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Music and dementia: researchers are still making discoveries about how songs can help sufferers

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-atkinson-1288605">Rebecca Atkinson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ming-hung-hsu-2215063">Ming-Hung Hsu</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a></em></p> <p>Music is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. Whether it’s lifting our spirits, pushing us to run faster or soothing us to sleep, we can all <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.713818/full">recognise its power</a>. So it’s no wonder it is increasingly being used in medical treatment.</p> <p>As well as proving very useful in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863265/">cancer treatment</a>, managing <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526590022000153">chronic pain</a> and even helping the brain <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00245/full">recover after a stroke</a>, researchers have also been making great strides in using music to help patients with dementia.</p> <p>It reduces patients’ <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003477/full">anxiety and depression</a>, and <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00401-7/fulltext">improves wellbeing</a> both for them and their carers <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/individual-music-therapy-for-depression-randomised-controlled-trial/A1CD72904929CECCB956F4F3B09605AF">by enhancing</a> everyone’s ability to adapt and cope with adversity or stress.</p> <p><a href="https://www.bamt.org">Music therapy</a> in the form of playing, singing or listening to music can also have a <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1362361309105660">positive effect</a> on cognitive function – particularly for <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6882-10-39">older adults</a> either with dementia or memory issues.</p> <p>So why does music appear to have such a powerful effect for people with dementia?</p> <h2>Music and the brain</h2> <p>About a decade ago, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053811911013000">researchers discovered that</a> when people listened to music, multiple areas of the brain were involved in processing it. These included the limbic (which processes emotions and memory), cognitive (involved with perception, learning and reaction) and motor areas (responsible for voluntary movement). This challenged preconceptions that music was processed more narrowly in the brain – and helped explain why it has such a unique neurological impact.</p> <p>Not only that, research has shown that music might help <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987708002880">regenerate the brain</a> and its connections. Many <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about-dementia/causes/">causes of dementia</a> centre around cell death in the brain, raising the possibility that music could help people with dementia by mending or strengthening damaged neural connections and cells.</p> <p>It’s not just any music that has a regenerative effect on the brain, though. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00103/full">Familiar and favourite music</a> has been shown to have the biggest impact on the way we feel, and is closely linked with memory and emotions. This is because listening to our favourite songs <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.2726">releases feel-good hormones</a> that give us a sense of pleasure. Curated music playlists of favourite music could be the key in helping us deal with the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10298649211030318">stress of everyday life</a>.</p> <p>This is relevant to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia because researchers have discovered that parts of the brain linked with <a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/138/8/2438/330016">musical memories</a> are less affected by these conditions than other areas of the brain. This explains why memories and experiences that are linked to <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.14283/jpad.2018.19">favourite music</a> are often preserved for people with such conditions.</p> <p>Listening to music can also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34346261/">help manage</a> their experiences of distress, agitation and “<a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/symptoms/sundowning">sundowning</a>” – where a person is more confused in the afternoon and evening.</p> <p>In a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197457224002209?utm_campaign=STMJ_219742_AUTH_SERV_PA&utm_medium=email&utm_acid=224973760&SIS_ID=&dgcid=STMJ_219742_AUTH_SERV_PA&CMX_ID=&utm_in=DM500444&utm_source=AC_">small study</a> conducted by us and our colleagues at the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, we showed just how great of an effect listening to music can have for people with dementia. We found that when people with dementia repeatedly listened to their favourite music, their heart rate and movements changed in direct response.</p> <p>This showed that people’s physical responses were affected by musical features like rhythm and arrangement. Their heart rate also changed when they sang along to music, or when they began reminiscing about old memories or stories while listening to a song or thinking about the music. These changes are important because they show how music affects movement, emotions and memory recall.</p> <p>Studies have also shown that during and after listening to music, people with dementia <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/7/1103">experienced less agitation</a>, aggression and anxiety, and their general mood was improved. They even needed less medication when they had regular music sessions.</p> <p>Other researchers have even begun testing the effects of <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/gps.4721?casa_token=VufeKQP7aNsAAAAA%3AMSOgiwUQYKqmmrLsUFv9glmSnc5BMxoqeMmmt3HX4BJX2Fs2UKeXjnN2850o1Umz0j1NvmrpQ3W3Pw">music training programmes</a> to support cognition for people with dementia. Results have been promising so far – with adults in the study showing improved executive functioning (problem solving, emotion regulation and attention) compared to those who took part in just physical exercise.</p> <p>So, music is likely to continue to be a useful medical treatment for people with dementia. But based on what we know so far, it’s important that it comes from the patient’s own music collection – and is used alongside other management techniques such as using drugs that can slow the progression of dementia or help manage symptoms to support self-care and wellbeing.<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/239446/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-atkinson-1288605">Rebecca Atkinson</a>, Researcher in Music Therapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ming-hung-hsu-2215063">Ming-Hung Hsu</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Music Therapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>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/music-and-dementia-researchers-are-still-making-discoveries-about-how-songs-can-help-sufferers-239446">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Mind

Lisa Curry’s son suffers brutal injury

<p dir="ltr">Jett Kenny has suffered a brutal injury just after making his TV debut on the Channel 10 rebooted series of <em>Gladiators</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lisa Curry’s son was only on the show for one episode before it all came crashing down for the Aussie athlete. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ahead of the episode airing, Kenny shared a photo to Instagram, with his Olympian mum commenting, “My Viking”.</p> <p dir="ltr">During one of the first games of the episode, Kenny, aka Viking, was seen tackling a contestant in an effort to block him from dropping a ball into a basket and scoring a point.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, as they fell to the ground in a brutal battle the star appeared to land awkwardly on the ground. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2JWx6AB3a2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2JWx6AB3a2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jett Kenny (@jettkenny)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">While his rival jumped up and continued with the game, Kenny remained laid on the floor seemingly writhing around in pain. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Fingers crossed it looks worse than it was,” said some of his fellow Gladiators as the narrator revealed that the injured star had been rushed to the medical team for treatment. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s really unfortunate to see. Man, he was tough out there,” said contestant Chris, who was the one that tackled the star to the ground.</p> <p dir="ltr">Concerned viewers flocked to share their shock on social media with one person tweeting: “I was expecting only the contestants to get maimed,”, while another hoped Kenny was alright, adding: “Poor Jet I know he was out a while after that”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Later in the show, it was revealed that Kenny wouldn’t return for the rest of the episode after seemingly dislocating his shoulder, but would hopefully be back later in the season. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

