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How long will you live? New evidence says it’s much more about your choices than your genes

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> One of the most enduring questions humans have is how long we’re going to live. With this comes the question of how much of our lifespan is shaped by our environment and choices, and how much is predetermined by our genes. A study recently published in the prestigious journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03483-9">Nature Medicine</a> has attempted for the first time to quantify the relative contributions of our environment and lifestyle versus our genetics in how we age and how long we live. The findings were striking, suggesting our environment and lifestyle play a much greater role than our genes in determining our longevity. <h2>What the researchers did</h2> This study used data from the <a href="https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/">UK Biobank</a>, a large database in the United Kingdom that contains in-depth health and lifestyle data from roughly 500,000 people. The data available include genetic information, medical records, imaging and information about lifestyle. A separate part of the study used data from a subset of more than 45,000 participants whose blood samples underwent something called “<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41576-022-00511-7">proteomic profiling</a>”. Proteomic profiling is a relatively new technique that looks at how proteins in the body change over time to identify a person’s age at a molecular level. By using this method researchers were able to estimate how quickly an individual’s body was actually ageing. This is called their biological age, as opposed to their chronological age (or years lived). The researchers assessed 164 environmental exposures as well as participants’ genetic markers for disease. Environmental exposures included lifestyle choices (for example, smoking, physical activity), social factors (for example, living conditions, household income, employment status) and early life factors, such as body weight in childhood. They then looked for associations between genetics and environment and 22 major age-related diseases (such as coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes), mortality and biological ageing (as determined by the proteomic profiling). These analyses allowed the researchers to estimate the relative contributions of environmental factors and genetics to ageing and dying prematurely. <h2>What did they find?</h2> When it came to disease-related mortality, as we would expect, age and sex explained a significant amount (about half) of the variation in how long people lived. The key finding, however, was environmental factors collectively accounted for around 17% of the variation in lifespan, while genetic factors contributed less than 2%. This finding comes down very clearly on the nurture side in the “nature versus nurture” debate. It suggests environmental factors influence health and longevity to a far greater extent than genetics. Not unexpectedly, the study showed a different mix of environmental and genetic influences for different diseases. Environmental factors had the greatest impact on lung, heart and liver disease, while genetics played the biggest role in determining a person’s risk of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers, and dementia. The environmental factors that had the most influence on earlier death and biological ageing included smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity levels and living conditions. Interestingly, being taller at age ten was found to be associated with a shorter lifespan. Although this may seem surprising, and the reasons are not entirely clear, this aligns with <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140509110756.htm">previous research</a> finding taller people are more likely to die earlier. Carrying more weight at age ten and maternal smoking (if your mother smoked in late pregnancy or when you were a newborn) were also found to shorten lifespan. Probably the most surprising finding in this study was a lack of association between diet and markers of biological ageing, as determined by the proteomic profiling. This flies in the face of the extensive body of evidence showing the crucial role of <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-023-00868-w">dietary patterns</a> in chronic disease risk and longevity. But there are a number of plausible explanations for this. The first could be a lack of statistical power in the part of the study looking at biological ageing. That is, the number of people studied may have been too small to allow the researchers to see the true impact of diet on ageing. Second, the dietary data in this study, which was self-reported and only measured at one time point, is likely to have been of relatively poor quality, limiting the researchers’ ability to see associations. And third, as the relationship between diet and longevity is likely to be complex, disentangling dietary effects from other lifestyle factors may be difficult. So despite this finding, it’s still safe to say the food we eat is one of the most important pillars of health and longevity. <h2>What other limitations do we need to consider?</h2> Key exposures (such as diet) in this study were only measured at a single point in time, and not tracked over time, introducing potential errors into the results. Also, as this was an observational study, we can’t assume associations found represent causal relationships. For example, just because living with a partner correlated with a longer lifespan, it doesn’t mean this caused a person to live longer. There may be other factors which explain this association. Finally, it’s possible this study may have underestimated the role of genetics in longevity. It’s important to recognise genetics and environment don’t operate in isolation. Rather, health outcomes are shaped by their interplay, and this study may not have fully captured the complexity of these interactions. <h2>The future is (largely) in your hands</h2> It’s worth noting there were a number of factors such as household income, home ownership and employment status associated with diseases of ageing in this study that are not necessarily within a person’s control. This highlights the crucial role of addressing the social determinants of health to ensure everyone has the best possible chance of living a long and healthy life. At the same time, the results offer an empowering message that longevity is largely shaped by the choices we make. This is great news, unless you have good genes and were hoping they would do the heavy lifting. Ultimately, the results of this study reinforce the notion that while we may inherit certain genetic risks, how we eat, move and engage with the world seems to be more important in determining how healthy we are and how long we live.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/251054/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hassan-vally-202904">Hassan Vally</a>, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-long-will-you-live-new-evidence-says-its-much-more-about-your-choices-than-your-genes-251054">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock </div>

Caring

More young people are caring for a loved one with dementia. It takes a unique toll

