New Body Shape Indicates Diabetes Risk

A novel trunk-to-leg-volume ratio shows a strong association with diabetes, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and mortality, according to data derived from whole body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of a representative sample of the US population. The authors believe this independent marker stratifies diabetes and mortality more accurately than currently available measures of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, and that those with this body shape may have elevated mortality even if they are not considered overweight.

The research article Ratio of Trunk to Leg Volume as a New Body Shape Metric for Diabetes and Mortality is available is available free full text at PLoS One.

Operating theatre efficiency report

In 2011-12, approximately 210,000 patients had elective surgery in over 270 public hospital operating theatres in New South Wales. The cost of elective surgery within hospitals is estimated to be $1.3 billion each year or about 17 per cent of NSW Health’s inpatient hospital services budget.  Managing operating theatre efficiency for elective surgery is a report from the NSW Auditor General released this month which gives all such statistics, as well as the fact that 45% of all admissions to operating theatres are for elective surgery. 

The report concludes that there is room for operating theatres to be managed more efficiently and that there is potential for more elective surgery at current funding and resourcing levels.  It was acknowledged that  despite elective surgery numbers growing by 6% over the last three years, public hospitals are now treating patients from waiting lists substantially within national clinical timeframes.  However, the audit showed that NSW Health is not meeting its three key elective surgery efficiency targets: theatre utilisation, cancellations on the day of surgery and first case starting on time.  One problem identified was that local management needs access to more information, particularly financial information, in order to manage operating theatres more efficiently.  Various other recommendations were made.

Stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness

A new study from mental health charity, SANE Australia, reports that stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness is widespread, harmful to recovery, and is a major barrier to participation in society for those affected.

The new report – A Life without Stigma – concludes that a national strategy to tackle stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness is vital, and should be a non-negotiable component of mental health policies and plans.

There’s something you can do to reduce your risk of stroke

Reposted from "The Conversation". Michelle McDonald, a Lecturer in rehabilitation at University of South Australia has written; "Many people who have had a stroke believe that their family history is the main reason for it, regardless of how well they look after themselves. While a family history of cardiovascular disease does increase your risk of stroke or heart attack, it doesn’t make it your destiny.

Exercising to the point of breaking a sweat plays a key role in stroke prevention, and can help change your family’s medical history. Read the rest of her interesting comments on a study recently released in the journal Stroke at "The Conversation" website.

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program report 2011-12

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program : July 2011-June 2012 monitoring report has been released by the AIHW.  It presents statistics on the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program for Australians invited to take part during this period, when over 320,000 people were screened, with about 22,500 found to require further assessment. One out of every 15 assessments recorded detected an advanced adenoma (pre-cancerous lesion), and a bowel cancer was detected in 1 out of every 32 assessments.  

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) aims to reduce the incidence, illness and mortality related to bowel cancer in Australia by screening to detect cancers and pre-cancerous lesions in their early stages.  As in previous years, women were more likely to screen than men, but men had higher rates of screen-detected bowel cancers and overall incidence and mortality.  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants, those who lived in regional and remote regions and in areas of lower socioeconomic status, had higher rates of positive screening, yet lower rates of follow-up colonoscopies than other participants. 

Staying healthy - preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care

The 5th edition of Staying Healthy : Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) represents an increased focus on a risk-management approach to infection prevention and control principles in daily care activities. Staying Healthy provides educators and other staff working in education and care services with simple and effective methods for minimising the spread of disease. It contains advice on procedures and discussing exclusion periods with parents in six parts: 

• concepts of infection control 
• monitoring illness in children 
• procedures 
• issues for employers, educators and other staff 
• fact sheets on diseases common to education and care services 
• forms, useful contacts and websites. 

Australian indigenous kidney disease review

A new comprehensive review of Australian Indigenous kidney disease is now available on the HealthInfoNet Australian Indigenous web resource.  Review of kidney disease among Indigenous people by S. Stumpers and N. Thompson aims is to provide an overview of the burden of kidney disease among Indigenous Australians, since the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the overall levels of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are consistently reported as significantly higher than among other Australians.

