MERRY CHRISTMAS 2018

The staff at Waitara Family Medical Practice

 wishes

you and your family

a joyous and healthy Christmas.

Travelling Soon?

Important things to remember to stay safe and healthy on your holidays:

• Visit doctor 4-6 weeks before your travel to any destination – you may need vaccinations or medication
• Prevent bug bites
• Reduce your exposure to germs
• Avoid sharing body fluids
• Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
• Eat and drink safely
• Keep away from animals

DineSmart 2018

DineSmart is an initiative to raise awareness about the prominent issue of homelessness in Australia. Dine at participating Dine Smart restaurants and help out local grassroots community groups help people who are homeless or at risk.

On any given night 26,238 Australians aged 12-24 are homeless.

To get involved:

• Make a donation
• Dine out
• Volunteer
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information: https://streetsmartaustralia.org

16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December 2017. The theme for 2018 is “Orange the World: #HearMeToo” reinforcing the UNiTE Campaign’s commitment to a world free from violence for all women and girls around the world.

On the basis of data from 2005 to 2016 for 87 countries, 19 per cent of women between 15 and 49 years of age said they had experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner in the 12 months prior to the survey. 

Get involved this December by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Donating
• Organizing events in your local community
• Sharing photos, videos and messages on social media about how you are participating

For more information, visit: http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/take-action/16-days-of-activism

Bowel Cancer Australia 

World Aids Day 2018

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year. It raises awareness across the world and in the community about the issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. It is a day for people to show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.

“HIV continues to pose serious challenges around the globe.”

HIV still exists in Australia. There were 1081 new HIV diagnoses in Australia in 2014 with the rate remaining stable over recent years.

HIV can affect anyone. There is no vaccine or cure for HIV, however there is highly effective treatment. People living with HIV take medications on a daily basis to maintain their HIV at an undetectable level and to keep themselves healthy. Today, HIV is considered a chronic but manageable condition, and people living with HIV can lead long and healthy lives, with a similar life expectancy to a person who does not have HIV.

Like other conditions, HIV can be prevented. By being informed about what HIV is and how it can be transmitted, we can take measures to look after ourselves and others.

So take the first step-inform yourself about HIV.

To get involved this December:

• Donate to the foundation
• Volunteer
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information, visit: http://www.worldaidsday.org.au/internet/wad/Publishing.nsf/content/home

Thank U NICU Day – Nationwide

Miracle Babies Foundation is Australia’s leading organisation supporting premature and sick newborns, their families and the hospitals that care for them.

For families, the experience of having a baby come into the world not as expected or planned is life changing. Every year in Australia around 48,000 newborn babies require the help of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN). 27,000 of these babies are born premature and up to 1,000 babies lose their fight for life.

Since 2005, Miracle Babies Foundation has been passionate in developing and providing vital programs and resources to support and enhance a family’s experience from a threatened pregnancy, hospital journey with a premature or sick newborn, the transition to home and beyond.

You can contribute by

• volunteering
• fund raising
• getting involved in their events

To find out more, please visit https://www.miraclebabies.org.au

National Skin Cancer Action Week – Nationwide

With two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70, the action week is an important reminder of the risks of exposure to UV radiation, the need for sun protection and early skin cancer detection for all Australians.

Did you know:

• More than 2,000 people in Australia die from skin cancer each year
• Cancer Council estimates that Australia spends more than $1 billion per year treating skin cancer
• Most skin cancers can be prevented by the use of good sun protection, yet too many Australians still have a tan.
• Despite many Australians referring to a “healthy tan”, a tan is not a sign of good health or well being. In fact, tanning is a sign that you have been exposed to enough UV radiation to damage your skin. This will eventually cause premature aging – including sun spots, wrinkles and sagging. Worst of all it increases your risk of skin cancer.

That’s why this National Skin Cancer Action Week and throughout summer Cancer Council is encouraging everyone to #OwnYourTone and embrace your natural skin tone.

Make the pledge today to protect yourself from UV radiation and abstain from tanning.

During National Skin Cancer Action Week and throughout summer, use the five forms of sun protection and #OwnYourTone by:

• slip on sun-protective clothing
• slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
• slap on a broad-brimmed hat
• seek shade
• slide on sunglasses.

A combination of these measures, along with getting to know your skin and regularly checking for any changes, are the keys to reducing your skin cancer risk.

For more information, please visit

https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/campaigns-and-events/national-skin-cancer-action-week.html