Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Better Health Channel

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.

Recommended links

Last reviewed: August 2023

Information from this partner

Found 759 results

Mushroom poisoning - Better Health Channel

Contrary to popular belief, there is no home test that can distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties of wild fungi or mushrooms.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Health checks for women - Better Health Channel

A woman at high risk of a particular disease should be checked more frequently and/or at an earlier age.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Soft drinks, juice and sweet drinks – limit intake - Better Health Channel

Consumption of drinks containing added sugar is associated with weight gain, reduced bone strength and tooth erosion and decay.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Alcohol and weight gain - Better Health Channel

While the relationship between alcohol consumption and obesity remains unclear, there are good reasons to think that alcohol may play a role.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Chemicals in the home - Better Health Channel

Learn how to safely store and dispose of household chemicals, and how to respond when a person is poisoned.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by a virus (usually from the coxsackie group of enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie virus A16). It causes blisters on the hands and feet, in the mouth and often in the ‘nappy’ area. It is generally a mild disease that lasts 7 to 10 days.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Cancer in children - Better Health Channel

In children, the genetic changes that cause cancer are not due to lifestyle but are more likely to be random and difficult to predict.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Bacterial vaginosis - Better Health Channel

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance of the bacteria normally present in the vagina.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Lactose intolerance - Better Health Channel

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Snow sports and cold-related injuries - Better Health Channel

You can help reduce your risk of winter sports injuries with planning, preparation and proper equipment.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.