Monat: August 2023

In every pocket of the globe, local and international communities alike continue to grapple with the challenges wealth disparity poses to the vast majority of any population. 

The clothes we wear, the meals we eat, and the way we spend our days are all determined by our income and social position. 

The latest research also proves our socioeconomic standing plays an enormous role in determining what treatment options and quality of care are available to us when faced with a critical health diagnosis. 

Like what you see? Sign up to our bodyandsoul.com.au newsletter for more stories like this.

Analysing the death registry data provided by the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing and Census, the research aimed to examine the correlation between socioeconomic disadvantage and cancer mortality rates.

The mortality data was organised by geography, gender and age group, using figures from four separate three-year periods. 

The verdict? Middle-aged men living in what are considered to be the poorest areas of the country were twice as likely to die from cancer from 2016 to 2018 than those living in areas of high wealth.

The research showed a similar trend amongst Australian women, with the cancer mortality rate 1.6 times higher in poorer areas. 

What’s driving the gap?

With death rates falling in most other age groups, the latest statistics for middle-aged Australians particularly stand out. 

So what’s causing this alarming data? Research suggests it all comes down to access to health care. 

Between 2001 to 2018, the data analysed showed that the number of doctors per person was substantially greater in Australia’s richer regions. When it comes to access to technological and medical advancements, those in lower socioeconomic communities have been given considerably less exposure. 

One of the contributing factors to disparities in cancer mortality is the limited availability of screening and treatment options. 

Early detection and diagnosis is key

At the point in which early detection may result in lifesaving intervention, many cancers fail to cause noticeable symptoms. Like so many invasive and fatal cancer types, those with the highest mortality rates are often difficult to detect without routine examinations and specialist diagnosis.

One thing that is painstakingly clear off the back of this research, is that access to healthcare must be better extended to the people and communities in need. 

Subsidised early detection initiatives and population screening programs are key to earlier cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment across the board. 

When 28-year-old AFLW star Heather Anderson passed away last November, the sporting community was devastated. An army medic who moved from her hometown in the Top End to play for the Adelaide Crows – taking home the premiership trophy in the league’s inaugural season – she’s since become the first known professional female athlete to be diagnosed with a brain disease linked to concussion and head knocks.

“It was a surprise, but not a surprise,” Anderson’s father, Brian, told ABC’s 7:30, acknowledging his daughter had been involved in high-contact sports from a young age. “I think now that this report has been published, I’m trying to think about how it might play out for female sportspeople everywhere.”

Like what you see? Sign up to our bodyandsoul.com.au newsletter for more stories like this

Having taken her own life, Anderson’s family donated her brain to research, with the Australian Sports Brain Bank’s report – released in July – concluding the young star suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition that causes a decline in brain function and is also linked to poor mental health, irrational behaviour and suicidal ideation.

Just two weeks after the findings, Matildas players Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik both sat out of a Women’s World Cup match after sustaining a mild concussion in the same training session. The Australian guidelines have a strict ruling that assures all players suffering a head knock are to be ruled out of competition for a minimum of six days to monitor their health.

However, all brain impacts – not just concussions – need to be taken seriously.

“CTE risk is due to repetitive impacts to the brain that don’t result in concussion,” explains Professor Alan Pearce, who co-authored the report on Anderson.

“The bumps, tackles and collisions that we call sub-concussions can be detrimental,” he says. “In Heather Anderson’s case study, there was only one clinically diagnosed concussion and possibly four unreported concussions. But her playing career was over 17 years. That [longevity] is the main concern for CTE.”

There’s emerging evidence that women are more at risk of concussion than men – although the jury is out on whether this is purely down to biology.

“In comparable sports, women are twice as likely to sustain a sport-related concussion than men,” confirms Shreya McLeod, a lecturer in physiotherapy at the Australian Catholic University and a researcher on concussion in women’s contact sports. “Some studies also show women take an average of six to 20 days longer to recover than men.”

She adds: “There are fundamental differences between men and women – anatomically, physiologically and in the way they tackle, contest a mark or head the ball. Physical factors such as shorter neck dimensions, smaller head mass and narrower neck girth result in reduced neck strength in women. This predisposes women to greater head-neck acceleration during impacts.”

However, there are also sociological reasons that may point to why female concussion is on the rise. “Women tend to be more aware of their symptoms and are more likely to report them,” says McLeod.