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> Dementia is a growing health problem, affecting more than <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia">55 million people</a> around the world. In Australia, an estimated <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/dementia-facts-and-figures">433,300 people</a> are living with dementia. This figure is projected to rise to 812,500 by 2054. Dementia <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia">refers to brain disorders</a> that are not a normal part of ageing. These disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, cause a decline in cognitive function and changes in mood, memory, thinking and behaviour. Ultimately they affect a person’s ability to carry out everyday tasks. In Australia, around <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2020/10/06/research-backs-home-based-program-for-people-living-with-dementi.html">75% of people with dementia</a> live at home. While dementia care at home has traditionally been associated with older spouses or middle-aged children, it seems an increasing number of young adults in their 20s and 30s, and <a href="https://www.ncb.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/files/young_people_caring_for_adults_with_dementia.pdf">even teenagers</a>, are stepping into this role to care for grandparents, parents or other loved ones. In Australia, 3 million people (11.9% of the population) are carers. This includes <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release">391,300 under 25</a> – a sharp rise from 235,300 in 2018. How many young carers are specifically caring for a loved one with dementia is unclear, and something we need more data on. Young dementia carers remain largely invisible, with minimal recognition or support. <h2>Unique challenges and the burden of responsibility</h2> Unlike older carers, who may have more financial stability and free time, young carers often must balance caregiving with university, early-career pressures, and personal development, including maintaining social relationships, pursuing hobbies, and prioritising mental welling. In Australia, where <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/media/more-young-adults-living-parents">51% of men and 43% of women</a> aged 20–24 still live with their parents, many young carers will have limited experience in managing a household independently. They’re often thrust into <a href="https://www.ncb.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/files/young_people_caring_for_adults_with_dementia.pdf">complex responsibilities</a> such as cooking, housework, managing the family budget, coordinating medical appointments and administering medications. Beyond that, they may need to provide physical care such as lifting or helping their loved one move around, and personal care such as dressing, washing, and helping with toileting. All this can leave young carers <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/PROM.S499063">feeling unprepared</a>, overwhelmed and isolated. While general support groups exist for dementia carers and young carers more broadly, few cater specifically to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9819145/">young adults caring for someone with dementia</a>. This lack of targeted support is likely to heighten <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13676261.2024.2390899?casa_token=6Q73sIFsfssAAAAA:1rQ7NyiiHkwTwIk4mkk6d2r5tiUxeXJDCKTfIohKmHzCue9xvuj5r4e8-fowJGQeIYKe6afuO9FT">feelings of isolation</a>, as the young person’s friends struggle to relate to the emotional and practical burdens <a href="https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12877-020-01976-z.pdf">young carers face</a>. The demanding nature of caregiving, combined with the difficulty of sharing these experiences with peers, means young dementia carers can become <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/14713012211023653?src=getftr&utm_source=tfo&getft_integrator=tfo">disconnected socially</a>. <h2>The psychological toll</h2> These challenges take a profound <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/carers-statistics">psychological toll</a> on young carers. Research shows young carers are <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9263065/">35% more likely</a> to report mental health issues than their non-caregiving peers. These can include <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1471301220980243">depression</a>, anxiety and burnout. Again, we don’t have data on mental health outcomes among young dementia carers specifically. But <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dementia/dementia-in-aus/contents/carers-and-care-needs-of-people-with-dementia/impact-of-the-caring-role-on-carers">in Australia</a>, 75% of dementia carers reported being affected physically or emotionally by their caring role. Some 41% felt weary or lacked energy, and 31% felt worried or depressed. Also, there are negative stereotypes about ageing – that people turn forgetful, frail, and need constant care. For young carers whose loved ones have dementia, these stereotypes <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01662.x?casa_token=w0MW7GGY80gAAAAA:szB0XyXKPG_XMqAVyAHLm0Tye8yH3TYXK9X5cFCSIRkorhsNHx4Wgurmy_oAuZKsTsskS6kBw9Vr">can be reinforced</a> by their experience. This could shape young carers’ perceptions of <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13607863.2025.2464705?utm">their own future health</a> and wellbeing and increase anxiety about ageing. Caregiving may also affect <a href="https://www.apa.org/pi/about/publications/caregivers/faq/health-effects">physical health</a>. Research suggests carers often sacrifice <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/psyg.12354">healthy habits</a> such as exercise and a balanced diet. What’s more, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/psyg.12354">carers report symptoms</a> including poor sleep, fatigue, headaches and back pain due to the physical demands of caregiving. <h2>Caring for a parent – a role reversal</h2> This emotional burden is particularly acute for those caring for a parent. These young carers are likely to experience the progressive loss of parental support, while simultaneously assuming the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1471301220988231">demanding role of caregiver</a>. A significant portion of young dementia carers support parents with <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dementia/dementia-in-aus/contents/dementia-in-priority-groups/population-health-impacts-of-younger-onset-dementi">young-onset dementia</a>, a form of dementia diagnosed before age 65. These <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1471301220988231">young carers</a> face the shock of a diagnosis that defies typical expectations of ageing. The burden may be compounded by fears of <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0038026119874280?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.9">genetic inheritance</a>. Young onset dementia often has a <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-causes-and-risk-factors/alzheimers-disease-genetics-fact-sheet">hereditary component</a>. This means young carers may have a higher risk of developing the condition themselves – a concern spousal carers don’t have. This fear can fuel health anxiety, alter life planning, and create a pervasive <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26560507/">sense of vulnerability</a>. <h2>How we can better support young dementia carers</h2> Despite their growing numbers, young dementia carers <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/JMDH.S464195">remain largely overlooked</a> in research, policy and support services. This is partly due to the challenges in engaging this demographic in research, as these young people juggle busy lives <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/gps.4502?casa_token=5-Ih4KcUejwAAAAA%3AOvuh8ghI_ednIzRZmHdUl-_C7EQ8IUw2Qp7E0-0Z9abjV0xT6I4WK17V2U8JMCcxMl9yvpawBeT-l7c">balancing caregiving</a> with education and work. Many young carers also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36353077/">don’t self-identify as carers</a>, hindering their access to support and resources. This could be because of the stigmatising label, or a feeling they’re <a href="https://www.ncb.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/files/young_people_caring_for_adults_with_dementia.pdf">not doing enough</a> to qualify as a carer. It could even be because of cultural norms which can frame caregiving as a family obligation, rather than a distinct role. Nonetheless, young dementia carers require <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/127">targeted support</a> beyond generic caregiving resources. This support might include specialised <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/JMDH.S464195">peer networks</a>, educational programs, and practical skills training. Tailored programs and resources should ideally be <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/127">co-designed with young dementia carers</a> to ensure they meet their unique needs and preferences. With dementia cases in Australia and elsewhere <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/dementia-facts-and-figures">projected to increase</a>, the demand for informal carers – including young adults – will continue to grow. Without intervention, these young carers risk burnout, social isolation, and long-term health consequences. We must ensure flexible, age-appropriate support for this often invisible group. Investing in young dementia carers is not just a moral imperative – it’s a crucial step toward a sustainable, compassionate care system for the future. <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/living-dementia/family-friends-and-carers">Dementia Australia</a> offers a national helpline, information sessions, and a peer-to-peer connection platform for carers. <a href="https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/">The Young Carers Network</a>, run by <a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/">Carers Australia</a>, offers mental health resources, financial guidance, and respite care information, plus bursaries young carers can apply for to reduce financial pressure.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/249361/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katya-numbers-784650">Katya Numbers</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow & Lecturer, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/serena-sabatini-2320527">Serena Sabatini</a>, Lecturer in Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-surrey-1201">University of Surrey</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-young-people-are-caring-for-a-loved-one-with-dementia-it-takes-a-unique-toll-249361">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock </div>

