Latest news with #MyHealth
Sydney Morning Herald
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Whitlam gave 18-year-olds the vote. Now it's time to lower it again
In the midst of COVID and not long before the 2022 election, I tuned in half-heartedly to yet another Zoom seminar, something about sustainability in the global tech sector. It actually turned out to be riveting, but the thing I remember most was a throwaway line right at the end by a young speaker from western Sydney called Natasha Abhayawickrama. She was one of the brains behind the nationwide School Strike 4 Climate movement. Answering questions with great maturity from her family kitchen about her passion for climate action, she ended with a quiet aside: 'But of course I can't vote on any of this.' What? Here was a thoughtful, rational, educated leader, completely across the biggest challenge of our age, yet she could not participate in our election because she would only have been 17 on election day. Really? Let's check what Natasha could have done at 17. She could enlist in the army. She could get a job and pay taxes. She could drive a car. She could independently manage her own MyHealth records. She could be charged as an adult with a criminal offence. And, like the then 16-year-old Melbourne climate change activist, Anjali Sharma, she could launch a class action against the federal environment minister for failing to consider the impacts of climate change. Yet for some reason, Australia deemed Natasha incapable of stepping inside a voting booth, picking up the stumpy pencil, and voting for her future. Australia should follow England's lead and fix this. There are some, such as British academic and podcaster, Professor David Runciman, who argue the voting age could drop as low as six. Only a crazy brave government would float that one up. Yet surely by election day 2028, Australia should at least drop the voting age to 16 or 17. This is hardly radical. We'd simply be joining England and also Austria, Brazil, Scotland, Cuba, Malta, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, Wales and Indonesia, all of whom have lowered their voting ages across varying levels of government. A big question concerning lawmakers here in Australia is, would dropping the voting age skew the vote? The common fear is it would favour parties of the left. However, European researchers found voting patterns among 16 and 17-year-olds were unpredictable and poorly studied. But there were evident gender differences. Young women tended to vote progressive on issues such as climate change, gender equality and social justice. Young men were more split, showing greater support than young women for right-leaning, populist parties. In 1973, prime minister Gough Whitlam lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. Even the Liberal opposition leader at the time, Billy Snedden, admitted that compared to previous generations, young Australians were 'better informed, better able to judge, more confident in their judgements, more critical in their appraisals, and on more mature terms with society around them'. He was speaking then, of course, about the Baby Boomers. While their dominance might be fading, those Boomers swelled the ranks to become Australia's most feted and entitled generation. Just look at how many policy announcements over many decades were targeted squarely at them. Then try and find something, anything, that addresses in a long-term, concrete fundamental way, the generational inequality faced by young Australians. Rocketing rents and housing prices, precarious employment (not helped by AI), low wages, high HECS debt and, scariest of all, a failing planet they'll be forced to confront long after the rest of us have departed. Compared to Gough Whitlam's 1973, Australia feels like another world. Yet, Billy Snedden's words could apply just as equally to today's 16 and 17-year-olds. In their hand sits a tool that, with a swipe, allows them to find an answer to pretty much anything. At no other time in human history have they been more informed, educated and globally connected.
