No other Australian health industry group gets to negotiate its own funding behind closed doors, with no public evidence to justify the decisions.
- Program Director, Health and Aged Care, Grattan Institute
Dementia is now the leading cause of death, overtaking heart disease. The Conversation’s experts explain how Australians’ health has changed – both good and bad.
This budget was much more about funding existing health services than reform.
Australia has more nurses per person than many countries. Allowing nurses in general practice to use all their skills could help meet the growing demand for care.
Before COVID, Australia reached its target of 95% of one-year-olds fully immunised. Now, lower coverage means more babies are at risk of whooping cough and measles.
The latest figures suggest it’s easier now to find a bulk-billing GP. But poorer patients can still miss out, for one important reason.
The deal struck between states and territories and the federal government follows a long-running standoff. Here’s what’s been agreed, and what’s still missing.
Hospitals are feeling intense pressure, yet the states have been asked to rein in spending. Here’s how they can get more care for every hospital dollar spent.
Too many people miss out on seeing specialist doctors, while others face long waits or high costs. A new Grattan Institute report outlines a blueprint for reform.
60-day scrips can mean fewer trips to the pharmacist and lower costs. But only one in five eligible scripts are for a 60-day supply. Here’s what’s going wrong.
Australia’s child vaccination rates used to be among the best in the world. But after peaking in 2020, they’re falling.
Some communities have too few GPs to ensure everyone can get the care they need, when they need it. Whoever wins the federal election should commit to fixing this.
COVID antivirals are recommended for people aged over 70 and those at risk of severe illness. But many older Australians are missing out. Here’s why – and how to fix this problem.
More Australians delay or skip dental care because of cost than their peers in most wealthy countries. Adding dental to Medicare wouldn’t be easy, but it would vastly improve Australians’ health.
Vaccination rates vary widely from GP to GP. Here’s why – and what governments need to do about it.
The budget sets the foundation for a new approach to community-based mental health care, eases cost-of-living pressures and aims to keep people out of hospital. Will they work? And what’s missing?
Sugary drinks cause weight gain and increase the risk of a range of diseases. But a tax can reduce sales and make us healthier.
Access to dental care in Australia is worse than ever and is simply unaffordable to many.
Millions of high-risk older Australians aren’t getting recommended vaccinations against COVID, the flu, pneumococcal disease and shingles.
Eating too much salt is bad for our health. Governments and food manufacturers have a big role to play in reducing the salt content of Australians’ diets.
A new review of Australian health care workers’ scope of practice should focus on expanding pharmacists prescribing for stable conditions and long-term medications, under the direction of a GP.
This isn’t the first time a ban on junk food advertising has been floated. But there is are good reasons to support a new push.
The new reforms tackle some of the biggest challenges in general practice: outmoded technology, GPs working with little support, a broken funding model and restrictive regulations.
In Australia’s bulk-billing ‘deserts’, it’s incredibly difficult to find a doctor who will bulk bill. The government should step in to support or set up clinics so locals have access to health care.
The Albanese government has promised a centre for disease control. Its main focus has to be health equity for disadvantaged groups.
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