Roadmap to recovery: Reporting on a research taskforce supporting Indigenous responses to COVID-19 in Australia

In April 2020 a Group of Eight Taskforce was convened, consisting of over 100 researchers, to provide independent, research-based recommendations to the Commonwealth Government on a "Roadmap to Recovery" from COVID-19. The report covered issues ranging from pandemic control and relaxation of social distancing measures, to well-being and special considerations for vulnerable populations. Our work focused on the critical needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; this paper presents an overview of our recommendations to the Roadmap report. In addressing the global challenges posed by pandemics for citizens around the world, Indigenous people are recognised as highly vulnerable. At the time of writing Australia's First Nations Peoples have been largely spared from COVID-19 in comparison to other Indigenous populations globally. Our recommendations emphasise self-determination and equitable needs-based funding to support Indigenous communities to recover from COVID-19, addressing persistent overcrowded housing, and a focus on workforce, especially for regional and remote communities. These latter two issues have been highlighted as major issues of risk for Indigenous communities in Australia It remains to be seen how governments across Australia take up these recommendations to support Indigenous peoples' health and healing journey through yet another, potentially catastrophic, health crisis.

Indigenous family violence: a statistical challenge

The issue of family violence and sexual abuse in Indigenous communities across Australia has attracted much attention throughout 2007, including significant intervention by the federal government into communities deemed to be in crisis. This paper critically examines the reporting and recording of Indigenous violence in Australia and reflects on what 'statistics' can offer as we grapple with how to respond appropriately to a problem defined as a 'national emergency'.

Assessing hyperanticoagulation of dental patients undergoing warfarin therapy

Patients often undergo a number of dental procedures that may cause bleeding. Usually these procedures can be performed with little risk to the patient. However, patients on medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) have an altered ability to control, bleeding and may develop bleeding problems subsequent to treatment. Once this potential problem has been recognized, measures can be taken to minimize the risks. Patients on warfarin are on specific medication protocols and often exhibit episodes of hyperanticoagulation. The purpose of this study was to assess patients on warfarin protocols for episodes of hyperanticoagulation. Sixty-two patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy with warfarin were assessed for episodes of hyperanticoagulation with the prothrombin test. Based on these results, it can be concluded that patients taking warfarin had an approximately 42% chance of at least one episode of hyperanticoagulation. No specific warfarin protocol demonstrated any statistical significance for an increased chance of hyperanticoagulation.

Plasma prolactin concentrations during conception and the first ten weeks of human pregnancy

Plasma prolactin concentrations were measured daily throughout 20 cycles in which conception occurred and for several weeks during early pregnancy. Thirteen of the pregnancies were 'spontaneous' (i.e. without exogenous pharmacological stimulation) and 7 occurred during either clomiphene or bromocriptine treatment. Prolactin concentrations were fairly stable throughout the conception cycles until shortly after the time of the first missed menses. From this time concentrations rose gradually to reach a mean concentration of 1250 mU/l 60 days after ovulation. However, there were marked fluctuations from day to day within individuals and considerable variation in the magnitude of the prolactin rise between subjects. Three subjects were mildly hyperprolactinaemic and although prolactin levels remained slightly elevated throughout the study period, this did not affect the outcome of pregnancies.