The Preventative Health Journal - Australia & New Zealand

The truth about depression | Features

The first thing I want to say about depression is that – in my view – both the word ‘depression’ and the use of antidepressant medication should be reserved for the small number of people who suffer from a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Relieve yourself of stress and despair | Features

No doubt, you have heard of Eckhart Tolle’s teachings since his appearance on the Oprah Show. The Release Technique shows you the simple and practical way to find/be your true self.

Hidden group with preventable health problems | News

A new study has found a high rate of preventable health problems among older Australians who are relying on home and community care services in order to remain in their homes and independent.

Mental health funding integral to health reform | News

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists urges the Australian government to urgently consider further mental health funding as part of its overall health system reform.

Hospital focus could ruin health improvements | News

Primary health care organisations need real teeth, real funding and real opportunity to change the system to achieve improvements in health care delivery, access and services to patients, said Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Worrying helps heart patients | News

Australian researchers have made the surprising finding that patients who are worriers are likely to be better off after being hospitalised with an acute heart condition.

Depression; finding answers for older people | News

The older generation, their children and people who care for them tell their personal stories in an insightful look into how depression impacts the over 60s in the latest Black Dog Institute writing competition.

Do you listen or do you hear? | Features

When approached by a colleague, family member or staff member with a problem, are you a talker, interrogator or a listener?

Reducing carbon can improve health | News

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) has called for the introduction of comprehensive policies to address climate change following the release of a series of six papers in The Lancet demonstrating that policies to tackle climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions can substantially improve health at the same time.

Failure to express anger doubles heart risk | Features

Men who do not openly express their anger about unfair treatment at work double their risk of having a heart attack or dying from serious heart disease, suggests research published ahead of print in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Harvard study highlights obesity health risk to women | Features

A new study by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) researchers has found that, among a large study population of women who lived until at least age 70, being overweight in mid-life was associated with having more health problems later in life, including multiple chronic diseases, and impaired cognitive function, physical function and mental health.

Why is Movember important? | News

November marks the beginning of Movember, the annual moustache-growing charity event aimed at raising awareness and funding for men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer and depression.

Spend a day with a medical hypnotherapist | News

Dr. Alan Brast, a medical trauma psychologist and medical hypnotherapist from San Francisco, will host a day event in Sydney where he will share his experiences and techniques on helping people who have suffered from cancer, abuse, PTS, trauma, rape, depression, insomnia and suicide. 

Heart shows the head how it’s done | News

Methods used for analysing a person’s risk of cardiovascular diseases are shedding new light on assessing and modifying a person’s risk of depression, according to a study from The Australian National
University.

Mental health project receives extra funding | News

The KidsMatter Primary initiative, which aims to promote mental health, prevent mental illness and initiate early intervention where necessary among primary school students, is being funded with $12.2 million so that its initial pilot roll-out at 101 schools can be extende

Under the spell: Hypnotherapy changes lives for good | Features

Many people still have no idea about the amazing life benefits of hypnosis, says Alistair Horscroft, an expert in the industry.

Natural therapies create a buzz at Health Conference | Features

Many new insights into improving health through natural therapies were shared at this year’s Natural Health Conference and Expo, which focused on cancer, allergies, fertility and menopause.

Shakti mat relieves wary feet at Health Expo | Videos

The Shakti mat was on display at the Natural Health Conference and Expo 2009 and it helped to rejuvenate tired practitioners and visitors at the show. We interviewed the director of Shakti Life, Kram Magnus, about the health benefits of the mat.

Based on the Indian ‘Bed of Nails’ the mat can be used all over the body to increase the circulation and blood oxygenation and is suitable for people with love levels of energy, high levels of stress, insomnia and depression, amongst other things.

New hope for women suffering from menopause | Features

Jan Roberts talked at the Natural Health Conference & Expo this month about natural ways to relieve the many symptoms of menopause, which includes using a new nutraceutical that provides an alternative to HRT.

Better support for post and antenatal depression | News

The Rudd Government will invest $5.1 million over three years to enable four specialist organisations to provide telephone-based support for women experiencing post or antenatal depression, or grief following the loss of a baby that will link to an enhanced 24 hour hotline for pregnant women and new mums.

What stress does to you | News

What can extreme or long-term stress do to your body, physically and mentally? Most people would be surprised just how much of an affect this type of stress can have on our bodies.

Doctors preparing for financial crisis health fallout | News

AMA Queensland has called for all Queenslanders to be prepared for the health fallout of the global financial crisis.

A fresh focus for women’s health | News

The Rudd Government recently hosted a roundtable in Canberra with women’s health experts to kickstart development of a new National Women’s Health policy.

New campaign gets men fighting for their health | News

The M5 Project is a bold new national campaign that will encourage men to talk about their health with their GP and to make their health a priority, was launched on March 5, by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

Men encouraged to talk about health | News

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, encourages men of all ages and backgrounds to take part in the Australian Government’s Men’s Health community forums to be held around the country.