Search

Readers response: What’s an Australian icon or landmark that holds a special meaning for you?

We asked our readers what Australian icon or landmark holds a special meaning for them, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. Rae Dutton - Ayers Rock (Uluru). I climbed it in my twenties. Everyone there that day was completely respectful and we just took photos. Such a shame people are no longer allowed to experience that. Darryl Wilkes - Being a Sydneysider, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House of course. Lynette Miller - The Blue Mountains. I have relatives up there so been going since my brother and I were kids love it always stunning. Kathryn Potter - The Australian Standing Stones in Glen Innes, NSW. Tony Smith - The domes of the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park. Breathtaking and Spiritual. Val Derksen - Richmond, Tasmania. Margie Buckingham - The Australia Rock at Narooma. Janita Hill - Coorong and River Murray Mouth. Feeling of belonging. Irene Loring - Rottnest and Port Hedland. Marian Monaghan - Pildappa Rock on Eyre Peninsula. Image credits: Shutterstock

Domestic Travel

How we diagnose and define obesity is set to change – here’s why, and what it means for treatment

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-baur-5284">Louise Baur</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-b-dixon-11630">John B. Dixon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/priya-sumithran-1529047">Priya Sumithran</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/wendy-a-brown-1665">Wendy A. Brown</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Obesity is <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/health-risks#:%7E:text=Having%20overweight%20or%20obesity%20increases,the%20cells%20in%20your%20body">linked to</a> many common diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease and knee osteoarthritis. Obesity is currently defined using a person’s body mass index, or BMI. This is <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight">calculated</a> as weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of height (in metres). In people of European descent, the BMI for obesity is 30 kg/m² and over. But the risk to health and wellbeing is not determined by weight – and therefore BMI – alone. We’ve been part of a global collaboration that has spent the past two years discussing how this should change. Today we publish how we think obesity should be defined and why. As we outline in <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/clinical-obesity">The Lancet</a>, having a larger body shouldn’t mean you’re diagnosed with “clinical obesity”. Such a diagnosis should depend on the level and location of body fat – and whether there are associated health problems. <h2>What’s wrong with BMI?</h2> The risk of ill health depends on the relative percentage of fat, bone and muscle making up a person’s body weight, as well as where the fat is distributed. Athletes with a relatively high muscle mass, for example, may have a higher BMI. Even when that athlete has a BMI over 30 kg/m², their higher weight is due to excess muscle rather than excess fatty tissue. People who carry their excess fatty tissue <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2017-09-06/waist-size-why-it-matters-and-when-its-a-risk/8839708">around their waist</a> are at greatest risk of the health problems associated with obesity. Fat stored deep in the abdomen and around the internal organs can release damaging molecules into the blood. These can then <a href="https://theconversation.com/body-fat-deep-below-the-surface-is-a-toxic-risk-especially-for-your-heart-146307">cause problems</a> in other parts of the body. But BMI alone does not tell us whether a person has health problems related to excess body fat. People with excess body fat don’t always have a BMI over 30, meaning they are not investigated for health problems associated with excess body fat. This might occur in a very tall person or in someone who tends to store body fat in the abdomen but who is of a “healthy” weight. On the other hand, others who aren’t athletes but have excess fat may have a high BMI but no associated health problems. BMI is therefore an imperfect tool to help us diagnose obesity. <h2>What is the new definition?</h2> The goal of the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36878238">Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission on the Definition and Diagnosis of Clinical Obesity </a> was to develop an approach to this definition and diagnosis. The commission, established in 2022 and led from King’s College London, has brought together 56 experts on aspects of obesity, including people with lived experience. The commission’s <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/clinical-obesity">definition and new diagnostic criteria</a> shifts the focus from BMI alone. It incorporates other measurements, such as waist circumference, to confirm an excess or unhealthy distribution of body fat. We define two categories of obesity based on objective signs and symptoms of poor health due to excess body fat. 1. Clinical obesity A person with clinical obesity has signs and symptoms of ongoing organ dysfunction and/or difficulty with day-to-day activities of daily living (such as bathing, going to the toilet or dressing). There are 18 diagnostic criteria for clinical obesity in adults and 13 in children and adolescents. These include: <ul> <li> breathlessness caused by the effect of obesity on the lungs </li> <li> obesity-induced heart failure </li> <li> raised blood pressure </li> <li> fatty liver disease </li> <li> abnormalities in bones and joints that limit movement in children. </li> </ul> 2. Pre-clinical obesity A person with pre-clinical obesity has high levels of body fat that are not causing any illness. People with pre-clinical obesity do not have any evidence of reduced tissue or organ function due to obesity and can complete day-to-day activities unhindered. However, people with pre-clinical obesity are generally at higher risk of developing diseases such as heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes. <h2>What does this mean for obesity treatment?</h2> Clinical obesity is a disease requiring access to effective health care. For those with clinical obesity, the focus of health care should be on improving the health problems caused by obesity. People should be offered evidence-based treatment options after discussion with their health-care practitioner. <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01210-8/abstract">Treatment</a> will <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(22)00047-X/fulltext">include</a> management of obesity-associated complications and may include specific obesity treatment aiming at decreasing fat mass, such as: <ul> <li> support for <a href="https://www.obesityevidencehub.org.au/collections/treatment/behavioural-interventions-for-the-management-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-adults">behaviour change</a> <a href="https://www.obesityevidencehub.org.au/collections/treatment/managing-overweight-and-obesity-in-children-and-adolescents">around</a> diet, physical activity, sleep and screen use </li> <li> obesity-management medications to reduce appetite, lower weight and <a href="https://www.obesityevidencehub.org.au/collections/treatment/medication-and-surgery-for-the-treatment-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-adults">improve health</a> outcomes such as blood glucose (sugar) and blood pressure </li> <li> metabolic <a href="https://theconversation.com/thinking-about-bariatric-surgery-for-weight-loss-heres-what-to-consider-184153">bariatric surgery</a> to treat obesity or reduce weight-related health complications. </li> </ul> <h2>Should pre-clinical obesity be treated?</h2> For those with pre-clinical obesity, health care should be about risk-reduction and prevention of health problems related to obesity. This may require health counselling, including support for health behaviour change, and monitoring over time. Depending on the person’s individual risk – such as a family history of disease, level of body fat and changes over time – they may opt for one of the obesity treatments above. Distinguishing people who don’t have illness from those who already have ongoing illness will enable personalised approaches to obesity prevention, management and treatment with more appropriate and cost-effective allocation of resources. <h2>What happens next?</h2> These new criteria for the diagnosis of clinical obesity will need to be adopted into national and international clinical practice guidelines and a range of obesity strategies. Once adopted, training health professionals and health service managers, and educating the general public, will be vital. Reframing the narrative of obesity may help eradicate misconceptions that contribute to stigma, including making false assumptions about the health status of people in larger bodies. A better understanding of the biology and health effects of obesity should also mean people in larger bodies are not blamed for their condition. People with obesity or who have larger bodies should expect personalised, evidence-based assessments and advice, free of stigma and blame.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/245164/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-baur-5284">Louise Baur</a>, Professor, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-b-dixon-11630">John B. Dixon</a>, Adjunct Professor, Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/priya-sumithran-1529047">Priya Sumithran</a>, Head of the Obesity and Metabolic Medicine Group in the Department of Surgery, School of Translational Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/wendy-a-brown-1665">Wendy A. Brown</a>, Professor and Chair, Monash University Department of Surgery, School of Translational Medicine, Alfred Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-we-diagnose-and-define-obesity-is-set-to-change-heres-why-and-what-it-means-for-treatment-245164">original article</a>. </div>

Body

True meaning behind common Aussie road sign

Thousands of drivers past this Australian road sign every day - but very few know what it means. A confused motorist took to Reddit to share an image of the road sign they spotted on the Northern Territory's Stuart Highway, which featured a picture of a hand. He and and his travel companion assumed the sign meant there was a spot to wash your hands or windows nearby, however they were both wrong. The sign, which was part of a larger rest area sign, indicates there is Aboriginal artwork in the area. "According to the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (South Australia), published in 'Road Sign Guidelines' issued 28/03/2023, it means 'Aboriginal Attractions'," one person commented "Yep, usually rock art or some other Aboriginal site," said another. It is often seen in national parks and is the same symbol used nationally. People shared their own hilarious assumptions with one writing: "Warning, jazz hands in 2km", while another commented: "Beware of swarming ants". "Love that it's for indigenous art, but my first thought was a warning to tourists to not put bare skin on the bitumen," another commented. Others admitted they never paid any particular attention to the sign. "Oh I've never seen this before! And think it's great. Honestly my brain went to kids craft area for some reason but why would a random regional picnic stop have a kids craft area," one wrote. "I genuinely thought someone had just spray painted the sign with their hand on it. i have never seen this," another commented. A third person added their own hilarious interpretation saying: "This is so cool, have never seen one of these before. I have to admit my first thought was 'car scene in the titanic' though." Image: Reddit/ Google

Domestic Travel

Australians are embracing chatbots this Christmas, but what does it mean for retailers and consumers?

<div> By Richard Valente, Executive Vice President of Business Solutions at<a title="https://www.teleperformance.com/" href="https://www.teleperformance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-outlook-id="b381e4a3-fd96-44ea-ac4f-2162ce2e7cfe"> </a><a title="https://www.teleperformance.com/" href="https://www.teleperformance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-outlook-id="6a609d2f-3bfa-4e4d-b9b1-9936ebdc3ade">Teleperformance</a> (TP) </div> The festive season is upon us and Australians are turning to technology to make their Christmas shopping easier. A new study reveals that nearly one-third of Australian shoppers are more open to using AI chatbots this year than last, a significant shift in consumer behaviour. Surprisingly, it’s not just the younger generations leading the charge. Australians aged 55 and over are also showing a growing willingness to embrace chatbots for finding the best deals and simplifying their holiday shopping. But what does this mean for retailers, and how are consumers balancing convenience with the desire for personalised service? AI chatbots are revolutionising how we shop. From generating tailored gift recommendations to answering product questions in real-time, chatbots are no longer just a novelty, they’re a powerful tool in the modern retail landscape. Retail giants like Amazon have adopted these advancements, offering AI-powered buying guides that help consumers navigate complex purchasing decisions. Whether you’re looking for the latest tech gadget or the perfect pair of shoes, these tools streamline the shopping experience, saving time and effort during the busy Christmas rush. Older Australians are joining the AI revolution and the adoption of over 55s highlights a fascinating trend - older consumers are increasingly willing to experiment with technology. Their openness to chatbots suggests a broader acceptance of AI in everyday life, driven by its ability to simplify tasks and provide instant support. However, this rapid technological adoption doesn’t come without concerns. Many Australian consumers are apprehensive about the fast changing shopping experience. They fear losing the personal touch that has traditionally defined retail interactions. But the reality is that these advancements can enhance the shopping journey by freeing up staff to engage in more meaningful ways with customers. Here at TP, we feel the key to maintaining customer trust lies in using AI to complement human assistance, not replace it. Automating repetitive tasks, answering questions and providing tailored recommendations. For retailers the messaging is clear, innovation must go hand-in-hand with empathy. Businesses that invest in both AI technology and high quality customer service teams will be positioned to meet evolving customer expectations. AI isn’t just transforming the customer experience, it’s also delivering cost efficiency for retailers. Automated systems reduce the burden on support staff enabling faster responses to customer enquiries while lowering operational costs. This dual benefit is why brands are rushing to integrate AI-powered solutions like customer relationship management (CRM) systems, omnichannel tracking and loyalty programs. It’s important retailers find balance and use AI to enhance the customer journey and not overshadow it. Self-service options and chatbots are invaluable but they should be backed by a strong human support team for more complex queries. For customers, the rise of chatbots means faster service, better deals and smoother shopping journeys. But it also highlights the growing importance of choosing brands that value customer care. TP’s research shows that half of consumers now prioritise companies with excellent service, a trend likely to shape the future of retail. As Australians embrace AI this Christmas, the message is clear, technology is not the enemy of personalisation. Instead, it’s a tool that when used thoughtfully, can make holiday shopping less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone. This holiday season, chatbots are proving to be the ultimate shopping assistant but only for brands willing to blend innovation with a human touch. As we look ahead, one thing is certain, the future of retail will be shaped by how well technology and empathy can co-exist. Image credits: Shutterstock

