health
Labor pledges funding for Queensland indigenous health program 2 Spirits
Labor has announced $1.8 million in federal funding for a Queensland indigenous sexual health program, after funding for the program was axed two years ago. Labor’s health spokesperson Catherine King said Labor would provide the funding over four years for the 2 Spirits program administered by the Queensland Aids Council, which has welcomed the commitment. …
AskDocQ: With outbreaks across the world, don’t hesitate… vaccinate
There’s currently a spate of infectious disease outbreaks around the world, so now is the perfect time for a reminder about the benefits of vaccination, writes Dr Fiona Bisshop. Measles is making the headlines after a series of outbreaks across the world, including a string of cases in Brisbane. Most local cases involved returning travellers. …
Let’s talk about sex and how to take shelter from STIs
“You can stand under my umbrella.” In Umbrella, Rihanna sings about love as in ‘lurve’ — mad romantic passion. But let’s talk about love as in mad sexual passion — making love. It’s time we talk about sex and taking shelter from STIs. Like most great passions in life, sex comes with risks. Those risks …
Study uncovers why bisexual Australians suffer poorer mental health
The world’s largest study of bisexual people to date, led by La Trobe University in Melbourne, has examined why bisexual Australians experience higher rates of psychological distress than their heterosexual and homosexual peers. The Who I Am study, findings of which were recently published in the Australian Journal of General Practice, surveyed more than 2,600 …
Survey asks how to improve services for LGBTIQ substance users
The QuIHN Group – comprising QuIHN, Better Access Medical Clinic and QuIVAA – is undertaking a survey seeking ideas on how to expand and revitalise their many links with the local rainbow community. “If you use substances — in any way — regularly, or occasionally, or if you’re a family member or ally and believe …
AskDocQ: Some helpful chest binding tips for trans masculine folk
Chest dysphoria is one of the most significant contributors to depression in transgender men. Most trans masculine people would prefer flat chests, not surprising in a world where people’s brains automatically gender someone based on physical outline. Many trans guys have such strong dysphoria regarding their chests that they cannot stand to look in the …
AskDocQ: U=U means if a person with HIV is undetectable, they can’t pass it on
A person with HIV who is on treatment and is undetectable cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partner. There is no risk. Zero. Brisbane LGBTIQ health specialist Dr Fiona Bisshop explains why. I need to have a rant about U=U and HIV. I’ve written about this before, and sorry for repeating myself, but every time I think …
AskDocQ: Keep calm and stay PrEP’d
Australian Steve Spencer has become the seventh person worldwide known to have contracted HIV while taking prevention drug PrEP, out of an estimated 450,000 users around the globe. The medication has proved to be a highly effective HIV prevention strategy and has dramatically reduced rates of infection, writes Brisbane LGBTIQ health specialist Dr Fiona Bisshop. …
Young queer women reporting high levels of psychological distress: NSW study
Young LGBTIQ women in New South Wales are reporting experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress, according to new research from the periodic Sydney Women and Sexual Health Survey (SWASH) released this week. The biennial survey, conducted by ACON and the University of Sydney, collected data from nearly 1300 participants in 2018, ranging …
Here’s how you can beat the dreaded back acne
Bacne can be a bigger issue than facial acne due to the lack of information available, so we went to the experts at Australian Skin Clinics to find out some straightforward facts about it. What is it? Bacne has the same characteristics as facial acne, including pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, red spots, oily skin and even …