HEALTHMonitor produced by Media Monitors ACT Pty Ltd distributed by Health Communication Network Limited Issue No. 1000 - Friday, July 09, 1999 PRINT MEDIA SUMMARY THE AUSTRALIAN John Kerin p2 Bush scholarships fail medical check. AMA national president David Brand has attacked Federal Health Minister Michael Wooldridge�s rejection of a medical scholarship scheme that would see doctors serve compulsory periods in rural and regional areas. (HM090700) Matthew Abraham p6 Olsen leads push to �fine-tune� Medicare. SA Premier John Olsen has lodged a statement with the State Parliament calling for the Medicare levy to be increased and for means-testing of privately insured patients using public hospital facilities. (HM090701) Lois Rogers and p13 From here to eternity in hard-wearing genes. Steve Farrer University of California evolutionary biology professor Michael Rose has published research detailing his isolation and successful breeding of a group of genes that help combat the ageing process. (HM090702) THE FINANCIAL REVIEW Nicholas Reece p5 Drug giant�s vitamin cartel spawns huge class action. Law firm Maurice Blackburn Cashman has launched a class action against a group of European pharmaceutical companies over allegations they conspired to artificially inflate the price of vitamins worldwide. (HM090703) p41 New theory on suspect polio shots. Cedars-Sinai Hospital doctor Brian Durie and Chronic Illness Research Foundation DNA researcher have proposed that contaminated polio viruses, suspected of causing cancer, work by rearranging DNA. (HM090704) Peter Fisher pR4 Tell me, just what is in my water? Central Qld University water management lecturer Peter Fisher alleges that Australia�s water supplies are heavily polluted with pharmaceutically active chemicals that pose serious health risks. (HM090705) Peter Fishcer pR4 Ciardia lambia, cryptosporidum snatch the limelight after slipping through treatment plants. Article discusses the reappearance of water- residing microbes and the measures taken by utilities to prevent or deflect their contamination of stocks. (HM090706) Peter Fishcer pR4 Chlorien acquires rogue status. Central Qld University water management lecturer Peter Fisher discusses growing concerns surrounding the use of chlorine in the US, with research indicating that chemical disinfection of water poses health risks. (HM090707) THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD Judith Whelan p1 Sydney�s sickest hospital. Westmead Hospital Division of Medicine chairman Richard Kefford has revealed the hospital�s accident and emergency division could open only to ambulances carrying life-threatening cases at least once a week. (HM090708) Linda Doherty p2 Patient services to get check-up. NSW Health and Julia Baird Minister Craig Knowles has established a working party, to be headed by AMA NSW president Kerryn Phelps, to review public hospital emergency departments, blaming a flu epidemic for strains on services. (HM090709) Nick Leys p5 Row over Web site�s pill without prescription. The Federal Government has attacked non-profit family planning group Christians for Negative Population Growth selling of contraceptives over the Internet, without prescriptions, as dangerous. (HM090710) Julie Robotham p7 Safe level of �bad� cholesterol too high, study suggests. Recent US research involving 350 people has indicated that the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, currently considered acceptable, may be up to 50 per cent too high. (HM090711) THE AGE Mary-Anne Toy pA1 New hope for Alzheimer�s. University of Melbourne Psychiatry of Old Age Unit professor Edmond Chlu has warned against unrealistic hopes being placed in an Irish-developed Alzheimer�s vaccine that prevents or inhibits the build-up of plaque in mouse brains. (HM090712) Penny Fannin pA3 Mobile phone research on the move. Griffith University School of Microelectronic Engineering has designed a mobile phone antenna which halves the amount of radiation absorbed by the brain, with the product expected to be available in September. (HM090713) Kate Ure pC3 Mayne feels the weight on health. Analysts are predicting that leading healthcare company Mayne Nickless net profit for the 12 months to 30 June will reach $114.5 million, 13 per cent below the figure for the previous corresponding period. (HM090714) THE CANBERRA TIMES Jim Dickins p1 Hospital cuts will risk lives: