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Health News

Money worries worsen workforce wellbeing crisis

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Money worries worsen workforce wellbeing crisis

SONDER

Financial insecurity is leading to poorer employee wellbeing and is exacerbating Australia’s workforce wellbeing crisis, medical experts suggest.

Official statistics have laid bare the economic fragility of Australia’s workers, and lifted the lid on a workforce in serious physical and psychological distress. Inflation has jumped to 6.1 per cent over the year to June – the fastest pace in more than 30 years. Medical experts are warning of a worsening workforce crisis as workers grapple with the soaring cost of living, and poorer overall wellbeing.

 Key Points:  

  • The latest census statistics reveal more than 8m Australians have a long-term health condition, with mental health issues surpassing every other chronic illness. Census data also highlights increased cost of living pressures, as Australians face paying bigger mortgages and higher rentsAustralia’s inflation rate, or CPI, is currently at a record high.  Meanwhile, official labour statistics show that Australia’s underemployment rate has increased to 6.1 per cent and that people are working fewer hours than usual due to their own illness or injury or sick leave.
  • The figures correspond with the findings of a Sonder-commissioned survey of 1,025 employees in Australia working more than 20 hours per week. The sobering survey shows that employees are not feeling physically and/or psychologically safe at work, and that employee concern about mental wellbeing is affecting workplace attendance rates.
    • 42 per cent of employees reported taking time off work in the last 12 months due to concerns about their mental wellbeing, with 26 per cent of respondents reporting taking time off work in the last year due to concerns about the mental wellbeing of their friends or family.
    • Survey respondents who worked part time or casually were more likely to feel uncomfortable talking to their manager about mental wellbeing (43 per cent), compared with 31 per cent of respondents who worked full time.
    • Respondents who were full-time employees were more likely to be aware of wellbeing programs offered in the workplace (74 per cent), compared to 59 per cent of respondents who were part time or casual employees.
  • Sonder’s Medical Director and Specialist Physician, Dr Jamie Phillips, said that Australians were making impossible compromises to the detriment of their overall health.
    • “People are having to make difficult health-purchasing decisions and are priortising their basic human needs, such as paying their rent or mortgage, over paying for prescriptions or seeking medical care,” he said.
    • “Too many Australians are not getting the help they need, and this has been exacerbated by the recent cost of living stress on household budgets. This has broad implications for individuals, their families, their employers, their communities, and the wider society. Left untreated, problems escalate, which means higher treatment costs for individuals, plus increased absenteeism and lost productivity at work,” he said.
  • Dr Phillips added that diverse groups— including women, LGBTQ+ employees, First Nations, people of colour, and working-class families were struggling the most.
    • “We know that people within specific social groups have greater exposure to more challenging work environments, such as physically-demanding jobs, shift work, and precarious and insecure employment,” he said.
  • Dr Phillips said that the link between mental, financial, and physical wellbeing is well documented, but modern healthcare tends to view an individual’s health and wellness as a series of individual components.
    • “The latest Government report into Australia’s mental health services states that people living with mental illness are more likely to develop physical illnesses and die earlier. Research suggests that just 14 per cent of this gap in life expectancy can be attributed to suicide, while almost 80 per cent can be attributed to physical health conditions,” he said.
    • The Government acknowledges that the reasons why people living with mental illness are more likely to develop physical illnesses are complex. But factors include reduced access to and quality of healthcare due to financial barriers, alongside stigma and discrimination among healthcare providers.”
  • Dr Phillips said that systemic healthcare issues, including the separation of mental and physical health services, may also lead to physical illness among people with mental illness.
    • “The report also highlighted a lack of capability among both generalist and specialist healthcare staff to deal with complex comorbidities,” he said.
    • “It’s clear that we need to invest in more personalised, holistic, and preventative approaches to care that consider a person’s cognitive, emotional, social, physical, financial and spiritual wellbeing at all times.”

 

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Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head Opening Easter Weekend

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Dr Amy - Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head Opening Easter Weekend

 

ADVERTORIAL

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head opens this Easter Weekend to help people suffering with joint and body pain. Dr Amy Rayner is the Principal Chiropractor and owner and hopes to fill the gap in the community for leading edge Chiropractic care.

Chiropractic is a drug-free, hands-on treatment that includes Chiropractic Adjustments, targeted massage, rehabilitation exercises and home stretches.

After Easter, Dr Amy will be travelling from her home in Goondiwindi, Queensland every fortnight to treat patients on a Sunday and Monday.

