What do your early warning signs tell you ...

about what you are reading on web health information?

Today, 22 January 2008, Kidney Health Australia is sending out this message to us all:

When you go onto the web to look for medical information make sure you get proper professional advice from your GP or specialist to avoid unproven health information.

Kidney Health Australia has released a fact sheet, "Using the Internet to Research Health Information" on the organization's own website aimed at protecting people seeking medical advice.

Many people who are suffering a chronic disease are vulnerable and if given the wrong information can make decisions which can influence their health says KHA CEO Anne Wilson as there are no rules controlling the quality of health information that appears on websites.

Kidney Health Australia says alarm bells should ring viewing a site that has the following qualities:

· Does the site only use case histories or personal testimonies as proof?

· Is the treatment based on a secret formula?

· Does the treatment claim to work on everyone with that condition?

· Does the treatment claim to work immediately and permanently with no further medical intervention required?

· Is the treatment available only from one source? - Eg. over the internet.

· Does the site claim that information about their treatment is being covered up or unfairly attacked by medical professionals?

· Does the site claim to have a cure for a condition?

· Does the site promote self-diagnosis and self prescription?


Kidney Health Australia says consumers need to ask three basic questions:

• Who runs the website and are they credible?
• Who pays for the website?
• Is the material evidence based or focused on selling products?
  

A full fact sheet is available from http://www.kidney.org.au/ under the patient information section Click Here To Download

Media Enquiries: Anne Wilson, CEO Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391

Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863

Ron Smith Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201.

(end of media release)

My family and I are strong supporters of Kidney Health Australia. Every day of our lives we experience the loss of my husband who died from end stage renal disease and end stage cardiac disease resulting from cholesterol embolism.

May we never take our health for granted! Listen to the messages from qualified health professionals and be aware of our own physical, emotional and mental, health.

Personal awareness is not an obsessive trait but indeed means taking personal responsibility for our own health. Speak to your family doctor about any concerns or questions you may have. Be wary of 'quick fixes' mentioned to you by well meaning friends. Avoid responding to clever health related marketing strategies - they are there to take your dollar, not caring for your health!

My husband Capt Peter J. Bayliss A.M. wrote about some of his experiences however, his e-book is now off line but the introduction highlighted here remains on the Lae Gamefishing Club site in Papua New Guinea. Our Son David is working through his Dad's book, correcting typographical errors etc and getting photographs sorted in the correct sequence before posting it back on-line. Read a little about Peter's life and history. You may be surprised!

Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.

Townsville makes History ...

First Location for Kidney Screening Programme in Australia.


Townsville is set to take its place in history as the first location in Australia to undertake a screening program for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) next month.

Image right: Anne Wilson CEO Kidney Health Australia

Kidney Health Australia with the support of the Federal Government and BHP Billiton will launch KEY - 'Kidney Evaluation for You', an early detection program to evaluate kidney function, cardiovascular health and diabetes in high risk individuals.

With 1 in 3 Australian adults at increased risk of developing CKD, Townsville residents who are in the "high risk" group are able to book in to have a free KEY health check.

The high risk group is as follows:

· Anyone 50 years and above or 35 years and above if of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin

· Anyone with diabetes

· Anyone with high blood pressure (on or not on treatment)

· Anyone with a first degree relative (mother, father, brother or sister) with kidney disease

KEY is free and will be available on the 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th of February at North Ward Health Campus between 9am -5pm (33 Gregory St North Ward).

People wanting to take advantage of the free service should contact Kidney Health Australia on 1800 682 531 to book a consultation.

Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said, "Until now a primary health care program for chronic kidney disease (CKD) detection has not existed and the pilot study which will commence in Townsville will be a significant signpost for the future evaluation and detection of Kidney disease."

CKD is often referred to as the "silent killer" as 80 - 90% of kidney function can be lost before an individual experiences any symptoms. Yet the level of awareness of CKD amongst the general public and health professionals is low and many risk factors of CKD are modifiable.

Dr Tim Mathew Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia who will be in Townsville for the program said, "a KEY program is vital in Australia to reduce the burden of kidney disease and kidney failure and the pilot program in February could be the start of one of the most important and effective primary care programs to manage CKD in Australia."

Media Enquiries:

Anne Wilson, CEO Kidney Health Australia Mobile:

0400 165 391

Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney Health Australia Mobile:

0416 149 863

Olivia Corso CKD Early Detection Project Manager Mobile:

0421 545 916

Ron Smith Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile:

0417 329 201.

Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia

Pills, potions, remedies and other interesting concoctions!

Okay, just how do we know what we are swallowing, sniffing, injecting, absorbing through our skin?


For accurate and balanced evidence-based information about medicines, the National Prescribing Services Limited (NPS) site provides what you may need to know about the Quality Use of Medications you or someone you know is taking. The NPS provides this site for use by health professionals and also consumers. The organization is an independent, non-profit member-based group, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. General practitioners, pharmacists, specialist practitioners, other health professionals, Government, pharmaceutical companies, consumer organizations and the community are all target groups the NPS strives to work with.

The links in this paragraph take you to three content pages on the NPS site. Firstly, this link leads you to evidence based information on prescribing drugs, educational activities such as case studies, clinical audits, pharmacy practice audits, and more. Secondly, this link takes you to consumer related materials and activities on medicines designed specifically for individual people. This link also provides a catalogue of free consumer materials which you are able to order online and thirdly, you are linked to the NPS corporate and media page. Here you will find media releases covering information on public affairs, marketer events, campaigns, member organizations or simply navigate through resources for media.

Meanwhile, if you have a need to talk to someone about medications, the Australian contact number for the NPS Consumers Medicines Line is 1300 888 763. If you are a health professional the NPS Therapeutic and Information Service (TAIS) contact number is 1300 138 677.

Do you live outside Australia? You may be able to locate a similar service in your country of origin.

The NPS in Australia provides a wealth of information in addition to that offered above. Wherever you live, I hope these links are helpful to you. You will find other interesting links throughout this article.

Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.