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  • mecfs-post-infection-disease-strategy
  1. Home
  2. Australia needs a Post-Infection Disease Strategy. Now.

Australia needs a Post-Infection Disease Strategy. Now.

Australia must prepare now for the forthcoming economic, health and social impacts of Post-Infection Disease.

Post-lnfection Disease, not just Long COVID, needs to be a national health priority.

Over 250,000 Australians already live with ME/CFS, a debilitating post-infection disease that leaves many unable to work, housebound, bedbound, AND costs our economy over $14BN a year.

A Deakin University study suggests up to 325,000 more may develop Long COVID, described by health experts as ‘strikingly similar’ to ME/CFS in its symptoms, pathology, and devastating impact on people’s lives. That’s almost 600,000 Australians who could soon be living with post-infection disease.

75% of those diagnosed with post-infection disease are women, severely affecting their capacity to work and putting a significant strain on multi-generational family support networks.

Post-Infection Disease cannot be ignored any longer. While $31.5 million has recently been announced by the federal government to cover research into Long COVID, this is just one post-infection disease. Our health system has long struggled to diagnose, manage and create health pathways for those with ME/CFS.

No Australian should be left behind. Read our State of the Nation.

A rapidly growing number of Australians and their caregivers are living severely compromised lives because of post-infection disease and many feel neglected and ignored by our health system. The federal government can not let that happen. Click on the link below to read our state of the nation report in full by clicking the link below.

Read the State of the Nation: Because people with ME/CFS matter

Australia needs a Post-Infection Disease Strategy. Now.

SIGN UP for our newsletter at the bottom of our home page to stay up to date with ME/CFS news and research, and DONATE HERE to help us in developing our research and advocacy pathways.

The Human Cost

We must educate doctors to diagnose ME/CFS and Long COVID and provide evidence-based support to people with these conditions. Read more

Published: 22nd October, 2022

Author: Jonathan Stavridis

Caregiver

We must expand access to Telehealth to increase access to care for those who are bed and house bound. Read more

Published: 21st October, 2022

Author: Jonathan Stavridis

Where do we go from here?

Australia’s outdated clinical guidelines must be updated to reflect internationally agreed safe and best practice care for people with ME/CFS. Read more

Published: 8th October, 2022

Author: Jonathan Stavridis

A Women's Health Issue

Australia must prepare now for the forthcoming economic, health and social impacts of Long COVID. Read more

Published: 28th September, 2022

Updated: 10th January, 2023

Author: Jonathan Stavridis

No One Taking the Lead

We must push Post-Infection Disease to become the 10th National Health Priority Area (NHPA) in Australia. Read more

Published: 20th September, 2022

Updated: 20th October, 2022

Author: Jonathan Stavridis

The Silent Voices of ME/CFS

A Lack of Medical Knowledge on Post Infection Disease is a Clear and Present Danger to All Australians. Read more

Published: 15th September, 2022

Updated: 23rd September, 2022

Author: Jonathan Stavridis

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  • Research Digest 22/12/22

    Research Digest 22/12/22

    Welcome to the 91st edition of the Research Digest.  In our final edition for the year, a study evaluating aspects of the current IOM criteria is presented, as well as national and international research findings concerning Long Covid.   The final edition also puts a spotlight on the disbelief that people living with invisible disabilities like ME/CFS and Long Covid endure, and highlights Anne Wilson’s call for the government to better recognise those living with invisible disabilities.

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  • Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM)

    Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM)

    The central feature of ME/CFS, and a common symptom of Long COVID, is post-exertional malaise (PEM). PEM is when symptoms get worse after physical or mental activity.

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  • Coronavirus and ME - Simplified facts

    Coronavirus and ME - Simplified facts

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Emerge Australia
Level 7, 276 Flinders Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
1800 865 321
03 9529 1344
Media enquiries: Ron Smith [email protected]
 

Emerge Australia is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). We are authorised by the Australian Tax Office as a deductible gift recipient (DGR). 

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