Back to the future

Before we get to what’s making a comeback, this is based on a piece in WA Today, and it does apply to Perth. But I’m pretty sure it’s not unique, and that this may be a trend we might be seeing more of. According to a new report, the average Australian spends roughly...

Move the Blues Away

 Exercise for mental health. I think this is something we have touched on previously in the podcast, but it is an issue that's worth revisiting, and in particular, some interesting new data is out. Now, you probably won't have seen this in the mainstream media because...

Movement is medicine

Chores are good for us. I can hear you all screaming already. Household chores typically aren't the most popular activity that people do through the course of the week. And I get it. It's not what you do for fun, but it keeps your house in order. And that can include...
Thriving Without Nanny

Thriving Without Nanny

Recently I made my first sojourn to Europe. This surprised many people given that clearly my family hails from there (on both sides). Aside the history and scenery, it is interesting to see different countries approaches to universal issues. Europe has the reputation...

A No Brainer

A No Brainer

Many people are frustrated by the slow progress of the cause to legalise vaping and help smokers reduce harm in Australia. Whilst there is still a way to go, we have made a significant step forward. The WA Liberal party recently passed at its state conference, a...

10 Tips For Taking Good Care Of Your Teeth

10 Tips For Taking Good Care Of Your Teeth

It’s important to keep the sparkle in your smile!  With family and friends gathered around, great food, drinks, andfestivities everywhere you go, it’s really important to take the time out to care for your teeth and gums. After all, an aching or broken tooth or...

Are Doctors Allowed To Have Freedom Of Speech?

Are Doctors Allowed To Have Freedom Of Speech?

Recently the code of practice of doctors proposed to restrict freedom of speech for doctors. Of course, such terms were not directly used in the proposition of the code, but in the newly introduced section of professionalism it stated that: “Community trust in the...

Disenfranchised Grief And Weight Loss

Disenfranchised Grief And Weight Loss

I want to talk about a type of loss that isn’t weight loss and yet it is profoundly linked to weight loss. It is the feeling of loss that people may experience when they once had lost significant amounts of weight, subsequently regained it often ending up with even...

Shooting The Messenger

Shooting The Messenger

Recently I had the honour of giving the Michael Russell Oration (click here to watch) at the Global Forum on Nicotine. This event was all about helping reduce the disease and death toll from smoking. Like many industries, the quit smoking one is ripe for disruption...

The Importance Of Mental Health First Aid

The Importance Of Mental Health First Aid

Did you know that one in five Australians experience a mental illness each year? In fact, mental illness is now the third leading cause of disability burden in this country, making it more important than ever to understand how to support a colleague, friend or family...

More is not always better

More is not always better

There is increasing interest in the over use of medical tests, medications and procedures. There has been a belief that more medicine equals better health. In reality it does not. Whilst we absolutely can and do benefit from the advances medicine has made, too much of...

Rethinking Nicotine

Rethinking Nicotine

It was a great honour to be invited to give the Michael Russell Oration at GFN 18. The talk is about communicating tobacco harm reduction to different audiences. Ultimately our aim is to reduce the harm from the combustion of tobacco.    ...

What A Conflict!

What A Conflict!

I really feel for anyone caught in the middle of this ideological, physical and emotional conflict. Lets say that for whatever reason you have decided you would like to lose some weight. And, you have decided this for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with...

The Lived Experience

The Lived Experience

Sometimes a person with cancer goes into remission and we do not know why. This does not mean it has not occurred. We don’t criticise them or suggest it better they went out of remission. A 2003 BMJ paper systematically reviewed trials of whether parachutes were...