“Invisible suffering”: Bella Hadid opens up about painful health battle

<p dir="ltr">Bella Hadid has shared a raw update to her fans, giving them further insight into her “painful” health battle with Lyme disease.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Sunday, the model took to Instagram to share a series of photos of her ongoing health battle, including photos of her medical records.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The little me that suffered would be so proud of grown me for not giving up on myself,” she began in the caption.</p> <p dir="ltr">She then thanked her mum, Yolanda Hadid, "for keeping all of my medical records, sticking by me, never leaving my side, protecting, supporting, but most of all, believing me through all of this”.</p> <p dir="ltr">She then continued to say that since contracting Lyme, her symptoms have gotten worse over time and it’s taken a toll on her in ways that are difficult for her to explain, but remained positive despite it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To be that sad and sick with the most blessings/privilege/opportunity/love around me was quite possibly the most confusing thing ever,” she added before reassuring fans not to worry and that she is “okay”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The model also noted that despite her painful health battle, she “wouldn’t change anything for the world” and would go through it all again, as it has shaped who she is.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The universe works in the most painful and beautiful ways but I need to say that if you are struggling- it will get better,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bella also said that despite “almost 15 years of invisible suffering” she is grateful for the experience, and has so much “gratitude for and perspective on life” that has made her able to spread ”love from a full cup” and “truly” be herself.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvmz8ilAcxx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvmz8ilAcxx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bella 🦋 (@bellahadid)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I tried to pick the most positive pictures I could because as painful as this experience was, the outcome was the most enlightening experience of my life filled with new friends, new visions and a new brain,” she added before thanking everyone who has supported her throughout this journey.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ll be back when I’m ready, I miss you all so much, I love you all so much,” she concluded.</p> <p dir="ltr">The model shared a few photos of herself getting treatment with IVs sticking out of her arm.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a few other photos, the model can be seen resting on the couch as she gets a blood transfusion, with her loyal pup, “Petunia aka Beans,” never leaving her side.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvm1ImkA-89/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvm1ImkA-89/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bella 🦋 (@bellahadid)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">This is the model’s first health update after she revealed she was taking time off from modelling due to a flare-up in her Lyme disease.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p dir="ltr"> </p>

Caring

Huge news for Alzheimer’s sufferers

<p>An experimental new drug by Eli Lilly has demonstrated an ability to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to new study reports. </p> <p>The pharmaceutical company has said that its drug, donanemab, met each goal of their 18-month trial, successfully slowing cognitive decline by 35 per cent compared to a placebo. </p> <p>1,182 individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s participated in the study, with each patient receiving monthly infusions of donanemab. </p> <p>After 12 months, half of the participants showed no evidence of amyloid plaques, while 48 per cent of patients in the trial had no disease progression at 12 months, compared to 29 per cent from the placebo group.</p> <p>In the wake of the news, experts are optimistic, but still hold concerns about the risks moving forward. </p> <p>Dr Ronald Petersen, a Mayo Clinic Alzheimer research, told the ABC that “Lilly's trial is the third to show removing amyloid from the brain slows progression of the disease, which could put to rest some lingering doubts about the benefits of drugs in the class and the amyloid-lowering theory.</p> <p>"It's modest, but I think it's real and I think it's clinically meaningful."</p> <p>Washington University neurologist Dr Erik Musiek noted that mounting evidence was suggesting “that these drugs do work”. </p> <p>He also said that the findings were reminding them of the benefits of early treatment, explaining that “it really does suggest that you need to remove these plaques early, before the tau really gets going.”</p> <p>When it comes to the associated risks, Eli Lilly have said that the drug’s side effects could include brain swelling as well as bleeding, with serious swelling occurring in 1.6 per cent of patients. </p> <p>As Dr Eric Reiman, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute’s executive director, explained, “clearly one saw benefits here, but there is some risk that needs to be considered.” </p> <p>From there, Lily plan to file for US approval by the end of June, and to proceed with regulars from other countries in the time after. A spokesperson for the company is confident that a decision over approval in the US should occur by the end of 2023, or early in 2024. </p> <p>Experts in the field want to see the study’s full results, which are likely to be presented at an Amsterdam Alzheimer’s meeting later in the year. </p> <p>As for the cost, the company has not yet finalised a price point, but CEO David Ricks informed CNBC that they intend for it to be similar to other therapies in the same field. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Caring

Barry Humphries suffers agonising fall

<p>Barry Humphries has shared a health update with fans after a broken hip left him in "agony".</p> <p>The 89-year-old comedian behind the character Dame Edna Everage had a drastic fall which saw him undergo surgery, and is recovering well with the help of "very painful" but regular physiotherapy. </p> <p>Dubbing himself "Bionic Bazza" after receiving a titanium hip as a result of his accident, Barry says he is recovering in a clinic in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. </p> <p>He is well on the road to recovery, and told <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/there-s-nothing-like-a-dame-edna-for-barry-humphries-20230323-p5cuoo.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em></a> he is "adamant" he will be better for his one man show later this year. </p> <p>"I sit a lot in the show, and there's a bit of pacing... I don't think it's going to be a problem, but I do have to get on with my physio," he said.</p> <p>Barry described his incident as "the most ridiculous thing, like all domestic incidents are," as he recalled, "I was reaching for a book, my foot got caught on a rug or something, and down I went." </p> <p>Humphries said he wanted to ease his fans' fears and assure them he's "on the mend" and his "trajectory is up", and also advised them to avoid breaking their hip if possible.</p> <p>"The medical bills were bloody enormous," he said.</p> <p>"I strongly advise not breaking your hip!"</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

Type 1 diabetes sufferers in for price hike

<p>Those suffering from Type 1 diabetes will be hit with a steep hike in prescription costs when a life-changing insulin is removed from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in April 2023.</p> <p>Local Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien and Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston have revealed 15,000 Australian families will be affected when the drug Fiasp becomes less accessible from April 1.</p> <p>Fiasp is a mealtime insulin that is designed to improve blood sugar control in diabetes sufferers at a faster rate than alternative diabetes medications.</p> <p>Mr O’Brien said he was made aware of the issue by the mother of a young high school student on the Sunshine Coast “whose quality of life will now be at risk from the government’s decision”.</p> <p>“Freya Goldston is a 14-year-old, high-performing student in my electorate who will tell anybody about the remarkable impact that this medicine has had on her life,” Mr O’Brien said.</p> <p>“Freya’s family will have her prescription go from around $7 to more than $280 at a time when households are already under serious financial pressure.</p> <p>“The Labor Government needs to provide an immediate solution to support the 15,000 families who will otherwise need to start making decisions about what household expenses they can cut back on to afford this life-changing medicine.”</p> <p>Mr O’Brien shared the former Coalition Government listed Fiasp on the PBS in 2019 to ensure accessible prices to the fast-acting insulin for diabetes patients.</p> <p>“But now, without any consultation or support for the patients impacted, the government’s decision to suddenly remove Fiasp from the PBS is sending the price soaring,” he said.</p> <p>A spokesperson for Health Minister Mark Butler said his office was alerted of the drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk removing Fiasp from the PBS on February 22 2023.</p> <p>“The minister’s office is now working with the department and Novo Nordisk,” the spokesperson said.</p> <p>“We understand the decision by Novo Nordisk to remove Fiasp from the PBS has been concerning for many Australians living with diabetes and their families.”</p> <p>The spokesperson did not comment on whether there was consultation or support for impacted diabetics when Mr Butler was approached about the removal of Fiasp.</p> <p>Nearly 28,000 people have signed a petition online created by Belinda Moore called “Save Fiasp from falling off the PBS”.</p> <p>“The Australian diabetes community will keep advocating until we witness no evidence of inequitable access to diabetes services, clinicians, technology and therapies.”</p> <p>Ms Ruston also said he was disappointed in the government's decision as Australians are already suffering from a cost-of-living crisis, and the removal of Fiasp from the PBS will affect thousands of Australians.</p> <p>“The government must urgently guarantee that they will provide sufficient support to ensure the viability of affordable diabetes medications in Australia,” Ms Ruston said.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Caring

