Grey-market peptides: an emerging public health challenge
Clinicians need to be aware of the growing grey market of injectable peptide-based substances being promoted online for weight loss.
Opinions
Doctors for the Environment Australia turns 25
For 25 years, Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) has championed a once under-recognised argument: protecting the environment is fundamental to protecting human health.
Australia’s first population biobank a win for health research
The Australian Health Biobank is Australia’s first national general population biobank. It provides an unprecedented opportunity to capture population-level trends in disease states and/or environmental exposures, and accelerate integration of scientific discoveries into policy, clinical practice, and future health innovations.
Why Australia is right to put affordable medicine ahead of beating US pharmaceutical tariffs
From July 31, the United States will impose up to 100% tariffs on pharmaceuticals coming into the US. Some Australian-made exports look set to pay that highest rate, while some other countries – including the UK, Japan and the European Union – have negotiated lower rates.
Is it time for planetary health to become a core clinical responsibility?
The climate crisis can feel overwhelming. During a busy workday as a clinician when you’re juggling time constraints, hygiene requirements, patient requests, and administrative demands, prioritising planetary health can feel like one thing too many. However, as we increasingly witness the predicted harms of the climate crisis manifest, it has become clear that clinicians who prioritise the health of their patients must prioritise the health of the planet. In this perspective piece we — a general practitioner (GP) and a climate health researcher — challenge all clinicians to understand, prioritise and practice planetary health. A rapid scan of the literature alongside GP clinical observations have identified four key reasons for this.
Cardiovascular disease prevention must start earlier
The Healthy Start for Young Hearts Alliance brings together experts across public health and clinical care with the aim to prevent cardiovascular disease before it begins.
Chronic low back pain in Australia and the importance of targeted rehabilitation
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and Australia is no exception. Around 4 million Australians live with back pain and it is one of the most common reasons people see their GP or physiotherapist. The personal toll from chronic low back pain is significant and so too is the system impact with billions spent each year on health care and lost through reduced workplace productivity or early retirement.
Improving early diagnosis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Delayed diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis remains a significant and preventable cause of harm for Australian children. With many waiting months, some years, for specialist assessment, earlier recognition in primary care is critical to reducing long-term disability and improving outcomes.
Referring to psychologists: why “fit” matters
A psychologist colleague recently described a session with a new patient. When she asked why the person had been referred to her, the patient replied: “My GP said you were such a lovely person.” I’m sure she is. But it raises a clinical question: is “lovely” really a sufficient basis for referral, given the range and complexity of presentations seen in general practice?
