Welcome to the latest Inside Digital Health newsletter. In this edition we're reminding you about the importance of checking in on men's health, sharing the latest news from Bowel Cancer Australia, rounding up the Digital Health Festival and showcasing some of the latest innovations in digital health.
Checking in on men's health
The 30th International Men's Health Week begins 10 June, and as stats from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) highlight, it’s important for men to check in on their health. Take a look:
- Australian men have a lower life expectancy than women (81.3 years compared to 85.4 years)
- Premature deaths account for 40% of all deaths in males
- Suicide and self-inflicted injuries were the leading cause of ill-health and death for males aged 15 to 44 years in 2022.
Data shows men are less likely than women to see a GP, dentist or medical specialist. But there are digital health tools that can make it easier to access healthcare, particularly if attending appointments in person is difficult.
Telehealth provides convenient and secure consultations with healthcare providers over the phone or via video call. This is particularly beneficial for men who often delay seeking medical advice due to busy schedules or a reluctance to attend in person, or who are in regional, remote or rural areas.
If you're seeing multiple healthcare providers or managing chronic conditions, tools like My Health Record and the my health app provide a safe and secure place to keep important health information, which you or your healthcare providers can access anytime.
For more information on men's health and to stay up to date with 'Man Facts' visit the Australian Men's Health Forum website. And don't forget to check in your mates, too. As Dr Andrew Rochford and Steve Renouf agree, "It's the one conversation you'll never regret having".
If you or someone you know need someone to talk to, visit this list of mental health organisations and services.
From not smoking to eating correctly, limiting alcohol content or exercising regularly – there are a lot of ways to prioritise your health. Do you maintain a healthy lifestyle? Tell us how in the comments section.
Software boosts antibiotic treatment
Using software to deliver personalised doses of antibiotics can accelerate the effects of the medicine in patients being treated for sepsis in Intensive Care Units, researchers from The University of Queensland have found. According to one of the co-authors, the technique trialled in the study meant patients received effective antibiotics in half the usual time, leading to faster recovery, higher quality care, cost savings and increased bed availability in the hospitals.
Provider Connect Australia™
Provider Connect Australia™ helps healthcare provider organisations update their business information in a single source. More than 37 business partners have now connected, including Health Hunter and AARPN - The Australasian Association and Register of Practicing Nutritionists.
Raising awareness among young people about Australia’s second deadliest cancer
A new campaign launched for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month will raise awareness among young people about Australia’s second deadliest cancer. Bowel Cancer Australia explains why this matters.
Did you know the risk of being diagnosed with bowel cancer before the age of 40 has more than doubled since 2000? It claims the lives of more than 5,000 people a year and is now the deadliest cancer for people aged 25 to 44.
It is also one of the most treatable types of cancer when detected early.
To highlight the impact of the disease on younger people, Bowel Cancer Australia has launched the Australia’s Deadliest campaign, which features authentic voices of people living with early-onset bowel cancer.
Australian research reveals younger people with bowel cancer symptoms find themselves having to advocate for their care. Chief Investigator Dr Klay Lamprell, from the Australian Institute of Health Innovation AIHI says, "Young people with bowel cancer say the same the world over. Because they are young, they are overlooked for bowel cancer."
"The research found younger people may spend between 3 months and 5 years seeing multiple doctors before diagnosis. They may make 10 or more visits to GPs.
Even when younger people experience blood in their poo or rectal bleeding, GPs may not immediately refer them to specialists for further testing."
Early-onset bowel cancer patients differ from later-onset bowel cancer patients in their diagnostic trajectories and younger people are more likely to be diagnosed in later stages of the disease. Late-stage diagnosis increases the likelihood of aggressive treatment with physical, psychosocial, and quality-of-life outcomes.
Last month, Bowel Cancer Australia welcomed a milestone in its 6-year campaign as the Australian Government announced lowering eligibility for bowel cancer screening from age 50 to 45.
From 1 July 2024, an additional 1.6 million Australians will be eligible to request a screening test from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Once a person aged 45 to 49 opts into the program, they will receive a test every 2 years.
What do you think about lowering the age for bowel cancer screening? Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments section.
Digital Health Festival 2024
Last month, the digital health community gathered in Melbourne for the Digital Health Festival 2024. Several Australian Digital Health Agency representatives spoke at the event to share their thoughts on the future of healthcare.
In the keynote presentation Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole PSM highlighted the opportunities in the sector.
"We’re at a tipping point, with the last few years heralding unprecedented change in the health and digital health environments in which we work. There has never been a better time to help steward digital innovation in health and make appreciable change to our world-class health system."
To do that, Amanda noted that we need:
- unified digital health strategies
- a shared commitment to interoperability, and
- combined leadership at the state and the national level.
Danielle Pentony, Chief Information Security Officer, spoke about the importance of collaboration. Noting that no single organisation can tackle the issues of cyber security alone, a collaborative and systemic approach within the healthcare ecosystem is key. Read more about the Agency's cyber security program.
Chief Digital Officer Peter O'Halloran said, "We are embarking on an ambitious program to make the my health app a digital front door to the Australian health system, making it easier for everyone to navigate the system and to get on with their lives."
Berne Gibbons MAICD, Engagement Manager, discussed the Agency’s commitment to improving health outcomes for Indigenous communities through our Reconciliation Action Plan, and invited Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wishing to enter the health workforce to learn about our Graduate Program.
In a panel, Ryan Mavin mentioned that some of the building blocks for our digital future are already in place. "The National Digital Health Strategy and Roadmap, and the Interoperability Plan set out how we complete the foundation that the digital transformation will be built upon... We are all part of the community that will make this happen."
When it comes to mental health, our Director, Clinical Governance Chris Boyd-Skinner referenced the thoughts of Dr. Zac Seidler, Global Director of Men's Health Research at Movember, that "strong, evidence-based digital mental health tools that involve lived experience in their inception, design, delivery and evaluation will ultimately keep service users safe".
Education Coordinator Hina Bhimani managed the Agency’s booth where there was much interest in the area of connected care and from organisations seeking to find intersections and alignment to the National Digital Health Strategy. Many allied health providers also stopped by to ask about connecting to My Health Record.
If you’re after a career that’s professionally and personally rewarding, with career growth, mentoring and new opportunities that appear as quickly as technology evolves, take a look at the latest jobs available at the Australian Digital Health Agency.
- Senior Media Officer – applications close 12 June, 11 pm
- Service Asset and Configuration Librarian – applications close 14 June, 11 pm
- Assistant Director Information Management – applications close 14 June, 11 pm
See more vacancies on our careers page.
The world of digital health evolves in a heartbeat. Help us stay on the pulse by sharing your thoughts, news and ideas.
Email: social@digitalhealth.gov.au
Subscribe: To keep up to date with digital health news, events and more.
Follow: Like, follow and join the digital health conversation.
