Australian women are set to enjoy greater contraceptive choice than ever before, with a first of its kind pill to be reimbursed by the Federal Government. From 1 May, the progestogen-only oral contraceptive Slinda® (drospirenone 4mg) will become available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for pregnancy prevention.

Under the PBS, Slinda will cost just $7.70 (for concession card holders) or $31.60 (for general patients) for four months’ supply, saving women several hundred dollars per year. Women previ­ously paid around $80 for three months’ supply. Currently, around 80,000 Australian women are paying privately for Slinda.

Women’s health experts and advocates, including Dr Terri Foran, Sexual Health Physician, are welcoming the new funding decision.

“Access to a wide range of contraceptive options is a fundamental reproductive right,” said Dr Foran.

Dr Foran went on to explain that Slinda contains only a progesto­gen hormone. It is not combined with an Estrogen. “Progestogenonly pills are especially suitable for older women, women at in­creased risk of blood clots, those who suffer migraine attacks, breast-feeding mothers, those who smoke, are overweight, or have high blood pressure,” she said.

“With greater education about contraceptive options and the risks and benefits associated with each, we are seeing increasing use of both progestogen-only birth control methods and the longeracting methods in this country,” she said.

It is estimated that around two-thirds of Australian women be­tween the ages of 18 and 44 years currently use some form of contraception, with 83 per cent having used contraception at some point in their lives.

Dementia Australia has welcomed its newest Ambas­sador, Adam Harvey. A nine-time Golden Guitar Award winner, has a deeply personal connection to dementia. His mother’s diagnosis inspired him to write his heartfelt song, Remember Me.

New data released by Dementia Australia for Brain Health Week shows that Aus­tralians are largely unaware that common health issues such as hearing loss, depres­sion and high cholesterol are risk factors for dementia.

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said that dementia is the second leading cause of death for all Australians and there are currently 433,300 Australians living with the condition.

“Dementia is on track to become the country’s biggest cause of death within the next five years. While we cannot change getting older, genetics or family history, sci­entific research shows that looking after our brain health can make a big difference to reducing or delaying the risk of developing dementia,” Professor Buchanan said.

Last year, the Lancet Commission identi­fied 14 modifiable risk factors which, if ad­dressed effectively, could reduce dementia incidence globally by 45 per cent.

The risk factors include smoking, obesity and physical inactivity as well as factors such as hearing loss, high cholesterol and depression.

“In fact, people with mild-severe hear­ing loss are two to five times as likely to develop dementia than those with normal hearing,” Professor Buchanan said.

“It is never too early or too late to reduce your dementia risk. It’s a chronic condition which must be treated with the same health investment as other major chronic condi­tions, Professor Buchanan said.

Find out more about the modifiable risk factors that can make a big difference to your brain health: dementia.org.au/brainhealth/reducing-your-risk-dementia

If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.