HIF Health Hub

Communication is a huge part of everyday life. We use it to make decisions, build relationships, express ideas, and move through the world with confidence. So when something affects our ability to communicate, the flow of daily life shifts in a noticeable way.

Aphasia is one condition that can create these changes. It is a language disorder that affects how a person speaks, understands, reads, or writes. While it does not impact intelligence, it can influence how someone interacts with others and how they navigate routine tasks. Aphasia often appears after a stroke or brain injury, but many people have never heard of it until they or someone they know is diagnosed.

After years of very low case numbers in Australia, measles is back in the headlines. Recent measles alerts issued by NSW Health and the Queensland Government signal growing localised concern. At the same time, the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre reports that global outbreaks are increasing because routine vaccination rates have slipped. Their article on measles outbreaks linked to reduced vaccine coverage explains that millions of measles vaccine doses were missed or delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic and that global coverage has dropped to its lowest point since 2008.

Spring in Western Australia is a highly anticipated time of year. It brings longer days, warmer weather and a renewed sense of energy as everything starts to bloom. But for many, that excitement also comes with an unwelcome side effect - the return of pollen season. As native plants release pollen into the air, many people start to experience sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes and a runny nose. According to Healthdirect, this reaction, known as hay fever (allergic rhinitis), occurs when the immune system responds to allergens such as pollen, dust or mould.