Technology

Planning for old age? Here’s what the aged care changes mean for you

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anam-bilgrami-1179543">Anam Bilgrami</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a> Last week, Parliament passed sweeping reforms to Australia’s aged care system. These “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms">once-in-a-generation</a>” changes, set to begin next year on July 1, aim to improve how care is provided to older Australians at home, in their communities and in nursing homes. The new Aged Care Act focuses on <a href="https://insideageing.com.au/new-aged-care-act-passes-parliament-ushering-in-historic-reforms/">improving quality and safety, protecting the rights</a> of older people and ensuring <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/news-and-updates/big-changes-aged-care-sector">the financial sustainability</a> of aged care providers. A key change is the introduction of a new payment system, requiring wealthier people to contribute more for non-clinical services. If you – or a loved one – are planning for aged care, here’s what the changes could mean for you. <h2>What to expect from the home care overhaul</h2> Over the past decade, there’s been a noticeable shift towards “ageing at home”. The number of Australians using home care has <a href="https://www.gen-agedcaredata.gov.au/getmedia/2fbaacd8-1fbf-4ef5-ab1c-72dfc4c727bf/People-using-aged-care-fact-sheet-2023.pdf?ext=.pdf">more than quadrupled</a>, surpassing those in nursing homes. To meet growing demand, the government is adding <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/press-conference-parliament-house-25-november?language=en">107,000 home care places</a> over the next two years, with a goal to reduce wait times to just three months. Starting July 1 2025, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/about">Support at Home</a> will replace the <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/home-care-packages">Home Care Packages</a> program. The table below shows some of the key differences between these two programs. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=546&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=546&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=546&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=686&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=686&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636472/original/file-20241205-19-phkljj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=686&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Department of Health 2024</figcaption></figure> Home Care Packages are currently delivered under <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/home-care-packages">four annual government subsidy levels</a>, covering care and provider management costs. Under Support at Home, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/features">the number of home care budget levels will double to eight</a>, with the highest level increasing to A$78,000. This aims to provide more tailored support and accommodate those needing higher levels of care. Under the new system, recipients will receive quarterly budgets aligned to their funding level and work with their chosen provider to allocate funds across <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-11/support-at-home-service-list.pdf">three broad service categories</a>: <ul> <li> clinical care, such as nursing or physiotherapy </li> <li> independence support, including personal care, transport and social support </li> <li> everyday living assistance, such as cleaning, gardening and meal delivery. </li> </ul> Clinical care services will be fully government-funded, as these are crucial to supporting health and keeping people out of hospitals. But recipients will contribute to the costs of independence and everyday living services under a new payment model, reflecting the government’s stance that these are services people have traditionally funded themselves over their lifetimes. This will replace the basic daily fee and income-tested care fee that some people currently pay. Contributions will vary by income and assets (based on the <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/who-can-get-age-pension?context=22526">age pension means test</a>) and by service type. Support at Home also includes additional funding for specific needs: <ul> <li> older Australians with less than three months to live will receive priority access to $25,000 in funding over 12 weeks </li> <li> up to $15,000 will be available for assistive technologies and home modifications, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/support-at-home-fact-sheet.pdf">eliminating the need</a> to reserve home care budgets for these. </li> </ul> <h2>What if I or my loved one is already receiving a Home Care Package?</h2> If you were receiving a package, on the <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/hcp/about/how-it-works">waiting list</a>, or assessed as eligible for one on September 12 2024, the government’s “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms#:%7E:text=in%20aged%20care-,A%20no%20worse%20off%20principle%20will%20provide%20certainty%20to%20people,greater%20contribution%20to%20their%20care.&text=When%20Home%20Care%20participants%20transition,and%20retain%20any%20unspent%20funds.">no worse off</a>” principle guarantees you won’t pay more under the new system. Current recipients will have their Support at Home budget aligned with their existing package, and any unspent funds will roll over. <h2>How nursing home fees will change</h2> Australia’s nursing home sector is struggling financially, with <a href="https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/executive/sectors-annual-financial-report-lands/">67% of providers</a> operating at a loss. To ensure sustainability and support upgrades to facilities, the government is introducing major funding changes. <h2>What stays the same?</h2> The Basic Daily Fee, that everyone in nursing homes pays, set at 85% of the basic age pension (currently <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/schedule-of-fees-and-charges-for-residential-and-home-care.pdf">$63.57 a day</a> or $23,200 annually), will not change. <h2>What’s changing?</h2> The government currently pays a Hotelling Supplement of $12.55 per day per resident to cover everyday living services like cleaning, catering and laundry ($4,581 annually). From July 1 2025, this supplement will become means-tested. Residents with annual incomes above $95,400 or assets exceeding $238,000 (or some combination of these) will <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/response-to-the-aged-care-taskforce-residential-care-contributions.pdf">contribute partially or fully</a> to this cost. Currently, residents with sufficient means also pay a means-tested care fee <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-home-costs-and-fees">between $0–$403.24</a> per day. This will be replaced by a “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/response-to-the-aged-care-taskforce-residential-care-contributions.pdf">non-clinical care contribution</a>”, capped at $101.16 daily and payable for the first four years of care. Only those with assets above $502,981 or incomes above $131,279 (or some combination of these) will pay this contribution. Importantly, no one will pay more than $130,000 in combined contributions for Support at Home and non-clinical care in nursing homes over their lifetime. <h2>Changes to accommodation payments</h2> The way nursing home accommodation costs are paid is also changing from July 1 2025: <ul> <li> residents <a href="https://theconversation.com/lump-sum-daily-payments-or-a-combination-what-to-consider-when-paying-for-nursing-home-accommodation-207405">who pay</a> their room price via a refundable lump sum will have <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/response-to-the-aged-care-taskforce-accommodation-reform.pdf">2% of their payment retained annually</a> by the provider, up to a maximum of 10% over five years. For example, a $400,000 lump sum payment would result in $360,000 being refunded if a person stays five years or more, with the provider keeping $40,000 </li> <li> <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/response-to-the-aged-care-taskforce-accommodation-reform.pdf">daily accommodation payments</a> (a rent-style interest charge) will no longer remain fixed for the duration of a person’s nursing home stay. Instead, these payments will be indexed twice annually to the Consumer Price Index </li> <li> providers will be able to set room prices up to $750,000 without government approval, an increase from the current $550,000 limit. </li> </ul> People with lower means (those who are fully subsidised by the government for their accommodation costs) will not be affected by these changes. <h2>What if I own my home?</h2> The treatment of the family home in means testing for nursing home costs will <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/response-to-the-aged-care-taskforce-residential-care-contributions.pdf">remain unchanged</a>. Its value is only assessed if no “protected person” (such as a spouse) lives in it, and even then, it’s capped at $206,039 (as at September 20 2024). <h2>What happens to current nursing home residents?</h2> The new rules for contributions and accommodation will apply only to those entering nursing homes from July 1 2025. Existing residents will maintain their current arrangements and be <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms#:%7E:text=in%20aged%20care-,A%20no%20worse%20off%20principle%20will%20provide%20certainty%20to%20people,greater%20contribution%20to%20their%20care.&text=When%20Home%20Care%20participants%20transition,and%20retain%20any%20unspent%20funds.">no worse off</a>. <h2>Feeling overwhelmed?</h2> These reforms aim to improve care delivery, fairness and sustainability, with the government emphasising that many older Australians – particularly those with <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms#:%7E:text=in%20aged%20care-,A%20no%20worse%20off%20principle%20will%20provide%20certainty%20to%20people,greater%20contribution%20to%20their%20care.&text=When%20Home%20Care%20participants%20transition,and%20retain%20any%20unspent%20funds.">lower incomes and assets</a> – will not pay more. The government has provided case studies to illustrate how <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/case-studies-support-at-home_0.pdf">home care</a> and <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/case-studies-residential-care_0.pdf">nursing home</a> costs will differ under the new system for people at various income and asset levels. Still, planning for aged care can be daunting. For more <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/financial-support-and-advice">tailored advice and support</a>, consider reaching out to financial advisors, <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/aged-care-specialist-officer-my-aged-care-face-to-face-services?context=55715">services</a>, or online tools to help you navigate the changes and make informed decisions.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244816/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anam-bilgrami-1179543">Anam Bilgrami</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/planning-for-old-age-heres-what-the-aged-care-changes-mean-for-you-244816">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

What does Donald Trump’s win mean for his brand of populist authoritarianism?