Problem Aussie females silently suffering

<p>Incontinence is an uncomfortable, embarrassing and debilitating disorder. I should know. I’ve had difficulty with bladder control since my back gave out in April 2021.</p> <p>I’m not alone. One in four Australians and one in three women suffer from incontinence. More than half are under the age of 50, largely due to childbirth.</p> <p>The majority, like me suffer in silence with this uncomfortable, embarrassing and debilitating disorder.</p> <p>It got so bad I was having to wear pads from the minute I got up or else risk embarrassing leakage. It became an issue every day and significantly impacted my quality of life and confidence.</p> <p>There were times I literally couldn’t stand up from my chair without leaking down my leg.</p> <p>I would suffer in silence.</p> <p>Continence is just as important as sexual arousal, sexual response and ease of orgasm, but when it’s not holding, it’s not happening.</p> <p>I spoke at a recent function publicly about my incontinence and I was surprised to see the level of interest and engagement with the topic. Many guests told me after the event they suffer incontinence but have never told anyone or sought any form of medical care.</p> <p>Technology has come a long way in this field. Women’s Wellness platform EmpowerRF from InMode uses internal radiofrequency platforms VTone, FormaV and Morpheus8V which more women are now using.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.inmode.com.au/pages/vtone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VTone</a> – a gentle intravaginal electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and neuromuscular re-education treatment. Women with weak pelvic floor muscles are using this. </li> <li><a href="https://www.inmode.com.au/pages/formav" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FormaV</a> – deep tissue heating. Women with dryness and muscle tone issues are using this. Treats incontinence and in particular the feeling of urgency. It also aims to improve vaginal dryness and burning/stinging associated with menopause and associated painful intercourse. It can enhances\ sexual response.</li> <li><a href="https://www.inmode.com.au/pages/morpheus8v" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Morpheus8 V</a> is micro-needling with radiofrequency (in the vagina). Women wanting to improve vaginal laxity and urinary incontinence are turning to this. </li> </ul> <p>While incontinence impacts our lifestyle it also impacts the environment. </p> <p>A recent study from Southern Cross University and the University of Queensland has found that by 2030 waste from absorbent hygiene products (AHP) generated by adults [used for incontinence] will outnumber that produced by infants by between four and 10 times. </p> <p>After food waste, sanitary, incontinence products and disposable nappies ending up in landfill are becoming one of the most significant waste issues, comprising between 5-15 per cent of waste in household bins. It can take up to 800 years for the products to break down.</p> <p>This has to change - and I suspect it will the more we talk openly about it. </p> <p>For more information visit <a href="https://www.inmode.com.au/pages/empower-rf-womens-wellness" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EmpowerRF</a>.</p> <p><strong>Written by Dr Judy Craig , Natural Looks Cosmetic Medicine in Subiaco WA</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Body

How to tell if your pet suffers from mental illness

<p>It might sound silly at first, but our pets can suffer from mental illness, just like we can. The problem is, your canine friend can’t tell you with words how he’s feeling. So mental illness in animals tends to manifest in strange or destructive behaviours.</p> <p>So what should types of behaviour could be indicative of mental illness in your pets?</p> <p><strong>In cats:</strong> urine spraying and compulsive over-grooming.</p> <p><strong>In birds:</strong> feather picking and over-bonding.</p> <p><strong>In dogs:</strong> sensitivity to and phobias of noise, and aggression.</p> <p>Oftentimes, these types of behaviour can, especially in dogs, result in the animals being surrendered to the RSPCA because their owners don’t know how to respond. The good news is that if caught early, these problems can be solved with help from your vet.</p> <p>If you do notice repeated out of the ordinary behaviour, it might be a good idea to have a conversation with your vet so you can discuss ways to address the issues. The answer is usually a mixture of medication and training, and can be a long process, but it’s important to stick with our pets through the good times and the bad. After all, that’s what they do for us.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

Pets can suffer from allergies too

<p>Spring has well and truly sprung and if you’re suffering from some seasonal sniffles, spare a thought for you pet, too. Did you know dog and cats can suffer from seasonal allergies just as you do?</p> <p>“Pets can definitely suffer from seasonal allergies but the allergic response is slightly different in pets when compared to people,” says Felicia Tam, who is the PAW by Blackmores veterinarian.</p> <p>Dr Tam says don’t expect pets to get a bout of hayfever though as “pets are much more likely to get itchy skin and have ‘allergies’ after coming into contact with allergens such as dust mites or pollens.”</p> <p><strong>Signs that your dog has a seasonal allergy</strong></p> <p>Pet allergies most often take the form of skin irritation or inflammation, and according to Dr Tam, the main sign to look for is “constant itching or rubbing in your dog”.</p> <p>But Dr Tam reminds that allergies can look different from pet to pet. “Details like seasonality and location, age and breed can provide clues on what your dog is allergic to, whether it is something in the environment like dust mites or even the food he or she is eating,” she says.</p> <p>Dr Tam recommends using this helpful 10-point itch scale tool to assess your dog’s itch level. This will help you assess any improvement or deterioration from normal or after treatment.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/pets-can-suffer-from-allergies-too-graph_500x705.png" alt="" width="500" height="705" /></p> <p><strong>Allergies should be cause for concern</strong></p> <p>Like us humans, allergies in pets can range from mild to severe. If not adequately controlled or managed, allergies can be a cause for concern for pet owners.</p> <p>As Dr Tam reminds, “an itchy dog is definitely an uncomfortable dog,” adding, “dogs will continue to scratch as long as they are itchy so can do a lot of damage to their skin if the cause of their itch isn’t addressed.”</p> <p>If you believe your dog has an allergy, pay a visit to your vet. It will not only give you peace of mind but the vet will be able to help you manage your pet’s allergies.</p> <p>“Some allergies, such as allergies to fleas or food can be easily managed by ensuring flea control is applied on time or specific foods are fed. Other allergies can be more difficult to manage but most pets can be kept comfortable as long as their owners are on board with their pet’s special needs,” says Dr Tam. </p> <p><strong>How you can help your pet with seasonal allergies </strong></p> <p>Dr Tam uses a concept called the “itch threshold” when thinking about our itchy pets. “The additive effect of multiple factors in the environment can tip your pet over the itch threshold,” she says.</p> <p>In order to stay under the itch threshold, Dr Tam recommends owners:</p> <ul> <li>Make sure flea treatments are applied on time</li> <li>Pets are bathed regularly to make sure that the allergen load on the skin doesn’t build up</li> <li>Provide ingredients such as omega-3 and omega-6’s either topically or via supplementation to support the skin barrier to reduce the access of allergens to the immune system</li> </ul> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