The Age
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Whitlam gave 18-year-olds the vote. Now it's time to lower it again
In the midst of COVID and not long before the 2022 election, I tuned in half-heartedly to yet another Zoom seminar, something about sustainability in the global tech sector. It actually turned out to be riveting, but the thing I remember most was a throwaway line right at the end by a young speaker from western Sydney called Natasha Abhayawickrama. She was one of the brains behind the nationwide School Strike 4 Climate movement. Answering questions with great maturity from her family kitchen about her passion for climate action, she ended with a quiet aside: 'But of course I can't vote on any of this.' What? Here was a thoughtful, rational, educated leader, completely across the biggest challenge of our age, yet she could not participate in our election because she would only have been 17 on election day. Really? Let's check what Natasha could have done at 17. She could enlist in the army. She could get a job and pay taxes. She could drive a car. She could independently manage her own MyHealth records. She could be charged as an adult with a criminal offence. And, like the then 16-year-old Melbourne climate change activist, Anjali Sharma, she could launch a class action against the federal environment minister for failing to consider the impacts of climate change. Yet for some reason, Australia deemed Natasha incapable of stepping inside a voting booth, picking up the stumpy pencil, and voting for her future. Australia should follow England's lead and fix this. There are some, such as British academic and podcaster, Professor David Runciman, who argue the voting age could drop as low as six. Only a crazy brave government would float that one up. Yet surely by election day 2028, Australia should at least drop the voting age to 16 or 17. This is hardly radical. We'd simply be joining England and also Austria, Brazil, Scotland, Cuba, Malta, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, Wales and Indonesia, all of whom have lowered their voting ages across varying levels of government. A big question concerning lawmakers here in Australia is, would dropping the voting age skew the vote? The common fear is it would favour parties of the left. However, European researchers found voting patterns among 16 and 17-year-olds were unpredictable and poorly studied. But there were evident gender differences. Young women tended to vote progressive on issues such as climate change, gender equality and social justice. Young men were more split, showing greater support than young women for right-leaning, populist parties. In 1973, prime minister Gough Whitlam lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. Even the Liberal opposition leader at the time, Billy Snedden, admitted that compared to previous generations, young Australians were 'better informed, better able to judge, more confident in their judgements, more critical in their appraisals, and on more mature terms with society around them'. He was speaking then, of course, about the Baby Boomers. While their dominance might be fading, those Boomers swelled the ranks to become Australia's most feted and entitled generation. Just look at how many policy announcements over many decades were targeted squarely at them. Then try and find something, anything, that addresses in a long-term, concrete fundamental way, the generational inequality faced by young Australians. Rocketing rents and housing prices, precarious employment (not helped by AI), low wages, high HECS debt and, scariest of all, a failing planet they'll be forced to confront long after the rest of us have departed. Compared to Gough Whitlam's 1973, Australia feels like another world. Yet, Billy Snedden's words could apply just as equally to today's 16 and 17-year-olds. In their hand sits a tool that, with a swipe, allows them to find an answer to pretty much anything. At no other time in human history have they been more informed, educated and globally connected.
Malaysian Reserve
17-07-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Peach State Health Plan's $27.7M Investment Shows Strong Commitment to Member Wellness
ATLANTA, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Peach State Health Plan (PSHP) has invested $27.7 million in additional Medicaid benefits from 2022 through 2024. Known as Value-Added Benefits (VABs), this includes services and activities designed to encourage healthy behaviors, strengthen care connections, and improve overall access to support. They are meaningful, real-life resources that help the health plan's most vulnerable members stay covered, well, and supported. Some restrictions and limitations may apply. Over the past three years, 20% of PSHP's total VABs spending, or $5.4 million, was dedicated to vision care. Additional investments included $5.0 million for My Health Pays (Wellness Works), $4.3 million for Over-the-Counter (OTC) items, and $3.4 million for dental care. 'Our mission is rooted in supporting the communities we serve,' said Clyde White, President and CEO of Peach State Health Plan. 