Pearce adds: “Testing for concussion is subjective; players have to rate their symptoms from mild to severe. Male players predominantly downplay their symptoms. They don’t want to be seen as weak, or be perceived as letting the team down. Female players tend to be more honest. They are just as committed to winning, but recognise it’s better for the team if they step out and let a fresh player come in.”

After years of fighting to be taken seriously in contact sports, understanding head injuries shouldn’t be about discouraging women from playing. Instead, it needs to afford them with the same training and depth of scientific research that men are given.

“Smarter, strategic coaching is a good start,” says Pearce. For the rest of us who enjoy playing, or watching our kids and grandkids play, weekend sport, there’s one simple rule to abide by: “If in doubt, sit it out,” says Pearce.

“Report symptoms and don’t downplay them. Erring on the side of caution could give you longer brain health and a better quality of life.”

When it comes to your target step count, the scientific and medical communities have always advocated for a pretty sizeable number. 

Now, the recommendations have changed significantly, with the latest findings suggesting the magic number is actually much closer to 4,000 steps.

The revised number translates into a much more manageable 30 to 45-minute walk or roughly three and a half kilometres. 

The latest findings came from analysing the data from 17 existing studies that looked into peoples’ typical weekly step counts over a period of time, and subsequently how their cardiovascular health fared for the following seven years.

This means the total pool of participants was not only enormous but incredibly diverse, giving the authors of the latest study a collection of health and movement data any scientist would be envious of. 

Every little bit counts

When it comes to exercise, the ‘all or nothing’ approach has no place in today’s established research.

With busy work schedules, family commitments and all kinds of health impairments, it’s widely recognised that striving to smash out a 10km walk each day is nothing short of impossible for most people.

With so many feeling discouraged by their inability to meet previous step count recommendations, the latest study aimed to level the laying field for all, proving the more realistic goals are perfectly adequate.

“Every little bit of exercise helps,” Dr I-Min Lee told The New York Times. The Harvard Medical School professor of medicine believes we shouldn’t be discounting the snippets of movement we accumulate throughout the day.   

This means that your mad dash for the morning bus and the quick trip around the block after your dog’s dinner time all contribute to your overall health, not just your scheduled workouts and tracked hikes.

But why stop there?

Dr Seth Shay Martin, one of the study’s authors, says that while the new number is far more attainable to the average Joe, you shouldn’t feel discouraged to exceed it. 

“I wouldn’t want people to look at that as a magical number, that you must be above that exact step count,” the cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine said. „It’s more so that more is better.”

In fact, the study concluded that for every additional 1,000 steps participants took daily, the average mortality risk decreased by 15 per cent.

The biggest takeaway that the new research offers is that an active lifestyle is easier to maintain than previously thought. Hitting a number is great, but carving out time each day to prioritise your health and fitness, is the real lifesaver. 

Even small changes to your daily routine could see your opportunity for movement increase, such as tapping off the bus a stop earlier or opting to take a phone meeting on the go.

An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but hitting 4,000 steps or more is what will keep those very days coming. 

We’ve all had the odd accidental bump or trip navigating a crowded train platform at peak hour. But is having our eyes constantly glued to our screens while on the go putting us in serious danger?

Texting while driving is universally accepted as a bad idea, but new research suggests typing replies while out and about on foot can be just as risky. 

In a study led by senior author Matthew Brodie, Neuroscience Research Australia enlisted 50 young adults (and their phones) from the University of New South Wales to take part in the experiment. 

The aim of the research? To conclude whether walking and texting simultaneously was putting people at serious risk.

„I wanted to know if these dangers are real or imagined and to measure the risk in a repeatable way,“ Brodie told the ABC.

Breaking down the experiment

Armed with their smartphones (and a safety harness to avoid completely falling), the 50 participants were asked to complete six walking tasks and one seated assignment. 

For accuracy, the walking tasks were undertaken twice, once while texting, and again hands-free.

Monitoring motion sensors attached to their head, torso, pelvis and feet, researchers examined how each participant anticipated falling across a range of hazard levels. 

The hazard levels tested were:

• Seated
• Normal walk: walking with no threat of slipping
• Threat: walking with the threat of slipping
• Slip: walking with a 70cm slip hazard

The surprising findings

When it came to examining the 50 student responses to the tasks, Brodie found the level of variety surprising. 

„Some slowed down and took a more cautious approach. Others sped up in anticipation of slipping. Such different approaches reinforce how no two people are the same, and to better prevent accidents from texting while walking, multiple strategies may be needed,“ Brodie said.