<h1 class="theconversation-article-title">What does Donald Trump’s win mean for his brand of populist authoritarianism?</h1> <div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-drache-1409730">Daniel Drache</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/york-university-canada-1610">York University, Canada</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marc-d-froese-1411858">Marc D. Froese</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/burman-university-5814">Burman University</a> <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2024/10/total-2024-election-spending-projected-to-exceed-previous-record/">In the most expensive election in American history</a>, Republicans flipped the Senate, likely tightened their grip on the House of Representatives and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/11/06/donald-trump-wins-presidential-election/">returned Donald Trump to the White House</a>. The so-called <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/09/abortion-votes-2022-election-results-00065983">“red wave” predicted for the 2022 mid-term elections</a> rolled in two years later, and the MAGA movement is now the dominant force in American politics. Trump has an unprecedented mandate to reshape American life and politics, and is the first Republican to win the <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/4976301-when-was-the-last-time-the-republican-party-won-the-popular-vote/">popular vote</a> since 2004. He intends to be an activist and transformative president. Now Americans and the rest of the world must brace for the global fallout in Ukraine, Russia, China, Israel and Iran. According to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cj3ergr8209t">latest tabulations</a>, more than 71 million of Trump’s followers stayed loyal to the MAGA movement despite <a href="https://theconversation.com/trump-found-guilty-5-key-aspects-of-the-trial-explained-by-a-law-professor-231236">his criminal convictions and indictments</a>, <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/09/trump-hate-speech-migrants-campaign-rallies-incitement/">hate speech</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-fact-checker-tracked-trump-claims/2021/01/23/ad04b69a-5c1d-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html">fire hose of lies</a>. Trump won the presidency with the help of blue-collar, middle-class voters in the vital centre of the political spectrum, and in open defiance of the political establishment and most political power brokers. <h2>Weak centre</h2> What does Trump’s comeback mean for his unique brand of nationalist authoritarianism? Trump’s victory shows just how weak and lacklustre the centre has become in comparison to surging extremism. The silent majority that once rallied to support Ronald Reagan’s popular agenda, for example, is now a seemingly amoral majority indifferent to Trump’s felonies and his apocalyptic vision for the country. It’s now clear that the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/opinion/election-polls-results-trump-harris.html">undecided centre</a> is smaller than ever. Voters on the left were dismayed about Kamala Harris’s support for Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Israel. Some planned not to vote or <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenpastis/2024/11/04/will-third-party-candidates-be-2024-spoilers-heres-the-latest-data-as-trump-harris-race-nearly-tied/">to vote for third-party</a> candidates. What’s more, Republicans have been courting working class and racialized voters for years, and their messaging is paying off. Chipping away small numbers of <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/10/key-facts-about-black-eligible-voters-in-2024/">Black</a> and <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/07/19/how-latino-voters-view-the-2024-presidential-election/">Latino</a> voters is adding up to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4975849-trump-harris-2024-presidential-run/?ipid=promo-link-block1">real gains</a>. <h2>‘Make extremism great again’</h2> The Republican machine has grasped an essential truth: parties must redefine their centre of gravity with the shifting of the <a href="https://www.mackinac.org/OvertonWindow">Overton window</a> of political acceptability, which holds that the centre is not fixed forever; it is simply a gauge of the new extremes. After a decade of the upheaval Trump has fuelled, mainstreaming extremism has become a proven formula for winning elections. The most basic question emphasized by the Trump-Harris showdown was: Can <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/myth-cheney-democrats-harris-walz-campaign/">cautious centrism</a> defeat <a href="https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/survival-online/2021/01/trump-politics-of-paranoia/">paranoid populism</a>? In America in 2024, it could not. After 1945, the centre referred to the vast number of voters who rejected <a href="https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-09-13/on-freedom-timothy-snyder-erasing-history-jason-stanley-book-review">communism and fascism</a> while embracing the welfare state and full-employment capitalism. <figure class="align-left zoomable"></figure> This middle “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/feb/10/labour.uk1">or third way</a>” — sought by politicians from Tony Blair to Barack Obama — won repeated elections. But today, the centre has been eclipsed by loyalty to a charismatic leader. When the extremes cease to be red lines, reasonable parties can only intermittently eke out a win. That means extremist movements grow ever stronger. What will happen in four years is anyone’s guess. But even after Trump is gone, he will live on atop the conservative pantheon, having risen to even greater esteem among his supporters than Reagan or <a href="https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/10/barry-goldwater-lasting-legacy-112210/">Barry Goldwater</a>, the Republican senator who became a conservative standard-bearer for a generation. <h2>Negative voting</h2> The American election turned on negative voting. The only real question was whose fear would carry the day? Democrats feared the loss of <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/freedom-harriss-message-to-america/">reproductive freedoms</a> for women. Republicans feared immigration conspiracy theories such as “<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/05/17/1099223012/how-the-replacement-theory-went-mainstream-on-the-political-right">the great replacement</a>” theory. Republicans made border security a successful culture war issue, and it will unquestionably loom even larger in future elections. Gallup has shown that 55 per cent of Americans now want immigration levels <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/647123/sharply-americans-curb-immigration.aspx">drastically reduced</a>, a significant rise from 41 per cent just last year. The United States is not alone. What began as anger over Syrian refugees in Germany has metastasized into an enormous <a href="https://www.fosterglobal.com/blog/its-not-just-the-u-s-europes-growing-anti-immigration-backlash/">anti-immigrant backlash across Europe</a>. Anti-immigration sentiment is on the rise <a href="https://immigration.ca/canada-rated-best-country-in-world-for-welcoming-immigrants/">in Canada too despite it being one of the most welcoming nations in terms of immigration</a>. <h2>The rise of anti-immigration sentiment</h2> Future Republican contenders will almost certainly be avowed opponents of immigration given Trump’s stunning comeback. He leveraged the issue at a time when immigrants and border security have become powerful symbols of the enormous changes brought about by globalization. Zygmunt Bauman, the late eminent Polish sociologist, has described the technological advancement that defines global capitalism as “<a href="https://www.theoryculturesociety.org/blog/review-ali-rattansi-bauman-and-contemporary-sociology">liquid modernity</a>.” He argues that constant change <a href="https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/40672">rewards the wealthy and the hyper-mobile</a>. The blue-collar middle class is not worse off in absolute terms, but they’re <a href="https://reviewcanada.ca/magazine/2023/01/the-shill-of-the-people/">falling behind</a> as the billionaire class surges ahead and governments fail to protect the traditional institutions of the welfare state. For Trump voters, the “<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/trump-doubles-down-on-enemy-within-rhetoric-in-final-campaign-push-222300229921">enemy within</a>” was the most potent narrative for the MAGA coalition. Xenophobia was on <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/28/opinion/trump-rally-msg-racism.html">full display</a> during the closing days of the campaign when a comedian at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally referred to Puerto Rico as an “<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9jj2g75q4o">island of garbage</a>.” The full force of liquid modernity continues to degrade the institutions of advanced societies and to reward rule-breakers. It’s not hyperbole to suggest this election could transform both America and the post-war <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/how-trump-will-change-world">liberal international order</a>. <h2>A dark MAGA future</h2> One primary takeaway from this election is that an even darker, more apocalyptic form of the MAGA movement has taken hold. At a recent rally, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/elon-musk-donald-trump-dark-maga-twitter">joined Trump on stage in a black MAGA cap, declaring</a>: “I’m not just MAGA, I’m dark MAGA.” In Trump’s warped view, an electoral loss would have been proof of cheating, but a win is a triumph of the will. In America today, conspiracy theories seemingly attract votes. It’s hard to underestimate the impact of Trump’s toxicity on American civic life. With his new mandate, Trump has a green light to implement most, if not all, of his most extreme policies, from tariffs to cementing an absolutist approach to presidential power. Trump has already promised to prosecute “<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/08/politics/trump-threatens-prosecution-2024-election-officials/index.html">to the fullest extent of the law</a>” his political enemies. He has threatened to use American troops to round up 15 million undocumented immigrants. It is his stated intent to exercise enormous presidential privilege by pardoning the “patriots” who stormed the capital in January 2021 “<a href="https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/trump-jan-6-pardons-day-one-2024-election-rcna170194">on Day One</a>.” It is far from certain that the American constitutional order will survive intact.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/242867/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-drache-1409730">Daniel Drache</a>, Professor Emeritus, Department of Politics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/york-university-canada-1610">York University, Canada</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marc-d-froese-1411858">Marc D. Froese</a>, Professor of Political Science and Founding Director, International Studies Program, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/burman-university-5814">Burman University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-does-donald-trumps-win-mean-for-his-brand-of-populist-authoritarianism-242867">original article</a>. </div>

Legal

Australia’s fertility rate has reached a record low. What might that mean for the economy?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jonathan-boymal-392960">Jonathan Boymal</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ashton-de-silva-3066">Ashton De Silva</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-sinclair-385470">Sarah Sinclair</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Australia’s fertility rate has fallen to a new <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/births-australia/latest-release">record low</a> of 1.5 babies per woman. That’s well below the “<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7834459/#:%7E:text=PIP%3A%20Replacement%20level%20fertility%20is,of%202.1%20children%20per%20woman.">replacement rate</a>” of 2.1 needed to sustain a country’s population. On face value, it might not seem like a big deal. But we can’t afford to ignore this issue. The health of an economy is deeply intertwined with the size and structure of its population. Australians simply aren’t having as many babies as they used to, raising some serious questions about how we can maintain our country’s workforce, sustain economic growth and fund important services. So what’s going on with fertility rates here and around the world, and what might it mean for the future of our economy? What can we do about it? <h2>Are lower birth rates always a problem?</h2> Falling fertility rates can actually have some <a href="https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monograph_reports/2007/MR1274.pdf">short-term benefits</a>. Having fewer dependent young people in an economy can increase workforce participation, as well as boost savings and wealth. Smaller populations can also benefit from <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0927537112000620.">increased investment</a> per person in education and health. But the picture gets more complex in the long term, and less rosy. An ageing population can strain pensions, health care and social services. This can hinder economic growth, unless it’s <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21302431/">offset by increased productivity</a>. Other scholars have <a href="https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/publications/end-economic-growth-unintended-consequences-declining-population">warned</a> that a falling population could stifle innovation, with fewer young people meaning fewer breakthrough ideas. <h2>A global phenomenon</h2> The trend towards women having fewer children is not unique to Australia. The global fertility rate has dropped over the past couple of decades, from 2.7 babies per woman in 2000 to <a href="https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/WLD/world/fertility-rate">2.4 in 2023</a>. However, the distribution is not evenly spread. In 2021, 29% of the world’s babies were born in sub-Saharan Africa. This is projected to <a href="https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/newsroom/news-releases/lancet-dramatic-declines-global-fertility-rates-set-transform">rise to 54% by 2100</a>. There’s also a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/psp.2720">regional-urban divide</a>. Childbearing is often delayed in urban areas and late fertility is more common in cities. In Australia, we see <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/births-australia/latest-release#data-downloads">higher fertility rates</a> in inner and outer regional areas than in metro areas. This could be because of more affordable housing and a better work-life balance. But it raises questions about whether people are moving out of cities to start families, or if something intrinsic about living in the regions promotes higher birth rates. <iframe id="U1wEx" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/U1wEx/1/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <h2>Fewer workers, more pressure on services</h2> Changes to the makeup of a population can be just as important as changes to its size. With fewer babies being born and increased life expectancy, the proportion of older Australians who have left the workforce will keep rising. One way of tracking this is with a metric called the old-age dependency ratio – the number of people aged 65 and over per 100 working-age individuals. In Australia, this ratio is currently about 27%. But according to the latest <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/publication/2023-intergenerational-report">Intergenerational Report</a>, it’s expected to rise to 38% by 2063. An ageing population means greater demand for medical services and aged care. As the working-age population shrinks, the tax base that funds these services will also decline. Unless this is offset by technological advances or policy innovations, it can mean higher taxes, longer working lives, or the government providing fewer public services in general. <h2>What about housing?</h2> It’s tempting to think a falling birth rate might be good news for Australia’s stubborn housing crisis. The issues are linked – rising real estate prices have made it difficult for many young people to afford homes, with a significant number of people in their 20s <a href="https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/more-australian-adult-children-are-living-with-their-parents-longer">still living with their parents</a>. This can mean delaying starting a family and reducing the number of children they have. At the same time, if fertility rates stay low, demand for large family homes may decrease, impacting one of Australia’s most significant economic sectors and sources of household wealth. <h2>Can governments turn the tide?</h2> Governments worldwide, including Australia, have long experimented with policies that encourage families to have more children. Examples include paid parental leave, childcare subsidies and financial incentives, such as Australia’s “<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-the-baby-bonus-boost-looks-like-across-ten-years-81563">baby bonus</a>”. Many of these efforts have had only limited success. One reason is the rising average age at which women have their first child. In many developed countries, including Australia, the average age for first-time mothers has surpassed <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/overview-and-demographics/maternal-age">30</a>. As women delay childbirth, they become less likely to have multiple children, further contributing to declining birth rates. Encouraging women to start a family earlier could be one policy lever, but it must be balanced with women’s growing workforce participation and career goals. Research has previously highlighted the factors influencing fertility decisions, including levels of paternal involvement and workplace flexibility. Countries that offer part-time work or maternity leave without career penalties have seen a <a href="https://faculty.wcas.northwestern.edu/mdo738/research/Doepke_Hannusch_Kindermann_Tertilt_Handbook_23.pdf">stabilisation or slight increases</a> in fertility rates. <h2>The way forward</h2> Historically, one of the ways Australia has countered its low birth rate is through immigration. Bringing in a lot of people – especially skilled people of working age – can help offset the effects of a low fertility rate. However, relying on immigration alone is not a long-term solution. The global fertility slump means that the pool of young, <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2020/03/can-immigration-solve-the-demographic-dilemma-peri">educated workers from other countries</a> is shrinking, too. This makes it harder for Australia to attract the talent it needs to sustain economic growth. Australia’s record-low fertility rate presents both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, the shrinking number of young people will place a strain on public services, innovation and the labour market. On the other hand, advances in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence and robotics, may help ease the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0164070420302020">challenges of an ageing population</a>. That’s the optimistic scenario. AI and other tech-driven productivity gains could reduce the need for large workforces. And robotics could assist in aged care, lessening the impact of this demographic shift.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/241577/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jonathan-boymal-392960">Jonathan Boymal</a>, Associate Professor of Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ashton-de-silva-3066">Ashton De Silva</a>, Professor of Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-sinclair-385470">Sarah Sinclair</a>, Senior Lecturer in Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-fertility-rate-has-reached-a-record-low-what-might-that-mean-for-the-economy-241577">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

