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Kiss of life falling out of favour
Two studies are endorsing a shift away from mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and focusing on cardiac compressions only for bystander CPR.
The studies showed survival after bystander resuscitation involving early initiation of chest compressions only was similar to traditional CPR, the Wall Street Journal reported. Traditional CPR is still required for drowning victims and children.
Critics attack Gillard mental health funding plan
Two reports in The Australian outlined the Gillard government’s $280 million mental health and suicide prevention funding announcement last week.(1)
Some described the move as an effort to claw back credibility with the mental health sector, but critics, including Australian of the Year psychiatrist Patrick McGorry, immediately criticised the plan.
Ideas for the MyHospitals website
Interested to know what a range of experts have to say about what should be made available to the public on the MyHospitals website due next month? Visit the Croakey website for a round-up of expert views.
Public not willing to pay for e-health records
Despite close to two-thirds of Australians surveyed claiming they want to have an electronic health record, the majority are not willing to pay for the privilege, according to survey of more than 1000 consumers aged over 18 years published in IT News.
For the sake of your health don’t go it alone
An individual’s social connectivity could be a key factor in an overall health assessment, according to a study which found people with more social relationships were 50% more likely to be alive after eight years than socially isolated individuals.
According to a report in The Australian, lacking strong relationships had a similarly negative impact on health as daily smoking and heavy alcohol use.
iPad hospital trial for 2011
Victoria will be the first state to trial the use of iPads among 500 doctors and senior nurses in hospitals from January 2011.
For the trial, the mobile internet devices will be used for a range of tasks including hospital-based web applications and finding health information resources, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Take the train to cut kilos
There is an upside to catching public transport to work: among other things, you’re likely to have a slightly lower BMI than those who drive, according to this story in The New York Times.