While the way each student approached the experiment may have slightly differed, the overall results demonstrated texting caused a clear impairment to their focus and ability to anticipate falling. 

Think of the ducking typos

When asked to walk and type the phrase ‘the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog’, researchers also found the participants experienced more inaccuracies in an attempt to avoid tripping over.  

With the findings of the study revealing a clear risk in texting while walking, researchers are suggesting the implementation of locking technology in mobile phones (similar to what is used to limit phone use while driving).

But with any long-term tech solutions still in the ideation stage, for now, it’s up to the individual to take responsibility for their own safety. 

So next time you feel the urge to text while on the move, maybe take a moment to sit down and finish your message, or at the very least try standing still. 

A new coronavirus variant, dubbed Eris, has caused a spike in hospital admissions in the UK and the US sparking concerns it will lead to a similar trend in Australia.

While there haven’t been any reported cases here in Australia, health experts believe the variant is already circulating in the Australian community, according to SBS News.

So what is Eris, and what are its symptoms? Here is everything you need to know.

Like what you see? Sign up to our bodyandsoul.com.au newsletter for more stories like this.

What is Eris?

Eris, or EG.5.1, is a variant of Omicron, which is itself a variant of Covid. The strain was first reported in Asia in July of this year, with numbers jumping in the UK and US particularly.

According to the UK’s The Independent, Eris was classified as a variant in the UK on July 31, it now accounts for 1 in 10 Covid cases in the country.

The US Center of Disease Control has reported a 12.1 per cent increase in hospital admissions in the US the week ending July 22. The World Health Organisation has added Eris to the list of variants under monitoring.

What are the symptoms of Eris?

Symptoms of the strain are:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Fatigue (mild or severe)
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Change to sense of smell

Should we be worried?

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, 5431 cases of Covid-19 were reported across Australia in the past week. That means there is an average of 776 cases per day.

Associate Professor Paul Griffin, an infectious disease physician and clinical microbiologist, told SBS News that while the pandemic is “no longer considered a global health emergency, the threat has not gone away.”

He suggested having a Covid plan, particularly for those more susceptible like the elderly and those with comorbidity factors.

What to do if you test positive for Covid

While isolation is no longer a legal requirement if you test positive for Covid, staying at home protects the people in your community.

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, if you test positive, you should not visit high-risk settings like hospitals and aged and disability care settings for at least seven days or until symptoms have gone or unless seeking immediate medical care.

The Department recommends that those with Covid avoid contact with people who are at a higher risk of catching the disease, wearing a mask, working from home and practising good hygiene.

“That would include how to reduce your risk, whether through vaccine or other strategies, a plan for how to get tested quickly, how to get antivirals, and how to manage medical problems at those times. Being prepared is going to be the main thing for the foreseeable future,” he said.

This article was initially published on dailytelegraph.com.au and has been reproduced with permission.

 

If you’re a shift worker or someone who has an inconsistent bedtime and sleep duration each night, your healthy could be suffering.

Scientists from King’s College London have discovered that having a topsy-turvy bedtime routine could influence the types of bacteria found in the gut. 

According to researchers, humans need to fall asleep and wake up at the same time each day, otherwise, we’re more prone to having a poor diet and health issues like obesity and mental fatigue. This effect is something they call ’social jetlag‘.

Like what you see? Sign up to our bodyandsoul.com.au newsletter for more stories like this.

The study found social jetlag affects more than 40 per cent of the UK population, the BBC reported and is most common in teens and young adults.

„[Social jetlag] can encourage microbiota species which have unfavourable associations with your health,“ Kate Bermingham, a nutrition scientist and the study’s author said.

From their research on around 1,000 adults, scientists found three out of the six microbiota species were more abundant in the bellies of participants with social jetlag. This is because their diets were poorer, they were generally overweight, suffered from inflammation and were also at risk of stroke.

„Poor quality sleep impacts choices – and people crave higher carb or sugary foods,“ Bermingham said, adding that they also didn’t eat enough fibre. 

So, how can we create a sleep structure and avoid social jetlag?

Just recently, Lysn psychologist Zac Chadwick explained to Body+Soulwhy ’sleep syncing‘ might be the answer.

„Sleep syncing can be a great way to naturally tap into our body’s circadian rhythm, which can lead to a range of health benefits such as improving sleep quality, improving mood and cognitive functioning, and reducing risks of health problems,“ he said. 

How do we sleep sync?

