The Medical journal of Australia
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Until recently tuberculosis was considered a well controlled disease, at least in developed countries. In developing countries, more than seven million people are affected by active tuberculosis. ⋯ The three major strategies for controlling tuberculosis remain BCG vaccination in children, appropriate preventive therapy and, most importantly, reducing the sources of infection through case finding and curative treatment. Research and resources to improve on these strategies should be given high priority by the international health community.
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Comparative Study
Hearing impairment and hearing aid use in women over 65 years of age. Cross-sectional study of women in a large urban community.
(i) To describe the prevalence of self-reported hearing impairment and level of hearing aid use in women aged 65 years and over living in the community; (ii) to provide comparison findings from the National Health Survey and the Survey of Disability and Ageing undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. ⋯ Almost two-thirds of people prescribed a hearing aid were not wearing it regularly, denying themselves proven benefits in communication, social involvement and life satisfaction. The prescribing of these unused aids represents a huge waste of health resources. A program to increase hearing aid use by hearing impaired people may reduce the waste of health resources and the need for community support services. Such a program may greatly increase the life satisfaction for this very large group of disabled older people.
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The competence of elderly people to participate in medical decision-making is often called into question. This article explores the concept of competence as it relates to elderly people, and outlines the guiding ethical principles of autonomy and beneficence. Practical guidelines are offered on how competence can be assessed and some avoidable pitfalls are highlighted.