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Better Health Channel (BHC)

Better Health Channel (BHC) website promotes health literacy and healthy living by providing health consumers with trusted, reliable and easy to understand health and medical information, quality assured by the Department of Health, Victoria.

The website content is developed by health experts across government and the health sector, and quality reviewed to provide users with confidence when making health decisions. It does not however replace care provided by medical practitioners and other qualified health professionals.

Mission and vision

To provide health and medical information to improve the health and wellbeing of people and the communities they live in.

How Better Health Channel can help

Better Health Channel has a range of tools, videos and fact sheets designed to help you discover options for support, locate services that meet your needs, and provides tips for making decisions at the different stages of your health journey.

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Last reviewed: August 2023

Information from this partner

Found 725 results

Kilojoules on the menu | Better Health Channel

Kilojoules on the menu. Check before you choose.

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Extreme heat | Better Health Channel

Know the effects of extreme heat, who is at risk and how you can prepare yourself and others.

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Conjunctivitis | Better Health Channel

Conjunctivitis is an eye infection caused by a bacteria or virus. Symptoms include eye redness, a discharge and swollen lids. Conjunctivitis is treated with antibacterial eye drops or ointment. Children must not attend school or child care if they have conjunctivitis.

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Dental injuries - Knocked out, chipped or cracked teeth | Better Health Channel

A knocked out permanent tooth can survive if it is immediately put back. Do not put a knocked-out baby tooth back.

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Hormones – cortisol and corticosteroids | Better Health Channel

Cortisol helps to maintain blood pressure, immune function and the body's anti-inflammatory processes.

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Lipoedema | Better Health Channel

Lipoedema is a painful, chronic, symmetrical swelling in the legs, thighs, buttocks and sometimes arms due to the accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous tissues. The onset often occurs during puberty. It mainly affects women and could be related to hormonal changes.

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Pets – safe handling of reptiles and tropical fish | Better Health Channel

People in contact with tropical fish and reptiles such as turtles, lizards and snakes may be at risk of infections and illness due to germs (such as bacteria, viruses and parasites) carried on the animals.

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Shiga toxin-producing E.coli | Better Health Channel

There are many types of E.coli bacteria, most of which are harmless. However, some types of E.coli produce toxins (poisons) that can cause gastroenteritis (gastro). One of these types of E.coli is known as ‘shiga toxin-producing E.coli’ or STEC.

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Allergic reactions emergency first aid | Better Health Channel

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and asthma attacks need urgent emergency first aid. In an emergency, always call triple zero (000).

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Allergies to bites and stings | Better Health Channel

Allergies to insect stings and bites range from milder allergic reactions to life-threatening, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

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