The impact of temperature on non-typhoidal Salmonella and Campylobacter infections: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence.

Background: As temperatures rise, the transmission and incidence of enteric infections such as those caused by Salmonella and Campylobacter increase. This study aimed to review and synthesise the available evidence on the effects of exposure to ambient temperatures on non-typhoidal Salmonella and Campylobacter infections.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted for peer-reviewed epidemiological studies published between January 1990 and March 2024, in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases.

The impact of increasing temperatures due to climate change on infectious diseases.

Global temperatures will continue to rise due to climate change, with high temperature periods expected to increase in intensity, frequency, and duration. Infectious diseases, including vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria, waterborne diseases such as cholera, and foodborne diseases such as salmonellosis are influenced by temperature and other climatic variables, thus contributing to higher disease burden and associated healthcare costs, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions. Targeted efforts and investments are therefore needed to support low and middle income countries to prepare for and respond to the increasing infectious disease threats posed by rising temperatures.

Current and future burden of Ross River virus infection attributable to increasing temperature in Australia: a population-based study.

Background: Ross River virus (RRV), Australia's most notifiable vector-borne disease transmitted through mosquito bites, has seen increased transmission due to rising temperatures. Quantifying the burden of RRV infection attributable to increasing temperatures (both current and future) is pivotal to inform prevention strategies in the context of climate change.

Methods: As RRV-related deaths are rare in Australia, we utilised years lived with disability (YLDs) associated with RRV infection data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Burden of Disease database between 2003 and 2018.

Current and projected heatwave-attributable occupational injuries, illnesses, and associated economic burden in Australia.

Introduction: The costs of global warming are substantial. These include expenses from occupational illnesses and injuries (OIIs), which have been associated with increases during heatwaves. This study estimated retrospective and projected future heatwave-attributable OIIs and their costs in Australia.

Effects of high temperatures and heatwaves on dengue fever: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Studies have shown that dengue virus transmission increases in association with ambient temperature. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of both high temperatures and heatwave events on dengue transmission in different climate zones globally.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science from January 1990 to September 20, 2022.

Occupational heat stress and economic burden: A review of global evidence.

Background: The adverse effects of heat on workers' health and work productivity are well documented. However, the resultant economic consequences and productivity loss are less understood. This review aims to summarize the retrospective and potential future economic burden of workplace heat exposure in the context of climate change.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family access to continuity of health care services in the first 1000 days of life: a systematic review of the literature.

Background: Aboriginal women and their infants experience significant disadvantage in health outcomes compared to their non-Aboriginal counterparts. Access to timely, effective and appropriate maternal and child healthcare can contribute to reducing these existing health disparities. However, accessing mainstream healthcare services often results in high levels of fear and anxiety, and low attendance at subsequent appointments among Aboriginal women, due to inefficient communication, poor service coordination and a lack of continuity of care.

Nonlinear Modelling for Predicting Patient Presentation Rates for Mass Gatherings.

Unlabelled: IntroductionMass gatherings are common in Australia. The interplay of variables, including crowd density and behavior, weather, and the consumption of alcohol and other drugs, can pose a unique set of challenges to attendees' well-being. On-site health services are available at most mass gatherings and reduce the strain on community health facilities.

Patient Presentation Trends at 15 Mass-Gathering Events in South Australia.

Unlabelled: IntroductionMass gatherings are complex events that present a unique set of challenges to attendees' health and well-being. There are numerous factors that influence the number and type of injuries and illnesses that occur at these events, including weather, event and venue type, and crowd demographics and behavior.ProblemWhile the impact of some factors, such as weather conditions and the availability of alcohol, on patient presentations at mass gatherings have been described previously, the influence of many other variables, including crowd demographics, crowd behavior, and event type, is poorly understood.

Emergency nurses' knowledge and experience with the triage process in Hunan Province, China.

Introduction: Triage is implemented to facilitate timely and appropriate treatment of patients, and is typically conducted by senior nurses. Triage accuracy and consistency across emergency departments remain a problem in mainland China. This study aimed to investigate the current status of triage practice and knowledge among emergency nurses in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.

Opportunities for general practitioners to enhance disaster preparedness among vulnerable patients.

