Thursday, 25 August 2016

Health matters

Action on the Turnbull government commitments on healthNSW Council on Intellectual Disability eNews, August 2016
As reported in our blog (click here) the Coalition, Labor and The Greens all made useful election commitments on the health of people with intellectual disability.
We have now seen the first actions on the Government’s commitments in new mental health guidelines issued to Primary Health Networks by the Department of Health. Some of the guidelines point out the need to specifically consider people with intellectual disability in consultations and design of programs. 
The guidelines are here
We also now have constructive relationships with some key people in the Department of Health and Health Minister Ley has agreed to meet with some local parents in her electorate to hear about their experiences with the health system. 
All of this is just a start but a big step forward from where we were with the Department of Health six months ago.
Onychomycosis -Toenail Fungal Infection 
Amanda Wojciechowski, Adult Down Syndrome Center,11 August 2016
Onychomycosis or toenail fungal infection is common among individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Toenail fungal infections occur due to the weak immune system of individuals with DS but also are more likely to proliferate if one has a minor skin or toenail injury, dry cracked skin on the toes or sweaty feet due to prolonged closed-toe shoe wear ...
  • This article was first published on the Adult Down Syndrome Center Facebook page 1(1 August 2016) - a great source of new health information, and reminders about well known health matters. The paper cited above has been added to the Center's website as well.
George Denny and Milan J. Anadkat, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, September 2016 (published online 22 August 2016)
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) occurs in approximately 1% of the general population.1 It is characterized by recurrent inflammatory nodules, sinus tracts, and scarring, most commonly in the axilla and groin. The origin is unknown, but is most likely related to inflammation and immune dysfunction, combined with extrinsic factors.2 The relationship between HS and Down syndrome (DS) was noted in 1977 by Dvorak et al.3Since then, scattered case reports have been published but the mechanism underlying this association remains unidentified. Details regarding the relationship between HS and DS, such as effect on disease incidence and age of onset, are also lacking in the literature ...
  • The full text of the article is available free online

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