The Medical journal of Australia
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Evidence is accruing of associations between male reproductive health disorders and chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The links between reproductive health and general health are under-recognised by medical practitioners and the general public. Windows of opportunity exist for a more holistic approach to men's health when men present with reproductive health symptoms (such as erectile dysfunction) or the reproductive implications of chronic disease are recognised. Further men's health research is needed in Australia to guide policy, innovative health promotion, and clinical practice.
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To assess women's compliance with different Australian guidelines on alcohol intake during pregnancy and examine factors that might influence compliance. ⋯ The October 2001 change in alcohol guidelines does not appear to have changed behaviour. Risks associated with different levels of alcohol intake during pregnancy need to be clearly established and communicated.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Stepped care for depression in primary care: what should be offered and how?
Stepped-care approaches may offer a solution to delivering accessible, effective and efficient services for individuals with depression. In stepped care, all patients commence with a low-intensity, low-cost treatment. Treatment results are monitored systematically, and patients move to a higher-intensity treatment only if necessary. ⋯ The different treatments within the stepped-care model are evidence-based. Data on cost-effectiveness of the full model are still scarce, but we recently demonstrated that the incidence of new cases of depression and anxiety could be halved by introducing stepped care. Effects of web-based guided self-help could be enhanced by incorporating them in a stepped-care model.