On 1 January 2025, the government introduced a freeze on the maximum patient cost for all PBS medicines. This is a freeze on the co-payment you pay for PBS medicines. This means the cost of your PBS medicines is the same rate as it was in 2024 and will not [...]
Keeping your heart healthy is the most important resolution you should make this new year. In Australia, heart disease remains the leading single cause of death. One Australian dies every 18 minutes from heart disease. In February, the Heart Research Foundation are focusing their spotlight on raising awareness of heart [...]
At this time of the year when we are outside more often, we know that mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but can spread diseases when they bite. In South Australia, the most common diseases spread by mosquitoes are Ross River virus and Bahmah Forest Virus. Some mosquitoes can also [...]
As of 10th January 2025, South Australia has recorded a total of 1,000,364 cases of COVID-19 since 2020. Already in 2025, there have been 220 cases reported. However, these statistics only tell part of the story as the President of the Australian Medical Association in South Australia, Dr John Williams [...]
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Anyone can be at risk of developing skin cancer, though the risk increases as you get older. The majority of skin cancers in Australia are caused by exposure to UV radiation in sunlight. The UV Index is a [...]
The new Pfizer JN.1 Vaccines, were recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on 9 October 2024. COVID Vaccination Clinics will be available from the Stirling Central Health Clinic from the week commencing December 9th. This vaccine has been developed to protect against the Omnicron subvariant JN.1. The vaccine [...]
An alarming number of cases of whooping cough have been detected in Australia this year. In fact, as at 8th November, there have been 41,722 cases or about 130 cases per day recorded compared to just 2,454 cases in 2023. According to the Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Child and [...]
Cervical cancer begins when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow uncontrollably. It may then spread to other parts of the reproductive system or to other parts of the body. Since 2017, the Pap test (or Pap smear) has been replaced by the HPV test, or Cervical Screening [...]
This year, World Diabetes Day falls on November 14th, with the aim to promote awareness of diabetes and diabetes-related issues on a global scale. According to Diabetes Australia, almost 120,000 Australians have developed diabetes in the past year. For every person diagnosed with diabetes there is usually a family member [...]
Free shingles vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) is available for eligible people at moderate to high risk of severe illness and complications from shingles. A 2-dose course of Shingrix® is available for free for: people aged 65 years and over Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years [...]
