Pregnancy Hotline

The Rudd Govt has removed financial support from a pregnancy hotline that was introduced by Tony Abbott when he was health minister. It would be replaced by a parents helpline.

For more: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=18830

Abortion Safer?

A new report by the World Economic Forum debunks the theory that maternal mortality is increased when unsafe abortions are practiced because abortion is illegal. According to the report, the pro-life nation of Ireland has the best global maternal health performance. Pro-abortionists argue that providing legalised abortion reduced maternal mortality. Meanwhile a recent submission to the United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) provides evidence of the potentially fatal consequences of “safe” abortion promoted by UN agencies, and includes a list of 113 studies linking abortion dangerous complications such as pre-term birth in subsequent pregnancies.

For story: http://www.c-fam.org/publications/id.1533/pub_detail.asp

For submission to UN OHCHR: http://www.c-fam.org/publications/id.1536/pub_detail.asp

Indigenous Health

A review of the health of Indigenous people living in the Northern Territory Emergency Response communities shows that children are healthier, weighed more and were eating more.

For more: http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/internet/jennymacklin.nsf/content/children_eat_healthier_food_15dec2009.htm

Drug Treatment

A report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that the number of treatments for drug abuse rose by 1000 to 18,705 in 2007-08. 41% was for alcohol abuse, 26% amphetamines, 14% cannabis.

For report: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10763

Holiday Visits

As you seek your “fun in the sun” this Christmas holiday you, your children or your friends may consider taking an eye opening detour past one of the many aboriginal communities doted around WA to get an idea of living conditions in these communities. Or find out where there are drop-in centres, or community services for the homeless etc.

In northeastern Perth, at  Cullacabardee,  you can visit a small Noongar Aboriginal community, based on Baal Street, a drug rehabilitation retreat, located off Gnangara Road in the suburb’s northeast. You could also visit such places at Gnangara, Badjaling, Ninga Mia Village(Kalgoorlie), Iragul, (Norseman). For maps and places to visit see the links below.

WA map: http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Documents/Maps/maps%20sept09/WAComsA4.pdf

Goldfields: http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Documents/Maps/maps%20sept09/GFComs_A4.pdf

Perth/Wheatbelt: http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Documents/Maps/maps%20sept09/MWComs_A4.pdf

Welfare Issues

A report released Nov 17 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare considers Australia’s Welfare. Among other things it shows that about 34,000 children were on care and protection orders in 2007-08 –a 37% jump in 2 years.

For report: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/aus/aw09/index.html

For media statement: http://www.aihw.gov.au/mediacentre/2009/mr20091117.cfm

Volunteering

The West Australian (Nov 24)  Ed Magazine had a special on different youth that volunteer in the community. Volunteering WA has a list of organisations that need helpers and it encourages young people to visit their local nursing home over the holidays. To find a volunteer position or ideas visit www.volunteeeringwa.org.au or call 9482 4333.

Juvenile Justice

A report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that the number of young people in detention on an average day increased by 17% over the past 4 yrs. Around 6,000 are under juvenile justice supervision in Australia each day.

For report: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10853

Abortion Advert

The Australian Christian Lobby ran an abortion advert in the Weekend Australian which highlighted the killing of unborn children.

Action: The ACL is asking people to send a hard copy of that advert to their local MPs together with a cover letter that shows that you oppose abortion. The ACL says that a hard copy of the advert will have maximum impact on influencing politicians thinking on the issue. For a copy of the advert: http://www.acl.org.au/pdfs/load_pdf_public.pdf?pdf_id=1409&from=NATIONAL

The ACL is also calling for donations to continue to campaign: https://www.acl.org.au/donate/donate.stw

Health report

A report has been released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare which looks at chronic diseases, obesity, depression, smoking, diabetes, alchol consumption, suicide etc. For more: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10774