Caring

Mystery illness kills more than 50 people within hours

An unknown illness has killed more than 50 people in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks, according doctors on the ground and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The interval between the onset of symptoms - which include fever, vomiting and internal bleeding - and death has been 48 hours in the majority of cases, and “that’s what’s really worrying”, according to Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring centre. The outbreak began on January 21, with 419 cases recorded including 53 deaths. According to WHO's Africa office, the outbreak began in the town of Boloko after three children ate a bat and died within 48 hours following the “hemorrhagic fever” symptoms. While these symptoms are commonly linked to known deadly viruses, such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg and yellow fever, researchers have ruled these out following a series of tests of more than a dozen samples collected so far. The tests were conducted after the second outbreak of the mystery disease in the town of Bomate on February 9, with samples from 13 cases sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in DR Congo’s capital Kinshasa for testing, the WHO said. All samples were negative for common hemorrhagic fever diseases, although some tested positive for malaria. The number of outbreaks from diseases spreading from animals to humans in places where wild animals are popularly eaten has been a concern, with outbreaks in Africa surging by more than 60 per cent in the last decade, the WHO said in 2022. Last year, another mystery flu-like illness that killed dozens of people in another part of Congo was determined to be likely malaria. Image: Shutterstock

Caring

Being carers costs women more than $500,000 over a lifetime, leaving them with less in retirement than men

