This policy brief examines how systemic racism in Australian hospitals continues to affect the experiences and outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, and outlines the evidence needed to drive reform. It highlights the need for a nationally coordinated approach led by Indigenous voices and backed by clear policy direction, consistent standards and comprehensive...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare with a promise to improve clinical decision-making, patient outcomes and hospital systems’ efficiency. Yet, challenges related to patient safety and model bias, validation and integration into existing systems remain. This brief offers specific actions that will contribute to a national strategy to develop an AI ecosystem suited to Australia’s...

In Australia, dentistry is expensive. Most oral healthcare in Australia falls outside the universal healthcare insurance scheme. This brief outlines a clear, staged and evidence-based funding strategy to transition from ad hoc responses to a sustainable, equitable and high-value oral health system. It provides three recommendations.

Australia’s health system is a major contributor to national greenhouse gas emissions. One way to address this is to consider the environmental impacts of healthcare in health technology assessments (HTA) and decision-making processes. This issues brief provides insights on how integrating environmental impacts into HTAs can contribute to a more environmentally sustainable healthcare system.

A multifaceted and cross-disciplinary approach is essential for effective falls prevention. Optometrists play a pivotal role by ensuring proper spectacle corrections and identifying vision issues that can be addressed through surgery, such as cataracts. However, considerable work is needed to normalize falls prevention as part of optometric practice and increase awareness among other health professionals...