Be Health Aware

 

Understanding our own health and how to access the care we need is now more important than ever. Advances in modern medicine and knowledge about what care best suits each of us is flourishing, increasing our options.

How do we make good decisions about our health and care? Improving our Health Literacy is how we become equipped to achieve better health.  

 

 

 

 

Be Health Aware is the CHF portal for evidence-based information and resources.

The best health outcomes rely on people who are engaged and informed about their health and healthcare choices. The resources on this page will help you with your health care decisions and choices. They have been created by credible and reputable sources. Be Health Aware is a part of our advocacy of health literacy, central to consumer-centred health care.

Use the links in the right-hand column to navigate the page and find the information you need, whether in relation to a particular disease, treatment, service or policy. If you have ideas of resources to include on this page we would love to hear from you

What is health literacy?

Health literacy is how people understand information about health and health care, and how they apply this information to their lives, use it to make decisions and act on it (Australian Commission of Safety and Quality in Health Care or ACSQHC).

 

Resources

About Health Literacy

Quick links

What to ask your doctor

Asking the right questions and getting the right information from your healthcare providers is vital to gain a clear understanding of your own health.

Consumer information about vaccines

The following resources about the vaccination program are from the science community and have been published by trusted organisations.

Get the facts on the pandemic, vaccines and misinformation in this explainer from the Australian Academy of Science.

The Australian Academy of Science also provides credible consumer information about COVID-19 and the science of immunisation

Covid-19 and vaccination

Information from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care

More resources and information on Covid-19

For medical advice visit Healthdirect or see your doctor or pharmacist.

Healthdirect provides free, approved medical advice and |information for Australians on COVID-19.

    Australian Department of Health and Aged Care

    World Health Organisation

    Digital Health Agency - accessing proof of vaccination

    Connections for older Australians, - advice from COTA

    Medicine and medical devices

    Learn more about your medicines, medical devices, and where to go if you are having issues with them.

    Falls, troubles concentrating, dry mouth and more. Could it be your medicines?

    NPS MedicineWise has produced information in collaboration with the Older Peoples Advocacy Network (OPAN) and Carers Australia to help people prepare for a medicines review, ask questions and understand the options around changing your medicines and make any changes to the medicines you are taking.

    Digital health

    Learn about digital health and how it can help us track, manage, and improve health outcomes, care environments and lead to greater independence. 

    How to use your vaccination record

    You can now get your immunisation history statement from My Health Record to show proof of your vaccinations. The statement is also available if you're not eligible for Medicare but have a record. Learn more

    Private Health Insurance

    Do you need Private Health Insurance? With so many policies to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? On 1 April 2019, private health insurance begins the most extensive changes in recent years. Learn more about how it works, compare policies and understand your options. 

    Medicare

    Learn more about Medicare, the scheme that gives Australian residents access to healthcare. You can access your Medicare account through myGov, a system that allows you to securely access multiple government services with one login.

    Health concessions guide

    Learn about healthcare concessions and which ones you may be eligible for. 

    Oral health 

    Oral health is fundamental to overall health and wellbeing. Take control of your oral health and enjoy better general health overall.

    Mental health

    Foster your own mental health and enjoy a general state of wellbeing, including the ability to cope with changes and challenges and live your life in a positive and meaningful way.

    Healthdirect — mental health resources from the governement-funded healthcare information service

    Head to Health — Australian Department of Health: apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, and a range of digital information resources

    SANE Australia — mental health support and resources

    Lifeline Australia — 24-hour telephone support for people in crisis and suicide prevention services

    Beyond Blue — information and resources for Australians to acheive their best mental health

    Black Dog Institute — medical research institute for the early detection, prevention and treatment of common mental health disorders - public resources including research studies, education programs, digital tools and apps and clinical services

    Healthy Mind — an online Easy Read tool designed for people with Intellectual Disability (ID)

    Indigenous health

    Resources to support the physical, cultural, social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. 

    Wellmob - healing our way - Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, developed by eMHPrac (e-Mental Health in Practice) in collaboration with the Australian Indigenous HealthInfonet, at Edith Cowan University 

    Disability services

    Services and resources to support people living with a disability and their carers.  

    Carers

    Carers are those who provide care and support to a family member or friend with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged. If you are a Carer, it is important that you also take care of your own health and wellbeing.

     

    Finding a health service or advice

    Find quality, approved health services and information to suit your circumstances.

    Hotlines

    Whether you have a health enquiry or are looking for support during difficult times, there are many free hotlines that provide information, referrals and advice for a range of situations.

    healthdirect 1800 022 222 — Non-urgent 24/7 health advice

    Medicine line 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) — Information on prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.

    Cancer council 13 11 20 — Confidential information & support on cancer-related issues

    Strokeline 1800 787 653 — Information and advice on stroke prevention, treatment and recovery

    Lifeline 13 11 14 — 24/7 crisis support

    Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 — 24/7 support & advice from a trained mental health professional

    Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 — 24/7 support for kids, teens & young adults

    QLife 1800 184 527 — anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral

    Consumer centred care

    Working towards creating mutually beneficial partnerships among health care providers, patients and families. 

    Multicultural health & support

    Services that ensure quality health care for all people living within our culturally and linguistically diverse society.

    Research

    National research and reports on a range of health issues of interest to consumers.

     

    Do you need an interpreter to help with a medical emergency or inquiry?

    Always call 000 directly if you need to contact emergency Ambulance, Police or Fire services. The 000 emergency services line will call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) and connect you with an interpreter using a priority line 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

    TIS National can help communications with: medical and health practitioners, pharmacists and emergency services. It provides interpreting services to people who do not speak English and to agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients. These services enable non-English speakers to independently access services and information in Australia.

    TIS National can call on 3000 interpreters across Australia in more than 160 different languages. Non-English speakers can access immediate telephone interpreters through TIS National by calling 131 450.

    Alternatively, if you contact an organisation directly it may organise an interpreter on your behalf.