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/myra-hamilton-8638">Myra Hamilton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> By the time they retire, women typically have about <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-97-5461-8">one third</a> less superannuation than men. This can amount to more than <a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Final-Economic-impact-income-and-retirement-Evaluate-Report-March-2022_2024EDIT.pdf">$500,000</a> when wages and super are combined over their lifetime. The gendered super gap has narrowed over the last few decades, as women have joined the workforce <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/changing-female-employment-over-time#:%7E:text=Women's%20participation%20in%20paid%20work,women%20are%20also%20working%20longer.">in increasing numbers</a> and the superannuation system has matured. But progress is too slow. If we keep tracking as we are, we can’t expect parity until <a href="https://www.womeninsuper.com.au/application/files/3816/8782/3898/7._Not_up_for_discussion.pdf">2070</a>. So why is the gap so persistent? <h2>Making super compulsory</h2> For most of the 20th century, Australia’s retirement incomes system produced more equal outcomes because the age pension is not linked to a person’s lifetime earnings. But the introduction of <a href="https://www.australianretirementtrust.com.au/learn/education-hub/superannuation-history-australia">compulsory super</a> in 1992 linked lifetime earnings and retirement income. The gender super gap arises because women and men have different patterns of paid work and earning over their lifetimes. Women have <a href="https://www.wgea.gov.au/the-gender-pay-gap#:%7E:text=conscious%20and%20unconscious%20discrimination%20and,responsibilities%2C%20especially%20in%20senior%20roles">14% lower</a> average weekly earnings than men. This is due to <a href="https://www.wgea.gov.au/the-gender-pay-gap#:%7E:text=conscious%20and%20unconscious%20discrimination%20and,responsibilities%2C%20especially%20in%20senior%20roles">three factors</a>: <ul> <li> women are much more likely to have unpaid care responsibilities. As a result, they take career breaks, work fewer hours, or work in jobs incommensurate with their skills </li> <li> discrimination, bias and lack of workplace flexibility mean better pay and career outcomes for men and fewer opportunities for people to combine work and career with care responsibilities </li> <li> occupational segregation means women are concentrated in female-dominated industries, which tend to attract lower wages than male-dominated ones. </li> </ul> Over a lifetime, these factors limit women’s capacity to earn and to accumulate super. On average, a woman in full-time permanent employment accumulates <a href="https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Women%27s%20economic%20security%20in%20retirement.pdf">17.7% less</a> superannuation per year than a man in an equivalent role. That amounts to A$1,540 less per year. This annual shortfall compounds over time resulting in a wide gender super gap by the time women retire. <h2>How does this work in practice?</h2> The interruptions to work caused by providing unpaid care reduces people’s opportunities for accumulating superannuation. For example, having a child leads to substantial reductions in mothers’ workforce participation and earnings. Women’s earnings <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-03/p2023-372004.pdf">fall</a> by an average of 55% in the first five years after entry into parenthood. In contrast, research suggests men’s earnings are <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-03/p2023-372004.pdf">unchanged</a>, or even <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5340267/#:%7E:text=Over%20time%2C%20unmarried%20but%20coresident,support%20for%20egalitarian%20gender%20roles.">increase</a>, after they become parents. So parenthood has a much greater impact on a mothers’ super than a fathers’. One <a href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/assets/documents/hilda-bibliography/hilda-conference-papers/2007/Parr,-Nicholas_final-paper.pdf">estimate</a> suggests having a child reduces a woman’s superannuation balance at age 60 by about $50,000 and a man’s by $5,000. It’s not just parenthood. <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/informal-carers">One in 10</a> Australians provide care for an ageing relative or person with a disability or chronic illness. Women do most of this unpaid care. Unpaid carers <a href="https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/ijcc/6/3/article-p318.xml">often</a> reduce their working hours, withdraw from work, or put their careers on hold. Among primary carers <a href="https://www.wgea.gov.au/gender-equality-and-caring#:%7E:text=Primary%20carers%20are%20carers%20who,carers">only 58%</a> are in paid work. According to a <a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Final-Economic-impact-income-and-retirement-Evaluate-Report-March-2022_2024EDIT.pdf">recent study</a>, on average, by age 67, primary carers have lost $392,500 in lifetime earnings and $175,000 in super. Some older workers, especially women, also care for their grandchildren. More than a <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-07/Grandparents%20and%20child%20care%20in%20Australia_0.pdf">quarter</a> of grandparents of a child aged 13 or under provide care for the child in a typical week, usually while the parents work. In a <a href="https://nationalseniors.com.au/uploads/09151356PAC_GrandparentsChildcareLabourForceParticipation_Report_FINAL_Web_0.pdf">recent</a> study, 70% of grandparents, mostly grandmothers, providing regular childcare reported they adjusted their work to accommodate it. One in three reported it had negative impacts on their financial security as they aged. These factors compound over a lifetime. Many Australians provide care for multiple family members simultaneously, or at different times throughout their lives. Women in employment are more likely to be in lower paid positions, and lower paid industries and occupations. Employees in feminised industries such as community services (including paid care workers) and retail have among the <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2311_An_update_on_superannuation_account_balances_Paper_V2.pdf">lowest</a> median super balances, less than half of those of managers and professionals. <h2>What is the solution?</h2> The gender super gap reflects deep inequalities in the distribution of work, incomes and care responsibilities between women and men across their lives. How do we fix it? Policy and public debate has focused on boosting women’s workforce participation. More women in work, means higher incomes and more saving, reducing the gender super gap, right? Yes, up to a point and rates of <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/changing-female-employment-over-time">women’s workforce participation</a> are increasing. But we also know in Australia, we have a <a href="https://nationalseniors.com.au/uploads/09151356PAC_GrandparentsChildcareLabourForceParticipation_Report_FINAL_Web_0.pdf">preference</a> for some family care of young children, and for care of adults with disability and older people in the <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/australias-welfare-2017-in-brief/contents/ageing-aged-care">community</a>. This means many parents and carers will continue to have at least some interruptions to paid work, reducing their super contributions. We also know when women are encouraged to enter paid work, care responsibilities are often “redistributed” to other women. When mothers enter or re-enter paid work it’s often <a href="https://theconversation.com/caught-in-an-intergenerational-squeeze-grandparents-juggle-work-and-childcare-47939">grandmothers</a> who step in, frequently reducing their incomes and super. For care of ageing <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ageing-and-society/article/abs/an-integrative-analysis-of-sibling-influences-on-adult-childrens-caregiving-for-parents/038C6F299E62380F9C954A9A586A28CD">parents</a> it is often non-working female siblings that step in. As the savings potential of one group of women increases, the savings potential of another decreases. Where care can’t be redistributed to other women within the family, it is redistributed to paid early childhood education and care, disability support, and aged care services. All of these services are dominated by women. As a highly feminised industry, the caring roles are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-14/why-are-nurses-and-childcare-workers-so-poorly-paid/104218868">poorly remunerated</a>, so those doing the care, while paid, are themselves limited to save enough super. Boosting women’s workforce participation is an important step. But another is to pay super contributions to parents during the time they are off work providing childcare, as <a href="https://ministers.pmc.gov.au/gallagher/2024/super-boost-new-parents#:%7E:text=It%20means%20that%20eligible%20parents,to%20their%20nominated%20superannuation%20fund.">recently</a> agreed by the federal government. But we need an <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2015/04/carers-deserve-more-credit-in-the-retirement-incomes-debate">equivalent</a> for other kinds of unpaid carers. Even so, as long as care continues to circulate between different groups of women – older women, low paid women – and as long as care isn’t valued for the large social and economic contribution it makes, the gender super gap will persist. To close the persistent gender gap, we need to go further, encouraging greater men’s involvement in care, and providing better recognition and remuneration of unpaid and paid care. <hr /> This article is part of The Conversation’s retirement series, in which experts examine issues including how much money we need to retire, retiring with debt, the psychological impact of retiring and the benefits of getting financial advice. Read the rest of the series <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/retirement-series-2024-168372">here</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/240323/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/myra-hamilton-8638">Myra Hamilton</a>, Associate Professor, gender, ageing and care, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/being-carers-costs-women-more-than-500-000-over-a-lifetime-leaving-them-with-less-in-retirement-than-men-240323">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