doctors. Canberra Hospital doctors have warned that ACT Health Minister Michael Moore�s refusal to increase the hospital� $231 million 1999-2000 funding will reduce services and endanger lives. (HM090715) p4 Anti-smoking group hails US class-action win. Anti-smoking group ASH has welcomed a US jury verdict in a 500,000 strong class action, that tobacco companies had intentionally misled the public about the health risks of smoking. (HM090716) p5 Doctors warn flu epidemic may hit. The Influenza Specialist Group has warned that Australia could be hit by a major influenza epidemic following significant increases in the disease in New Zealand and associated death rate and hospitalisation. (HM090717) THE WEST AUSTRALIAN p3 I�ll have chips and eggs with fat to go The Australian Heart Foundation has launched a campaign to encourage cooking oil manufacturers to develop healthier deep-frying oils, used in takeaway foods, which are lower in saturated fats. (HM090718) Wendy Pryer p5 Prisoners to sue ministry. Death in Custody Watch Committee executive Kath Mallot yesterday announced that some prisoners were preparing a class action against the WA Justice Department over its failure to prevent blood-borne diseases in jail. (HM090718) p5 Prayers reach out for drug camp. Profile of former drug addict and born again Christian Damien Tetley who plans to do volunteer work at the Catholic Church�s proposed treatment facility, helping others to overcome their addiction. (HM090719) p5 Addict fears jail sentence. A young heroin addict, currently participating in a naltrexone detoxification program, alleges that if he is jailed on assault charges later this month he will be unable to continue the program and cure his habit. (HM090720) Sean Cowan p29 Workshop woos future rural GPs. A group of WA high school students have participated in a four- day workshop, run by the WA Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine, in an attempt to encourage them to consider a career in medicine. (HM090721) Keryn Ashworth p35 Good health a bonus at school, says US expert. University of Houston health educator Phyllis Gingiss says the results of more than 25 international studies has found that health education in schools improved students academic and behavioural record. (HM090722) THE COURIER MAIL Ali Lawlor p1 Attention drugs invade schools. Ipswich Youth and Combined Action coordinator Michelle Trace and Qld Association of State School Principals president Tom Hardy have warned that a booming trade in amphetamines is hitting schools. (HM090723) Margaret Wenham p3 Kevvie keeping ties to Kim alive with ribbons. Brisbane Broncos captain Kevin Walters yesterday launched the breast cancer fund raising campaign Pink Ribbon Fortnight in honour of his wife Kim who died of the disease in February. (HM090724) David Murray p5 Criminals �financing� anti-drugs campaign. Australian Drug Law Reform president Alex Wodak claimed yesterday that drug traffickers and the private prison industry were funding �tough on drug� campaigns in order to protect their source of income. (HM090725) Tom Salom p5 Golden Gould diaries tell of weight agonies. 1972 Olympic Games gold medallist Shane Gould has released her diaries from that period detailing her doubts about her swimming career and her concerns over her fluctuating weight. (HM090726) Ryan Heffeman p7 Drug cheats to escape Games shame. SOCOG Doping Control Program Manager Nicki Vance yesterday confirmed that the release of test results revealing an athletes use of banned substances could be delayed for months after the event. (HM090727) Amanda Weaver p16 Crosswords and the brain gain. The new Life Be In it nationwide campaign, Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, is to promote the use of crosswords as a means of maintaining mental fitness and thereby physical fitness. (HM090728) ADELAIDE ADVERTISER Leonie Mellor p11 Flu Australian Doctor leaves women cold. SA and Mark Steene female political and health leaders have attacked a GlaxoWellcome anti-flu advertisement featuring comparisons between attractive and unattractive women as sexist and uninformative. (HM090729) THE HERALD SUN p12 Weekend hearings. The Australian Industrial Relations Commission is to hold weekend hearings in an attempt to resolve the week-long dispute over the privatisation of the Austin Repatriation Medical Centre, that has seen extensive work bans imposed. (HM090730) p25 Outdoor life a cancer risk. Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency senior research scientist Peter Gies has called on Australians to modify their traditional outdoor activities in order to reduce melanoma skin cancers. (HM090731) Kristin Owen p25 School fear over quarry plan. The Billanook Primary School Council has written to the Shire of Yarra Ranges protesting against the proposed extension of a nearby quarry. The school claims the project will intensify the high rate of asthma among students. (HM090732) THE HOBART MERCURY p6 Bid to curb toll of drugs. Melbourne�s Vietnamese community yesterday released the Face It report, which tackles the issue of illicit drug abuse among migrant youth, to coincide with a series of new drug education and prevention measures. (HM090733) p12 New daily pill for hepatitis B. Pharmaceutical company Glaxo Wellcome Australia Ltd has announced that its new hepatitis B treatment Zeffic will be available domestically from 1 August and has been placed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. (HM090734) MAJOR MEDIA RELEASES Federal Health and It�s not too late to get your flu shot. Federal Aged Care Minister Health and Aged Care Minister Michael Wooldridge Michael Wooldridge has advised people aged over 65 that it is still possible to take advantage of the Federal Government�s offer of free influenza vaccinations. (HM090735) Federal Aged Care Bishop opens national rural conference on ageing. Minister Bronwyn Federal Aged Care Minister Bronwyn Bishop has Bishop opened a conference in Albury-Wodonga which aims to help people to value the diversity of senior Australians living in rural communities. (HM0907)36 Federal Aged Care $88,000 to promote the International Year of Older Minister Bronwyn Persons in ACT. Federal Aged Care Minister Bishop Bronwyn Bishop has announced an $88,000 grant for an Indigenous International Year of Older Persons project in the ACT. (HM090737) ELECTRONIC MEDIA SUMMARY 8/7 1630 3LO Current flu strain. Austin Repatriation Centre spokesperson Lou Irving discusses claims that colds and flu are more prevalent than usual this year saying that local patterns of infection may create the impression of an increase. Irving also talks about the spread of the Sydney virus and Federal Health Minister Michael Wooldridge�s call for those over 65 to obtain free flu vaccinations. (Dur: 6.48) (HM090738) 8/7 1600 3LO Tobacco class action success. Australian Acton on Smoking and Health spokesman Simon Chapman discusses the success of class actions in the US against the tobacco industries and a similar legal case, soon to be launched in Australia, which will allege that cigarette companies hid information about the health risks of smoking. (Dur: 8.30) (HM090739) 8/7 1500 3LO Youth mental health services. North West Healthcare Network Youth Program spokesperson Patrick McGaurey discusses his work in providing mental health services for youth in Melbourne�s western suburbs and the problems created by the stigma surrounding mental illness in young people. (Dur: 14.00) (HM090740) OTHER PRINT ARTICLES 9/7 Australian Jury fuels fire in anti-tobacco war p3 9/7 Financial Smokers win first class-action lawsuit p2 Review 9/7 Financial Tobacco firms lose court case p42 Review 9/7 Financial Safer mobile phones p73 Review 9/7 The Age Better hepatitis B drug on the way pA7 9/7 The Age Society (Letter to the Editor) pA14 9/7 West Australian New plan o fix health system p4 9/7 West Australian Alzheimer�s vaccine hope p7 9/7 West Australian Tobacco firms face $100b legal bill p9 9/7 West Australian Private bed rate to rise p33 9/7 Courier Mail Phone screen p2 9/7 Courier Mail Alzheimer�s vaccine hopes soar as trials p3 urged 9/7 Advertiser Premier�s recipe for hospital reform p3 (Adelaide) 9/7 Advertiser Saving our brains from the mobiles p25 (Adelaide) 9/7 Herald Sun Win for tobacco class action p12 9/7 Herald Sun Virus pill breakthrough p13 9/7 Daily Telegraph Hospital squeeze �not flu� p15 9/7 Daily Telegraph Alzheimer�s links mice and men p24 9/7 Hobart Mercury Killer �flu could hit in a mouth p3 9/7 Hobart Mercury Vitamin price-fix action p8 ____________________________________________________________________________ HealthMonitor is produced by Media Monitors ACT Pty Ltd ACN 008 597 939 - Australia's leading media information service. 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