What the government’s home care changes mean for ageing Australians

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tracy-comans-696663">Tracy Comans</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/frances-batchelor-2209350">Frances Batchelor</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> The Albanese government has this week announced it will introduce one of the <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms">largest reforms</a> to Australia’s aged-care sector to date. The package includes a A$4.3 billion investment in home care, now called “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home">Support at Home</a>”, to come into effect from July 2025. This reflects both the desire of many people to remain living at home as they age, and the government’s desire to reduce the costs of residential aged care. So what changes is the government making to home care packages? And what will these changes mean for ageing Australians? <h2>Reducing waiting times</h2> One of the major complaints about the current home care system is the long waiting times. Estimates suggest there’s a <a href="https://www.gen-agedcaredata.gov.au/getmedia/447b425c-63d6-4b96-a1fc-4dac805066ba/Home-Care-Packages-Program-data-report-1-January-%E2%80%93-31-March-2024">6–to-12-month wait</a> for the higher level 3 and 4 home care packages. For people with the highest needs, this is far too long. As of March this year, around <a href="https://www.gen-agedcaredata.gov.au/getmedia/447b425c-63d6-4b96-a1fc-4dac805066ba/Home-Care-Packages-Program-data-report-1-January-%E2%80%93-31-March-2024">45,000 people</a> were waiting for any level of home care. An additional 14,000 were already receiving a package, but on a lower level of home care than they were entitled to. With additional funding, the new system will <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms">support more participants</a>. It aims to shorten wait times to <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/support-at-home-fact-sheet.pdf">an average of three months</a> from July 2027. <h2>Changes to services</h2> The new system will replace the current four levels of home care packages with <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/once-in-a-generation-aged-care-reforms">eight classifications</a> of funding for services. When participants are assessed, they will be assigned the most suitable category. There’s currently very limited information on what these classifications are, but the idea is they will provide more targeted services. A number of short-term supports will also be available. These include assistive technology (such as mobility aids) and home modifications. Some people will be able to access 12 weeks of restorative care – a more intensive program designed to build function after injury or illness – as well as palliative care support. The way different types of services are subsidised is also changing. Previously, the same means-tested co-contribution applied regardless of the type of service. Under the new system, services are categorised into clinical care (for example, physiotherapy or wound care), independence (such as help with bathing or cooking) and everyday living (for example, gardening or home maintenance). The new reforms fully subsidise clinical services regardless of income, whereas independence and everyday living services will attract co-contributions based on means testing. For example, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/case-studies-support-at-home.pdf">a self-funded retiree</a> would pay nothing out of pocket for physiotherapy, but would pay 50% for help with showering and 80% towards gardening costs. A full pensioner would also pay nothing for physiotherapy, but pay 5% for help with showering and 17.5% of the cost of gardening. This is a positive change. Our research has previously highlighted a tendency for people with home care packages to choose everyday living services <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2023/4157055">such as gardening</a> and cleaning and refuse clinical care such as allied health and nursing as these types of services were more expensive. These changes should make older people more likely to choose allied health and clinical care services, which will help them maintain their function and stay fitter for longer. <h2>Some challenges</h2> For the government’s reforms to deliver faster and better support at home, a number of issues need to be addressed. As people stay at home for longer, we also see that these <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/52/5/afad058/7147101">people are frailer</a> and have more health conditions than in the past. This requires a different and more highly skilled home care workforce. The current <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/10/2020-aged-care-workforce-census.pdf">home care workforce</a> consists largely of personal care and domestic support workers alongside a much smaller skilled workforce of registered nurses and allied health professionals. But with the changing profile of people receiving care at home, there will need to be a greater focus on maintaining functional capacity. This might mean more allied health input will be required, such as from physiotherapists and occupational therapists. It’s difficult to source an appropriately skilled workforce across the sector, and almost impossible in <a href="https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/sites/default/files/publications/fact-sheet-allied-health.pdf">rural and remote areas</a>. Alternative models, such as training personal care workers to act as allied health assistants, and effectively using technology such as telehealth, will be necessary to meet demand without compromising on quality of care. One example of the need for upskilling in specific areas relates to caring for people with dementia. The majority of people who are living with dementia at home receive care from family carers, supported by home care workers. It’s vital that these care workers have adequate knowledge and skills specific to dementia. However, research has shown the home care workforce may <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31646701/">lack the knowledge and skills</a> to provide best-practice care for people living with dementia. Specialised <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.6140">dementia training</a> for home care workers is effective in improving knowledge, attitudes and sense of competence in providing care. It should be rolled out across the sector. <h2>What about unpaid care at home?</h2> Unpaid carers, such as family members, provide <a href="https://www.pmc.gov.au/resources/draft-national-strategy-care-and-support-economy/goal-1-quality-care-and-support/support-for-informal-carers">significant amounts of care</a> for older people. The value of this unpaid care is estimated to be in the billions. As older people stay at home for longer, this is set to increase even further. However, carers with high care burdens are particularly vulnerable to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827316300283#s0025">poor physical and mental health</a>. Without adequate support, we may find extra caring pressures lead to a breakdown in caring relationships and an increase in other health-care costs for both the carer and care recipient. So we need to ensure carers have adequate financial, psychological and practical support. But the currently available detail on the reforms doesn’t indicate this has been adequately addressed. With careful implementation and ongoing evaluation, these reforms have the potential to significantly enhance the home care system. However, their success will depend on addressing workforce challenges, ensuring adequate support for unpaid carers, and maintaining a focus on the holistic needs of older Australians. More information about Support at Home is <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/about">available online</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/238890/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tracy-comans-696663">Tracy Comans</a>, Executive Director, National Ageing Research Institute; Professor, Centre for Health Services Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/frances-batchelor-2209350">Frances Batchelor</a>, Director Clinical Gerontology & Senior Principal Research Fellow, National Ageing Research Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-the-governments-home-care-changes-mean-for-ageing-australians-238890">original article</a>. </div>

Legal

The Princess of Wales wants to stay cancer-free. What does this mean?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amali-cooray-1482458">Amali Cooray</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) </a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-eddie-la-marca-1503690">John (Eddie) La Marca</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) </a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-diepstraten-1495268">Sarah Diepstraten</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) </a> Catherine, Princess of Wales, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/sep/09/princess-of-wales-cancer-free-after-completing-chemotherapy">has announced</a> she has now completed a course of preventive chemotherapy. The news comes nine months after the princess first <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68641441">revealed</a> she was being treated for an unspecified form of cancer. In the new <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSrDEq8QFkc">video message</a> released by Kensington Palace, Princess Catherine says she’s focused on doing what she can to stay “cancer-free”. She acknowledges her cancer journey is not over and the “path to recovery and healing is long”. While we don’t know the details of the princess’s cancer or treatment, it raises some questions about how we declare someone fully clear of the disease. So what does being – and staying – “cancer-free” mean? <h2>What’s the difference between being cancer-free and in remission?</h2> Medically, “cancer-free” <a href="https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/remission--cancer-free--no-evidence-of-disease--what-is-the-difference-when-talking-about-cancer-treatment-effectiveness-and-results.h00-159460845.html">means</a> two things. First, it means no cancer cells are able to be detected in a patient’s body using the available testing methods. Second, there is no cancer left in the patient. These might sound basically the same. But this second aspect of “cancer-free” can be complicated, as it’s essentially impossible to be sure no cancer cells have survived a treatment. It only takes a few surviving cells for the cancer to <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-does-cancer-spread-to-other-parts-of-the-body-219616">grow back</a>. But these cells may not be detectable via testing, and can lie dormant for some time. The possibility of some cells still surviving means it is more accurate to say a patient is “in remission”, rather than “cancer-free”. Remission means there is no detectable cancer left. Once a patient has been in remission for a certain period of time, they are often considered to be fully “cancer-free”. Princess Catherine was not necessarily speaking in the strict medical sense. Nonetheless, she is clearly signalling a promising step in her recovery. <h2>What happens during remission?</h2> During remission, patients will usually undergo surveillance testing to make sure their cancer hasn’t returned. Detection tests can vary greatly depending on both the patient and their cancer type. Many <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/screening/screening-tests">tests</a> involve simply looking at different organs to see if there are cancer cells present, but at varying levels of complexity. Some cancers can be detected with the naked eye, such as skin cancers. In other cases, technology is needed: colonoscopies for colorectal cancers, X-ray mammograms for breast cancers, or CT scans for lung cancers. There are also molecular tests, which test for the presence of cancer cells using protein or DNA from blood or tissue samples. For most patients, testing will continue for years at regular intervals. Surveillance testing ensures any returning cancer is caught early, giving patients the best chance of successful treatment. Remaining in remission for five years can be a huge milestone in a patient’s cancer journey. For most types of cancer, the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31231898/">chances of cancer returning</a> drop significantly after five years of remission. After this point, surveillance testing may be performed less frequently, as the patients might be deemed to be at a lower risk of their cancer returning. <h2>Measuring survival rates</h2> Because it is very difficult to tell when a cancer is “cured”, clinicians may instead refer to a “five-year survival rate”. This measures how likely a cancer patient is to be alive five years after their diagnosis. For example, data shows the <a href="https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival-diagnosis">five-year survival rate</a> for <a href="https://cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/bowel-cancer">bowel cancer</a> among Australian women (of all ages) is around 70%. That means if you had 100 patients with bowel cancer, after five years you would expect 70 to still be alive and 30 to have succumbed to the disease. These statistics can’t tell us much about individual cases. But comparing five-year survival rates between large groups of patients after different cancer treatments can help clinicians make the often complex decisions about how best to treat their patients. The likelihood of cancer coming back, or recurring, is influenced by many factors which can vary over time. For instance, approximately 30% of people with lung cancer <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7061059/">develop a recurrent disease</a>, even after treatment. On the other hand, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4933127/">breast cancer recurrence</a> within two years of the initial diagnosis is approximately 15%. Within five years it drops to 10%. After ten, it falls below 2%. These are generalisations though – recurrence rates can vary greatly depending on things such as what kind of cancer the patient has, how advanced it is, and whether it has spread. <h2>Staying cancer-free</h2> Princess Catherine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/sep/09/princess-of-wales-cancer-free-after-completing-chemotherapy">says</a> her focus now is to “stay cancer-free”. What might this involve? How a cancer develops and whether it recurs can be <a href="https://nature.com/articles/s41467-018-05467-z">influenced</a> by things we can’t control, such as age, ethnicity, gender, genetics and hormones. However, there are sometimes <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances">environmental factors</a> we can control. That includes things like exposure to UV radiation from the sun, or inhaling carcinogens like tobacco. Lifestyle factors also play a role. Poor diet and nutrition, a lack of exercise and excessive alcohol consumption can all <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10925935">contribute to cancer development</a>. Research estimates more than half of all cancers could <a href="https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/resources/position-statements/lifestyle-risk-factors-and-primary-prevention-cancer/recommendations">potentially be prevented</a> through <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/cancer/screening-for-cancer">regular screening</a> and maintaining a healthy lifestyle (not to mention preventing other chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes). Recommendations to reduce cancer risk are the same for everyone, not just those who’ve had treatment like Princess Catherine. They include not smoking, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, exercising regularly, cutting down on alcohol and staying sun smart.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/238681/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amali-cooray-1482458">Amali Cooray</a>, PhD Candidate in Genetic Engineering and Cancer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) </a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-eddie-la-marca-1503690">John (Eddie) La Marca</a>, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) </a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-diepstraten-1495268">Sarah Diepstraten</a>, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-princess-of-wales-wants-to-stay-cancer-free-what-does-this-mean-238681">original article</a>. </div>

Caring

Retirement doesn’t just raise financial concerns – it can also mean feeling unmoored and irrelevant