Australian tennis legend suffers heart attack

<p>Tennis legend Todd Woodbridge has revealed he suffered a mild heart attack last week. </p> <p>The TV commentator said he was "shocked" when he began to experience chest pains and other mild symptoms, before they took a turn for the worst. </p> <p>The 51-year-old says the episode came out of nowhere as he was exercising as part of his daily routine, according to <a title="www.heraldsun.com.au" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/todd-woodbridge-encourages-people-to-see-their-doctor-after-he-had-a-mild-heart-attack/news-story/3cd99824119a63747629ad11d085fc7c" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="3cd99824119a63747629ad11d085fc7c" data-tgev-label="entertainment" data-tgev-metric="ev">The Herald Sun.</a></p> <p>Since retiring from tennis in 2005, the 16-time grand slam doubles champion has been focused on his health and creating healthier everyday habits. </p> <p>This is why his recent scare was so important to speak about openly to the public. </p> <p>Woodbridge posted on Twitter on Thursday family genetics played a significant part as a cause in triggering the attack. </p> <p>“My family genetics dictated that I would have cholesterol issues and that was a major cause of my episode,” he posted. </p> <p>Woodbridge also told 3AW in an interview on Thursday he “didn’t think it was going to happen to me”.</p> <p>“My dad carried a pretty heavy cholesterol issue, I have that, and as we spoke about in <em>What Makes You Tick</em>, I lost both of my brothers in their 50s,” he said.</p> <p>Woodbridge also explained how the attack happened when spoke to <a title="www.heraldsun.com.au" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/todd-woodbridge-encourages-people-to-see-their-doctor-after-he-had-a-mild-heart-attack/news-story/3cd99824119a63747629ad11d085fc7c" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="3cd99824119a63747629ad11d085fc7c" data-tgev-label="entertainment" data-tgev-metric="ev">The Herald Sun</a>.</p> <p>“It was last Thursday, I tried to keep my routine having travelled to the US Open and London and I was just exercising and had chest pains and every symptom when you look up google — full sweats and I felt awful,” he said.</p> <p>“I had a little heart episode that goes down as a mild heart attack which is a bit of a shock to me."</p> <p>“And you’re personally still coming to terms with somebody like myself who I consider to lead a pretty good fit healthy lifestyle — I keep active, I eat well, I do all the right things, I enjoy doing that. It’s been a wake up call to me to make sure I look after myself. If it can happen to me it shows that it can happen to anybody.”</p> <p>Woodbridge said he is now taking it easy, recovering from the attack, but counts himself lucky. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

Veteran runner urges chronic pain sufferers to get moving

<p dir="ltr">A 75-year-old Mosman man, who could barely walk six months ago, has turned back the body clock to finish the gruelling City2Surf run. And in doing so, he’s urged others suffering chronic pain to do the same.</p> <p dir="ltr">Former journalist, author and automotive commentator, John Smailes, suffered from a subchondral insufficiency fracture in his right knee, which left him virtually immobile.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to Mr. Smailes, “Honestly, I went to walk up there to a nearby fitness centre, just a kilometer away, and I couldn’t do it. A simple kilometer, because it really, really hurt.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr. Smailes, who has run in dozens of City2Surf events over several decades, thought his running days were over. But then, he made a bet with his physio that he’d not only compete, but finish within a time frame twice that of his much younger rival.</p> <p dir="ltr">He’d been a gym junkie for years but, post-covid, wanted to avoid a sweaty regular gym. His wife urged him to try a nearby Kieser clinic.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I got involved in their way of doing things and the precise means by which they undertake each body movement. I’d never experienced it at any gym where you’re usually judged by how much you can lift. At Kieser, it wasn’t about the amount of weight but the precision and then they introduced me to their physios. Daniel (my physio) was incredible, he wrote me a program and it was nothing short of amazing,” according to Mr. Smailes.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr. Smailes said, “I competed in the City2Surf several weeks ago. Daniel finished in 55 minutes, and I was under 110 minutes. So, it was a fantastic result. I never thought I could do it after the pain I’d experienced.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“I came off the fourteen kilometers and walked to my daughter who was waiting in a car. I suspect she thought she would pick up a wreck! But now I’m working to get my speed up again.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr. Smailes wants other people suffering from back or joint pain to know his story. “You don’t have to go through life suffering pain when there is help out there. I’m already planning my next running event. With the right mindset and the right program, you can change your life.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Supplied</em></p>

Body

Women who suffer domestic violence fare much worse financially after separating from their partner