'This investment is another way we are delivering on that promise, providing our members with resources that go beyond basic healthcare, so they can live healthier lives.' This year's VABs portfolio reflects on PSHP's commitment to supporting members' day-to-day needs and placing a stronger focus on removing barriers to care especially those tied to social drivers of health (SDOH). From job training and mental health tools to emergency childcare, every benefit is a touchpoint that shows members that they matter, and that Medicaid means more. Here is some of what's included in PSHP's 2025–2026 benefit cycle: Up to six months of emergency childcare support provided through Quality Care for Children for eligible members facing urgent needs such as interviews, medical visits, or loss of care. New 24/7 mental health support through Pyx Health gives members free, anytime access to emotional check-ins, encouragement, and real human connection. Up to $240 each year to shop for everyday health essentials like cold medicine, toothpaste, and other care items at no cost through the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Benefit, making it easier to stay healthy while and stretch household budgets. School-Break Grocery Allowance: Provides eligible Medicaid families with a prepaid card to help cover the cost of healthy groceries when school meals aren't available. Free annual eye exam and $100 toward glasses, contacts or broken frames through our Vision Benefit. Work-Ready Scholarships which equips eligible members with career-boosting job training and certifications through Goodwill Industries, helping them gain in-demand skills and enter the workforce with confidence. 'Peach State Health Plan is committed to going beyond traditional healthcare by addressing the everyday needs of our members,' said Tara Freeney, Senior Director of Commercial Operations. 'The investment in Value-Added Benefits reflects a dedication to improving quality of life across Georgia to meet members where they are and support healthier futures.' PSHP's Value-Added Benefits are reviewed and updated every year for launch on July 1. To see a full list of available benefits, visit About Peach State Health Plan Peach State Health Plan is a care management organization that serves the needs of Georgians through a range of health insurance solutions. Peach State Health Plan serves the Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® population in partnership with Georgia Families. The organization also focuses on under-insured and uninsured individuals through its federal insurance marketplace plan, Ambetter, and its Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan. Peach State Health Plan is a Centene company, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information visit
Calgary Herald
25-05-2025
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Northern Alberta epicenter for rare coyote-borne tapeworm: U of A doctor
Article content A forty-fold increase in a Canadian strain of coyote-borne tapeworm that can cross to the human population is causing concerns for doctors in northern Alberta. Article content Article content Echinococcus multilocularis is a zoonotic parasite that resides quite harmlessly in coyotes, foxes, wolves— even domestic dogs and cats, but the symptoms in humans are enough to make you wash your hands, rinse, and repeat if you shake a paw. Article content Article content Dr. Dave Waldner is an infectious diseases physician affiliated with the University of Alberta. Article content Article content 'We haven't had it as an issue in Alberta and Canada for too long, but over the last several years, it's certainly been emerging and concerning,' Waldner said. Article content Current diagnosed cases put the risk as low — one in 100,000 Albertans. Article content The first was identified in 2013 in Edmonton, and the majority of Alberta cases are in the northern half of the province. Article content Mice and voles perpetuate the disease by eating eggs shed in canid dung and then being consumed by a predator. Article content The disease was probably inadvertently imported from Europe in a dog or fox, which aren't required to be dewormed, and does not cause obvious symptoms in the host coyote, fox, dog, or cat. Article content 'We've now identified over 40 cases in Alberta, and there's several more throughout other parts of Canada, but Alberta seems to be a bit of a hot spot,' Waldner said. Article content Article content 'We have the majority of the cases in Canada.' Article content Article content The spread Article content According to a May 2022 bulletin from Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, posted on Alberta Health's MyHealth website, the disease caused by the tapeworm, alveolar echinococcosis (AE) spreads animal-to-person but not person-to-person. Article content 'People can be infected by E. multi by accidentally swallowing tapeworm eggs from contaminated food or water, or from handling infected animals,' it reads. Article content Alberta Health said the common ways of getting AE include eating foods (usually wild berries and herbs) or drinking water that has been contaminated with the stool of an infected coyote, fox, dog, or cat.
