The Medical Journal of Australia

Professor Sharon Goldfeld and Dr. Mihiri Silva discuss the urgent need to improve access to dental care for Australia's children. They address the high prevalence of tooth decay, inequities in dental health, and the importance of preventive dental care. Recommendations include integrating dental care into healthcare systems and implementing public health policies like fluoride in water and sugar taxes.

Dr. Owen Bradfield, Chief Medical Officer, discusses doctors facing disciplinary notifications due to mental health issues. Topics include the emotional impact of patient complaints, doctors' experiences with regulatory responses, understanding mandatory reporting, and utilizing research findings to support practitioners.

Professor Jaquelyne Hughes and Ms Kelli Owen discuss the barriers Indigenous Australians face in accessing renal healthcare services, importance of cultural safety in healthcare for First Nations individuals, and the establishment and progress of the National Indigenous Kidney Transplantation Task Force. They highlight the task force's impact in advancing Indigenous kidney health equity through data analysis, addressing cultural bias, and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experiences.

Professors Garry Jennings and Mark Nelson discuss the new cardiovascular disease risk guidelines and calculator, emphasizing factors like age, treatment, mental health, ethnicity, social deprivation, and health equity. They explore the updated percentile ranges and improved accuracy in CVD risk assessment. The podcast delves into the steps of risk assessment, effective risk communication, management strategies, and the importance of data integration and education for guideline implementation.

Prominent epidemiologist Professor Fiona Stanley discusses improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, emphasizing the need for Indigenous perspectives. Topics include closing the gap initiatives, impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous communities, intergenerational trauma effects, early childhood's influence on lifelong health, and advocating for better government consultation and funding for essential services.

Professor Peter Baade and Dr Kou Kou from Cancer Council Queensland discuss new research on breast cancer survival rates, treatment intervals, and challenges in studying rare cancers. They emphasize the importance of timely treatment for better outcomes and highlight the impact of limited data on rare cancer research in Australia.

Professor Ian Anderson discusses the historical context of Indigenous health in Australia, promoting self-led Aboriginal health initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights the importance of collaborative community engagement and empowering Indigenous voices in government for health reform. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of the Voice to Parliament in Indigenous affairs, advocating for independent guidance on matters crucial to Indigenous Australians.

Associate Professor James Mallows discusses lower urgency care in the emergency department, advocating for general practice as an alternative. Topics include ED overcrowding, misconceptions around lower-acuity patients, healthcare access challenges, flaws in patient categorization criteria, and advocating for enhanced resources in emergency care.

Professor Pat McGorry discusses the rise in mental disorders among young Australians, the impact of social media on mental health, challenges in youth mental health care, reforming the mental health system, and advocating for better integration within government ministries.

Today we are discussing improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes and the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.  My special guest is Professor James Ward, an infectious diseases epidemiologist and the Director of the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the University of Queensland. With MJA news and online editor, Sam Hunt. 15 mins.