<p>We recently published <a href="https://paulramsayfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TheChoice-violence-or-poverty-web.pdf">two</a> <a href="https://csrm.cass.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/docs/2022/5/HILDAResultsMay122022.pdf">reports</a> that highlight the devastating financial consequences borne by women who leave their partners after suffering domestic violence.</p> <p>We found women who experienced domestic violence fared much worse financially after separating from their partner compared to those who didn’t face such violence, for women both with and without children.</p> <p>Before separation, mothers who experienced domestic violence had about the same household income as mothers who didn’t. But after separation, the mothers who experienced domestic violence on average suffered a significantly higher drop in income of 34%, compared with a 20% decrease for mothers who didn’t experience domestic violence.</p> <p>It’s the first time in Australia (to the best of our knowledge) that we have specific data on what happens financially to these women.</p> <p>Our results highlight the terrible option facing those who are experiencing domestic violence: to stay in a violent relationship, or leave and face a major decline in financial wellbeing.</p> <h2>What we studied</h2> <p>The first report, <a href="https://www.violenceorpoverty.com/">The Choice: Violence or Poverty</a> by Anne Summers, presents previously unreported data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2016 Personal Safety Survey.</p> <p>The data reveal that of all women who’d ever been in a partnership, 22% have experienced violence from a current or previous partner. And, of single mothers living with children under 18 years of age, a staggering 60% had experienced physical violence, and 70% emotional abuse, from a partner they had previously cohabited with.</p> <p>The data also show 50% of these now single mothers live in poverty, relying on government benefits such as JobSeeker as their main source of income.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">'I left with the kids and ended up homeless with them': the nightmare of housing wait lists for people fleeing domestic violence <a href="https://t.co/nSRbGGL6ZW">https://t.co/nSRbGGL6ZW</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/ConversationEDU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ConversationEDU</a></p> <p>— Sunanda Creagh (@sunanda_creagh) <a href="https://twitter.com/sunanda_creagh/status/1555433771951738880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>It’s important to note the ABS figures come from what’s known as a “cross-section”, which means they reflect circumstances at a given point in time (2016). They can’t tell us what happens to women over time, or the immediate effects of domestic violence on their separation and/or income. This is a critical issue for domestic violence policy.</p> <p>Understanding the dynamics of the financial situation of victim-survivors requires what’s known as “panel data”. This issue is addressed in the <a href="https://csrm.cass.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/docs/2022/5/HILDAResultsMay122022.pdf">second report</a> by Bruce Chapman and Matthew Taylor, where we analyse the Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) survey. HILDA is Australia’s best longitudinal data set, meaning it surveys the same people over time. To date, HILDA has followed around 19,000 people from 2002 to 2021.</p> <p>We analysed HILDA data looking at the financial consequences for women likely to have experienced domestic violence. We covered both mothers and women who don’t have children.</p> <p>HILDA doesn’t ask questions about the origins of violence experienced directly. So we had to devise a method of identifying separation due to domestic violence by linking the date of separation to reporting of an incident of violence: the presumption being that the incident was domestic violence (rather than, say, a street crime).</p> <p>The report uses averages before and after separation of the three income categories, all measured in annual terms:</p> <ul> <li>the partner’s contribution to household income</li> <li>the woman’s wages and salaries</li> <li>and total government financial support received by women.</li> </ul> <h2>What we found</h2> <p>In dollar terms, the drop in household income (which measures the total of all income) for mothers who experienced domestic violence after separation was from $54,648 to $35,921 a year.</p> <p>There was also a fall in the household income for separating mothers not subject to domestic violence. But this fall is about $7,500 less compared to mothers who experienced domestic violence.</p> <p>We also looked at the changes to a particular component of household income, the wages and salaries of the mothers (again, following separation). Similarly, we found those who’d gone through domestic violence fared far worse than those who didn’t.</p> <p>It was expected the wages and salaries of women would increase on average after separation because of their need to compensate for the loss of the former partner’s income. But the extent to which this happened is quite different depending on whether or not the women experienced domestic violence.</p> <p>Specifically, the wage and salary increase for mothers who’d experienced domestic violence was just 19% (from $11,526 to $13,747). But the wage and salary increase for mothers who hadn’t experienced domestic violence was much greater at 45% (from $14,414 to $20,838).</p> <p>This means that these now single mothers who experienced domestic violence are considerably worse off financially than single mothers who didn’t face such violence.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">“It’s not just that women and children are often impoverished by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/familyviolence?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#familyviolence</a>. <br />What’s also clear is that many perpetrators are enriched by it: </p> <p>75 per cent of single mothers left property and assets behind.” <a href="https://t.co/9S2HVJI7ao">https://t.co/9S2HVJI7ao</a></p> <p>— SRPassesItOn (@SallyRMelb) <a href="https://twitter.com/SallyRMelb/status/1552919705593483265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>When the pre- and post-separation incomes of women without children are examined, the findings are similar to those for mothers, but with even greater losses for childless women who’d experienced domestic violence compared to childless women who hadn’t. Childless women who experienced domestic violence suffered an extraordinary 45% drop in household incomes, compared with 18% for childless women who didn’t experience domestic violence.</p> <p>The relatively large loss in household income for childless women is the result of significant differences in the post-separation income levels between childless women, depending on their experience of domestic violence.</p> <p>Childless women who hadn’t experienced domestic violence had an average increase of 68% in their wage and salary incomes (to about $38,000) after separation. But childless women who’d experienced domestic violence had an actual decrease in wage and salary incomes of around 20% on average (to about $13,000).</p> <p>A different way of illustrating the issue is the recognition that experiencing domestic violence doubles the likelihood of victim-survivors ending up in the bottom quarter of the income distribution.</p> <p>We found around 50% of the women included in the data who have faced domestic violence and separated from their partners end up in the bottom quarter of the income distribution.</p> <p>The <a href="https://paulramsayfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TheChoice-violence-or-poverty-web.pdf">ABS data</a> reports a similar outcome, with 48.1% of now single mothers with children being in the lowest fifth of the income distribution.</p> <h2>More research and better data needed</h2> <p>These two reports have dug deeply into available data and unearthed findings of tremendous significance, results that reinforce each other.</p> <p>While these findings have been rigorously tested and found to be statistically significant, the sample sizes for the longitudinal data are small.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Three Charts On: How Emotional and Economic Abuse Go Hand-in-hand <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AbuseComesInManyForms?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AbuseComesInManyForms</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/raiseawareness?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#raiseawareness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/emotionalabuse?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#emotionalabuse</a>+economicabuse <a href="https://t.co/D2JwRM0sja">https://t.co/D2JwRM0sja</a></p> <p>— DASACC (@DASACCWCNJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/DASACCWCNJ/status/1028763153579089920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2018</a></p></blockquote> <p>This is currently the best available longitudinal data capturing incomes. But as both reports have highlighted, data collection in the field of domestic violence needs to be expanded considerably if we’re to have more comprehensive information on longer-term outcomes.</p> <p>We urgently need a national longitudinal study of social behaviour and experience that probes the consequences of domestic violence (with respect to perpetrators as well as victims) and the financial, employment and health outcomes for all concerned, including the children caught up in these violent relationships.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/women-who-suffer-domestic-violence-fare-much-worse-financially-after-separating-from-their-partner-new-data-190047" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Legal

Suicide rates reveal the silent suffering of Australia’s ageing men

<p>Men aged 85 and older have the highest suicide rates in Australia, but the tragedy has gone relatively unnoticed. This group is growing older, feeling alone and flying under the radar.</p> <p>The tragedy of suicide is recognised as a major public health issue. Yet what may come as a surprise to many is data <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/causes-death/causes-death-australia/latest-release#intentional-self-harm-deaths-suicide-in-australia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published</a> by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing men over 85 have suicide rates more than three times the average rate.</p> <p>Public perception is that men – in particular, young men – have the highest suicide risk. While this is true for the net number of suicides, if we don’t consider age-standardised rates (which account for differences in age distribution across the population) we miss a crucial finding.</p> <p><strong>Adjusting for age</strong></p> <p>Men aged over 85 accounted for a relatively small proportion of all male suicides (3.1%) in 2020 (the latest data available). But the age-specific suicide rate was 36.2 deaths per 100,000 (up from 32.3 per 100,000 in 2019). For women aged over 85, this rate was much lower (6.2 per 100,000). The next highest rate was for men in both the 40-44 and 50-54 age bands (27.1 per 100,000).</p> <p>In 2020, the overall suicide rate was 12.1 per 100,000 people.</p> <p>But this issue is rarely addressed in public discourse or policy directives. The <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/2020-21#psychological-distress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing</a> released last month did not include data on people older than 85.</p> <p>This risk is <a href="https://theconversation.com/elderly-men-have-the-highest-suicide-rate-and-ageism-stops-us-from-doing-something-about-it-46923" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not new</a>, but little has changed to address it over the past decade. In light of COVID and what it has <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.679711/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed about ageism</a> and the value of older people in our society, it is crucial to explore these issues again.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><em><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&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/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="older man with head in hands" /></a></em><figcaption><em><span class="caption">All the key risk factors for suicide have become even more relevant due to COVID.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/senior-man-covering-his-face-hands-701935606" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shutterstock</a></span></em></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Preventable deaths</strong></p> <p>It is startling that men who have shown resilience to survive to late life are at such risk of preventable death. Many factors contribute, including physical and material circumstances like <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28511737/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">frailty, chronic pain, bereavement</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23209090/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">financial troubles</a>. However, we cannot assume only external issues cause distress and lead to suicide.</p> <p>In fact, for older people, successful ageing is rarely defined purely by physical circumstances. Ageing well often implies flourishing despite hardship.</p> <p>The silent challenge among men aged over 85 who take their own lives is psychological and existential distress, which can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20438238/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reinforce feelings of loneliness and worthlessness</a>. Older men at risk of suicide may feel they are “no longer needed” or perceive themselves as “burdensome” to family and community.</p> <p>These beliefs can overlap with major life transitions, such as retirement, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31431103/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stopping driving</a> or <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21500012/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">moving to residential care, where they are a minority</a>. Such stressful events can increase feelings of marginalisation, loss of independence and worthlessness, and also lead to social isolation.</p> <p><strong>Talking about it</strong></p> <p>A reluctance to express their feelings or be vulnerable has long been discussed as an important factor for men’s wellbeing, especially when they’re feeling low.</p> <p>Research suggests gender stereotypes and social norms linked to masculinity <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27664823/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduce help-seeking behaviours</a> and <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2156869317725890" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can increase suicide risk</a>. Many ageing men hold restrictive and stoic beliefs about what it means to be a man. This may make them <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29019282/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less inclined to share</a> when they aren’t coping.</p> <p>Yet emerging research <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27473200/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">challenges the assumption</a> men don’t talk because they can’t. One reason men are not talking about their mental health struggles is because there’s <a href="https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/handle/10453/153516" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nowhere for them</a> to open up in a way they see as culturally and socially acceptable.</p> <p>Instead, older men are speaking through their actions.</p> <p>Suicide prevention and early intervention responses that are not tailored to the needs of older men are unlikely to be effective. We need to meet men where they are and listen to their quiet and absent voices by designing programs in partnership with them.</p> <p>This means better understanding men’s <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28871841/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">barriers</a> to suicide interventions. These include a lack of trust in traditional services and an aversion to “formal” supports that frame emotional distress and suicidal behaviours as mental illness.</p> <p>It also means exploring, developing and funding new options that are acceptable, relevant and accessible, such as gendered support, peer-led programs, community-based informal support and programs combining exercise with mental health promotion.</p> <p>The objective is not only to develop more suitable suicide prevention for this specific group, but also to examine broader interactions between ageing, isolation and loneliness; <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-psychogeriatrics/article/covid19-the-implications-for-suicide-in-older-adults/9890D02E0DA3021FCFE66B9A29F2684E" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all key risk factors</a> for suicide that have become even more relevant due to COVID.</p> <p><strong>More calls for help</strong></p> <p>Increased feelings of distress and loneliness produced by the pandemic can be measured by <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-04/lifeline-records-highest-daily-calls-on-record/100350522" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased calls to services such as Lifeline</a>. And more persistent mental health problems are likely to present more slowly, <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2020-41461-001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">over longer horizons</a>, and peak after the most acute phases of the pandemic.</p> <p>Older people have handled much of the burden of COVID, including unprecedented <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7295320/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">restrictions and ageist sentiments</a>. We must recognise these factors – growing old, being alone and feeling unheard - underpin increasing distress felt by men aged over 85, not only during the pandemic, but more generally.</p> <p>This group must be seen as a priority population for suicide prevention. We must start listening and work together to find solutions so older men can access the help they need in a way that suits them.</p> <hr /> <p><em>UNSW Ageing Futures Institute would like to acknowledge the research contribution of <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/about/our-research/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lifeline Research Foundation</a>’s Dr Anna Brooks (National Manager) and Dr Tara Hunt (Research and Engagement Manager).</em></p> <hr /> <p><strong><em>If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, you can call these support services, 24 hours, 7 days:</em></strong></p> <ul> <li> <p><strong><em>Lifeline: 13 11 14</em></strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong><em>Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467</em></strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong><em>Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 (for people aged 5 to 25)</em></strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong><em>MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978</em></strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong><em>StandBy - Support After Suicide: 1300 727 24</em><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/187925/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></strong></p> </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rhys-mantell-1350710" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Rhys Mantell</em></a><em>, PhD Candidate, School of Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNSW Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adrienne-withall-1366339" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrienne Withall</a>, Senior Research Fellow, School of Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/suicide-rates-reveal-the-silent-suffering-of-australias-ageing-men-187925" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Mind

