OK Bret. I agree absolutely with pretty much everything you've said. But having said that, let me ask, not too plaintively I hope "where the heck would we start?".

One of the things I warn consultants about is "Master of the Universe Syndrome". It's that heady, intoxicating feeling that says, "If only I eliminate poverty and deprivation in Australia, we will have a much healthier population". Since I frequently see comparative health statistics between middle class, educated, well-off areas versus welfare class, uneducated and unemployable fringe rural residents, I can only agree absolutely. Those middle class areas have statistics I'd give at least part of my right arm for, if we could only see the same in rural practices or, even better, in my local indigenous community.

But ... how would we make those kinds of social adjustments and changes in the current political and economic climate? How would we make them in time to make any substantive difference to the thousands of the current generation going over the cliff-top right now?

I agree it's worth pusuing. I agree it's critical. I just won't hold my breath waiting to see any discernible achievement of this objective. So, all the best of luck. But I think at this stage I'll focus my energies on practical stuff like a schoolchildren's breakfast program. At least I know that will affect the here and now.

Best wishes

Kevin

This article said clearly what it doesn't take a rocket scientist to discern at this time. The pursuit of economic gain at the expense of quality of life has been rampant for the last one hundred years. Turn it around, we must.

Where to start? Kevin is right. There is only one to eat a Dragon. One bite at a time.

Dr.Hart,
Ayers was a wise man, I agree prevention is always preferable to cure, especially if you happen to be on the wrong side of wealthy. The "good times" are indeed coming at the expense of the many, including doctors.

Proactive is a word you would need to explain to Tony Abbott, this government only deals in reactionry politics, in other words, do only the least amount possible, as public opinion dictates. Apathy is rife which allows this to occur. We will not get a health system until such time as we "demand" one, by then it may well be too late.

Why is it that private hospitals are not required to provide Emergency Wards, for private health patients?

Prevention is the thing you do when you want to stop building more hospitals and jails.
Probably the best place to start fixing things is on a personal level.
Walk a bit more, drive a bit less and eat more wisely.