With the federal election now set for 3 May, healthcare is a key issue for voters, the Aus­tralian College of Rural and Remote Medi­cine (ACRRM) is urging all political parties to prioritise the needs of rural, remote, and First Nations communities.

More than seven million people living in rural and remote areas face significant barri­ers to healthcare, including geographic iso­lation, limited infrastructure, and the higher costs of delivering services in these regions.

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin as­serts that every community, no matter how remote, has an undeniable right to access high-quality healthcare without the barrier of cost.

“There is a $6.5 billion annual underspend on healthcare in rural and remote communi­ties, and that’s unacceptable. This chronic underfunding directly impacts the health and wellbeing of people outside major cit­ies, but there are solutions available.”

Dr Martin says ACRRM has welcomed major parties’ commitments to bulk billing and medical training but is calling for further detail and a stronger focus on rural, remote and First Nations healthcare.

“Without targeted investment, rural, re­mote, and First Nations communities will continue to experience critical healthcare shortages.

For more information: accrm.org.au

Multifocal lenses are a game-changer for those needing vision cor­rection at multiple distances, but not all multifocal lenses are the same. Many people assume that any multifocal lens they purchase will provide clear, comfortable vision, yet there can be vast differ­ences in design, quality, and lens technology that can have a huge impact for the wearer.

Off-the-shelf or budget multifocal lenses often use outdated technology, leading to smaller reading zones, more distortion, and difficulty adapting. High-quality, modern multifocal lenses—espe­cially when selected and fitted by an experienced optometrist and optical dispenser team, offer a much smoother transition between distances, wider vision zones, and more comfortable viewing ex­perience overall.

This is where choosing an independent optometrist, like Hansen Eyecare Plus Parkes makes all the difference. Unlike chain stores that may offer a limited selection and only use one brand of lenses which is the best one for their bottom line, we have access to a wide range of premium multifocal designs from many different lens manufacturers that can be tailored to your lifestyle. We take the time to understand your unique vision needs, ensuring you get lenses that provide the clearest, most comfortable vision possible.

We also offer a 3 month non adaptation warranty on your new multifocal, so if you’re one of the small number of people that can’t adjust to a multifocal lens, then we will happily exchange them for something else. If you’re sick of taking glasses on and off or have been waiting to take the plunge and try multifocal lenses then what better time than now?

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.

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.