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Although the adverse health consequences of zinc deficiency are becoming increasingly well known internationally, few studies have investigated zinc status in Australia and New Zealand. The aim of this review was to identify which population groups, if any, in Australia and New Zealand are likely to be at risk of zinc deficiency. A literature review was conducted to identify papers on zinc status in Australasia using electronic databases (MEDLINE, BIOSIS Previews, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, ProQuest and Cochrane Library). Government databases and reference lists from peer-reviewed journal articles were also accessed. Thirty-one Australasian studies that measured dietary zinc intake and/or serum zinc were identified. Many were based on a small number of self-selected subjects, and did not use the recommended procedures for evaluating the prevalence of inadequate zinc intakes and low serum zinc concentrations. Existing data suggest that at-risk groups in Australasia are toddlers, adolescents (especially those of Pacific and Aboriginal ethnicities), institutionalised elderly and possibly people with diabetes. Data on the zinc status of selected population groups in Australasia are limited. Randomised controlled zinc supplementation trials that include the recommended indicators and other clinical outcomes are needed to confirm the existence of zinc-related health outcomes among the at-risk groups identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The health status of Indigenous populations of Australia and New Zealand (NZ) Māori manifests as life expectancies substantially lower than the total population. Accurate assessment of time trends in mortality and life expectancy allows evaluation of progress in reduction of health inequalities compared to the national or non-Indigenous population. Methods: Age-specific mortality and life expectancy (at birth) (LE) for Indigenous populations (Australia from 1990 and NZ from 1950); and all Australia and non-Māori NZ (from 1890), males (M) and females (F), were obtained from published sources and national statistical agency reports. Period trends were assessed for credible estimates of Indigenous LE, and the LE gap compared to the total population for Australia, and non-Māori for NZ. Period trends in premature adult mortality, as cumulative probability of dying over 15-59 years, were assessed similarly. The relative contribution of differences in age-specific mortality to the LE gap between Indigenous and the all-Australia population, and the non-Māori NZ, was estimated for each country by sex for the most recent period: 2010-2012 for Australia, 2012-2014 for NZ. Results: LE increased for all populations, although LE gaps between Indigenous and all Australia showed little change over time. LE gaps between NZ Māori and non-Māori increased significantly from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s, and since then have fallen again. Recent LE gaps in Australia (M 12.5; F 12.0 years in 2010-2012) were larger than in NZ (M 7.3; F 6.8 years in 2012-2014). Premature adult mortality (15-59 years) improved for all populations, but mortality ratios show little change since 2000, with Indigenous at 3½-4 times that of all Australians, and Māori 2-3 times that of non-Māori. Using decomposition analysis, the age interval contributing most strongly to differences in LE between Indigenous and all Australia was 35-59 years, but between Māori and non-Māori it was 60-74 years. Conclusion: In Australia and NZ, Indigenous LE and adult mortality are improving in absolute terms, but not relative to the entire or non-Indigenous populations, causing gaps in life expectancy to persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from the Patients and Families Psychological Response to the Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial were used to examine the relationship between biopsychosocial variables and patients' coping strategies postmyocardial infarction. This study is the secondary data analysis of longitudinal observational study. A total of 460 patient-spouse pairs were recruited in January 2003 to October 2005. Hierarchical linear regression analysis examined biological/demographic, psychological and social variables regarding patients' coping scores using the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale. Lower social support and social support satisfaction predicted lower total coping scores. Being younger, male gender and time since the myocardial infarction predicted lower positive coping strategy use. Higher anxiety and lower social support were related to fewer positive coping methods. Lower educational levels were related to increased use of negative coping strategies. Reduced social support predicted lower total coping scores and positive coping strategy use and greater passive coping style use. Social support from a broad network assisted with better coping; those living alone may need additional support. Social support and coping strategies should be taken into consideration for patients who have experienced a cardiac event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To examine unintentional drowning mortality by age and body of water across 60 countries, to provide a starting point for further in-depth investigations within individual countries. Methods The latest available three years of mortality data for each country were extracted from WHO Health Statistics and Information Services (updated at 13 November 2013). We calculated mortality rate of unintentional drowning by age group for each country. For countries using International Classification of Disease 10 (ICD-10) detailed 3 or 4 Character List, we further examined the body of water involved. Results A huge variation in age-standardised mortality rate (deaths per 100 000 population) was noted, from 0.12 in Turkey to 9.19 in Guyana. Of the ten countries with the highest age-standardised mortality rate, six (Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine and Moldova) were in Eastern Europe and two (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) were in Central Asia. Some countries ( Japan, Finland and Greece) had a relatively low rank in mortality rate among children aged 0-4 years, but had a high rank in mortality rate among older adults. On the contrary, South Africa and Colombia had a relatively high rank among children aged 0-4 years, but had a relatively low rank in mortality rate among older adults. With regard to body of water involved, the proportion involving a bathtub was extremely high in Japan (65%) followed by Canada (11%) and the USA (11%). Of the 13 634 drowning deaths involving bathtubs in Japan between 2009 and 2011, 12 038 (88%) were older adults aged 65 years or above. The percentage involving a swimming pool was high in the USA (18%), Australia (13%), and New Zealand (7%). The proportion involving natural water was high in Finland (93%), Panama (87%), and Lithuania (85%). Conclusions After considering the completeness of reporting and quality of classifying drowning deaths across countries, we conclude that drowning is a highpriority public health problem in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Japan (older adults involving bathtubs), and the USA (involving swimming pools). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To explore the practices of members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) in assessing and treating depression in palliative care patients. Methods. Semistructured questionnaires were forwarded to ANZSPM members in consecutive mail-outs to survey diagnostic and treatment practices for depression. Results. The response rate was 62.3%. The median prevalence of depression, as perceived by respondents, in the present respondent patient populations was 20% (range 0%-90%); 57.1% of respondents always assessed for depression, whereas 42.9% assessed for depression sometimes. The majority (98.9%) of respondents relied on clinical interviews to assess depression; non-somatic symptoms of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria were more useful than somatic symptoms. The depression screening tools most frequently used were one- and two-item questions. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods were used to treat depression, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors the most frequently prescribed medications. Psycho-educational and supportive counselling were the most frequently used non-pharmacological interventions. Nominated measures to augment depression management included improving access to psychiatry, psychology and other allied health services, the development of a screening tool specific to palliative care patients and associated guidelines for depression management. Conclusions. This is the first Australasian study to explore the practice of medical practitioners regarding depression in palliative patients. Incorporation of screening tool questions into palliative care assessment interviews may warrant future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK has long experienced a shortage of social workers and has recruited internationally to meet demand. There have been few specific data quantifying the scale of social work mobility to the UK through which such experiences can be set in context. The analysis reported in this article uses data from October 2008, relating to registered social workers working in England. As part of a wider study of migrant social care workers in England, the article reports analysis of data records of over 7,000 non-UK social workers registered to work in England and compares their characteristics to UK-qualified social workers. These analyses are supplemented by analysis of more recent application and registration data from the General Social Care Council pertaining to social workers qualified within and outside the European Union during 2008 and 2009. The findings highlight several important observations in terms of non-UK-qualified social workers' profile as well as some possible trends in migration and variations in rates of qualification verification. Over half of all international social workers in England were trained in four countries: Australia, South Africa, India and the USA. Findings are contextualised with qualitative data obtained from the wider study and policy debates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]