Son's first dance with mum suffering from motor neurone disease

<p>An emotional wedding video of a wheelchair-bound mother severely affected by motor neurone disease (MND) dancing with her eldest son on his big day has gone viral, with people describing the moment as both heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time. </p> <p>Kathy Poirer was watching her eldest son Zak get married in a moving ceremony in their native Florida. </p> <p>Despite being unable to walk, Kathy, with the help of her other two children, was able to dance with her eldest child on his big day. </p> <p>The moment was captured on video and has since gone viral, as Kathy said the dance was a dream come true. </p> <p>“I just really wanted that moment with my son,” Poirer told <em>Sunrise</em>. </p> <p>“There are so many milestones in their life and you look forward to them and I was afraid I wouldn’t have that opportunity."</p> <p>“It truly is an expression of a mother and her son and their love for each other.”</p> <p>Kathy was diagnosed with MND more than three years ago, and has bravely fought the diagnosis and challenged the odds against her ever since.</p> <p>“I prayed every day that I would make it long enough to dance with him, and I fight every day for my life,” she said.</p> <p>Motor neurone disease is a condition that affects the body’s brain and the nerve cells called motor neurones.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://www.mndaustralia.org.au/mnd-connect/what-is-mnd/what-is-motor-neurone-disease-mnd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">MND Australia:</a> “Motor neurones normally carry messages from the brain to the muscles via the spinal cord. The messages allow people to make voluntary movements like walking, swallowing, talking and breathing."</p> <p>There is currently no cure for MND, and the condition is known to drastically reduce life expectancy. </p> <p>Kathy is devoting the rest of her life to bringing awareness to this devastating disease, while encouraging people not to take life for granted. </p> <p>“What I wanted to do was make people aware that this can happen to you in a heartbeat and just live every moment to the fullest - you never know when it’s gonna get taken away,” she said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Sunrise</em></p>

Caring

Long Covid sufferer applies for voluntary euthanasia

<p>After suffering with long Covid for over two years, a Canadian woman believes she has been left with no choice but to apply for voluntary euthanasia. </p> <p>Tracey Thompson, a Toronto resident in her 50s, told <a href="https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-woman-enduring-effects-of-long-covid-begins-process-for-medically-assisted-death-1.5976944" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">CTV News</a> she had begun the process of applying for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), due to extreme fatigue and a lack of financial support.</p> <p>Tracey used to work long hours as a chef, but has been unable to work for the last 26 months, with no foreseeable end to her forced unemployment.</p> <p>“(MAiD) is exclusively a financial consideration,” she said.</p> <p>“My choices are basically to die slowly and painfully, or quickly. Those are the options that are left.”</p> <p>As well as a lack of financial support, Tracey has experienced long Covid symptoms such as severe fatigue, blurred vision, difficulty digesting food, difficulty breathing, an altered sense of taste and smell, and scars on her heart from swelling due to myocarditis.</p> <p>While health experts say long Covid is difficult to diagnosis, it is estimated that five percent of those who contract the virus will go on to have long term symptoms. </p> <p>Tracey also told CTV that she now struggles to get up and look after herself, which is very different to her previous fast paced life in a physically demanding job. </p> <p>“From being able-bodied and employed to basically bed-bound,” she said.</p> <p>“I can’t get up on average for 20-plus hours. I have very little capacity to expend the energy physically, mentally and emotionally, so I try to stay home all the time.”</p> <p>But Thompson stressed she still enjoys life and doesn’t want to die, but doesn’t think she could survive without an income.</p> <p>“I still enjoy life. Birds chirping, small things that make up a day are still pleasant to me, they’re still enjoyable. I still enjoy my friends. There’s a lot to enjoy in life, even if it’s small,” she said.</p> <p>“But I don’t relish the idea of suffering for months to come to the same conclusion."</p> <p>“When support is not coming, things aren’t going to change. It seems irrational to put myself through that just to die in the end.”</p> <p>While Tracey is unsure if she would be eligible for the Ontario Disability Support Program, she believes the maximum monthly payment would only just cover her rent, leading her to apply for the drastic action of voluntary euthanasia. </p> <p>In Canada, you do not need to have a terminal illness to be eligible for MAiD, but rather have an illness that “cannot be relieved under conditions that you consider acceptable”.</p> <p>Thompson said she was confident she would get approval.</p> <p>“As best I know, I would meet the criteria,” she said.</p> <p>"I'm very ill. There is no treatment. There is no cure."</p> <p><em>Image credits: CTV</em></p>

