to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of staff members. […]
Climate change impacting babies’ birthweight for gestational age
Climate change may pose a risk to Australians’ reproductive health with new research showing a link between extreme bioclimatic exposure during pregnancy and babies’ birthweights for gestational age. The large-scale Curtin University study examined more than 385,000 pregnancies in Western Australia between 2000 and 2015, from 12 weeks prior to conception until birth. Researchers focused […]
Science uncovers why romantic love scrambles the brain
It is well known that romantic love changes the brain, releasing the hormone oxytocin, responsible for the euphoria we feel when falling in love. Researchers from the Australian National University, University of Canberra and University of South Australia have measured how a part of the brain is responsible for putting our loved one on a […]
Incidental activity of 10 minutes may decrease heart disease risk
Choosing the stairs or speedily sweeping can lower the risk of heart disease, but how much and for how long is needed for it to have an impact? According to research published in The Lancet Public Health, short bouts of incidental activity, the kind we do as part of daily living, could reduce risk of […]
Bank exercise for better health later on
While it’s never too late to exercise, the earlier you commit to regular exercise the better. Younger women can retain the benefits of exercise during their 20s, going on to have better heart health later in life, research shows. “We wanted to explore whether women could ‘grow’ their physical activity, like bank savings, for enhanced […]
Small amounts of regular exercise make a difference
Want the health benefits of exercising, but aren’t too keen on pounding the pavement or pumping iron every day? New research may be able to narrow down just how many times per week you need to exercise to make it worth your while. Exercising every day for just 20 minutes may be more effective than […]
Expansion of mental health safe spaces in communities
There is a growing momentum for the creation of community-based safe spaces for people experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crises, as an alternative to visiting hospitals and emergency departments. In Australia, some safe spaces have been established, however many are housed within or near hospitals. Hospitals come with many barriers when it comes to responding […]
Industrial relations expert supports reform to gig economy, labour hire
New protections are needed to account for the emergence of the gig economy and the rise of labour hire operators, says an Australian academic in Industrial Relations who has given evidence to the Senate Inquiry into the Closing Loopholes Bill. “The Closing Loopholes Bill will help address wide cracks in Australia’s regulatory framework, which have […]
Monovalent vs Bivalent Vaccines for COVID-19
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has advised the Australian Government regarding the use of new monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines for eligible recipients. The new monovalent vaccines will be available from 11 December 2023, coinciding with the expected rise in COVID-19 cases over the holiday period. With a relatively large number of people with […]