Australian Medical Association

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today called on the Government and health groups to place a renewed focus on child and youth health issues in 2012.

Children and young people confront a range of health issues including poor diet and obesity, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and bullying.  The degree to which these conditions have an impact can be influenced by socio-economic factors.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today cautioned young people to play it safe as they set off for traditional Schoolies Week celebrations around the country to mark the end of a tough school year and, for many, the end of their high school days.

The Schoolies Week season commences this weekend in Queensland, with other States to follow in coming weeks.

A new report shows that teenagers often consume alcohol at harmful levels.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that this is further evidence that targeted marketing of alcohol to young people should be banned to prevent them from taking up drinking at a young age.

“These latest figures show that young people who are barely in their teens have already started drinking alcohol, and those who are older are drinking at harmful levels,” Dr Hambleton said.

The AMA is encouraging the broader community to take ownership of the health of young Australians during National Youth Week, which commences today with the theme ‘Own It’.

AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said that it is important for the community to support and advise young people about the importance of staying healthy and avoiding unhealthy practices and substances.

“There are many health risks confronting young people today but one of the most dangerous – and one where the community as a whole can help – is alcohol abuse,” Dr Hambleton said.

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, today paid tribute to his friend and colleague, Dr Paul Bauert, who has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Dr Bauert is the current President of the AMA Northern Territory, a member of the Federal AMA Executive, Chair of the Federal AMA’s Public Health and Youth Health Committee, co-Chair of the Federal AMA Rural Medical Committee, and a member of the AMA’s Taskforce on Indigenous Health.

Dr Bauert is Director of Paediatrics at Royal Darwin Hospital and has worked in Darwin and visited Aboriginal communities for more than 25 years providing specialised health care and advice and leadership.

Dr Pesce said that Dr Bauert has worked tirelessly to improve Indigenous health throughout his professional career and made it his personal mission to ensure that the AMA at the Territory and Federal level constantly champions the cause of improving the health of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.

Alcohol is a commonly used beverage in Australia, and can be enjoyed in sensible quantities. But alcohol is also a mind altering substance and can have harmful effects, particularly for young people. It is important that people have the right information about alcohol, so they can make the right choices when deciding to drink. This brochure provides the most recent information and research on the short-term and long-term harms associated with alcohol, as well as other risks with drinking. It also provides information on further sources of advice.

MJA media release - Young rural Australians with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have limited access to adult diabetes health services and contact with specialist staff, and aren’t effectively transitioning from child to adult health services, according to an article published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

The article finds that diabetes the management of young Australians, and uptake of routine monitoring and preventative services, is poor in several Australian regions.

Due to a spike in the numbers of young children in Western Australia experiencing fever and convulsions following seasonal flu vaccinations, Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, is advising all GPs and immunisation providers to stop giving seasonal flu vaccine to children five years and under until a cause is established.

"This is a precautionary measure while the matter is being urgently investigated by health experts and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)," Professor Bishop said.

"Until it can be established what factors are causing the apparent rise in fevers in some children in WA, I am writing to all immunisation providers to advise them not to administer seasonal flu vaccine to all children 5 years of age and under until further notice."

The appropriate physical, emotional and intellectual development of Australian children and young people is crucial to their later health as adults. A range of factors can impact on developmental health. This position statement brings together recent information and evidence about appropriate developmental health, and makes recommendations about the measures the AMA believes are necessary to ensure it.

The AMA today urged Australians considering undergoing body piercing to ensure that they are aware of the health risks associated with the procedure and what they can do to reduce the chances of something going wrong.

AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today launched an AMA youth health brochure that provides advice about the risks associated with piercing including the factors and questions people should consider before having a body piercing.

“Summer is a popular time for some young people to undergo piercing. However, doctors sometimes see some serious negative health effects from body piercing,” Dr Hambleton said.

“Piercing is not a simple procedure, and it is also not always a safe procedure.