Caring

“I have been suffering”: Rafael Nadal withdraws from Wimbledon

<p dir="ltr">Rafael Nadal has officially withdrawn from Wimbledon ahead of his semi-final match against Nick Kyrgios due to an abdominal injury, prompting his Aussie competitor to sail straight into Sunday’s men’s final.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nadal confirmed the news on Friday morning (AEST) after it was reported that he suffered a 7mm abdominal tear during his quarter-final win against Taylor Fritz.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Unfortunately, as you can imagine, if I am here, I have to pull out from the tournament,” he said in a press conference.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As everybody saw yesterday, I had been suffering with pain in the abdominal. I was not OK there, as yesterday I said. That’s confirmed. I have a tear in the muscle in the abdominal.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was thinking during the whole day about the decision to make. It doesn’t make sense to go (on), even if I try through my career to keep going.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was very tough circumstances but it is obvious if I keep going the injury will be worse and worse.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c490f47c-7fff-766e-5fbd-2f338f74fc5c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s the thing I can say now and feel very sad to say that.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We're sad to see it end this way, <a href="https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RafaelNadal</a></p> <p>Thank you for another year of unforgettable moments at The Championships<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wimbledon</a> <a href="https://t.co/XadiEVxaWF">pic.twitter.com/XadiEVxaWF</a></p> <p>— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) <a href="https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/1545111323926740992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The 36-year-old estimated it would take “three, four weeks” to recover from the injury, though a timeline for his return to competing is unclear according to multiple reports.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though he reiterated that he will continue playing, Nadal said his injury prevented him from playing at his best.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I made the decision because I believe that I can’t win two matches under the circumstances,” he said. “It is not only that I can't serve at the right speed, it is that I can't do the normal movement to serve.</p> <p dir="ltr">“After I say that, to imagine myself winning two matches, and for respect to myself in some way, I don’t want to go out there and not be competitive enough to play at the level I need to play to achieve my goals.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Nadal’s withdrawal has dashed his chances of winning his 23rd grand slam title at this year’s competition, which would have made him tie with Serena Williams on the all-time list for having the most major singles trophies.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b42deb21-7fff-97af-b408-f33804e7e359"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">In response to his opponent’s announcement, Kyrgios took to Instagram to wish Nadal well on his recovery.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfuR8AKhwjP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfuR8AKhwjP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Nick Kyrgios (@k1ngkyrg1os)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Different players, different personalities @rafaelnadal I hope your recovery goes well and we all hope to see you healthy soon. Till next time,” the Canberran captioned a throwback photo of the pair shaking hands at the net.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kyrgios, who has become the first Australian man to make the Wimbledon singles final since Mark Philippoussis in 2003, will face Novak Djokovic or Cameron Norrie, who are due to play the other semi-final match on Friday.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-af46f9d6-7fff-cf64-71d0-657f9bfa8a1a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

News

Who is most likely to suffer from long COVID?

<p>Despite <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/covid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">all we’ve learned about COVID-19</a> in the past two-and-a-half years, so-called <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-post-covid-19-condition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long COVID</a>, in which sufferers experience sometimes debilitating symptoms long after the disease has passed from their system, remains frustratingly difficult to analyse.</p> <p> Part of the problem is that most studies are carried out on a relatively small number of people.</p> <p>A new study has drawn on more than a million UK patient records to glean a better understanding. According to the study, the risk of long COVID is higher for women, people who had poorer mental and physical health prior to the pandemic, and people who exprerience asthma. Long COVID risk also increases with age, up until about 70 – at which point it declines.</p> <p>The study is described in a paper <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30836-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published</a> in <em>Nature Communications.</em></p> <p>The UK-based team of researchers examined two main sources of data: 10 longitudinal surveys from self-reported people who’d had COVID, totalling 6907 people, and healthcare records of 1.1 million people who’d been diagnosed with COVID-19. Both sources came from the UK.</p> <p>People who fit the technical definition of long COVID – that is, reporting symptoms more than 12 weeks after infection – comprised between 7.8% and 17% of the sample. Between 1.2% and 4.8% of people reported “debilitating” symptoms.</p> <p>Women were 50% more likely than men to have long COVID. Risk of long COVID also increased steadily with age, up until about 70.</p> <p>“In individuals aged over 70 we observed a sharp decline in long COVID risk in most LS [longitudinal survey] and the EHR [electronic health record] data,” the authors write in their paper.</p> <div class="newsletter-box"> <div id="wpcf7-f6-p196243-o1" class="wpcf7" dir="ltr" lang="en-US" role="form"> <form class="wpcf7-form mailchimp-ext-0.5.62 spai-bg-prepared init" action="/health/long-covid-demographic-risks/#wpcf7-f6-p196243-o1" method="post" novalidate="novalidate" data-status="init"> <p style="display: none !important;"><span class="wpcf7-form-control-wrap referer-page"><input class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text referer-page spai-bg-prepared" name="referer-page" type="hidden" value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/" data-value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/" aria-invalid="false" /></span></p> <p></form> </div> </div> <p>“This decline in older age has been observed in other studies and may be spurious due to selective competing risk of mortality, non-response bias, lower symptom reporting in older adults, misattribution of long COVID to other illness, or a combination of these factors.”</p> <p>A few other demographic factors were more weakly linked to long COVID.</p> <p>“We found some evidence of higher long COVID reporting among individuals of white ethnicity and of higher educational attainment, which was unexpected given the common associations of these characteristics with lower morbidity more generally,” they write.</p> <p>The electronic health records suggested that people in least socioeconomically deprived areas were more likely to report long COVID symptoms – but this pattern wasn’t seen in the longitudinal surveys.</p> <p>“The stark variability in proportions of COVID-19 cases with persistent symptoms is clear from our comparison of methods of ascertaining long COVID,” write the authors.</p> <p>They urge for more representative population-based studies to be conducted, in order to further understand the illness.</p> <p>“Our data suggest that revisions of diagnostic criteria within primary care may be appropriate, particularly for demographic groups which are less in touch with healthcare services,” they write.</p> <p>“Although causal inferences cannot be drawn from these data, our findings justify further investigations into the role of sex difference, age-related change, and/or immunity and respiratory health in development of long COVID.</p> <p>“Older working individuals, with high levels of comorbidity, may particularly require support.”</p> <p></p> <p><img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=196243&title=Who+is+most+likely+to+suffer+from+long+COVID%3F" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p></p> <div id="contributors"> <p><em><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/long-covid-demographic-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/ellen-phiddian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ellen Phiddian</a>. Ellen Phiddian is a science journalist at Cosmos. She has a BSc (Honours) in chemistry and science communication, and an MSc in science communication, both from the Australian National University.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

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Australia is one of few countries that doesn’t pay session musicians ongoing royalties. Our music industry suffers as a result

