Medical Forum’s roundup of the weeks’ health headlines
Incisions is supported by Western Women’s Pathology.
Latest article from Medical Forum:
We also love coconut oil
Researchers from KEMH are finding that going tropical can have huge results in controlling and stopping complications from skin infections in premature babies. Babies are being massaged in coconut oil twice daily (except the scalp) and it has cut down rates of septicaemia.
What’s happening this week:
We love vitamin D
Is there anything vitamin D can’t do? After kicking goals for pregnant women and the elderly coming from the University of WA, research from the University of Eastern Finland shows a link between higher serum vitamin D levels and lower plasma cholesterol levels in children. Vitamin D is known to be essential for bone metabolism, and low serum 25(OH)D levels increase the risk of rickets, osteomalacia, and osteopenia. Vitamin D may also improve plasma lipid levels and have beneficial impact on other risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. But don’t rush to the vitamin store … a safe dose of sunlight accompanied by a healthy and physical activity is all kids need.
https://academic.oup.com/jcem/advance-article/doi/10.1210/jc.2018-00335/4993920
Cannabis and cancer
High doses of cannabinoids have shown to enhance the effect of traditional chemotherapies on medulloblastoma cells according to early research findings being conducted at the Telethon Kids Institute. Dr Clara Andradas addressed a symposium in Perth this week for the Australian Society for Medical Research’s (ASMR) research week. There’s still a long way to go before clinical trials but Clara said the results were encouraging for a cancer that had limited treatment options.
Consumers want their data
Australians overwhelmingly want ownership and control of their own health data and want to be asked for consent when their data is used by government, private companies or researchers. These were the stand-out findings of a national survey conducted by Consumers Health Forum and NPS MedicineWise released this week. However, consumers were generally receptive to their data being shared for public or individual good, and are significantly less likely to share it if the use is for commercial gain. The My Health Record is moving into the opt-out stage of rollout. Consumers can opt out of a national rollout between July 16 and October 15, 2018.
https://cdn0.scrvt.com/08ab3606b0b7a8ea53fd0b40b1c44f86/35dfcb232f9195d3/4a9011dcb57d/Engaging-Consumers-Health-Data-Report.pdf
Featured article from the archives:
Life on the Ocean Wave
Getting life’s priorities right can sometimes require dealing with wild seas and nausea but for Dr Revle Bangor-Jones it’s been worth every minute.