More details shared in search for missing young mother

As the desperate search for Tayla Spies, a young mum who has been <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/desperate-search-for-missing-young-mother" target="_blank" rel="noopener">missing in western Queensland</a> for almost two weeks continues, police have released CCTV footage in hopes of helping locate her. The 29-year-old mum was last seen leaving a hotel in Dalby about 8am on Sunday February 2. “We have grave concerns about the health and safety of Tayla,” Detective Chief Inspector Garry Watts told the ABC. “She had a birthday just recently, she didn’t make any contact with family, which is really out of character.” Tayla turned 29 just six days after she went missing. CCTV footage showed her carrying a large bag into her her white Toyota HiLux, before she travelled towards Surat, a small town in the state's south west. Her vehicle, with the plate number 559 GJ7 and a distinctive black bumper bar and blacked-out wheels, was seen at the intersection of Burrowes Street and Cordelia Street in Surat at 11.10am. Tayla was last seen wearing a fluorescent pink long sleeve shirt and light-coloured shorts, according to police. However, in a social media update, her sister Rebecca said she might now be wearing different clothes. “She did end up changing into a white shirt with purple writing on it and a Mimco shoulder bag in the afternoon on Sunday,” she wrote. Her family have also appealed to the public for any information on the missing mum. “Please, if anyone has seen Tayla or her car, report it asap! We just want to know she’s okay and safe!” Police are urging anyone who was travelling between Dalby, Surat and surrounding areas, between the hours of 10.30am and 12.30pm on Sunday February 2, to check their dashcam footage. Image: Queensland Police Service/ Yahoo