<p>Most of the music we listen to is made by session musicians. These guns for hire are experts in their field, much sought after and often bring a unique sound – that extra thing that helps to make the recording what it is.</p> <p>Whether we’re at home or in our cars, at the gym, the shops, a cafe or a pub, recorded performances form the soundtrack to our lives. This soundtrack includes music made by hired freelance instrumentalists and singers whose contributions are vital to the appeal and quality of those recordings.</p> <p>While we get to enjoy the end product seemingly free of charge, all music that is broadcast or communicated to a listener is licensed by the owner of that recording and a fee is paid for that licence. Collection agencies such as <a href="https://www.ppca.com.au/music-licensing/">PPCA</a> collect these licences and disperse royalties to the rights holders of the registered recordings.</p> <h2>Does Australia value musicians?</h2> <p>Historically, Australian session musicians have had no economic claim to their recorded performances beyond a basic session fee – an unregulated fee that in real terms, has been going backwards for decades.</p> <p>While many other countries support the rights of performers to ongoing royalties, Australia is one of a handful of developed economies that does not. This has denied our musicians access to important income streams at home and abroad, placed a limit on our trade with other countries and positioned us as an outlier.</p> <p>We are seen as a country that does not value musicians the way they are valued elsewhere in the world, a perception that needs to change if we want to provide some incentive for the next generation to keep making music.</p> <p>So, how did it get to this?</p> <p>In 1996 the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) drafted the <a href="https://wipolex.wipo.int/en/text/295578">WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty</a>, which granted performers economic rights for their recorded performances and “equitable remuneration” when these performances were monetised.</p> <p>Since then, free trade agreements, such as the one between Australia and the United States in 2004, have required that parties sign up to the treaty, which our government did in 2007. Unfortunately, then Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer <a href="https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/notifications/wppt/treaty_wppt_67.html">deliberately excluded Article 15.1</a> from the agreement, leaving Australian musicians without the same rights as those enjoyed by musicians in other parts of the world.</p> <p>For example, in the UK, US, most of Europe, as well as Mexico, Brazil, Canada and Japan, performers are assigned a percentage of the licence revenue.</p> <p>According to Peter Thoms, board member of the UK collection agency PPL "[…] in the UK, PPL royalties are split 50/50 with the labels and performers. A featured artist, who will be contracted to the label, gets a bigger performer share but session players also share in this revenue. Players who have been active on many recordings receive significant amounts annually. This helps make session playing as a vocation more viable and is a fair recognition of their contribution."</p> <p>However, when the same recordings are then broadcast in Australia, these musicians are not entitled to any performance royalties. This has led to countries like the UK reciprocating our approach and no longer paying session musicians or artists on Australian recordings when they are broadcast in the UK.</p> <h2>The Australian musician brain drain</h2> <p>The extra twist is that Australian artists with international appeal are now frequently recording outside Australia to enable them to qualify for European royalties, which are paid on a <a href="https://www.ppluk.com/international-collections/international-agreements/">qualifying territory</a> basis.</p> <p>As Australia is no longer a qualifying territory there is motivation for Australian artists to record in the UK and elsewhere to ensure they can claim equitable remuneration in the big overseas markets.</p> <p>The WIPO Treaty aimed to “provide adequate solutions to the questions raised by economic, social, cultural and technological developments”, all of which have evolved enormously since 1996. If Australia is to keep up with these changes, it must stop lagging behind and adopt Article 15.1.</p> <p>This has the potential to increase productivity in the recording economy, including revenue derived from export, and expand a sector that is currently heavily reliant on live music. Increasing passive income streams would also help to grow and sustain the careers of young musicians and support performers through future crises.</p> <h2>What can we do to fix this problem?</h2> <p>The current <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-australia-fta-chapter-15-intellectual-property/chapter-15-intellectual-property-web-version">free trade agreement</a> between Australia and the UK provides us with a political opening for this conversation. The agreement calls for a discussion about measures to ensure “adequate” remuneration for performers and producers of recordings. If we truly value our musicians, adequate must be equitable.</p> <p>All performers, classical and contemporary, as well as record producers should be having this conversation right now, engaging with other stakeholders and raising awareness.</p> <p>If the Australian government and recording industry will acknowledge the prevailing conditions for musicians globally and adopt the principle of equitable remuneration, we can begin rebuilding the structures that support payments to performers at home and overseas.</p> <p>By valuing our musicians more we will add value to the sector, with better economic regulation and new systems connecting all Australian musicians to the larger markets.</p> <p>So next time you hear music playing, think of the session musicians and producers whose skills helped to make that song a hit - the drummer on X, the trombone player on Y, or the vocalist on that annoying advertisement that’s been running for 20 years – and ask someone close by, why is it that Australian musicians are denied equitable remuneration that exists in so many other parts of the world?</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-is-one-of-few-countries-that-doesnt-pay-session-musicians-ongoing-royalties-our-music-industry-suffers-as-a-result-185022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Music

Heartwarming update for toddler who suffered catastrophic burns

<p dir="ltr">The family of the boy who suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body have shared a heartwarming update.</p> <p dir="ltr">Elijah Whitton was left in critical condition after a fire ripped through the family home in Mildura, Victoria on May 1.</p> <p dir="ltr">The two-year-old was rushed to hospital where he was placed in an induced coma due to the devastating burns to 40 per cent of his body. </p> <p dir="ltr">Almost three weeks later, Elijah’s sister Alyia shared an update on his condition after his third wound debridement. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Elijiah came out of his third wound debridement surgery on May 12,” Alyia wrote on the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/d86xr-fight-for-elijah" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He has adapted well to the changes made. Elijah had skin grafting to his face and to his lower body. </p> <p dir="ltr">“His swelling has reduced and his skin has improved. His breathing tube has been removed and he is now breathing on his own. Both of his eyes have opened. </p> <p dir="ltr">“However, he is still getting used to the new changes, he's been a bit more agitated since coming out of surgery, which is expected.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He is recovering incredibly well!!</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to Elijah's fight to recovery, words will never be able to summarise how grateful we are.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Aliyia also said that Elijah had his fourth wound debridement on May 19 - she is yet to update on the progress. </p> <p dir="ltr">If you would like to donate to Elijah’s family go to the GoFundMe link <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/d86xr-fight-for-elijah" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: GoFundMe/7News</em></p>

Caring

Toddler suffers brain damage after Easter egg hunt

<p dir="ltr">A young boy who suffered brain damage after a fun weekend may lose his toes and fingers after contracting a life threatening disease.</p> <p dir="ltr">Teddie was “bouncing around” with his siblings during an exciting Easter egg hunt on Good Friday but it was two days later when he woke up with a temperature.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mother Zoe Stewart noticed a pink looking bruise on his forehead which had then spread all over his stomach. </p> <p dir="ltr">Teddie’s condition began to rapidly deteriorate and he was rushed to hospital where he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and septicaemia.</p> <p dir="ltr">The doctors said it was too late to wait for the painkillers to kick in and they had to drill into Teddie’s shin bones.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He was starting to bleed from his mouth and his nose, it was just terrifying,” Zoe told The Mirror.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We were told what all parents never want to hear, that we needed to understand there was a chance Teddie may not make it as he has a life-threatening infection.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Teddie was transferred to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where he spent two weeks in the ICU - all while his parents feared the worst.</p> <p dir="ltr">Eventually he was taken off life support and began breathing on his own, however, he has suffered some brain damage of which the long term effects are still unknown. </p> <p dir="ltr">A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-little-teddies-parents?qid=ac29c369ef749c5c5d13b40672d8bdf7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page has been created to help the family. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: GoFundMe</em></p>

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Australia is one of few countries that doesn’t pay session musicians ongoing royalties. Our music industry suffers as a result

Heartwarming update for toddler who suffered catastrophic burns

Toddler suffers brain damage after Easter egg hunt

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