Occupational asthma in Australia

About 9–15% of adult-onset asthma cases can be attributed to exposures at work. Precise data are not available, but based on research from Australia and overseas, there may be as many as 1,000–3,000 new cases of occupational asthma each year in Australia. People with occupational asthma often have to change jobs or careers to relieve their symptoms; hence, work disruption and economic hardship are common consequences of the disease. Occupational asthma is a type of asthma where the cause is often acknowledged. Individuals at high risk of developing this disease include those with a family history of asthma, previous sensitisation to one or more allergens, exposure to tobacco smoke, and, most importantly, employment in a high-risk workplace.Manufacturing and health/community services tend to be the industries with the workplaces of highest risk. Although not curable, occupational asthma is largely preventable through actions that avoid or reduce exposure to workplace sensitisers and irritants. The ability to predict which people are likely to develop occupational asthma is mixed and requires further investigation and review. There is also a need to gather more systematic data on the causes, prevalence, incidence and impact of occupational asthma in Australia

Age, time and health limit: what hours should older workers work?

The current policy aims at raising older worker participation and retirement age. Fast changing in workforce raises questions on what work hours could and should be for older workers. Will older workers be able to work in the same ways and for as long as their younger counterparts? What would be the prerequisites for optimising productivity, work time and employment participation in this aged group

Australia\u27s health 2002 : the eighth biennial report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Australia\u27s Health 2002 is the eighth biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It is the nation\u27s authoritative source of information on patterns of health and illness, determinants of health, the supply and use of health services, and health service costs and performance. Australia\u27s Health 2002 is an essential reference and information resource for all Australians with an interest in health

Statistical snapshots of people with asthma in Australia 2001

This report identifies the demographics and health-related characteristics that define people with asthma and that distinguish them from those who have never had asthma. It highlights the overall burden experienced by people with asthma, including the presence of other diseases, the use of medications and other health services, and effects on quality of life

Safe and Unsafe Sexual Intentions and Behavior: The Effects of Norms and Attitudes

Studied 252 heterosexual men and women and homosexual men to examine the variables that influence intentions to engage in different sexual practices (SPs) and actual sexual behavior. The authors (1) predicted that the strength of intentions (SOIs) would be related to whether behavior was in accord with intentions and (2) proposed that attitudes toward one's SPs and norms would be related to intentions to engage in safe sex. The SOI to engage in 6 different SPs (e.g., vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, oral sex) and the 3 strategies that modify the risk of HIV transmission (e.g., sex with an exclusive partner) predicted actual behavior. Five safety intention groups were formed to reflect differential levels in the safety of behavioral intentions