1. Determine your natural sleep cycle by tuning into your body’s natural sleep and wake cycle in conjunction with the rising and setting of the sun.
2. Maintain this sleep routine to help ‚train‘ your body and mind to sleep and wake at the same time consistently.
3. Limit certain light sources like electronics and dim artificial lights where possible when the sun starts to set.

Get your ’sleep hygiene‘ in check

Sleep hygiene is also a big one. By prepping your bedtime environment, you’ll find drifting off to sleep is a cinch. The Sleep Foundation suggests the following tips:

1. Seek out the sun: Exposure to natural light, especially early in the day, helps reinforce the strongest circadian cue.
2. Get daily exercise: Activity during the day can support your internal clock and help make it easier to fall asleep at night.
3. Avoid caffeine: This can throw off the natural sleep-wake cycle. Everyone is different, but if you’re having trouble sleeping, you should avoid caffeine after noon.
4. Limit light before bed: Artificial light exposure at night can interfere with circadian rhythm. Experts advise dimming the lights, putting down electronic devices in the lead-up to bedtime, and keeping electronics out of the bedroom.
5. Keep naps short and early in the afternoon: Late and long naps can push back your bedtime and throw your sleep schedule off.

Playboy model and OnlyFans creator Evie Leana has more than a few surprising facts to share.

For one thing, the mother-of-four hasn’t had any surgical or cosmetic enhancement, although it’s something that often shocks people when they find out. 

“I know it’s very common in this industry,” she says, “I do use filters on my photos, but my body and face is all-natural.”

Like what you see? Sign up to our bodyandsoul.com.au newsletter for more stories like this.

Another surprising insight? It was her daughter, 20-year-old Tiahnee, who convinced her to join the platform after herself finding success as a creator. 

 “She said she thought I’d do well at it,” explains Evie, who hasn’t looked back since launching her OnlyFans career.

But it’s the way the Adelaide woman (who makes upwards of $40k a month on the adult platform) harnesses her creative energy that sets her apart. A firm believer in working with the natural ebbs and flows of her cycle, the 38-year-old entrepreneur prefers to film content while she is ovulating. 

“When I’m ovulating, I feel like making content,” she explains. 

“I feel like going to the gym, I feel like dancing, I feel fit and sexy and like my body is begging me to have sex. I book an apartment during that time – for around five days or so – and film as much content as I can.”

“I’ve been tracking my cycle for a few years now and it’s been life-changing,” she continues.

“It’s helped me to be in tune with my body and plan my social calendar accordingly, as I know during the luteal and menstrual phase I might not feel like socialising and I like to allow for downtime. I plan work that doesn’t require me to be as active or use too much brain power as I can be mentally and emotionally exhausted at that time of the month.”

Evie Leana is one of a growing number of women using an understanding of their cycle to maximise their career success, in a strategy known as ‘cycle hacking’. 

Lucy Peach, menstrual advocate and author of Period Queen: Life hack your cycle and own your power all month long, loves to see it.

“Cycle hacking at its heart is about knowing where you are in your cycle first and foremost, then giving yourself permission to accept that,” she explains. “Then, it’s about using what you have.” 

The concept involves using knowledge of the ways in which your cycle affects everything from energy levels to creativity and extraversion to make the most of whatever phase you might find yourself in.

“For me, it’s always about reframing for power,” Peach continues.

When it comes to ovulation, Peach agrees it’s an excellent tool to harness. 

“Society has been so hung up on the blood part of the cycle that we’ve neglected the real heroine – ovulation,” she explains.

“Research shows that just before ovulation, with peak oestrogen, women and people who menstruate (who don’t use hormonal contraception) are six times more motivated. Think new business plans, increased capacity to build muscle, brain connections, rearranging furniture spontaneously. I call that the ‘Do Phase’ – time to slay.”

“Then, with ovulation at the peak of the cycle it’s afterwards, with a massive progesterone influx, that we can feel our most expansive and expressive. I call it the ‘Give Phase’ because from an evolutionary perspective you are wired for connection and support. Progesterone is the hormone that holds and takes care of things.”

For Evie, who has seen an uptick in subscribers since employing the strategy, listening to her body in order to live her best life – both in terms of productivity and in times of rest – just makes sense.

“My income has been all over the place, up until recently,” she explains.

“I was making anywhere from $25- $40k per month. I made $60k in one month, which was my record. Now, especially since hiring an incredible assistant,  it has been consistently growing and meeting every target.”