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marianne-janack-681018">Marianne Janack</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/hamilton-college-2966">Hamilton College</a> Most discussions of retirement focus on the financial aspects of leaving the workforce: “<a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/EBSA/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/publications/top-10-ways-to-prepare-for-retirement.pdf">How to save enough for retirement</a>” or “<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/when-can-i-retire">How do you know if you have enough money for retirement</a>?” But this might not be the biggest problem that potential retirees face. The deeper issues of meaning, relevance and identity that retirement can bring to the fore are more significant to some workers. Work has <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/03/work-revolution-ai-wfh-new-book/673572/">become central to the modern American identity</a>, as <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/atlantic-editions/">journalist Derek Thompson bemoans</a> in The Atlantic. And some theorists have argued that work shapes what we are. For most people, as business ethicist <a href="https://www.luc.edu/quinlan/faculty/algini.shtml#:%7E:text=About,the%20Society%20for%20Business%20Ethics.">Al Gini</a> argues, one’s work – which is usually also one’s job – <a href="https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203950555">means more than a paycheck</a>. Work can structure our friendships, our understandings of ourselves and others, our ideas about free time, our forms of entertainment – indeed our lives. I <a href="https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/our-faculty/directory/faculty-detail/marianne-janack">teach a philosophy course about the self</a>, and I find that most of my students think of the problems of identity without thinking about how a job will make them into a particular kind of person. They think mostly about the prestige and pay that come with certain jobs, or about where jobs are located. But when we get to <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism/">existentialist philosophers</a> such as <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/sartre/">Jean-Paul Sartre</a> and <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/beauvoir/">Simone de Beauvoir</a>, I often urge them to think about what it means to say, as the existentialists do, <a href="https://philosophynow.org/issues/115/On_Being_An_Existentialist">that “you are what you do</a>.” How you spend 40 years of your life, I tell them, for at least 40 hours each week – the time many people spend at their jobs – is not just a financial decision. And I have come to see that retirement isn’t just a financial decision, either, as I consider that next phase of my life. <h2>Usefulness, tools and freedom</h2> For Greek and Roman philosophers, <a href="https://search.worldcat.org/title/Work-what-it-has-meant-to-men-through-the-ages/oclc/780872063">leisure was more noble than work</a>. The life of the craftsperson, artisan – or even that of the university professor or the lawyer – was to be avoided if wealth made that possible. The good life was a life not driven by the necessity of producing goods or making money. Work, Aristotle thought, was an obstacle to the achievement of the particular forms of excellence characteristic of human life, like thought, contemplation and study – <a href="https://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.7.vii.html">activities that express</a> the <a href="https://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.8.viii.html">particular character of human beings</a> and are done for their own sake. And so, one might surmise, retirement would be something that would allow people the kind of leisure that is essential to human excellence. But contemporary retirement does not seem to encourage leisure devoted to developing human excellence, partly because it follows a long period of making oneself into an object – something that is not free. German philosopher Immanuel Kant distinguished between the value of objects and of subjects by the idea of “use.” Objects are not free: They are meant to be used, like tools – their value is tied to their usefulness. But rational beings like humans, who are subjects, are more than their use value – <a href="https://search.worldcat.org/title/5796114">they are valuable in their own right</a>, unlike tools. And yet, much of contemporary work culture encourages workers to think of themselves and their value <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bullshit-Jobs/David-Graeber/9781501143335">in terms of their use value</a>, a change that would have made both Kant and the ancient Greek and Roman philosophers wonder why people didn’t retire as soon as they could. <h2>‘What we do is what we are’</h2> But as one of my colleagues said when I asked him about retirement: “If I’m not a college professor, then what am I?” Another friend, who retired at 59, told me that she does not like to describe herself as retired, even though she is. “Retired implies useless,” she said. So retiring is not just giving up a way of making money; it is a deeply existential issue, one that challenges one’s idea of oneself, one’s place in the world, and one’s usefulness. One might want to say, with Kant and the ancients, that those of us who have tangled up our identities with our jobs have made ourselves into tools, and we should throw off our shackles by retiring as soon as possible. And perhaps from the outside perspective, that’s true. But from the participant perspective, it’s harder to resist the ways in which what we have done has made us what we are. Rather than worry about our finances, we should worry, as we think about retirement, more about what the good life for creatures like us – those who are now free from our jobs – should be.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/233963/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marianne-janack-681018">Marianne Janack</a>, John Stewart Kennedy Professor of Philosophy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/hamilton-college-2966">Hamilton College</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/retirement-doesnt-just-raise-financial-concerns-it-can-also-mean-feeling-unmoored-and-irrelevant-233963">original article</a>. </div>

Retirement Income

‘It’s time to give up on normal’: what winter’s weird weather means for the warm months ahead

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-bowman-4397">David Bowman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> Heavy winds struck south-east Australia over the weekend as a series of cold fronts moved across the continent. It followed a <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-weather-update-nsw-and-victoria-damaging-winds-high-fire-danger-warnings/0f9b19d8-dc81-44c9-8df4-679cbb67c055">high fire danger</a> in Sydney and other parts of New South Wales last week, and <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-28/fire-grass-emergency-warning-firefighter-horningsea-park/104281180">a fire in south-west Sydney</a> that threatened homes. The severe weather rounds out a weird winter across Australia. The nation’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/26/winter-heat-records-broken-as-australia-set-for-more-temperatures-over-10c-above-average">hottest ever winter temperature was recorded</a> when Yampi Sound in Western Australia reached 41.6C on Tuesday. Elsewhere across Australia, winter temperatures have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/28/nsw-weather-forecast-fire-danger-warnings-sydney-bom">way above average</a>. We can look to the positives: spring <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/26/australias-early-spring-brings-budding-flowers-chirping-birds-and-climate-alarm">flowers are blooming early</a>, and people have donned t-shirts and <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/spring-comes-early-after-warm-winter-with-more-heat-on-the-way-20240828-p5k63i.html">hit the beach</a>. But there’s a frightening undercurrent to this weather. Earth’s climate has become dangerously <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/extreme-weather/">unstable</a>, and it’s only a matter of time before we get the bad combination of hot and dry weather, strong winds and a spark. None of this should come as a surprise. The sooner we stop expecting Australia’s weather to be “normal”, the sooner we can prepare for life in a wild climate. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/003XSg5AZBk?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>The green is deceiving</h2> The landscape around Sydney – and in fact, across much of south-east Australia – is very green at the moment. That’s because we’ve had a couple of years of good rains which triggered an explosion of vegetation growth. The below NASA satellite image reveals the picture in stark detail. It’s certainly lush out there at the moment. But the problem with climate change is that weather conditions can turn on a dime. This August was a case in point. At month’s end, much of Australia was hit by a record-breaking heatwave and <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/synoptic_col.shtml">damaging winds</a> – conditions that can dry out a green landscape with devastating efficiency, turning it into fuel for a bushfire. The dangerous fire weather that struck Sydney this week came as a surprise to many. But in reality, these abnormal conditions are the new normal. We must open our minds to this, if we want to be prepared. <h2>A climate off the rails</h2> The year 2023 was Earth’s <a href="https://www.climate.gov/news-features/featured-images/2023-was-warmest-year-modern-temperature-record#:%7E:text=The%20year%202023%20was%20the,decade%20(2014%E2%80%932023).">hottest on record</a>. And <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/state-of-the-climate-2024-now-very-likely-to-be-warmest-year-on-record/">2024 looks likely</a> to be hotter still. In Australia, the last 12 months have provided all the evidence we need that our climate is wobbling on its rails. In October 2023, Victoria’s Gippsland region suffered unseasonably early bushfires, then soon after battled <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-05/gippsland-fires-and-multiple-floods-breeding-resilience/103179368">heavy rain and flooding</a>. And Tasmania, where I live, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-07/tas-drought-conditions-as-dry-tasmania-looking-very-brown/103546058">has been gripped by drought</a>. This February was Hobart’s third driest in 143 years. But over the weekend we were hammered by a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-01/tas-flood-warnings-severe-weather-sunday/104296092">deluge of rain and wind</a>. This climate instability is setting up bad fire conditions. Not everywhere in south-east Australia will be hit by fire, but it will happen somewhere. It could be the hinterlands or the coast. It will depend on how our erratic climate behaves in the coming months. Let’s stick with the Tasmania example. Sure, the surface soils are now nicely saturated. But that will lead to a burst of grass and other vegetation in spring. If the dry weather returns and the temperatures heat up in summer, the fine fuels will dry out and become dangerously combustible. All we need then is a windy day and a spark, and a nightmare fire will soon be racing across the landscape. <h2>Canada on fire</h2> Of course, Australia is not the only country facing climate instability and a worsening fire risk. Canada suffered a catastrophic wildfire season in 2023 – one of the most severe on record. It burnt almost 15 million hectares and forced the evacuation of 232,000 people. Smoke produced by the fires affected communities up to 1,000 km away, such as in southern Canada and on the east coast of the United States. A <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02653-6">recent paper</a> in the journal Nature Communications outlined why. It pinpointed early snowmelt, early-season drought conditions and intense heat. In fact, the average temperature in Canada from May to October last year was 2.2°C higher than the 30-year average. The researchers said human-caused climate change exacerbated the fire’s effects. It went on: <blockquote> The disproportionate effect a few days of extreme weather can have on the total area burned is also evident in this fire season, leading to worrisome prospects given projected future conditions. </blockquote> <h2>Normal no longer exists</h2> It’s always been difficult to forecast fire seasons in Australia, due to our natural climate variability. But now we are seeing climate instability <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environmental-impacts/climate-change/state-of-the-climate/previous/state-of-the-climate-2018/australias-changing-climate">layering over itself</a>: background dryness, wet seasons bringing a proliferation of fuels, and above-average temperatures. Eventually we’ll get unlucky and experience extremely strong winds thrown into the mix. That’s when catastrophic fires are most likely to occur. As we saw in the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-black-summer-of-fire-was-not-normal-and-we-can-prove-it-172506">Black Summer of 2019–20</a>, and again in Canada last year, some fires are so intense they completely overwhelm fire suppression strategies. Under climate change, the likelihood of getting a bad combination of weather conditions is increasing. So what’s the remedy? Australia really must start making our communities more resilient. Serious and sustained adaptation is needed. As my <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.adi8066">research has outlined</a>, this requires the careful integration of: <ul> <li>community education programs</li> <li>research and development to design fire-safe homes, gardens, communities and bushland</li> <li>incentives and penalties to ensure adaptation measures are implemented.</li> </ul> As this winter has shown, Australia’s climate is entering a different phase. It’s time to give up on “normal” weather. The game is changing and we have to adapt.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/237857/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-bowman-4397">David Bowman</a>, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/its-time-to-give-up-on-normal-what-winters-weird-weather-means-for-the-warm-months-ahead-237857">original article</a>. </div>

Travel Trouble

Australia’s IV fluids shortage will likely last all year. Here’s what that means for surgeries

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stuart-marshall-1115779">Stuart Marshall</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> The current <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/about-IV-fluids-shortages">shortage of sterile intravenous (IV) fluids</a> is a serious ongoing concern for doctors across Australia. During surgery, these sterile fluids are essential to administer drugs and hydrate patients intravenously (via the veins). But supplies of two of the most common solutions are critically low. The Australian government has recently moved to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/16/australia-iv-fluid-shortage-government-distribution">coordinate supplies</a> of IV fluids to increase manufacturing and ensure distribution. Despite this, supplies are not expected to return to normal levels <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-08/joint-statement-on-iv-fluids-health-ministers-meeting-16-august-2024.pdf">until the end of the year</a>. So, what will this mean for surgery in Australia? And are there any alternatives? <h2>Why do we need IV fluids for surgery?</h2> IV fluids are used before, during and after surgery to maintain blood volume and the body’s normal functions. They also combat dehydration, which can happen in a number of ways. Before surgery, patients may become dehydrated from illnesses that cause vomiting or diarrhoea. They are also asked to stop eating and drinking for several hours before surgery. This is to minimise the risk of stomach contents being regurgitated and inhaled into the lungs – a <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21954-aspiration-pneumonia">complication that can cause injury or death</a>. But it can also make them more dehydrated. During surgery, the body continues to lose fluid through normal processes such as sweating and making urine. But some aspects of surgery also exacerbate dehydration, for example, through blood loss or when internal organs are exposed and lose more fluid through evaporation. After the operation, IV fluids may be required for some days. Many patients may still be unable to eat and drink until the function of the gut returns to normal. Multiple research studies, including <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1801601">a trial </a>of 3,000 patients who underwent major abdominal surgery, have demonstrated the importance of adequate fluid therapy throughout all stages of surgery to avoid kidney damage. Apart from hydration, these sterile fluids – prepared under strict conditions so they contain no bacteria or viruses – are used in surgery for other reasons. Anaesthetists commonly use fluid infusions to slowly deliver medications into the bloodstream. There is some evidence this method of maintaining anaesthesia, compared to inhalation, can improve patients’ experience of “waking up” after the procedure, <a href="https://medcast.com.au/blog/total-intravenous-anaesthesia-tiva">such as being clearer headed and having less nausea and vomiting</a>. Surgeons also use sterile fluids to flush out wounds and surgical sites to prevent infection. <h2>Are there workarounds?</h2> Fluid given intravenously needs to closely resemble the salts in the blood to prevent additional problems. The safest and cheapest options are: <ul> <li>isotonic saline, a solution of water with 0.9% table salt</li> <li>Hartmann’s solution (compound sodium lactate), which combines a range of salts such as potassium and calcium.</li> </ul> Both are <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/about-IV-fluids-shortages">in short supply</a>. One way to work around the shortage is to minimise how much IV fluid is used during the procedure. This can be achieved by ensuring those admitted to surgery are as well hydrated as possible. Many people presenting for minor surgery can safely drink water up until an hour or so before their operation. A recent initiative termed “<a href="https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/anae.15855">sip ‘til send</a>” has shown it is safe for patients to drink small amounts of fluid until the operating theatre team “sends” for them from the waiting room or hospital ward. However, this may not be appropriate for those at higher risk of inhaling stomach contents, or patients who take medications including <a href="https://www.journal.acorn.org.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1291&context=jpn">Ozempic</a>, which delay the stomach emptying. Patients should follow their anaesthetist’s advice about how to prepare for surgery and when to stop eating and drinking. Large research trials have also helped establish protocols called “<a href="https://www.bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912(17)53976-8/fulltext">enhanced recovery after surgery</a>”. They show that using special hydrating, carbohydrate-rich drinks before surgery can improve patients’ comfort and speed up healing. These protocols are common in <a href="https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/736617/ERAS-Key-principles-for-colorectal-surgery.pdf">major bowel surgery</a> in Australia but not used universally. Widespread adoption of these processes may reduce the amount of IV fluids needed during and after large operations, and help patients return to normal eating and drinking earlier. Medications reducing nausea and vomiting are now also routinely administered after surgery to help with this. <h2>What will the shortage mean for surgeries?</h2> The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists <a href="https://www.anzca.edu.au/news/guidance-on-sparing-of-intravenous-fluid-use">has advised anaesthetists</a> to reduce the consumption of fluid during operations where there might be limited or minimal benefit. This means that the fluid will only be used for people who need it, without a change to the quality and safety of anaesthetic care for any patient. Even with these actions, there is still a chance that some planned surgeries may <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-15/iv-fluid-shortage-elective-urgery-delays/104225280">need to be postponed</a> in the coming months. If needed, these cancelled operations will likely be ones requiring large volumes of fluid and ones that would not cause unacceptable risks if delayed. Similar to cancellations during the height of the COVID pandemic, emergency operations and surgery for cancers are unlikely to be affected. Monitoring of the supplies and ongoing honest and open dialogue between senior health managers and clinicians will be crucial in minimising the disruption to surgical services.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/237009/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stuart-marshall-1115779">Stuart Marshall</a>, Associate Professor, Department of Critical Care, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-iv-fluids-shortage-will-likely-last-all-year-heres-what-that-means-for-surgeries-237009">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Antarctic heat, wild Australian winter: what’s happening to the weather and what it means for the rest of the year

