The consult: your weekly wrap-up of healthcare news

From Victorian GPs calling for the abolishment of a payroll tax impacting independent GPs, to new research that has linked a number of genes to 16 diseases and a discovery by Australian researchers that could revolutionise cancer treatment and vaccine design, here's the healthcare news you need to know about.  

Divide in children’s access to psychotherapy widens

Research from Monash University has found the gap in access to psychological treatment between wealthy and disadvantaged families has increased substantially in the last decade. For children, the difference in access between the highest and lowest income groups increased from 14 to 23 percentage points. By 2023, fewer than one in three children from low-income neighbourhoods received Medicare-subsidised psychological treatment within three months of obtaining a Mental Health Treatment Plan, compared with more than half of children from the wealthiest neighbourhoods.

Researchers discover genes linked to 16 diseases

The link between why people develop diseases and their genes has come under the microscope in a new study by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. The researchers analysed more than five million immune cells and the DNA of nearly 2,000 Australians. Nearly 1,500 genes linked to 16 diseases – including cancers, autoimmune conditions and neurological disorders were identified. It’s hoped the results will help shine a light on new ways to treat them, including identifying new targets for drugs the development of treatments for individual patients. The findings were a part of three studies published in Nature here, here and here.

ASQHC warns against pointless scans to diagnose knee osteoarthritis

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has published a report that warns that pointless scans to diagnose knee osteoarthritis may trigger unsuitable follow up care such as further medical tests, specialist referrals and unnecessary surgery. Around 1.9 million Australians live with osteoarthritis of the knee, which can often be diagnosed with a thorough clinical assessment using history and examination. “We don’t recommend tests such as CT scans or ultrasounds for knee osteoarthritis as they offer little benefit and there is poor correlation between severity of symptoms and radiology findings. They can also lead to undue concern and inappropriate further tests, specialist referrals and surgery, says Medical Advisor for the Commission and general practitioner, Dr Phoebe Holdenson Kimura. Figures show that unnecessary or low-value scans and treatments for knee osteoarthritis contribute to the total annual $4.3 billion cost of osteoarthritis in Australia.

New study could revolutionise cancer treatment

Australian researchers say they have completed a study that could revolutionise cancer treatment and vaccine design. The researchers from the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute compared three mRNA major vaccine platforms in human blood samples and how they performed. While several mRNA LNP cancer vaccines are in clinical trials – no mRNA cancer vaccines have been approved yet. The researchers say they plan to use their findings to design more stable mRNA vaccines, improving their efficacy and reduce side effects and hope to run in-human trials for new mRNA vaccine candidates in 4-5 years.

RACGP calls for the end of non-employee GP payroll tax 

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is calling on the Victorian Government to abolish the payroll tax on independent GPs. A survey of 226 GPs across Victoria found that 39% of Victorian general practices will reduce bulk billing or increase fees in the next 12 months if no changes are made to payroll tax while 53% said “they are extremely concerned” about the long-term viability of general practice in Victoria.

One in three children experience physical abuse

A new study has found that almost one in three Australian children experience physical abuse before the age of 18. Researchers analysed data from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study of more than 8,500 Australians. It showed that when physical violence happens it is mostly likely to be in the home, before the age of 10 – a parent was the perpetrator in a third of cases. In other cases violence was reported to be at the hands of perpetrators in institutions for example teachers, adults in religious institutions, coaches, instructors or sporting teachers. 

For help call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4646 or contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or 13YARN on 13 92 76.

What’s making health headlines in the media?

SMH: Music therapy for dementia: MDPI study reveals music can rewire the brain to improve cognitive function

Washington Post: Your stroke risk is 72 percent higher during these 3 hours of the day

BBC: Can we change how our brains age? Scientists think it’s possible

ABC: Genomic profiling offers hope to cancer patients as extra funding secured for thousands of Australians

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