Caring

How downsizing helps create a more comfortable home

Many older Australians find their home doesn’t work for them anymore. It might feel like there’s too much space, too much maintenance or simply too many unused rooms. This is a common experience across the country, with more than <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.downsizing.com.au/news/1391/new-data-shows-top-barriers-to-downsizing">1.8 million households</a> planning to downsize in the next five years. Downsizing offers a fresh start in a space that fits your current priorities, but it’s not always easy to figure out the best way forward. If you’re considering this step, these <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/home-truths/here-are-10-top-tips-to-make-downsizing-into-your-dream-home-easy">downsizing tips</a> from Australia’s leading home builder, <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/">Metricon</a>, can help you get started. <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Metricon2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></h2> <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">How does downsizing help you?</h2> There are a lot of ways <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/downsizing">downsizing</a> can make life easier. With less space to look after, cleaning and maintenance become much easier. You’ll spend less time worrying about the house and more time doing things you actually enjoy. Your energy bills might also go down since it takes less power to heat or cool a smaller home. Downsizing can also give you more financial freedom. Selling a larger property means you can put that value toward what matters most, like travelling, pursuing hobbies or helping out loved ones. <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Metricon3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></h2> <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Is downsizing right for you?</h2> When your home starts to feel impractical or harder to manage, downsizing could be the right choice. Unused rooms and constant upkeep can quickly become overwhelming, making it clear that your current space no longer meets your needs. Moving to a smaller, more manageable home can simplify your life and let you focus on what matters most. <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">When should you downsize?</h2> There’s no single right time to downsize, as it depends on your situation. However, moving earlier often makes the transition less stressful and gives you more control over the process. If managing your home is becoming physically or financially demanding, or if the upkeep feels too much to handle, it might be time to consider your options. <h2 style="margin: 14pt 0cm 6pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Metricon4.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></h2> <h2 style="margin: 14pt 0cm 6pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">How to declutter when you’re ready to downsize</h2> Decluttering for downsizing is easier when you focus on what truly matters. Ask yourself if each thing you own is something you use or genuinely value. Anything you no longer need can be donated, sold or given to family or friends. For sentimental items, keep a few meaningful pieces and take photos of the rest to preserve memories without cluttering your new space. <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">What to look for in your next home?</h2> Your downsized home should be manageable, comfortable and practical. Think about how much space you really need. Homes with two to three bedrooms usually provide enough room for guests, hobbies or even extra storage without being overwhelming. To make the most of your new space, look for smart layouts that are easy to navigate and keep organised. Don’t forget about the location. Being close to shops, medical centres, and public transport makes getting around easier and saves you time. You might also prioritise energy-efficient <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/house-designs/melbourne">house designs</a>, open layouts and low-maintenance gardens to enjoy a more manageable lifestyle. <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Metricon5.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></h2> <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Start downsizing today</h2> Downsizing can feel like a big decision, but it’s also an exciting chance to find a home that fits your lifestyle now and in the years to come. With so many options, having experts guide you through the process can make everything easier. <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/">Metricon</a> offers a wide range of thoughtfully designed, easy-to-manage homes. Visit their website to explore the options or chat to their friendly team today on 1300 786 773. Images: Supplied This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Metricon

Home & Garden

More than 100 people duped in FB scam at Queensland couple's home

Leah and Gerard thought they had the perfect home. Peaceful neighbourhood, quiet street – until they were unwittingly transformed into the hottest discount superstore on Facebook Marketplace. The problem? They weren’t selling anything. “No idea why it’s happened to us,” Gerard told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/scam-sees-a-hundred-people-turn-up-outside-queensland-couples-home/92763d2a-43ac-4596-a4d1-1d97f131ec2c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nine News</a>, still baffled by how their address became ground zero for a digital yard sale they never signed up for. It all began with a single, seemingly innocent knock at the door. A woman, hopeful and cash in hand, arrived to claim a bicycle she had “purchased” online. Leah and Gerard, unaware of their new status as involuntary retail moguls, had to break the news. But the knocks kept coming. And coming. And coming. “We had more than 100 people show up to our home looking for items that we supposedly had for sale, that we did not,” Leah said. From TVs to mattresses to outdoor furniture, their house was now the delivery hub of a scammer’s wildest dreams. If only Leah and Gerard had actually been running a secondhand store – they might have made a fortune. It wasn’t just a daytime ordeal either. These determined bargain hunters weren’t about to let something like the absence of an actual seller stop them. “They would arrive anywhere from 7:30 in the morning, right through until 10-10:30 at night,” Leah said. Some shoppers had even paid deposits in advance, while others went the extra mile – hiring Airtaskers to pick up non-existent goods. “So not good,” Gerard added, in what is arguably the understatement of the year. According to cyber support group ID Care, this isn’t an isolated incident. Scammers are increasingly using real addresses to make their fake listings seem legitimate. It’s an ingenious, if completely infuriating, tactic. “We find with many of the victims that are giving money, they’re also giving away scanned copies of their driver’s licence for example,” ID Care chief executive Dave Lacey said. And with identity theft a real concern, it turns out a too-good-to-be-true deal might end up costing you far more than just a missing couch. Leah and Gerard eventually took matters into their own hands, erecting a warning sign in their driveway to spare themselves from yet another disappointed customer. Their makeshift security checkpoint seemed to work, finally deterring the flood of hopeful buyers. Meanwhile, their local MP stepped in to get Meta to remove the scammer’s listing – presumably after realising that Facebook Marketplace doesn’t come with a customer service hotline. For Marketplace shoppers, the lesson is clear: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. If the seller doesn’t have a real profile or their photos look like they came from a stock image catalogue, proceed with caution. And, of course, always double-check the pickup address before showing up at a random couple’s doorstep demanding a TV! After all, Leah and Gerard have been through enough. “We’re just thankful that it’s stopped,” Gerard said. And somewhere in Queensland, a fake seller is already on the lookout for their next unsuspecting “storefront”. Images: Nine News

