Health & Recipes

A three-minute delay in the clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord of indigenous babies is needed to overturn high rates of infancy anaemia in newborns from remote Australian communities, experts say.

Kept awake at night by a snoring partner? It might be a good idea to ask them to take up playing the didgeridoo.

The relationship between Queensland authorities and the Aboriginal community of Palm Island is under renewed stress. The Island's only licensed venue has lost its licence, and locals are angry. This afternoon the Palm Island Council has voted not to allow public servants into the community unless they provide essential services.

A total alcohol ban will begin this weekend at an Aboriginal community where there's been a high rate of suicide and alleged sexual abuse. The remote community in Western Australia's Kimberley region has been the focus of a coronial inquest. The Coroner described the suicide rate as horrific and recommended a full alcohol ban. Late yesterday, West Australian police announced that the six members of the community had been charged with more than 150 child-sex offences. They expect to lay more charges. The response from the Kimberley Land Council is that governments need to provide more support to such communities.

Chlamydia, one of the world's most common sexually transmitted infections, can lead to infertility in men as well as women, a new study shows.

It's a well known fact that Indigenous Australian's don't live as long as the rest of the population. They have higher levels of diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. In some cases those conditions are made worse by a lack of treatment, but not always. A new study claims the treatments often aren't effective because there's a lack of communication between the doctor and the patient. The study of the patients with kidney disease in the Northern Territory has shown that many are confused and frustrated because they don't understand their illnesses or the complicated treatments.

While much of the Federal intervention has focussed on the plight of children, old people are also finding it tough in Arnhem Land.

The Federal Government's intervention into the Northern Territory's Aboriginal communities must continue. A review of the intervention has found a waiting list of Aboriginal children needing urgent follow-up medical and dental treatment after the initial child health checks.

The Aboriginal Health Council in Western Australia says doctors in Indigenous communities are drastically underpaid. Some doctors working for Aboriginal medical services across Australia are being paid up to $100,000 less than other doctors in rural areas; and the Council says the discrepancy makes it harder to attract doctors to work with Indigenous people.

The Mayor of the Northern Territory town of Katherine says problem drinking has worsened under the intervention because people from dry remote communities are coming into town to drink. Anne Shepherd is now calling for alcohol to be allowed in the communities again to help solve the problem.