“I realised when I came down on my regular visits to spend time with my parents, Ron and Liz who live here, that there were a lot of local people and visitors that were in Evans Head on the weekends. I also know that when you work all week, it’s difficult to find time to attend to your health. So I decided to open my doors every second Sunday 10am – 6pm and Monday 9am – 2pm.”

The clinic is located in the treatment room inside Hair and Beauty by the Beach which is in the main street of Evans Head.

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head Advertisement

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head

We sat down with Dr Amy to ask a few questions.

What is a Chiropractic? Chiropractic is a drug-free, hands-on treatment that includes a  Chiropractic Adjustments, targeted massage, rehabilitation exercises and home stretches.

How does a Chiropractic Adjustment work? The Chiropractor uses their hands to apply a quick, safe and small movement to your joints and this results in reduced pain, easier movement of your body and stronger muscles.

What makes the cracking/ popping sound? Each joint in our body has a surrounding joint capsule that is filled with synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is as slippery as an ice-skate on ice and contains dissolved gas. When an Chiropractic Adjustment is applied to the joint it causes the gas to diffuse out of the capsule and this often makes a cracking or popping sound. This gas then diffuses back into the capsule. It is important to note that it is not that cracking that makes a good Chiropractic Adjustment, but the return to normal glide that give the pain relief.

What if you don’t like the cracking noise? That is ok, you are in charge of your treatment type, and we can do alternative methods such as mobilisations, which are a rhythmic stretching treatment or the use of an instrument such as an activator.

What issues do you treat? I can treat any painful joint in your neck, middle back and lower back and other joints in your arms and legs. I also treat headaches such as migraines and tension headaches.

Do I need an x-ray? Not necessarily and it is certainly not routine to do x-rays on every patient. If you have suffered a car accident at high speed or a sports injury for example, it may be indicated that you have x-ray or other advanced imaging. I can refer for medicare covered plain film x-ray for neck, middle back, low back and pelvis issues as well as DEXA scans for bone density issues or EOS imaging for scoliosis monitoring.

Do you offer any other treatments? Yes, I offer Dry Needling (like acupuncture), sports taping, pre-surgery rehabilitation and post surgery rehabilitation for joint replacement surgery.

Where did you study? I studied a Bachelor of Science (Chiropractic)/ Bachelor Clinical Chiropractic (5 year degree) at Murdoch University, Perth Western Australia

Do you treat babies and children? I do not treat babies or Children under 5 years of age, but I can refer you to a Chiropractor that specialises in babies and children.

Do you treat pregnant women? Yes I can treat and support pregnant women throughout their pregnancy safely.

 

For more Evans Head news, click here.

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COVID Casts a Long Shadow

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Covid-19 Impact

COVID Casts a Long Shadow

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably left a profound and lasting impact on societies worldwide, casting a long shadow that continues to influence our daily lives, economies, and collective psyche. As we navigate the complex challenges and uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, its effects reverberate across multiple facets of our existence, shaping our present realities and shaping the trajectory of our future.

Healthcare Crisis

First and foremost, COVID-19 has exposed vulnerabilities within healthcare systems globally, testing their resilience and capacity to respond to public health emergencies. The overwhelming influx of patients, shortages of medical supplies and personnel, and the strain on healthcare infrastructure have underscored the need for robust preparedness and proactive measures to address future health crises effectively.

Economic Disruption

The pandemic has unleashed unprecedented economic disruption, triggering widespread job losses, business closures, and financial instability. Supply chain disruptions, reduced consumer spending, and fluctuations in global markets have exacerbated economic inequalities and pushed millions into poverty, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive recovery strategies and support mechanisms for vulnerable populations.

Social Impacts

Socially, COVID-19 has brought about profound shifts in how we interact, communicate, and connect with one another. Physical distancing measures, lockdowns, and travel restrictions have reshaped social norms and behaviors, leading to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and mental health challenges. The pandemic has also laid bare existing social inequities, disproportionately affecting marginalised communities and exacerbating underlying societal divisions.

Covid-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably left a profound and lasting impact on societies worldwide, casting a long shadow that continues to influence our daily lives, economies, and collective psyche.

Educational Transformation

The education sector has undergone rapid transformation in response to the pandemic, with widespread school closures and the adoption of remote learning modalities. While technology has enabled continuity of learning, the digital divide has widened, exacerbating disparities in access to quality education and exacerbating existing educational inequalities.