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/martin-jucker-379172">Martin Jucker</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Australia’s south and east have seen <a href="https://theconversation.com/southern-australia-is-freezing-how-can-it-be-so-cold-in-a-warming-climate-233977">freezing temperatures</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jul/29/australia-winter-weather-forecast-east-coast-colder-records">wild weather</a> this winter. At the same time, the continent as a whole – and the globe – have <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-03/australia-suffers-cold-winter-weather-despite-mild-forecast/104176284">continued to warm</a>. What’s going on? As ever, it’s hard to pinpoint a single cause for weather events. But a key player is likely an event unfolding high above Antarctica, which itself may have been triggered by a heatwave at surface level on the frozen continent. Here’s what’s happening – and what it might mean for the rest of this year’s weather. <h2>When the stratosphere heats up</h2> Out story begins in the cold air over Antarctica. July temperatures in the stratosphere, the layer of air stretching between altitudes of around 10 and 50 kilometres, are typically around –80°C. The winds are also very strong, averaging about 300 kilometres per hour in winter. These cold, fast winds loop around above the pole in what is called the <a href="https://sites.krieger.jhu.edu/waugh/research/polarvortex">stratospheric polar vortex</a>. Occasionally, persistent high air pressure in the lower atmosphere can influence large-scale waves that extend around the globe and up into the stratosphere. There they cause the strong winds to slow down, and the air high above the pole to become much warmer than normal. In extreme situations the stratospheric winds can completely break down, in what is called a “sudden stratospheric warming” event. These events occur every few years in the northern hemisphere, but only one has ever been observed in the south, in 2002 (though another <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-air-above-antarctica-is-suddenly-getting-warmer-heres-what-it-means-for-australia-123080">almost happened in 2019</a>). <h2>Pushing polar weather our way</h2> Once the polar vortex is disturbed, it can in turn influence the weather at the surface by steering weather systems from the Southern Ocean towards the Equator. However, this is a slow process. The impact at the surface may not be felt until <a href="https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-22-0425.1">a few weeks or even months</a> after the initial weakening of the stratospheric polar vortex. Once it begins, the stratospheric influence can prevail for more weeks or months, and helps meteorologists make <a href="https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2601-2022">long-range weather forecasts</a>. In climate science terms, the weak stratospheric winds put an atmospheric system called the <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/sam/">Southern Annular Mode</a> into a negative phase. The main effect of this on surface weather is to bring westerly winds further north. In winter, this means polar air outbreaks can reach places like Sydney more easily. As a result, we see more <a href="https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI4134.1">rain over much of southern Australia</a>, and snowfall in alpine regions. In spring and summer it means westerly winds blow over the continent before reaching the east coast, bringing warm and dry air to southeastern Australia. The exact impact of a weaker polar vortex depends on how much and for how long the weather systems are being pushed further northward. It will also depend on other weather influencers such as El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole. <h1>This winter’s weirdness</h1> Unpicking exactly why any weather event occurs is tricky at the moment, because global weather has been absolutely crazy over the past 12 months or so. Global temperatures are <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-just-blew-past-1-5-degrees-game-over-on-climate-not-yet-213364">much higher than usual</a>, which is making unusual weather very common. But there are indications that the stratosphere is having some influence on our weather this winter. The stratospheric polar vortex started to warm in mid-July, and is about 20°C warmer than the long-term average. At the time of writing, the winds slowed down to about 230 kilometres per hour, 70 kilometres per hour slower than average. These numbers mean that, technically, the event does not qualify as a sudden stratospheric warming. However, further warming may still occur. If we look at how southern hemisphere winds have evolved in the past few weeks, we see a pattern which looks like what we would expect from a sudden stratospheric warming. First, we see warming in the stratosphere which is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL095270">at first accompanied by a poleward shift of weather systems</a>. The stratosphere’s influence then propagates downward and seems to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-22-0425.1">induce many weeks</a> of weather systems shifted towards the equator. This coincides with the period of cold and rainy weather along Australia’s east coast in late July and the beginning of August. Forecasts suggest the Southern Annular Mode will be a long way from normal conditions in the first half of August – four standard deviations below average, which is extremely rare. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/611211/original/file-20240804-19-sp862a.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/611211/original/file-20240804-19-sp862a.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/611211/original/file-20240804-19-sp862a.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=300&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/611211/original/file-20240804-19-sp862a.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=300&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/611211/original/file-20240804-19-sp862a.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=300&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/611211/original/file-20240804-19-sp862a.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=377&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/611211/original/file-20240804-19-sp862a.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=377&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/611211/original/file-20240804-19-sp862a.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=377&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Diagram showing atmospheric warming and winds" /></a><figcaption>How initial warming high in the stratosphere ends up changing winds near the surface and pushing polar weather further north. <a class="source" href="https://stratobserve.com">Z.D. Lawrence / StratObserve / Annotated by Martin Jucker</a></figcaption></figure> <h1>A surface disturbance</h1> The main reason for the polar vortex to slow down is disturbances from the surface. Weather over the Amundsen Sea near Antarctica in the South Pacific is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-22-0425.1">an important source</a> of these disturbances. This year, we have seen disturbances of this sort. There have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/01/antarctic-temperatures-rise-10c-above-average-in-near-record-heatwave">near-record surface temperatures around Antarctica</a>. These disturbances may be due to the globally high ocean temperatures, or even lingering effects of the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-23-0437.1">eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano in 2022</a>. But more research will be required to confirm the causes. <h1>What should we expect for the rest of the year?</h1> There are two pathways until the end of the year. One is that the stratospheric winds and temperatures recover to their usual values and no longer influence surface weather. This is what the forecasts from <a href="https://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov">Ozone Watch</a> seem to suggest. Another is that the stratosphere keeps warming and the winds keep being slower all the way into summer. In this scenario, we would expect a persistent negative Southern Annular Mode, which would mean a spring and potentially even summer with warmer and drier than usual weather over southeastern Australia, and a small ozone hole. The seasonal forecasting models from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts <a href="https://x.com/drahbutler/status/1819142206348759170?s=46&t=sayfGwpo3_s310BwYpcdcQ">seem to favour this second scenario</a>. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/martin-jucker-379172">Martin Jucker</a>, Senior Lecturer in Atmospheric Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/antarctic-heat-wild-australian-winter-whats-happening-to-the-weather-and-what-it-means-for-the-rest-of-the-year-236067">original article</a>. </div>

Travel Trouble

The right to disconnect is coming to Australia. What does this mean for you?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-l-hopkins-255434">John L. Hopkins</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> Next month, changes to the Australian Fair Work Act will give workers the <a href="https://www.fwc.gov.au/hearings-decisions/major-cases/variation-modern-awards-include-right-disconnect#:%7E:text=Changes%20to%20the%20Fair%20Work,2025%20for%20small%20business%20employers%20.">formal right</a> to disconnect from all work communication outside their usual work hours. The main driver for introducing “right to disconnect” laws has been to protect the health and wellbeing of workers in an increasingly hyper-connected world. But what exactly will the new laws mean for Australian businesses, managers and employees? <h2>Right to disconnect origins</h2> Right to disconnect laws were first introduced in <a href="https://www.simmons-simmons.com/en/publications/ck0bdjgs8esrg0b59w3wb1nkr/110117-le-droit-a-la-deconnexion-questce-que-cest">France</a> in 2017 in response to concern about the welfare of workers who were increasingly connected to their workplaces as a result of expanding digital technologies. France introduced a law requiring companies with more than 50 employees to negotiate agreements with staff on their rights to ignore their smartphones and other electronic devices after work hours. The <a href="https://www.ijmar.org/v5n3/18-008.html">reaction</a> was mixed. Some praised the move for promoting work–life balance and reducing stress, while others raised concerns about its potential impact on productivity and competitiveness. One critic at the time said "the French may quickly discover that their most productive workers are routine “lawbreakers” who stay connected during off-hours." To learn more about this topic, <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su16124970">I reviewed 21 academic articles on the right to disconnect</a>, from 15 different countries over the past seven years, and identified several themes that may help Australian managers. <h2>The ‘always on’ culture</h2> The growth of digital devices – including smartphones, laptops, tablets and smart watches – means many Australian workers have been working way beyond their contracted number of hours for many years. A 2023 Australia Institute <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Short-Changed-GHOTD-2023.pdf">study</a> estimated Australian workers on average were doing an extra 5.4 hours of unpaid work per week. The unofficial encroachment of work duties into workers’ personal time – also called “availability creep” or “time theft” – equates to an extra 281 hours’ unpaid work per year. This is estimated to be costing workers an average of AU$11,055 annually. It has led to serious concerns for employee health and welfare, work-life balance and workplace exploitation. The post-pandemic rise of flexible work arrangements in Australia, while offering many <a href="https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/file/be3dfbba-fc85-4834-97aa-7a7399a94b17/1/2020-hopkins-key_working_from.pdf">lifestyle and health benefits</a>, may also contribute to our “always on” culture and expectations to be constantly available and contactable. <figure class="align-right zoomable"><figcaption>T</figcaption></figure> This <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianhayesii/2024/03/25/the-rising-dark-side-of-remote-work-that-ceos-need-to-pay-attention-to/">digital presenteeism</a> has been found to affect the health of workers in different ways, including causing headaches, eyestrain, insomnia, back pain, anxiety and burnout. <h2>Protecting workers</h2> Another key theme of right to disconnect laws is how working time, work availability and rest times are observed. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59263300">Portugal has even taken things a step further</a> than other countries, placing the responsibility for the right to disconnect on the employer, by implementing “refrain from contact” laws. This means companies with more than ten employees can be fined if they text or email staff outside their contracted hours. However, the new Australian law won’t restrict managers from contacting employees whenever they wish, but it will give their employees a <a href="https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/workplace-laws/legislation-changes/closing-loopholes/right-to-disconnect#:%7E:text=Eligible%20employees%20will%20have%20a,employer%20or%20a%20third%20party.">legal right</a> to refuse to "monitor, read or respond to communications from an employer or third party made outside their working hours, unless refusal is unreasonable." If an employee chooses not to respond, disciplinary action cannot be taken, nor can the employee be treated differently, such as through rostering or performance requirements, for deciding to disconnect. This should encourage conversations about what represents reasonable contact. The Fair Work Commission says this must be based on the reason for contact, the employee’s personal circumstances, the nature of the employee’s role and responsibilities, and whether the employee is being compensated for being available outside ordinary work hours. <h2>Making the change</h2> In some countries, right to disconnect policies have been formally set in law, while others rely on self-regulation by employers instead. France, for example, legislated out-of-hours’ electronic communication between employers and employees through statutes and legislation, meaning government entities are required to enforce the right and a court is needed to interpret it. Germany, on the other hand, does not formally legislate disconnection provisions but many of its companies (including car manufacturers <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Martin-Bressler/publication/335058028_On_the_Grid_247365_and_the_Right_to_Disconnect/links/5d4c815c92851cd046ad2a4d/On-the-Grid-24-7-365-and-the-Right-to-Disconnect.pdf">Volkswagen and Daimler</a>) already have their own regulations in place. In Australia, the right to disconnect will be a right under <a href="https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/protections-at-work">general protection laws</a>. Disputes about an employee’s response will need to be discussed and resolved at the workplace level but, if a resolution isn’t possible, employees or employers can <a href="https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/workplace-laws/legislation-changes/closing-loopholes/right-to-disconnect">take the case to the Fair Work Commission</a>. The commission can then make orders or deal with the dispute in other ways. <h2>What to expect</h2> The new laws come into effect 26 August. They are an important step towards encouraging sensible conversations about the importance of rest, availability, and whether it is necessary to contact workers outside their normal hours. Right to disconnect laws should challenge managers to create a work culture where employees feel comfortable disconnecting from work and understand the importance of maintaining a clear boundary between work and rest, where their rest periods are formally respected and preserved. As an initiative for supporting improved digital wellbeing and work-life balance, in today’s hyperconnected world, clearer boundaries between working time and rest are crucial.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/231690/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-l-hopkins-255434">John L. Hopkins</a>, Associate professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of TechnologIy</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-right-to-disconnect-is-coming-to-australia-what-does-this-mean-for-you-231690">original article</a>. </div>

