ABC Radio National Health Report, Monday 5 June 2017 5:45 PM
There are currently epidemics of syphilis and HIV in young Indigenous people in Cairns. These epidemics are out of control, and have crossed borders to to the Northern Territory, and in the case of syphilis, to Western Australia and South Australia as well.
But in better news, Cairns is a nation leader when it comes to clearing the region of hepatitis C, using drugs that became available in March 2016. For example, the local prison population is hepatitis C-free – the first Australian prison that can make that claim.
Guest:
Dr Darren Russell
Clinical Associate Professor, The University of Melbourne
Adjunct Associate Professor, James Cook University
Director of Sexual Health, Cairns Sexual Health Service