Environmental Repercussions

Despite temporary reductions in pollution levels during lockdowns, the pandemic has underscored the interconnectedness of human health and the environment. Zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 highlight the risks associated with habitat destruction, wildlife trade, and unsustainable land-use practices, emphasising the need for a more holistic approach to environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation.

Resilience and Adaptation

Amidst the challenges posed by COVID-19, stories of resilience, innovation, and community solidarity have emerged, demonstrating humanity’s capacity to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity. From frontline healthcare workers risking their lives to save others to grassroots initiatives providing essential support to vulnerable populations, the pandemic has sparked acts of compassion, empathy, and collective action.

As we continue to grapple with the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, it is imperative that we draw upon the lessons learned from this crisis to forge a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient future. By prioritising investments in public health infrastructure, fostering social cohesion, promoting economic recovery strategies that prioritise inclusivity and sustainability, and addressing systemic inequities, we can emerge from the shadow of COVID-19 stronger, more united, and better prepared to confront the challenges of tomorrow.

 

For more health news, click here.

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Gut microbiome and gene editing projects share in $3 million research funding

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Gut microbiome and gene editing

Gut microbiome and gene editing projects share in $3 million research funding

 

Dementia Australia

Exploring how the gut microbiome may be key to the early diagnosis and development of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and combining gene editing technology with artificial intelligence are just two of the projects to receive funding from the Dementia Australia Research Foundation’s 2023 Grant Round.

The Dementia Australia Research Foundation today announced funding for 24 projects in the 2023 Grants Program, worth more than $3 million in total.

Macquarie University post-doctoral fellow Dr Pradeep Manuneedhi Cholan received the Race Against Dementia – Dementia Australia Research Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship to study how the gut microbiome impacts the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Established in 2020 by racing legend and Dementia Australia Patron Sir Jackie Stewart OBE’s Race Against Dementia charity and the Dementia Australia Research Foundation, the Fellowship supports early career researchers in the field of dementia prevention or treatment.

“The gut is often referred to as our ‘second brain’ as it can control our emotions, stress response and cognition. Previous research has shown that the metabolites produced by bacterial species in the gut can impact inflammation in the brain, which can either exacerbate or alleviate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr Cholan said.

“What is not known is specifically how the metabolites produced by different types of gut bacteria can regulate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease which is what I will be focusing on with this project.

“If successful, this project will pave the way for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and aid in the development of new drug treatments. It could also allow for better management of Alzheimer’s disease by analysing the gut composition of patients and providing them with lifestyle-based interventions tailored to their particular microbiome.”

Sir Jackie Stewart said Race Against Dementia prides itself on finding new ways of doing business.

“We are very pleased to welcome Pradeep to the team as his commitment and ingenuity are essential tools that will assist us to find new avenues for treatments to challenge dementia in the fullest sense,” Sir Jackie said.

Dr Caitlin Finney, from the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, will receive a Dementia Research Community Project Grant for a project that combines artificial intelligence and gene editing technology to develop better targeted treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

“We know that genetic differences in our DNA might play a role in causing Alzheimer’s disease. Using a type of artificial intelligence called supervised machine learning, we have identified two genetic mutations that show up commonly in people living with late onset Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr Finney said.

“What this grant will enable us to do is to collect skin samples from people living with Alzheimer’s disease and use these cells to grow mini-brains in the lab. Using a gene editing technique called CRISPR-Cas9, we will be able to insert and remove the genetic mutations we have identified.

“This will allow us to learn new ways to keep our brains healthy as we get older. This knowledge can also help clinicians treat Alzheimer’s disease in a personalised way, where we correct the effects of DNA mutations with targeted treatments. If we find the real reasons why Alzheimer’s disease develops, we may even be able to prevent it from starting.”

Dementia Australia Research Foundation Chair Professor Graeme Samuel AC congratulated all successful 2023 grant recipients.

“The diversity of projects selected shows we have a very exciting future for dementia research,” Professor Samuel said.

“With dementia affecting almost 50 million people worldwide, research into dementia is now more urgent than ever.”

The Dementia Australia Research Foundation acknowledges the generosity of donors who contribute each and every year to support dementia research and the grants program. Since the Dementia Grants Program started in 2000, over $31 million in funding has supported more than 380 projects.

The full list of grant recipients is available here.

The Dementia Australia Research Foundation is the research arm of Dementia Australia, which provides funding to support new and emerging dementia researchers.

For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit here.

 

For more National Australia News, visit here.

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