Unflued gas heaters in public schools posed a risk of respiratory ailments to students, a report found. Education Minister Verity Firth announced yesterday that the NSW government will replace these heaters. The government funded study to look at the effects of these low-emission unflued gas heaters in NSW public schools found “no measurable adverse changes in lung function” but said it was important to seek “alternative, effective and efficient sources of domestic and public space heating that does not have adverse effects”. Continue Reading

Now a vaccine is being developed against rotavirus in Melbourne. At present Australian children were given rotavirus vaccine at the age of six to eight weeks since 2007. This new vaccine will be applicable to infants from birth. Continue Reading

The future health of offspring is more negatively impacted when their mothers consume a high fat diet while nursing compared with high-fat diet consumption during pregnancy, according to animal research at Johns Hopkins University. These new research results are being presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB), the foremost society for research into all aspects of eating and drinking behavior. Continue Reading

The one-year anniversary of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act brings new consumer protections that will make it increasingly difficult for the tobacco industry to recruit the next Marlboro man, woman or child. With many important provisions already in effect, we can celebrate the lives we have saved with rules restricting Big Tobacco’s deceptive marketing practices, particularly towards children. Continue Reading

The differences in mothers’ and fathers’ interactions with their children, particularly in play situations, may influence toddlers’ associations of specific behaviors with male and female genders Continue Reading

Australia’s Liberal opposition has allowed the Rudd government to implement the paid parental leave scheme with effect from 1st January 2011. As per this scheme both parents will get an 18 weeks’ paid leave at the minimum wage rate of $543 a week. At present Australia is one of the only two OECD countries that does not have a paid parental scheme. Continue Reading

The news that Vice President Joe Biden’s 41-year-old son has suffered a stroke is highlighting the problem of strokes in young people. Continue Reading

Breast feeding touted as the best way of feeding a newborn baby has been a difficult issue with working mothers. In a new development, new mums employed in the New South Wales public service have finally won the right to breast feed their babies while at work. Continue Reading

Last Friday, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Jim Bishop had announced his decision to suspend free seasonal flu vaccinations after more than 20 under-five kids mainly in Western Australia developed reactions to the shots. They developed fever, vomiting and convulsions. One of the children was reported to be severely ill. Continue Reading

There has been an explosion of new information on the issues and challenges facing children with autism and their families in the past ten years. However, most coverage ignores the fact that these children grow up. A special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation (JVR) focuses on the potential of autistic young adults. Continue Reading