Disasters occur frequently in Australia and will become more unpredictable and severe due to climate change. Some members of the Australian population, such as the elderly, the chronically ill and the socially isolated, are less likely to be prepared and more likely to be adversely affected by disasters. Although general practitioners (GPs) view the delivery of preventive health care as a priority, few preventive services focus on patients' resilience and ability to cope with unexpected stressors.

International Consensus on Key Concepts and Data Definitions for Mass-gathering Health: Process and Progress.

Mass gatherings (MGs) occur worldwide on any given day, yet mass-gathering health (MGH) is a relatively new field of scientific inquiry. As the science underpinning the study of MGH continues to develop, there will be increasing opportunities to improve health and safety of those attending events. The emerging body of MG literature demonstrates considerable variation in the collection and reporting of data.

Self-rated dental health and dental insurance: modification by household income.

Background: Previous studies have reported that socioeconomically disadvantaged Australians have poorer self-rated dental health (SRDH), are less likely to be insured for dental services and are less likely to have regular dental visits than their more advantaged counterparts. However, less is known about the associations between dental insurance and SRDH. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between SRDH and dental insurance status and to test if the relationship was modified by household income.

Trends in migrant mortality rates in Australia 1981-2007: a focus on the National Health Priority Areas other than cancer.

Introduction: Migrants generally have more favourable mortality outcomes than the Australian-born population. The aim of this study is to update knowledge and inform future research in this field by examining mortality from musculoskeletal conditions, asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, injuries and mental conditions between 1981 and 2007 among migrants in Australia.

Methods: Average annual sex- and age-standardised mortality rates were calculated for each migrant group, period of death registration and cause of death.

Household income modifies the association of insurance and dental visiting.

Background: Dental insurance and income are positively associated with regular dental visiting. Higher income earners face fewer financial barriers to dental care, while dental insurance provides partial reimbursement. The aim was to explore whether household income has an effect on the relationship between insurance and visiting.

Stereotactic radiosurgery and hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for management of vestibular schwannomas: initial experience with 17 cases.

Background: Nowadays radiation treatment of patients with vestibular schwannomas (VSs) applied either as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) represents a real alternative to surgical tumor resection.

Methods: During 2010-2011, 17 consecutive patients (19-75 years old) with a VS underwent treatment with SRS or SRT in our center. Microsurgery was initially offered in all cases but was declined for various reasons.

The Closing the Gap Initiative - successes and ongoing challenges for divisions of general practice.

Background: This article presents an evaluation of the activities undertaken by divisions of general practice to improve Indigenous Australians' access to mainstream primary care.

Methods: Data were obtained from 12 month reports for the 2009-10 reporting period. Data from 86 divisions were thematically analysed using NVivo 9 software.

Trends in cancer mortality rates among migrants in Australia: 1981-2007.

Background: Previous studies have shown that migrants have lower cancer mortality rates compared to the Australian-born population, particularly for colorectal and breast cancers, which are associated with an affluent lifestyle. This study seeks to update knowledge in this field by examining mortality from colorectal, stomach, lung, melanoma, breast and bladder cancers, as well as all cancers combined between 1981 and 2007.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The health status of migrants in Australia: a review.

This review summarizes the findings of studies conducted in Australia between 1980 and 2008 that focused on the health status of migrants in one or more of Australia's National Health Priority Areas (NHPAs), identifies gaps in knowledge, and suggests further research directions. Systematic literature searches were performed on CINAHL, MediText, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. It was found that the majority of migrants enjoy better health than the Australian-born population in the conditions that are part of the NHPAs, with the exception of diabetes.

Requiring influenza vaccination for health care workers.

Annual influenza vaccination for health care workers has the potential to benefit health care professionals, their patients, and their families by reducing the transmission of influenza in the health care setting. Furthermore, staff vaccination programs are cost-effective for health care institutions because of reduced staff illness and absenteeism. Despite international recommendations and strong ethical arguments for annual influenza immunization for health care professionals, staff utilization of vaccination remains low.

How will Australian general practitioners respond to an influenza pandemic? A qualitative study of ethical values.

Objectives: To explore general practitioners' perceptions of their preparedness for an influenza pandemic, the changes they would make to their practice, and the ethical justifications for their planned actions.

Design And Setting: A qualitative study was performed among South Australian GPs between March and October 2007. A semi-structured interview was carried out with each participant in his or her practice, and the interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.