Be Health Aware

 

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

 

 

 

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

This collection of resources have been created by reputable sources and they will help you with your health care decisions and choices. The best health outcomes rely on patients and consumers who are engaged and informed. With this in mind, we have developed and maintain Be Health Aware as part of our advocacy of health literacy as a central to consumer-centred health care.

Welcome to Be Health Aware - 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?

According to the Australian Commission of Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), Health literacy is how people understand information about health and health care, and how they apply this information to their lives.

To learn more about health literacy visit the ACSQHC website.

Free health literacy course - Introduction to the language of healthcare

Quick links


Information on COVID-19 and vaccination

Information from the Australian Department of Health

Use the Department of Health's Eligibility Checker to find out when and where to get your COVID-19 vaccine.

The new COVID-19 restriction checker from healthdirect is a search tool to help you find what you can or can't do in your state or territory as advice changes about COVID-19. 

Healthdirect provides free, approved medical advice and has delivered information to Australians on COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The restriction checker allows you to search for updated advice by state or by activity. Other tools and information on COVID-19 can be accessed from the COVID-19 section of the healthdirect website.  

You can visit healthdirect or see your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice.

The latest news and information about COVID-19 and the vaccine, and resources for your community are available on the Australian Department of Health website. 

Is it true? Answers to common questions and misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccines

National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline

If you need information about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines or help with the COVIDSafe app, call the COVID-19 helpline 1800 020 080. If you need help with booking a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, the helpline is unable to book appointments for you.

More information about the helpline, finding a vaccination service and FAQs from the Australian Department of Health.

    Australian Department of Health

    World Health Organisation

    National COVID-19 clinical evidence taskforce - High-priority, evidence-based clinical COVID-19 guidelines

    Digital Health Agency - accessing proof of vaccination

    Connections for older Australians, - advice from COTA

    More advice and support line for older Australians to stay healthy and safe.

    Making sense of COVID-19 - information for HIV and LGBTIQ communities

    Stay up-to-date with news about COVID-19 - ABC coronavirus hub

    Coronacast - podcast by Dr Norman Swan, Physician and Health Journalist with the ABC.

    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

    Technical resources

    COVID-19 Vaccine - Frequently asked question from the New England Journal of Medicine

    The Australian Government COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy

    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. 

    5 questions to ask your doctor 

    More questions to ask your doctor 

    Question builder 

    Understand your healthcare rights

    Understanding your lab tests

    Be Medicinewise

    Understanding radiology tests and procedures

    Being well

    Be your healthiest self by learning more about proper nutrition, exercise, lifestyle, physical and mental health.

    Better Health Channel, Victoria
    Healthy Living by Jean Hailes
    Australian Dietary Guidelines
    Obesity evidence hub
    Healthy menu planner
    Fitness and exercise
    Being well at work
    Do your Life Check
    Guide to health promotion apps

    Health complaints

    Understand your rights as a healthcare consumer and what to do if these are not met. 

     

    Do you know your healthcare rights?

    Informed financial consent

    Make a complaint about a health practitioner

    Make a complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman

    Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

    Patient guides 

    Learn more about specific illnesses, medications and available supports. 

     

    Understanding your heart

    Learn more about diabetes

    Cancer Australia

    Understanding cancer: booklets & fact sheets

    What to expect - a guide to optimal cancer care

    Lung Foundation Australia

    A-Z Conditions Guide by healthdirect


    Medicine and medical devices

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

    General consumer information about medicines/devices

    Report adverse events or side effects of medicines/devices

    Safely and effectively use your prescription or OTC medicine

    What is the Black Triangle Scheme

    What does my medicine label mean?

    Buying medicines or medical devices online

    Tips for travelling with medicines and medical devices

    Get the MedSearch App

    Return unwanted medicines

    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

    Australian Digital Health Agency

    My Health Record

    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. 

    The basics - health insurance explained

    The Department of Health overview

    Healthy Cover - a consumers' guide to the PHI changes

    CHOICE consumers' guide

    Private Health Insurance Ombudsman's overview

    Compare policies

    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.

    What is Medicare?

    Bulk billing for medical services 

    Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

     

    Health concessions guide

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

    Health care card - are you eligible?

    Public dental services for children and eligible adults

     

     

    Oral health 

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

    Your dental health

    Dental health in Australia

    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. 

    Health and Welfare of ATSI people

    Indigenous health

    Summary of ATSI health

    Disability services

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

    National Disability Insurance Scheme

    Improving health outcomes for people with developmental disabilities

    Healthcare rights for people with cognitive impairment: Easy English Guide

    Intellectual disability - training for health professionals

    Healthy Mind — an online Easy Read tool designed for people with Intellectual Disability (ID) from the Black Dog Institute

    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. 

     

    Carers Australia

    Carer Gateway

     

    Finding a health service or advice

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

    Healthdirect service finder
    Finding reliable health information
    Primary health networks
    National pain services directory

    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 — nonymous LGBTI peer support and referral

    Consumer centred care

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

    Experience-based co-design (EBCD) toolkit by CHF & AHHA

    EBCD toolkit by Point of Care Foundation, UK

    Multicultural health & support

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

     

    Multicultural health and support service

    State based services:

    Multicultural and refugee health South Western Sydney

    Research

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

     

    National Health Survey 2018-19

    Australian Burden of Disease Study: AIHW

    The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

    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.