Legal

More trouble for Queensland as floods worsen

Two people have died due to floods in Queensland, with one woman passing away when an SES boat capsized on Sunday and another woman's body was found in a paddock near Ingham on Tuesday. The town, home to 4,500 people, has been dealt with another blow following peak flooding on Sunday and Monday, as they are now left without drinking water. A generator arrived in the town on Tuesday, but due to IT issues, it will take a while before the systems return. “This is a water failure advice message from the Hinchinbrook Shire Local Disaster Management Group,” an alert issued at 6am on Wednesday said. “The water system has failed and residents will not have water. A timeframe for repairs is unknown however restoration is under way as a priority.” More torrential rain is expected in the coming days in the areas of Queensland that have been hit with deadly flooding. Ingham is expected to be hit by more than 200mm of rain from Wednesday to Saturday. Forecasts for Townsville have been upgraded to expected rainfall of up to 100mm on Wednesday, up to 80mm on Thursday and up to 90mm on Friday. “It has been an incredibly difficult weekend and couple of days through this week for these communities and we do have devastating news yesterday that a second person has lost their life," Emergency management minister Jenny McAllister told the Today show. “We’re, of course, really thinking about their friends and their family. This will be really tough for them, but it’ll be really tough for the community of Ingham." McAllister told the Today show that the government will continue to provide support to those communities impacted by the flooding, with assistance being sent and a Disaster Recovery Allowance set up for those who've lost income. They are also working with Woolworths to ensure the communities could get food supplies as soon as possible, as highways remain closed. “We’re really looking to throw everything we can at supporting these communities have been isolated for quite some time now," she said. "I’m hoping to get to Ingham myself today and that’ll be a chance to talk a little more with locals, see how they’re travelling. They have really been through an incredibly difficult time." Image: Nine

Travel Trouble

Andrew O'Keefe faces more drug charges

Troubled former TV host Andrew O'Keefe has once again faced court over allegations of driving under the influence of drugs. Andrew O’Keefe, 53, was stopped at 11:30am on July 28th for random testing while driving his Mercedes in Rose Bay, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Police say he recorded a positive result for the roadside drug test, while he returned a negative result for the roadside breath test. The former Deal or No Deal host was taken to Waverley Police Station where he underwent a second oral fluid test that returned another positive reading. He was charged with driving a vehicle with an illicit drug present in his system. The former host of The Chase was represented by his lawyer Jahan Kalantar in Waverley Local Court on Monday, where Magistrate Stephen Barlow adjourned the matter until early next month. O’Keefe will remain out on bail. The new charge comes after O’Keefe received a 30-month community corrections order and $2,500 in fines after pleading guilty to drug-related offences in October last year. Image credits: Channel Seven <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">

Legal

Fruit and veg, exercise, frequent bloodletting and more tips on staying healthy from medieval travellers

