In 2021, the Australian Thyroid Foundation released analysis to show, well over 1 million Australian are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder, including thyroid cancer, lower IQs, lifelong disability, and a causal or possible contributory factor – in the development of other neurological disorders such as ADHD and autism. Some of the challenges for diagnosis and treatment can be addressed by producing material for health care practitioners during patient presentations.
‘Recent statistics show well over 1 million Australians are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder, awareness and testing can prevent unwarranted outcomes for mothers and their babies’ says ATF CEO Beverley Garside OAM
Australia has been labelled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as being iodine deficient, and evidenced in research in 2005-06 by Westmead Hospital and Sydney University (see 1 below)
The World Health Organisation states iodine deficiency during pregnancy and early infancy –the first 1000 days of life when development of the human brain is so critical – is the commonest global cause of preventable intellectual disability (see 2 below)
Thyroid Disorders affect all Australians of all age groups and demographics. Awareness is the key to ensuring the public and healthcare professionals do not overlook a thyroid disorder which could be affecting health and wellbeing.
– 1 in 10 Australians will be affected by some form of thyroid disorder
– 7 of the 10 are women
– Over 1 million Australians are undiagnosed
– 60,000 Australians are diagnosed each year
– Thyroid Cancer is increasing, affecting younger Australians
– Iodine Deficiency & Thyroid Disorders affect pregnancy outcomes for women of childbearing years.
As a Not-For-Profit health charity, The Australian Thyroid Foundation Ltd (ATF) mission is to offer information, education, advocacy and support to members and their families, using services provided by ATF and raise much needed awareness throughout Australia about the consequences of thyroid disease and iodine deficiency and the benefits of achieving good thyroid health.
In recent years ATF has launched campaigns aimed at reaching a number of patient types requiring treatment for the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone production. These have created some level of awareness within the public and health care professionals (HCPs).
The Australian Thyroid Foundation has lodged a Pre-Budget Submission for the Federal Budget 2024-25 to counter increasing misinformation on social media creating dietary deficiencies such as an increasing number of young women, who are planning pregnancy or already pregnant opting for plant based milks such almond, soy or oat milk coffee as an alternative to standard cow’s milk, which is a source of iodine and alternate milks do not include.
Australian Health Journal spoke with endocrinologist, Adj. Prof. Duncan Topliss AM, a Medical Advisory Board Member at The Australian Thyroid Foundation Ltd, about issues raised in the submission.
References
1. Evidence for iodine deficiency in the Australian population was derived from a national study on Australian schoolchildren in 2003-2004 in which the ATF actively participated with a large group of Australian clinical researchers. The outcome was the implementation of the mandatory iodine fortification of all salt used in the baking of bread and bread products in Australia and New Zealand.
2. Multiple studies undertaken on pregnant women have revealed that iodine intake in at least 50% of pregnancies in Australia is deficient, despite the addition of iodised salt to bread, putting the next generation of Australian children at risk of neuro-developmental disorders and lower IQ.
-
Sonia Marshall – South Western Sydney Local Health District
South Western Sydney Local Health District serves nearly 1 million people in a rapidly growing area of Sydney. Currently 250-300 families a week are moving into the region and with a growing population, the health district requires well executed strategy and delivery of healthcare to the population. Executive Director Sonia Marshall spoke with Australian Health Journal reporter Anne Dao at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week in Sydney, on supporting staff and the community. Sonia highlights the mission of delivering Safe Quality Healthcare at all times. In-time patient feedback is important and the SWSLHD has implemented a system called “My Experience Matters” to give near immediate response from patients on their level of care, whilst they are still on site at the hospital. The aim of the initiative is to quickly identify bad experiences that could be rectified.
-
Empowering underprivileged communities with sustainable health
Dr Gaj Panagoda, CEO of Xstitch Health, has a diverse medical background and is working to improve health systems for underprivileged communities. In the Australian Health Journal’s People In Health Care series, he talks about the changes needed in community-based care using a project based approach,
According to Dr Panagoda, there is a need for a shift towards community-based care and collaboration with stakeholders in the healthcare system, and the potential to create a new kind of socially conscious, inspired, community-informed medical specialist is the future of medical specialty care.
-
Sharing the same goals in value-based procurement
Value-based procurement (VBP) is a journey, not a sprint. It’s about putting the patient at the centre of quality affordable healthcare through changes in procurement practices for medical technologies. Patient outcomes drive value and sustainability, not just price. The bigger picture indicates that VBP will create system cost saving through benefitting patients, rather than trying to attain the reverse – a win-win outcome.