Legal

Cheeky diet soft drink getting you through the work day? Here’s what that may mean for your health

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/southern-cross-university-1160">Southern Cross University</a> Many people are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230225/">drinking less</a> sugary soft drink than in the past. This is a great win for public health, given the <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2749350">recognised risks</a> of diets high in sugar-sweetened drinks. But over time, intake of diet soft drinks has <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230225/">grown</a>. In fact, it’s so high that these products are now regularly <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020319188">detected in wastewater</a>. So what does the research say about how your health is affected in the long term if you drink them often? <h2>What makes diet soft drinks sweet?</h2> The World Health Organization (WHO) <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/04-03-2015-who-calls-on-countries-to-reduce-sugars-intake-among-adults-and-children">advises</a> people “reduce their daily intake of free sugars to less than 10% of their total energy intake. A further reduction to below 5% or roughly 25 grams (six teaspoons) per day would provide additional health benefits.” But most regular soft drinks contain <a href="https://www.actiononsugar.org/surveys/2014/sugar-sweetened-beverages/">a lot of sugar</a>. A regular 335 millilitre can of original Coca-Cola contains at least <a href="https://www.coca-cola.com/ng/en/about-us/faq/how-much-sugar-is-in-cocacola-original-taste">seven</a> teaspoons of added sugar. Diet soft drinks are designed to taste similar to regular soft drinks but without the sugar. Instead of sugar, diet soft drinks contain artificial or natural sweeteners. The artificial sweeteners include aspartame, saccharin and sucralose. The natural sweeteners include stevia and monk fruit extract, which come from plant sources. Many artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than sugar so less is needed to provide the same burst of sweetness. Diet soft drinks are marketed as healthier alternatives to regular soft drinks, particularly for people who want to reduce their sugar intake or manage their weight. But while surveys of Australian <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7551593/">adults</a> and <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/adolescents-knowledge-and-beliefs-regarding-health-risks-of-soda-and-diet-soda-consumption/32F3E0FD6727F18F04C63F0390595131">adolescents</a> show most people understand the benefits of reducing their sugar intake, they often aren’t as aware about how diet drinks may affect health more broadly. <h2>What does the research say about aspartame?</h2> The artificial sweeteners in soft drinks are considered safe for consumption by food authorities, including in the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food">US</a> and <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/additives/aspartame">Australia</a>. However, some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4899993/">researchers</a> have raised concern about the long-term risks of consumption. People who drink diet soft drinks regularly and often are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446768/">more likely</a> to develop certain metabolic conditions (such as diabetes and heart disease) than those who don’t drink diet soft drinks. The link was found even after accounting for other dietary and lifestyle factors (such as physical activity). In 2023, the WHO announced reports had found aspartame – the main sweetener used in diet soft drinks – was “<a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/14-07-2023-aspartame-hazard-and-risk-assessment-results-released">possibly carcinogenic to humans</a>” (carcinogenic means cancer-causing). Importantly though, the report noted there is not enough current scientific evidence to be truly confident aspartame may increase the risk of cancer and emphasised it’s safe to consume occasionally. <h2>Will diet soft drinks help manage weight?</h2> Despite the word “diet” in the name, diet soft drinks are not strongly linked with weight management. In 2022, the WHO conducted a <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/15-05-2023-who-advises-not-to-use-non-sugar-sweeteners-for-weight-control-in-newly-released-guideline">systematic review</a> (where researchers look at all available evidence on a topic) on whether the use of artificial sweeteners is beneficial for weight management. Overall, the randomised controlled trials they looked at suggested slightly more weight loss in people who used artificial sweeteners. But the observational studies (where no intervention occurs and participants are monitored over time) found people who consume high amounts of artificial sweeteners tended to have an increased risk of higher body mass index and a 76% increased likelihood of having obesity. In other words, artificial sweeteners may not directly help manage weight over the long term. This resulted in the WHO <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/15-05-2023-who-advises-not-to-use-non-sugar-sweeteners-for-weight-control-in-newly-released-guideline">advising</a> artificial sweeteners should not be used to manage weight. <a href="http://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(16)30296-0">Studies</a> in animals have suggested consuming high levels of artificial sweeteners can signal to the brain it is being starved of fuel, which can lead to more eating. However, the evidence for this happening in humans is still unproven. <h2>What about inflammation and dental issues?</h2> There is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10817473/">some early evidence</a> artificial sweeteners may irritate the lining of the digestive system, causing inflammation and increasing the likelihood of diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and other symptoms often associated with irritable bowel syndrome. However, this study noted more research is needed. High amounts of diet soft drinks have <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-023-17223-0">also been</a> linked with liver disease, which is based on inflammation. The consumption of diet soft drinks is also <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40368-019-00458-0#:%7E:text=Diet%20soft%20drinks%20often%20have,2006">associated</a> with dental erosion. Many soft drinks contain phosphoric and citric acid, which can damage your tooth enamel and contribute to dental erosion. <h2>Moderation is key</h2> As with many aspects of nutrition, moderation is key with diet soft drinks. Drinking diet soft drinks occasionally is unlikely to harm your health, but frequent or excessive intake may increase health risks in the longer term. Plain water, infused water, sparkling water, herbal teas or milks remain the best options for hydration.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/233438/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/southern-cross-university-1160">Southern Cross University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/cheeky-diet-soft-drink-getting-you-through-the-work-day-heres-what-that-may-mean-for-your-health-233438">original article</a>. </div>

Food & Wine

Karl Stefanovic reveals real meaning behind "controversial" tattoo

Karl Stefanovic has revealed the real meaning behind his own tattoo fail. The Today show host opened up about his youthful mistake during an appearance on Nova's Jase & Lauren show, as they were discussing unfortunate tattoos. Stefanovic showed off the Japanese phrase inked on his shoulder to hosts Jason Hawkins, Lauren Phillips and Clint Stanaway, and explained that he found out it was mistranslated 20 years after he got it. "I got this when I was at uni. Look at that bad boy!" Stefanovic said on the show. When asked what the tattoo was supposed to mean he answered: "Well, it's controversial, because when I got it done, I wanted to say to be real and to love, right?" "And then, like, 20 years later, I'm in this pool with this Japanese lady and I said 'what does this mean?' She goes, 'it doesn't mean that'," he continued. "And I said, well what does it mean? She goes, it means you really love yourself!" A clearly amused Lauren replied: "Perfect!" Stefanovic isn't the only star who has a tattoo with an error. Ariana Grande, Christina Aguilera and Hayden Panettiere are some of the other famous names who have made the same mistake. Back in the 2000s Britney Spears also got a tattoo with the wrong translation. According to the New York Times, the pop star wanted the word "mysterios" written in Chinese characters on her hip, but ended up with a word that translated to "strange" instead. Images: Instagram/ Nine <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="ob-smartfeed-wrapper feedIdx-0" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div id="outbrain_widget_0" class="OUTBRAIN" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;" data-src="//celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/karl-stefanovic-discovered-tattoo-meaning-20-years-later/184996a1-6709-4aef-8f8e-d61ad95da58b" data-widget-id="AR_8" data-external-id="70508f2b6f72d5ccede0a8c344e8e8b2" data-ob-mark="true" data-browser="chrome" data-os="macintel" data-dynload="" data-idx="0"> <div class="ob-widget ob-feed-layout AR_8" style="box-sizing: content-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: relative; width: auto; min-width: 0px; clear: both;"> <div class="ob-widget-header" style="box-sizing: content-box; margin: 24px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #303030; direction: ltr; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Body

Kate Middleton is having ‘preventive chemotherapy’ for cancer. What does this mean?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ian-olver-1047">Ian Olver</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> Catherine, Princess of Wales, is undergoing treatment for cancer. In a video thanking followers for their messages of support after her major abdominal surgery, the Princess of Wales explained, “tests after the operation found cancer had been present.” “My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” she said in the two-minute video. No further details have been released about the Princess of Wales’ treatment. But many have been asking what preventive chemotherapy is and how effective it can be. Here’s what we know about this type of treatment. <h2>It’s not the same as preventing cancer</h2> To <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/how-we-help/prevention">prevent cancer developing</a>, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise and sun protection are <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/how-we-help/prevention">recommended</a>. Tamoxifen, a hormone therapy drug can be used to reduce the risk of cancer for some patients at <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/in-depth/breast-cancer/art-20045353">high risk of breast cancer</a>. Aspirin <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/research/aspirin-cancer-risk">can also be used</a> for those at high risk of bowel and other cancers. <h2>How can chemotherapy be used as preventive therapy?</h2> In terms of treating cancer, prevention refers to giving chemotherapy after the cancer has been removed, to prevent the cancer from returning. If a cancer is localised (limited to a certain part of the body) with no evidence on scans of it spreading to distant sites, local treatments such as surgery or radiotherapy can remove all of the cancer. If, however, cancer is first detected after it has spread to distant parts of the body at diagnosis, clinicians use treatments such as chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs), hormones or immunotherapy, which circulate <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/metastatic-cancer">around the body</a> . The other use for chemotherapy is to add it before or after surgery or radiotherapy, to prevent the primary cancer <a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/adjuvant-therapy-5198903">coming back</a>. The surgery may have cured the cancer. However, in some cases, undetectable microscopic cells may have spread into the bloodstream to distant sites. This will result in the cancer returning, months or years later. With some cancers, treatment with chemotherapy, given before or after the local surgery or radiotherapy, can kill those cells and prevent the cancer coming back. If we can’t see these cells, how do we know that giving additional chemotherapy to prevent recurrence is effective? We’ve learnt this from clinical trials. Researchers have compared patients who had surgery only with those whose surgery was followed by additional (or often called adjuvant) chemotherapy. The additional therapy resulted in patients not relapsing and surviving longer. <h2>How effective is preventive therapy?</h2> The effectiveness of preventive therapy depends on the type of cancer and the type of chemotherapy. Let’s consider the common example of bowel cancer, which is at high risk of returning after surgery because of its size or spread to local lymph glands. The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7564362/">first chemotherapy tested</a> improved survival by 15%. With more intense chemotherapy, the chance of surviving six years is approaching 80%. Preventive chemotherapy is usually given for three to six months. <h2>How does chemotherapy work?</h2> Many of the chemotherapy drugs stop cancer cells dividing by disrupting the DNA (genetic material) in the centre of the cells. To improve efficacy, drugs which work at different sites in the cell are given in combinations. Chemotherapy is not selective for cancer cells. It kills any dividing cells. But cancers consist of a higher proportion of dividing cells than the normal body cells. A <a href="https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/treatment/chemotherapy/how-does-chemotherapy-work#:%7E:text=Chemotherapy%20works%20by%20killing%20cells%20that%20are%20rapidly,cells%20can%20repair%20the%20damage%20and%20can%20recover.">greater proportion of the cancer is killed</a> with each course of chemotherapy. Normal cells can recover between courses, which are usually given three to four weeks apart. <h2>What are the side effects?</h2> The side effects of chemotherapy are usually reversible and are seen in parts of the body where there is normally a high turnover of cells. The production of blood cells, for example, is temporarily disrupted. When your white blood cell count is low, there is an increased risk of infection. Cell death in the lining of the gut leads to mouth ulcers, nausea and vomiting and bowel disturbance. Certain drugs sometimes given during chemotherapy can attack other organs, such as causing numbness in the hands and feet. There are also generalised symptoms such as <a href="https://www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/treatments/treatments-types/chemotherapy/side_effects_of_chemotherapy.html">fatigue</a>. Given that preventive chemotherapy given after surgery starts when there is no evidence of any cancer remaining after local surgery, patients can usually resume normal activities within weeks of completing the courses of chemotherapy.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/226461/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ian-olver-1047">Ian Olver</a>, Adjunct Professsor, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/kate-middleton-is-having-preventive-chemotherapy-for-cancer-what-does-this-mean-226461">original article</a>.

