News in brief

Compiled by Natasha Egan

In this story

• Strategy to tackle osteoporosis
• End-of-life carers wanted
• Menopausal women wanted for research
• New Chair of Ageing and Practical Theology
• Win for all vision impaired travellers

Strategy to tackle osteoporosis
Adequate calcium intake, vitamin D levels and physical activity are key recommendations for optimising bone health in children, healthy adults and older Australians, according to a strategic white paper released by Osteoporosis Australia this week. Building healthy bones throughout life: an evidence-informed strategy to prevent osteoporosis in Australia aims to narrow the gap between policy talk and policy action. Professor Peter Ebeling, an endocrinologist from the University of Melbourne, and colleagues outlined the findings in a clinical focus article published in the February 4 issue of the Medical Journal of Australia. The authors said osteoporosis affected 1.2 million Australians, most of whom were unaware they had the disease, and 6.3 million Australians had osteopenia, which is reduced bone mineral density. The recommendations centre around a three-pronged approach. “The core message is that adequate dietary calcium intake and optimal vitamin D level, together with regular weight-bearing exercise and moderate sunlight exposure, are important at all stages of life in healthy individuals”, the authors wrote. The authors described osteoporosis as a “paediatric disease with geriatric consequences”, which was often not diagnosed until fragility fractures occurred. The full white paper is available at MJA Open.

End-of-life carers wanted
Researchers are calling for people supporting loved ones who have come home to die to take part in a study. Caring at the end of life is collaborative project by researchers at the University of Western Sydney, CSIRO, Centre for Palliative Care Research, and Cancer Council NSW. The team is interested what friends, family members, neighbours, work mates, service providers and community members of a dying loved one have to say. According to the Caring at end of life website, the study aims to:

• further develop knowledge and understanding of how informal networks support end of life care and to document the impact end of life caring has on these networks
• identify if and how people’s capacity to care for someone at end of life changes as a result of being part of an informal caring network

• use these insights to inform public health policy by providing information about the links between informal caring and formal care services at end of life

• further the understanding of social networks in terms of social capital and community development theories in the context of end of life caring

People interested in participating in the research, or finding out more, can email Niki at UWS research office n.read@uws.edu.au or call the office on 02 4736 0368. 

Menopausal women wanted for research
Volunteers are wanted for a Perth study testing the benefits of health coaching women through the ‘change of  life’. The study, from researchers at the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Health and Ageing (WACHA), aims to prevent depression and mood disturbances in women during their menopausal transition. WACHA Director Winthrop Professor Osvaldo Almeida said US data suggested nearly one in four women experienced clinically significant depressive symptoms, such as irregular menstrual cycles, hot flushes and night sweats, sleep disturbances, urinary problems, muscle and joint pains and mood changes, as they transitioned toward menopause. Researchers want to see if health coaching, which works to keep people healthy by providing education about health issues, suggesting lifestyle changes and best ways to deal with existing health problems, can ease symptoms. Menopausal transition usually starts at around age 47 and lasts between four and seven years. The ‘menopause’ is the last menstrual period and on average happens at age 51, Prof Almeida reports. As physiological, psychological and social changes women undergo during menstrual transition varies health coaches will manage participants using a multi-faceted preventive strategy, Prof Almeida said. The study is looking to recruit women aged between 45 and 55. If you’re interested in participating or need more information contact WACHA on 9224 2855, by email, or visit WACHA. 

New Chair of Ageing and Practical Theology
The Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies (CAPS) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has established a new chair in ageing and practical theology, thanks to a $1 million grant. The research professorship, which will be based at St Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra is called the Wicking Chair of Ageing and Practical Theology. It has been funded for five years by the Wicking Trust, named after its benefactor Australian businessman John Wicking. CAPS director Reverend Professor Elizabeth Mackinlay said the new position was an opportunity to further develop research into the crucial question of how older Australians derive meaning from life. “Current policies and approaches to aged care focus on staying engaged socially, but they don’t address older people’s fears of ageing, of dementia and of death,” Prof Mackinlay said. CSU offers courses in ageing and pastoral studies, and Professor Mackinlay said the creation of the Wicking Chair would help establish the field as an important area of further study.  While the chair has been established, who will hold the position has not been announced.