Could medical cannabis be the future of medicine?
Medical cannabis use has a growing acceptance, with legislative changes revealing a new era of treatment for Australians. Chronic pain, insomnia and bad appetite were issues for medical cannabis user Nathan Mileto, 22, who prior to taking the drug had relied on...
LGBTQIA+ community more likely to experience mental illness
The Australian LGBTQIA+ community experience mental illness at a rate two to four times higher than the broader population, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The 2020-2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing found three in...
Sexual assualt reports increase: ABS
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has updated the NSW Criminal court reports for the 2022-2023 financial year, reporting a 16% rise in assault cases across the country.
Dementia to rise 94 per cent by 2054
The number of people living with dementia in Australia is expected to surge 94 per cent in the next 30 years.
Dementia Australia estimates more than 421,000 people are currently living with dementia. Without a medical breakthrough, they project this figure to increase to more than 812,500 by 2054.
Rates of Indigenous suicide and children out of home worsen
A 2024 update by the Productivity Commission has revealed four out of 19 Closing the Gap targets are not on track, including the number of children in out-of-home care and rate of Indigenous suicides per year. The Commission moved some targets into the ‘on track’...
Wollongong’s economic growth boosted by diners
Wollongong is fast becoming an entertainment hub with an increase in spending on eating out and leisure activities, according to new figures by Wollongong City Council (WCC). WCC has released an Economic Insights Report earlier this year, wrapping up the city’s...
With NDIS reforms hope for wider coverage for autistic Australians
Reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme were finally put before Parliament by NDIS Minister Bill Shorten. The proposed reforms come after an independent review of the program was published in December, commissioned by the federal government to address...
Tax deductible gym memberships: Will they make a difference?
The cost-of-living crisis has prompted many Australians to make cuts to "luxury items", but gym memberships are often the last to be sacrificed. Gym memberships were identified as one of the first things to go, consequently resulting in calls to make these fees tax...
Parkrunners swap sweets for sneakers on Easter Saturday
A record 84,000 people participated in Parkrun on Easter Saturday at 468 different events across Australia. A national and regional record of 1200 people across the Illawarra attended the events at Sandon Point, North Wollongong, and Shellharbour Parkrun. Regular...
Personal fraud increases at the cost of the consumer
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed personal fraud and scams are increasing for the second year in a row. Card fraud involves the use of credit, debit or EFTPOS card details to make purchases or withdrawals without the account owner’s permission. An...