Resources for Journalists

Getting boosted with newer COVID-19 vaccines reduces your risk of ending up in hospital

Publicly released: Tue 25 Jun 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

The researchers looked at US data on COVID-19 hospitalisations in late 2023 and vaccination histories, and say there was no clear difference in risk for unvaccinated people and those ... Pfizer-BioNTech; Read more about Getting boosted with newer COVID-19 vaccines reduces your risk of ending up in hospital

Smoking tobacco or cannabis could increase the risk of hospitalisation from COVID-19

Publicly released: Sat 22 Jun 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Smoking cannabis or tobacco may increase your risk of ending up in hospital or intensive care due to COVID-19, according to international research. ... Cannabis, Tobacco Use, and COVID-19 OutcomesAbout Read more about Smoking tobacco or cannabis could increase the risk of hospitalisation from COVID-19

Risky drinking even riskier for women

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2024 at 1415 AEST, 1615 NZST

Drug and Alcohol Review

Jacqueline Bowden, Director of the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA). ... 1111/dar. 13865Also see ‘Social Class and Changes in Australian Women’s Affect and Alcohol Read more about Risky drinking even riskier for women

Housing and health link draws into focus need for more resettlement support

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2024 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

BMC Public Health

Professor Ziersch highlights that the research was conducted around COVID-19, saying: “Our community interviews were conducted before and during the pandemic, prior to the latest housing and rental Read more about Housing and health link draws into focus need for more resettlement support

More than one in five people take longer than three months to recover from COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 18 Jun 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The team recruited the participants, all adults who self-reported a COVID-19 infection, and asked them three months after their infection if they felt recovered. ... About The Study: More than 1 in 5 Read more about More than one in five people take longer than three months to recover from COVID-19

EXPERT REACTION: Working from home flexibility can improve staff retention without impacting their performance

Publicly released: Thu 13 Jun 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Nature

The COVID-19 pandemic drove a shift towards working from home becoming more common. ... The authors assess the effect of hybrid working on employee performance and promotion. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Working from home flexibility can improve staff retention without impacting their performance

More than 40,000 Australians could have missed out on joint replacement surgeries in the pandemic years

Publicly released: Tue 11 Jun 2024 at 1220 AEST, 1420 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

Just over 42,000 fewer elective joint replacement surgeries than expected were done in Australia from 2020-2022, according to Australian researchers looking at the potential backlog of surgeries the Read more about More than 40,000 Australians could have missed out on joint replacement surgeries in the pandemic years

COVID-19 jab side effects may mean you're better protected

Publicly released: Tue 11 Jun 2024 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

The study looked at 363 people in the US who had not been vaccinated against, or exposed to, COVID-19, who then received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna jab. ... or exposed to SARS-CoV-2, who then Read more about COVID-19 jab side effects may mean you're better protected

Positive feedback for new intensive youth suicide prevention program

Publicly released: Tue 11 Jun 2024 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Mental Health

The clients surveyed gave positive feedback about the service being given outside a clinical setting, including practical support for life tasks they were struggling with, assisting parents, and the Read more about Positive feedback for new intensive youth suicide prevention program

Some kids with brain and nerve problems and serious COVID-19 leave hospital with new health issues

Publicly released: Tue 11 Jun 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Kids who are hospitalised with COVID-19 or multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) - a rare complication of COVID-19 - who also have neurological (brain and nerve) problems may be more likely Read more about Some kids with brain and nerve problems and serious COVID-19 leave hospital with new health issues

COVID-19 antiviral isn't effective for treating Long Covid

Publicly released: Sat 8 Jun 2024 at 0500 AEST, 0700 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

Ritonavir-Boosted Nirmatrelvir, a COVID-19 antiviral treatment sold as Paxlovid and used in Australia for acute COVID-19, does not appear to be effective for treating Long Covid symptoms, according Read more about COVID-19 antiviral isn't effective for treating Long Covid

Basic income could double global GDP and reduce emissions

Publicly released: Sat 8 Jun 2024 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Cell Reports Sustainability

These approaches can address two of the biggest challenges around the world—reducing environmental degradation and alleviating poverty. ... We saw during COVID-19, governments around the world were Read more about Basic income could double global GDP and reduce emissions

Long Covid keeping kiwis out of work

Publicly released: Fri 7 Jun 2024 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

A third of respondents said their income reduced as a result of Covid-19, and 20% said they struggled to cover basic living costs. ... We analysed survey data from 990 people who had COVID-19 prior to Read more about Long Covid keeping kiwis out of work

Identifying therapies to limit COVID-19 risk in people with Down syndrome

Publicly released: Thu 6 Jun 2024 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

Science Advances

It means a crucial line of defence is missing and explains why patients in this cohort experience more severe COVID-19 symptoms. ” ... syndrome and COVID-19. Read more about Identifying therapies to limit COVID-19 risk in people with Down syndrome

Digging deeper on what puts Aussies in the grave

Publicly released: Thu 6 Jun 2024 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Understanding what Australians die from is complex and the answer can vary, depending on how we assess the conditions involved,” AIHW spokesperson Michelle Gourley said. ... Other conditions that Read more about Digging deeper on what puts Aussies in the grave

Increasing COVID-19 vaccination in Lao People’s Democratic Republic through community-based solutions

Publicly released: Thu 6 Jun 2024 at 0000 AEST, 0200 NZST

BMJ Global Health

The global COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to face challenges due to inequity and vaccine hesitancy. ... Researchers found positively boosting motivation and taking an active, relational approach to Read more about Increasing COVID-19 vaccination in Lao People’s Democratic Republic through community-based solutions

Parental decisions on vaccines swayed by social media

Publicly released: Tue 4 Jun 2024 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

Therapeutic Advances in Vaccines and Immunotherapy

Over a year of data collection, three main themes emerged: vaccine safety concerns, the emotional debate, and issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine mandates. ... The authors say the Read more about Parental decisions on vaccines swayed by social media

CORRECTION: Despite COVID-19 vaccines and containment, 'excess' deaths have remained high in the West for the last 3 years

Publicly released: Tue 4 Jun 2024 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

BMJ Public Health

11. 5% higher than expected) were recorded. In 2021, the year in which both COVID-19 containment measures and COVID-19 vaccines were used to curb SARS-CoV-2 virus spread ... Nevertheless, they conclude: Read more about CORRECTION: Despite COVID-19 vaccines and containment, 'excess' deaths have remained high in the West for the last 3 years

Lack of local context led to gaps in implementing COVID-19 policies across the Indo-Pacific

Publicly released: Sat 1 Jun 2024 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

There were substantial gaps between global guidance on COVID-19 contact tracing and quarantine and what happened at a national and local level in countries across the Indo-Pacific, according to Read more about Lack of local context led to gaps in implementing COVID-19 policies across the Indo-Pacific

How effective are the current COVID-19 vaccines as the virus continues to evolve?

Publicly released: Fri 31 May 2024 at 0900 AEST, 1100 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

The COVID-19 vaccines currently available in Australia are still effective, especially against hospitalisation and death, but their effectiveness has dropped as new variants come through, according Read more about How effective are the current COVID-19 vaccines as the virus continues to evolve?