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George Institute for Global Health

Over the last decade, the Institute has delivered high-impact evidence from a large program of research and innovation that has influenced health policy and healthcare practice worldwide. From modest beginnings, the founders have built a team of more than 300 staff across centres in Australia, India, China and the United Kingdom. The Institute’s projects now span more than 40 countries worldwide.

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Displaying 21 - 40 of 40 articles

Low back pain is one of the leading causes of disability in the world. Kendra/Flickr

Using paracetamol for low back pain does more harm than good

People seeing a doctor for low back pain are often told to take paracetamol. But a study published today shows the drug is ineffective for the condition and its prolonged use has harmful side effects.
A rise in the co-payment for medicines may lead to an increase in the rates of discontinuation for some drugs. Michael Cheng

Hidden cost of increasing drug co-payment poses a high risk

Apart from proposing a co-payment for visiting doctors, the last federal budget also contained a proposal to increase the level of co-payments for medications. The government seems to have given little…
Reducing Australians’ salt intake by 30% could save 7,000 lives a year. Joe Gough/Shutterstock

Salt overload – it’s time to get tough on the food industry

While other nations have successfully reduced their sodium intake, Australians are still eating too much salt. And we’re paying the price with our health; a high-salt diet can lead to high blood pressure…
More than one in ten Indigenous Australian adults report having trouble getting around – and current licensing rules don’t help. ZRyzner/Shutterstock

Indigenous Australians need a licence to drive, but also to work

Tony Abbott spent most of this week in North East Arnhem Land, part of his long-held hope “to be not just the Prime Minister but the Prime Minister for Aboriginal Affairs”. We asked our experts: what stories…
We’re now in the unfortunate situation where the debate around salt has become such a good way of interesting the media that the quality of the data used in it is being forgotten. TheGiantVermin/Flickr

Best to ignore salt claims from studies using unsavoury data

This week, the New England Journal of Medicine published three papers about the effects of salt consumption on health. Their apparently contradictory findings have served to further fuel an unwarranted…
Up to 90% of the population will experience lower back pain over their life time; around 25% will have it on any given day. Flickr: Christian Bucad

Put down the paracetamol, it’s just a placebo for low back pain

People with lower back pain are usually told to take some paracetamol for relief. But research published today shows that this almost universal advice is misguided. Up to 90% of the population will experience…
We’re consuming more salt than just what we add to food during cooking. Rachel/Flickr (resized)

There’s more hidden salt in your diet than you think

Most of the salt consumed in Australia is already hidden in processed foods and meals, but there are some simple steps you can take to avoid eating too much of this palatable seasoning. High salt intake…
The mad cow disease epidemic in the UK led to the creation of the Food Standards Agency, which put the public interest back into food policy. Barry/Flickr

Why there’s lots to love – and learn – about English food

When the English cricket team toured Australia last year they were ridiculed for their dietary requirements long before their humiliation on the pitch. But while English cricket may be wanting, England’s…
Getting the flu vaccine may almost halve the chance of a heart attack for middle-aged people with narrow arteries, the study found. Province of British Columbia

Flu jab may halve heart attack risk: study

Receiving the flu vaccine may almost halve the chance of a heart attack for middle-aged people with narrow arteries, a new study by Australian researchers has found. Heart disease kills and disables more…
Despite a high global prevalence and inequities in treatment, kidney disease is not given priority in international health plans. Daniel Oines

Stopping the silent epidemic of chronic kidney disease

One in nine Australians over the age of 25 (that’s 1.7 million people) has chronic kidney disease. That’s more than the number living with chronic lung disease, stroke, heart failure, and all types of…
Drinking one can of soft drink a day is linked to a 20% increase in the risk of developing diabetes. Damien Ayers

A soda a day keeps the doctor in pay: soft drinks and diabetes

Recent research linking soft drinks to type 2 diabetes reminds us, once again, that we are what we put in our mouths. This large study from Europe found drinking a 12 ounce (about 355 ml) can of soft drink…
Health problems due to poor eating habits are becoming the leading cause of death and disability in the world. stu_spivack/Flickr

No place for industry in the fight against lifestyle diseases

The biggest causes of ill health in all but the very least developed countries are now non-communicable or chronic diseases. Lung cancer from smoking, obesity from an unhealthy diet and liver problems…
Heart disease is a lifelong problem that needs to be managed properly. Peter Hartl

A five-point plan to reduce heart attack deaths in Australia

Out of the 10,021 Australian who died of a heart attack in 2010, 5,305 were experiencing their second such event. Systematic national reforms are needed to reduce the alarming number of people having a…
The SaltSwitch app uses a traffic light system to help identify foods with high salt content. The George Institute and Bupa

Smartphone app helps identify foods with less salt

The global burden of disease data released last week shows that salt is a leading cause of death and disability, and may be responsible for 9.5 million deaths annually. Whilst the most effective way to…
High salt diets make children more likely to drink soft drinks according to new research from Deakin University. Dion Gillard

Salt a hidden culprit in childhood obesity: study

Sugary drinks may get most of the attention in discussions about Australia’s obesity epidemic, but new research from Deakin University has found salt may be a silent contributor to the problem. The study…
Most people in the world eat five times as much salt as they need to be healthy. Daniel Y. Go

Action on salt will mean longer, healthier lives

Non-communicable diseases – Jacqui Webster looks at strategies for reducing the salt content of our diets. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – typically cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases…
People who exercise have a smaller risk of heart attacks despite larger salt intake. lululemon athletica/flickr

Sodium study should be taken with a large pinch of salt

A recent article has questioned received wisdom regarding the adverse impact of salt on health. Unfortunately, naïve researchers and journal editors looking to stir up a controversy are confusing this…

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