Health and wellbeing—being healthy and active

More than skin deep

Clinical epidemiologist Professor Adèle Green AC is working at the frontline to help reverse Queensland’s unenviable record of the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Professor Green has dedicated her career to understanding the preventable causes of cancers and combating them. A leader in biomedical science, she was among the first to take up the fight against the skin cancer epidemic in Queensland, identifying that wearing sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer, with regular use halving the risk of melanoma.

Professor Green is currently Head of the Cancer and Population Studies Group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, where her research continues to receive international acclaim. A brilliant mentor, she has also been recognised for her contribution to public health including Indigenous health and her leadership in the wider scientific community. Professor Green is a great example of one of Queensland’s brightest minds helping nurture the next generation.

Tying up the black dog

Depression and mental illness affect many Queenslanders and takes an alarming toll in rural and remote areas. But hope is growing thanks to Tie up the Black Dog—a dedicated group of three Goondiwindi women working tirelessly to tackle these issues in regional Queensland.  They have teamed up with personalities, businesses, organisations and local communities to take action against “the black dog” of depression and support those who need our help most.

In 2013, Tie up the Black Dog Committee partnered with the Queensland Country Life to develop the Glove Box Guide to Mental Health. This comprehensive and informative magazine contains real stories of regional Queenslanders living with mental illness, as well as clinical information, how we can work to reduce stigma, and where to go to find help. Most recently, Tie up the Black Dog delivered 10 forums across the state in communities from Georgetown in the Gulf to Thallon on the southern border, with medical experts presenting the facts about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses and speakers who have lived experience of a mental illness.  Tie up the Black Dog is a great example of Queenslanders helping Queenslanders.

Five youngsters inspiring a community

Photo by David Nielsen, courtesy of The Queensland Times.

Five youngsters are leading by example and inspiring their local community through their dedication to the sport of Taekwondo.

Closely supported by their coach and families, these students have their eyes firmly set on future Olympics, training up to four times per week at the PCYC Ipswich club and regularly competing on Sundays.

Ms Entwistle, a mother whose children also attend the club, wants to recognise and celebrate these five hard working students. She says their focus and commitment to an active lifestyle is inspiring people in Ipswich to take up the high energy martial art — helping the community reduce the incidence of preventable disease.

Shedding a light on men’s health

Men’s Sheds are popping up across Queensland—providing a safe, friendly and busy place to make friends, share and learn new skills and talk about health and wellbeing.

Men’s Sheds recognise that many men don’t talk about feelings and emotions or take an interest in their own mental health and well-being. They believe good health is based on many factors including feeling good about yourself, being productive and valuable to your community, connecting to friends and maintaining an active body and an active mind. The sheds facilitate an atmosphere of old-fashioned mateship where men from all walks of life can connect, have a cuppa and a yarn, get involved in a community project, learn new skills, or access vital information and resources at their leisure.

Visit the Queensland Men’s Shed Association website to learn more about this great initiative and to find a shed near you.

In-home immunisation program

Believed to be the first of its kind in Australia, the Logan City Council runs a referral based outreach home visit vaccination program for at risk members of its community.

This program, along with the council’s free community immunisation clinics, is ensuring improved levels of immunisation are achieved in the state and contributing to a sustainable healthcare system that supports those most in need of vaccination assistance.

Download the Logan City Council Immunisation Blueprint to find out what else is being done to provide assistance to families with difficulties accessing immunisation services in the region.