Vancouver Sun
25-05-2025
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Northern Alberta epicenter for rare coyote-borne tapeworm: U of A doctor
A forty-fold increase in a Canadian strain of coyote-borne tapeworm that can cross to the human population is causing concerns for doctors in northern Alberta. Echinococcus multilocularis is a zoonotic parasite that resides quite harmlessly in coyotes , foxes, wolves— even domestic dogs and cats, but the symptoms in humans are enough to make you wash your hands, rinse, and repeat if you shake a paw. Dr. Dave Waldner is an infectious diseases physician affiliated with the University of Alberta. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We haven't had it as an issue in Alberta and Canada for too long, but over the last several years, it's certainly been emerging and concerning,' Waldner said. Current diagnosed cases put the risk as low — one in 100,000 Albertans. The first was identified in 2013 in Edmonton, and the majority of Alberta cases are in the northern half of the province. Mice and voles perpetuate the disease by eating eggs shed in canid dung and then being consumed by a predator. The disease was probably inadvertently imported from Europe in a dog or fox, which aren't required to be dewormed, and does not cause obvious symptoms in the host coyote, fox, dog, or cat. 'We've now identified over 40 cases in Alberta, and there's several more throughout other parts of Canada, but Alberta seems to be a bit of a hot spot,' Waldner said. 'We have the majority of the cases in Canada.' According to a May 2022 bulletin from Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, posted on Alberta Health's MyHealth website, the disease caused by the tapeworm, alveolar echinococcosis (AE) spreads animal-to-person but not person-to-person. 'People can be infected by E. multi by accidentally swallowing tapeworm eggs from contaminated food or water, or from handling infected animals,' it reads. Alberta Health said the common ways of getting AE include eating foods (usually wild berries and herbs) or drinking water that has been contaminated with the stool of an infected coyote, fox, dog, or cat. 'Touching, petting, or handling a household pet infected with the tapeworm, then accidentally swallowing the tapeworm eggs by touching your mouth. Infected pets can have tapeworm eggs in their stool and their fur may be contaminated. 'Handling animals like coyotes, foxes, or dogs as part of your job or hobby (e.g., trappers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians),' the site said. Waldner said typically voles or mice eat the eggs, which turn into larva, at which point the mammals prey on the rodents, and the larva hatch into tapeworms. 'We as humans become infected by inadvertently taking the place of the rodents, so somehow, coming into contact and consuming those eggs that are passed in the feces,' Waldner said. Likely sources are vegetables or fruits in the garden, or trappers who are coming in close contact with animals, he said. The coyotes are the likeliest transmitters in northern Alberta, he said, adding there are around 2,000 in Edmonton's river valley. Alas, the eggs are 'super robust.' 'They can resist extremely cold temperatures, so our winter won't kill them off,' he said. For a human, the tiny larvae cause lesions in the liver — more like an expanding tumor with necrotic centres — but it doesn't stop there. 'It kind of behaves like a cancer and can metastasize to all over the body. And it can also spread locally and then basically throughout the liver and into adjacent organs and structures,' Waldner said. AE can metastasize to the brain. It's a medical problem that needs to be treated, Waldner said, although he's not aware of any fatalities from the parasite among his patients. While symptoms may include pain or discomfort in the upper belly, weakness, weight loss, symptoms mimicking liver cancer or liver disease, it can be hard to diagnose. Blood serology tests can be inconclusive, showing previous exposure and not necessarily current infection. Ultrasounds are expensive and not always conclusive. In many cases, the masses formed by the lesions might not exhibit symptoms unless they block a bile duct, and may go unnoticed until the host gets a liver scan, which gets biopsied. Then it's the good news-bad news scenario: 'Well, it's not cancer.' Waldner said with treatment, people do well and can survive for very long periods of time. Ideally, they'd have it surgically removed. Otherwise, they're on lifelong medication to control the infection. The preferred medication isn't Health Canada approved, so requires special authorization for use and importation, he said. 'But we know that in the absence of treatment, like if someone was not treated for whatever reason, it can be very severe and fatal,' he said. The Alberta Health site recommends good hand hygiene like washing hands with soap and water after touching pets, and before touching food. Wash or cook wild picked foods such as berries and herbs carefully before eating them. Talk to your veterinarian about ways to prevent E. multi tapeworm infection in your pets. Do not allow your pets to eat rodents or other wild animals. Keep your pet clean. Some dogs will roll in wild animal stool and can then spread tapeworm eggs from their fur to the home environment. For those dealing with wild animals in their profession, wear disposable gloves if you are handling a coyote, fox, or other wild animal (dead or alive). Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here . You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun .
