A community meeting will be held to discuss current and future suicide prevention strategies within Benalla. This is an opportunity to hear from the Benalla Mental Health and Wellbeing Steering Committee about what has been happening over the last six months in the place-based suicide prevention initiative.
The meeting will take place at 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start on Monday 26 February at Glasshouse, Lakeside Community Centre, Arundel Street South Benalla. Please RSVP by 5pm Thursday 22 February to bnash-webster@murrayphn.org.au
2018 Closing the Gap Report released Indigenous health
It has been ten years since the introduction of the Closing the Gap framework to reduce disadvantage among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander with respect to life expectancy, child mortality, access to early childhood education, educational achievement and employment outcomes.
This week the Australian Government released the tenth Closing the Gap report, showing three of seven targets are on track to be met, including the target to halve child mortality. Other outcomes that have improved include higher immunisation rates, increasing levels of antenatal care, decline in circulatory disease and decreased smoking rates. To access the report, click here.
Quad-strain meningococcal vaccine added to National Immunisation Program immunisation
The Australian Government will be adding a quad-strain meningococcal vaccine to the National Immunisation Program (NIP). The new vaccine (Nimenrix) covers against A, C, W and Y strains (MenACWY) and will be added to the NIP ahead of the next peak meningococcal season which, based on previous years, is expected to be in the second half of the year.
In recent years we have seen a rise in the number of invasive meningococcal cases in Australia. In 2017, there were 382 cases reported nationally, compared with 252 cases in 2016 and 182 cases in 2015. Deaths associated with meningococcal have also risen, with 28 deaths in 2017, compared with 11 deaths in 2016 and 12 deaths in 2015.
Currently, infants aged 12 months are given a single-strain Meningococcal C vaccine. For more information, click here.
Help to fight flu this winter immunisation
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is conducting a survey to understand how the Victorian public and those who provide healthcare to them, currently view flu and annual vaccinations, as well as other protective measures.
Your participation will assist the DHHS to develop information and resources available on The Better Health Channel this coming winter, to help all Victorians understand more about the flu. The survey will close 9 March. Click here to take the survey.
Nurse practitioner candidates in alcohol and drugs scholarships in the Loddon Mallee region alcohol and other drugs
Orticare Pharmacotherapy Network is offering scholarships to Alcohol and other Drug (AOD) Nurse Practitioner Candidates (NPCs) working in the Grampians or Loddon Mallee regions. The scholarships provide financial support towards completion of a Nurse Practitioner master's degree.To find out more or to apply,
click here. Applications close 5pm Friday 9 March 2018. For further information contact Jacqueline Keevins, Orticare Manager on 03 5338 0511 or
jacquelinek@bchc.org.auTaking sugar off the menu to fight obesity Shepparton and Bendigo
The City of Greater Bendigo and the City of Greater Shepparton are among eight councils in Victoria partnering with health promotion foundation VicHealth to reduce the availability and promotion of sugary drinks such as soft drinks and sports drinks in kiosks and cafes at leisure centres and sports venues.
The councils are sharing in more than $500,000 in funding as part of the Water in Sport Initiative to promote water as the drink of choice at these facilities. The projects are being delivered in areas with higher rates of sugary drink consumption, obesity or poor dental health. For more information, click here.
