Why social determinants matter in clinical medicine 🏥🌍

When people think about becoming a doctor, they often imagine diagnosing disease and prescribing treatment. Biology matters — but very early in clinical practice, it becomes clear that biology alone does not explain who becomes unwell, how illness progresses, or why outcomes differ so markedly between patients.

This is where social determinants of health become essential to clinical reasoning.

Social determinants are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. They shape exposure to risk, access to care, capacity to recover, and the choices people realistically have available to them. Importantly, they influence health long before a patient enters a clinic — and continue to shape outcomes long after a prescription is written.

Falls in the Elderly: A Preventable Problem

Falls are a major cause of injury and loss of independence in older adults. In Australia, 1 in 3 people over 65 will experience a fall each year—and for many, it’s a life-changing event.

But here’s the good news: most falls are preventable. This post explores the why, how, and what you can do about it.

Stroke: Risk Factors, Epidemiology 🧠

Let’s dive deeper into stroke — a major global health burden and one of the leading causes of death and disability. Its impact spans acute care, rehabilitation, and long-term health outcomes, making it a cornerstone topic in medical education and public health.

Understanding the epidemiology, risk factors, and pathophysiology of stroke is essential not only for diagnosis and treatment but also for effective prevention strategies. Stroke is not a single disease but a spectrum of vascular events with diverse presentations, underlying mechanisms, and prognoses.

Here’s a structured breakdown to guide your understanding:

• Stroke affects over 15 million people annually worldwide, with rising incidence in low- and middle-income countries.

• In Australia, stroke is a leading cause of adult disability, with over 400,000 people living with its effects.

• Ischaemic strokes account for ~85% of cases, while haemorrhagic strokes (intracerebral and subarachnoid) make up the remainder.

• Age is the strongest predictor: risk doubles with each decade after 55.

• Rural and remote populations often face delayed access to acute stroke care and rehabilitation services, contributing to worse outcomes.

Read on for risk factors and more !

Viral hepatitis Part 1: Understanding the Acute Inflammatory Liver Response 🦠

 Acute viral hepatitis refers to sudden-onset liver inflammation caused by one of the hepatitis viruses — most commonly Hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E. Each virus has distinct routes of transmission, clinical behaviour, and implications for public health — but they share overlapping patterns of hepatic injury.

In this post, we will explore:

• The pathophysiology of acute hepatitis
• Key clinical features
• Differences between the hepatitis viruses
• Diagnostic approach and natural history

There will be further posts to follow this regarding chronic hepatitis and on interpreting Hepatitis B serology - watch this space!

Measles: A Primer for Medical Students 🦠

 Measles cases in the US are now over 1,000 cases across 30 states. 3 people have died in this outbreak and 130 have been hospitalised. And it is not slowing down. 

There is currently much discussion about measles worldwide, and most of you will have never seen a case of it  - but that certainly doesn't mean you can ignore it. Do so at your peril! 

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause severe complications and, in some cases, death - particularly in young children, immunocompromised individuals, and unvaccinated populations. Although now rare in Australia due to successful vaccination programs, measles remains a global health threat, with imported cases continuing to cause small outbreaks here.

Helicobacter pylori: the microbe that changed Gastroenterology

 Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium that resides in the gastric mucosa, affecting nearly half the global population. While many infections remain asymptomatic, H. pylori is a key driver of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and even gastric cancer.

Social Determinants of Mental Health: Beyond Biology!

Mental health is shaped by far more than individual choices or biology—it’s profoundly influenced by the social determinants of health.   🧠🌏