The review looks at the context of kidney disease among the general Australian population, and the factors contributing to kidney disease among Indigenous people. Statistics are provided on incidence, prevalence and associated hospitalisation and mortality. The management and treatment of kidney health problems are discussed, and the current policies and strategies employed to address kidney health in Australia are outlined.

Model for palliative and end of life care service provision

The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation has published their Framework for the Statewide Model for Palliative and End of Life Care Service Provision. This is the first step in developing a statewide model for palliative and end of life care and describes some of the complexities faced in providing quality palliative and end of life care across a range of acute, sub-acute, primary care and community settings, including the home.

The Framework also sets the groundwork for the development of a Model of Care by identifying the principles, service definitions and structural arrangements that are required for the delivery of effective, accessible and efficient care to people in NSW who are approaching or reaching the end of life, their families and carers.

Intimate partner violence - WHO guidelines

A health-care provider is likely to be the first professional contact for survivors of intimate partner violence or sexual assault and the World Health Organisation has issued a guidelines document to aid health professionals with their response.  Responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women : WHO clinical and policy guidelines provides evidence-based guidance and advice for policy makers, encouraging better coordination and funding of services, and greater attention to training programs for health care providers. 
The guidelines are based on systematic reviews of the evidence, and includes:

• Identification and clinical care for intimate partner violence 
• Clinical care for sexual assault 
• Training relating to intimate partner violence and sexual assault against women  

The guidelines provide standards that can form the basis for national guidelines, and for integrating these issues into health-care provider education.

Emergency Services and Mental Illness

New research by SANE Australia has found that mental health services too often leave police, ambulance staff and families to pick up the pieces when people become unwell, revealing a crisis-driven system. More than 600 people completed the online survey, with almost three-quarters (72%) saying that risk of suicide or self-harm was the main reason for the emergency call.

64% of respondents said emergency services showed little awareness of the impact on family and friends and an even higher proportion (73%) reported that they had not been provided with any referral to services to support them. (Reposted from SANE Mental Health Sector Bulletin for June 2013)

Download SANE Research Bulletin 17: Emergency services and mental illness (June 2013)

Heart Health Information Sheets for Indigenous People

The Heart Foundation has developed information sheets to educate patients and communities about cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. Designed for patients and families, these information sheets are easy-to-read and cover a range of topics including:

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Coronary heart disease
• Heart attack
• Nutrition
• Obesity
• Physical activity
• Smoking  

Model Shows Large Impact of Flu Shots on US Disease Burden

Vaccination against influenza has a substantial annual impact on the burden of disease in the US, according to the results of a unique model developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccination program prevents influenza-related illnesses and hospitalizations on a very large scale, it estimates, avoiding about 40,000 hospitalizations in 2010-2011. The higher the coverage, the fewer the influenza cases, patient visits, and hospitalizations.
Influenza Illness and Hospitalizations Averted by Influenza Vaccination in the United States, 2005-2011  PLoS One | Jun 19, 2013 (FREE FULL TEXT)

Energy drinks: an unaddressed health hazard

Michelle Hughes, writing for the Crikey Health Blog, has addressed the issue of energy drinks. Dr Melissa Stoneham, Deputy Director of the Public Health Advocacy Institute WA has spoken out saying experts can tell you that energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, sugar and novel ingredients, and are a public health hazard for young people. However sports people may tell you something different as they are often sponsored by the Energy Drink Companies.

Stroke and its management in Australia: an update

This report presents a comprehensive picture about, and the latest data on, stroke and how it is managed in Australia. It examines the impact of stroke on patients, their carers, the health system and aged care services. In particular for stroke patients, the report includes information on incidence, prevalence, hospitalisation, disability, treatment and deaths. The report also examines trends and inequalities in stroke and its management in Australia; and makes international comparisons; and identifies data gaps.

Download the full report here.

Programs to Improve Interpersonal Safety in Indigenous Communities

A new report from AIHW titled Programs to improve interpersonal safety in Indigenous communities: evidence and issues has been released this week. This Issues paper provides an overview of the range of programs and interventions that have been implemented in an attempt to improve aspects of community safety. It examines the outcomes of these programs delivered to indigenous Australians.

Download the full report for free online.