Body

Storytelling allows elders to transfer values and meaning to younger generations

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mary-ann-mccoll-704728">Mary Ann McColl</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queens-university-ontario-1154">Queen's University, Ontario</a> If you spent time over the holidays with elderly relatives or friends, you may have heard many of the same stories repeated — perhaps stories you’d heard over the years, or even over the past few hours. Repeated storytelling can sometimes be unnerving for friends and families, raising concerns about a loved one’s potential cognitive decline, memory loss or perhaps even the onset of dementia. <a href="https://tenstories.ca/">Our research</a> at Queen’s University suggests there is another way to think about repeated storytelling that makes it easier to listen and engage with the stories. We interviewed 20 middle-aged adults who felt they had heard the same stories over and over from their aging parent. We asked them to tell us those stories and we recorded and transcribed them. We used a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/14439881211248356">narrative inquiry approach</a> to discover that repeated storytelling is a key method for elders to communicate what they believe to be important to their children and loved ones. Narrative inquiry uses the text of stories as research data to explore how people create meaning in their lives. <h2>Transmitting values</h2> Based on nearly 200 collected stories, we found that there are approximately <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.13121">10 stories</a> that older parents repeatedly tell to their adult children. The hypothesis was that repeated storytelling was about inter-generational transmission of values. By exploring the themes of those repeated stories, we could uncover the meaning and messages elders were communicating to their loved ones. The ultimate purpose was to offer a new and more constructive way of thinking about stories that we’ve heard many times before, and that can be otherwise perceived as alarming. <h2>Here’s what we have learned:</h2> <ol> <li> There are typically just 10 stories that people tell repeatedly. While 10 is not a magic number, it does seem to be about the right number to capture the stories that are told over and over. Interviewees felt that a set of approximately 10 allowed them to do justice to their parent’s stories. </li> <li> Among our interviewees, a significant number of their parents’ stories – 87 per cent — took place when they were in their teens or twenties. A person’s second and third decades are a time when they make many of the decisions that shape the rest of their lives; a time when values are consolidated and the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2013.863358">adult identity is formed</a> </li> <li> What’s important about the 10 stories is not the factual details, but the lesson that was learned, or the value that was reinforced — values like loyalty toward friends, putting family first, maintaining a sense of humour even in hard times, getting an education, speaking up against injustice, and doing what’s right. </li> <li> Key themes in the stories reflected the significant events and prevailing values of the early to mid-20th century. Many of the stories revolved around the war, and both domestic and overseas experiences that were formative. Many of our interviewees heard stories about immigrating to Canada, starting out with very little, seeking a better life and working hard. Stories often reflected a more formal time when it was important to uphold standards, make a good impression, know one’s place and adhere to the rules. </li> <li> The stories elders tell appear to be curated for the individual receiving them. They would be different if told to another child, a spouse or a friend. </li> </ol> <h2>Tips for listening</h2> Our research offers some tips for listening to stories from elders: <ul> <li> Focus on just 10 stories. It can make the listening seem less overwhelming. </li> <li> Write them down. Writing challenges us to get the story straight. </li> <li> Notice your loved one’s role in the story, as the message is often contained in that role. </li> <li> Be attentive to feelings, sensations, tension and discomfort. These can be signals or clues to the meaning of a story. </li> <li> Finally, remember these stories are for you — selected and told in the context of your relationship with your loved one. As such, they are a gift from a loved one who is running out of time. </li> </ul> <h2>The importance of receiving stories</h2> Storytelling is an <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/cad.20067">essential human process</a> and a universal experience associated with aging. Neuroscientists suggest that storytelling has practical survival value for individuals and communities, <a href="https://www.jonathangottschall.com/storytelling-animal">as well as social and psychological benefits</a>. It may be as powerful as medication or therapy for <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.1018">overcoming depression among elders</a>. Storytelling becomes especially important <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2017.1396581">when people become aware of their mortality</a> — when they are ill, suffering or facing death. People don’t necessarily tell the same stories over and over again because they’re losing cognitive function, but because the stories are important, and they feel we need to know them. Telling stories repeatedly isn’t about forgetfulness or dementia. It’s an effort to share what’s important. Our hope is that by better understanding elderly storytelling, caregivers may be able to listen in a different way to those repeated stories and understand the messages they contain. Those 10 stories can help us to know our loved one at a deeper level and assist our parent or grandparent with an important developmental task of old age. This research offers a constructive way for caregivers to hear the repeated stories told by their aging parents, and to offer their loved one the gift of knowing they have been seen and heard.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/197766/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mary-ann-mccoll-704728">Mary Ann McColl</a>, Professor, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queens-university-ontario-1154">Queen's University, Ontario</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/storytelling-allows-elders-to-transfer-values-and-meaning-to-younger-generations-197766">original article</a>.

Mind

“If you’re reading this, it means I have passed away”: Young mum announces own death

Casey McIntyre, 38, has announced her own death in a heartbreaking post shared on Instagram. The mother-of-one from New York, passed away after a battle with stage four ovarian cancer on November 12. Casey's death was announced on Tuesday via <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CzmnPArO37i/?img_index=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a post</a> that she had penned before her passing, which was shared by her husband Andrew. The post showed a carousel of images highlighting special moments of Casey's life, including her childhood, their wedding and a few photos with their 18-month old daughter. The statement began: "A note to my friends: if you’re reading this it means I have passed away. I'm so sorry, it's horses*** and we both know it." "The cause was a recurrence of my previously diagnosed stage four ovarian cancer. "I loved each and every one of you with my whole heart and I promise you, I knew how deeply I was loved. "The five months in home hospice that I got to spend with my family and friends in Virginia, Rhode Island, and New York were magical." Tragically, Casey did not have the chance to finish her post, with her husband adding a tribute to his wife in an "editors note" which read: "Casey meant to finish this post with a list of things that were a comfort & a joy to her during her life, and I am heartbroken that I will never see that list. "As she grew sicker, she couldn’t finish it," he explained. "I imagine it would’ve included our daughter Grace, whales, ice cream, her beloved friends, being at the beach, her niece and nephews she incorrigibly doted on, reading 10 books on a weeklong vacation, her beloved parents and sister and their amazing extended family, swimming, a perfect roast beef sandwich, and me, her sweet, sweet honey. "Oh Casey! I don't know how we will do it without you but we will," he ended the tribute, before asking loved ones to share "a note that was a comfort or joy" that they shared with Casey. He also shared details of Casey's memorial service and revealed his wife's last act of kindness, where she hoped to "celebrate" her life by setting up a <a href="https://ripmedicaldebt.org/campaign/andrewrosegregory-47569/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fundraiser</a> to help pay off others' medical debt. "We will celebrate her life by anonymously purchasing medical debt and then anonymously forgiving it, hopefully with a bonfire if they will let us," Andrew wrote. As of today, $47,343 out of their $50,000 goal has been raised in honour of Casey. Tributes have poured in from loved ones in the comment section of her post. "Casey, in April 2019 on a phone call, you dreamed such big dreams for a book I didn’t yet believe in. They all came true. Your authors and colleagues were so lucky to have your humour, wit and light," wrote one friend. "You have left a beautiful legacy and you will be deeply missed. All my love to your family and your beautiful baby Grace. ❤️" "Casey you were so funny and sharp and beautiful and that light that shone through your eyes lit up the world," wrote another. Images: Instagram

Caring

"A mean country": Stan Grant shares his thoughts on the Voice referendum

Stan Grant has opened up about his thoughts on the Voice referendum campaigns, admitting it is becoming harder to defend Australia's "mean" reputation. The former ABC presenter appeared as a social guest on a special two-part episode of the podcast Blak Matters, with each part airing just before the Voice vote on October 14th. In the podcast, Grant spoke about his recent trip to Europe, working with the Constructive Institute in Denmark, and how difficult it has become to speak positively about living in Australia. “When you’re overseas, you’re almost an ambassador for your own country, you have to explain your country to other people,” Mr Grant said. “And it really saddened me that the word I kept coming back to was ‘mean,’ and I think we have become an increasingly mean country. I think there’s an absence of kindness in our country." “You hear it in things like ‘if you don’t know, vote no.’ That’s a mean thing to say.” Grant went on to criticise the "noise" surrounding the Voice, saying there has been very little constructive debate about the issue and too much fear mongering. “This is also the first referendum of the 24/7 news cycle and social media and that’s elevated and amplified the noise,” Mr Grant said. “For a lot of people, when you add uncomfortable questions of history and race, they’re barbecue stoppers." “If you want to stop the party, talk about racism, or talk about history. No one wants to go there." “And we have a referendum that lands right at that point of history and race and politics amplified by 24/7 news media, and a toxic social media weaponised by 24/7 news media coverage.” Image credits: Listnr

Travel Trouble

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Readers response: What’s an Australian icon or landmark that holds a special meaning for you?

How we diagnose and define obesity is set to change – here’s why, and what it means for treatment

True meaning behind common Aussie road sign

Australians are embracing chatbots this Christmas, but what does it mean for retailers and consumers?

Planning for old age? Here’s what the aged care changes mean for you

What does Donald Trump’s win mean for his brand of populist authoritarianism?

Australia’s fertility rate has reached a record low. What might that mean for the economy?

What the government’s home care changes mean for ageing Australians

The Princess of Wales wants to stay cancer-free. What does this mean?

Retirement doesn’t just raise financial concerns – it can also mean feeling unmoored and irrelevant

‘It’s time to give up on normal’: what winter’s weird weather means for the warm months ahead

Australia’s IV fluids shortage will likely last all year. Here’s what that means for surgeries

Antarctic heat, wild Australian winter: what’s happening to the weather and what it means for the rest of the year

The right to disconnect is coming to Australia. What does this mean for you?

Cheeky diet soft drink getting you through the work day? Here’s what that may mean for your health

Karl Stefanovic reveals real meaning behind "controversial" tattoo

Kate Middleton is having ‘preventive chemotherapy’ for cancer. What does this mean?

Storytelling allows elders to transfer values and meaning to younger generations

“If you’re reading this, it means I have passed away”: Young mum announces own death

"A mean country": Stan Grant shares his thoughts on the Voice referendum

Our Partners