Category: health


Tobacco smoke harms the unborn

Filed under: children, health, smoking — Leave a comment
May 17, 2011

A Canadian study has revealed the alarming fact that exposure of pregnant women to second-hand tobacco smoke more than trebles their risk of delivering a still-born baby.

A coalition of 41 child protection, parenting, church and community bodies has called on all Australian governments to legislate swiftly to make all crowded public places, enclosed or not, 100 per cent smoke free to protect pregnant women and babies from second-hand tobacco smoke.  This includes all public dining, drinking and gambling areas, children’s playgrounds, transport shelters, crowded sports and swimming areas, shopping malls, and near the entrances of all public buildings.

Coalition spokesperson Anne Jones said, “Every day of delay means more preventable exposure and more harm.  Australia is committed under the World Trade Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to protect all people from second-hand smoke.

“We should not allow the tobacco industry to cloud the air with bogus arguments about ‘personal freedom’ and ‘nanny states.’  No one has the right to smoke where it harms not only adults but children and babies.”

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 3 April 2011.

Comment

Boost to health aid in PNG

Filed under: aid, health — Leave a comment
September 8, 2010

By Rod Benson

The federal government announced on Thursday it will increase funding to churches in Papua New Guinea by $50 million over six years to deliver basic health and education services to the nation’s poorest and most disadvantaged.

Some will see this as an inappropriate compromise of the separation of church and state.  But the fact is that the best way to avoid corruption and ensure that funds reach their target is to use the reliable and accountable services of church agencies – agencies that have worked in these locations for decades, and are well placed to get the best value from our tax dollars.

As Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith put it, “Australia’s support for these efforts recognises the vital role churches play in delivering approximately half the country’s health and education programs.”

It’s the story of the Good Samaritan played out in thousands of lives, and we’re all a part of it, wherever our aid dollars go to work.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 11 July 2010.

Image: http://images.smh.com.au/2010/07/07/1679869/PNGmain-420×0.jpg

Comment

Addressing alcohol abuse in NSW

Filed under: alcohol, health, NSW politics — Leave a comment
April 9, 2010

For some months the state government has been trialling a crackdown on the sale of alcohol at Newcastle hotels. Restrictions include a 10.00 pm cut-off for strong drinks, a prohibition on the sale of more than four drinks to any patron at one time, a 1.00 am lockout, a ban on liquor sales 30 minutes before closing, and a closing time of 3.00 am.

The results are impressive, such as a 29 per cent drop in reported assaults after dark.  And who knows how many instances of domestic violence and other issues have declined as a result of more responsible drinking habits?

The Australian Medical Association, the NSW Police Association, the Nurses Association and the Health Services Union have now called for the restrictions to be rolled out across the state. 

The NSW Council of Churches strongly supports this move, and urges the government and the liquor industry to act in the community’s best interests.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 11 April 2010.

Comment

More health debate needed

Filed under: ageing, health, social justice — Leave a comment
March 25, 2010

Well, as we all know, the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader have had their first televised debate in the long lead up to the next federal election.  Both leaders played to their strengths, and also their weaknesses.  But neither offered a passionate vision of a preferable future for the health and wellbeing of Australians.

Along with the environment, health is one of the great social and political issues of the day, and there is a danger of losing sight of the big picture through a focus on the details of policies and programs, and funding.

Central to the big picture is an awareness of the challenge of an ageing population, and the extent to which taxpayers are prepared to go to fund medical procedures to prolong life and facilitate well-being.

Political poison, yes, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  There’s a lot more to health, and health policy, than our politicians are prepared to discuss.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 28 March 2010.

Comment
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.