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/megan-cassidy-welch-2265245">Megan Cassidy-Welch</a> Travellers have always faced health hazards when far from home. Medieval people were no exception. Pilgrims, crusaders and others <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/crusade-propaganda-and-ideology/425DB24A44F76AD40CE6A0CD113627D5">were warned</a> by preachers such as 13th century Jacques de Vitry of “dangers on land, dangers at sea, the dangers of thieves, the dangers of predators, the dangers of battles”. There were also dangers to health: disease, lack of good nutrition and water, injury, accident and poisoning. Medieval travellers were active and innovative in trying to prevent ill health while away. Although the adjective “medieval” continues to be used disparagingly to imply backwardness in medical and scientific knowledge, this history of preventive medicine shows us something different. <h2>From good sleep to ‘good’ leeches</h2> One especially interesting set of practical health care instructions for travellers is the De regimine et via itineris et fine peregrinatium (About the regimen and way of the journey for the traveller). The text was composed by Adam of Cremona in about 1227–28 for the German emperor Frederick II, who was about to set out on crusade. Unedited and <a href="https://archiv.ub.uni-marburg.de/ubfind/Record/urn:nbn:de:hebis:04-eb2020-0447/TOC#tabnav">surviving in a single manuscript</a>, Adam draws heavily on <a href="https://iep.utm.edu/avicenna-ibn-sina/">Ibn Sina’s</a> 11th century Canon of Medicine, used for medical teaching in medieval universities. Adam advised bloodletting (phlebotomy) should be performed prior to the emperor’s journey and then regularly throughout, depending on the “will and mood” of the stars. Bloodletting was central to medieval medical practice. It used leeches or sharp knife-like instruments to nick the vein and cause blood to drain from the body. It was performed both preventatively and, in the case of some medieval religious communities, periodically as part of monastic bodily regulation and discipline. Devoting some 25 chapters of his text to phlebotomy, Adam drew on the idea that bloodletting would regulate the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humorism">humours</a> (the four fluids thought to make up the body: blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm), evacuating “bad” ones and setting the body in balance to prepare for healthy travel. While the concept of the four humours has since been abandoned by modern medicine, bloodletting and “leech therapy” continue to be performed in some <a href="https://www.svhm.org.au/newsroom/news/medical-leech-therapy">medical settings</a> for specific purposes. Adam advised all travellers should be mindful of the instruments of bloodletting – especially leeches – while on the road. His writing included warnings to distinguish between leeches: good (round and shiny) and bad (black or blue in colour and found near fetid water). He also gave careful instruction on how to desalinate water, as well as advice about diet (as close as possible to the traveller’s home diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables), the importance of rest and adequate sleep, and the importance of regular bathing. Dysentery was a well known hazard of travel, especially for crusaders, and Adam’s guide reflected all travellers’ wish to avoid it by keeping the digestive system in balance. <h2>Balancing body and spirit</h2> Knowledge about water supplies was especially important for travellers. <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Pilgrimage-to-Jerusalem-and-the-Holy-Land-1187-1291/Pringle/p/book/9781138107250?srsltid=AfmBOooE6jGCvBdtC2UYXgG96RwjAzt_iliVzYf-8dV7QZIuZs7NJqmB">One pilgrimage guide</a> informed travellers one of the best sources of water in the holy land was just outside Haifa, in modern-day Israel. <a href="http://italicapress.com/index063.html">Theodoric’s Guide for the Holy Land</a> reminded travellers there was no water in Jerusalem other than the rainwater collected by inhabitants and stored in cisterns for daily use. Medieval travellers were also reminded to take particular care of their feet. In 1260, <a href="https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198662624.001.0001/acref-9780198662624-e-5935?rskey=aEEXKs&result=1">Vincent of Beauvais</a> gave instructions to travellers to use poultices (a dressing for wounds) made of oil, plants and quicksilver (mercury) to prevent and manage blisters – an all too frequent ailment experienced by pilgrims walking long distances. Adam of Cremona suggested travellers regulate their pace as they walked, especially on unfamiliar and rough roads. The overall benefit of exercise was generally understood. Preachers such as Jacques de Vitry told his congregations <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1468-229X.13238">movement made the body healthy</a> both physically and spiritually, so should be undertaken regularly before and during a journey. Different climates and environments meant encounters with dangerous fauna. The holy land was said to be home to poisonous serpents. Travellers took with them <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286847771_The_use_of_the_'Jericho_Tyrus'_in_theriac_A_case_study_in_the_history_of_the_exchanges_of_medical_knowledge_between_Western_Europe_and_the_Realm_of_Islam_in_the_middle_ages">theriac</a>, an antidote made in part from snake flesh in case of a bite. This would be ingested or smeared on the wound. Crocodiles in Egypt were also often mentioned as a hazard. There were no antidotes for an attack, but forewarning travellers with knowledge helped them to remain alert. Medieval travellers did not leave their fate entirely in God’s hands. Even the crusaders took precautionary measures to balance both bodily and spiritual health before and during their journeys. They confessed sins, sought blessings to protect their property and baggage and carried with them charms and amulets that were thought to ensure “the health of body and protection of the soul”, as <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1017/S0038713413000511">one 12th century Italian blessing</a> explained. This “divine prophylaxis” ran alongside more practical care of the physical body – a holistic view of health as corporeal and spiritual. The actions and remedies available to medieval pilgrims and other travellers may seem limited and perhaps dangerous to modern readers. But like all travellers, medieval people used the knowledge they had and tried hard to maintain good health in sometimes difficult conditions. The urge to remain well is a very human one, and its long medieval history reminds us that good health has always been carefully managed through prevention just as much as cure.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244638/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/megan-cassidy-welch-2265245">Megan Cassidy-Welch</a>, Professor of History and Dean of Research Strategy Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/fruit-and-veg-exercise-frequent-bloodletting-and-more-tips-on-staying-healthy-from-medieval-travellers-244638">original article</a>. </div>

Travel Trouble

Research suggests those who use buy-now-pay-later services end up spending more

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ashish-kumar-1056067">Ashish Kumar</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Once, borrowing money to make a purchase was a relatively tedious process, not a spur-of-the-moment thing. True, some stores offered lay-by plans that would let you pay for goods in instalments. But if they didn’t, and you didn’t already have a credit card, you’d have to go to a bank and apply for one. That would mean providing a range of supporting documents, negotiating an appropriate credit limit, and waiting for approval. It’s unlikely you’d apply for credit just for a single, small purchase. In recent years, though, the financial technology or “fintech” revolution in the customer credit market has changed all that, with the meteoric rise of buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services. BNPL credit allows consumers to split their purchases into smaller, interest-free instalments. It is often directly integrated into online checkouts with fast approval, making it easy to purchase something instantly and spread the cost over coming months. There are some obvious risks. Many BNPL providers charge less visible fees, such as late payment fees and account maintenance fees. In many countries, the BNPL sector is also less regulated than traditional credit. But does it also change our spending habits? Our recent <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2024.09.004">research</a> uncovered a concerning insight: consumers who use BNPL services end up spending more money online than those who don’t. This effect is particularly strong among younger shoppers and those with lower incomes. <h2>Our research</h2> We <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2024.09.004">analysed</a> data from an online retailer in the Nordic region that offered customers three payment options for online purchases: card, pay on delivery and BNPL. We found that consumers who used BNPL spent an average of 6.42% more than those who didn’t. This increase was particularly noticeable for low-ticket items, suggesting that BNPL may encourage customers to buy more when shopping for smaller, everyday things. Why might this be the case? For one, BPNL spending is constrained by the size of the loans on offer. In the US, the average BNPL loan amount is <a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_consumer-use-of-buy-now-pay-later_2023-03.pdf">US$135</a> (A$217). It may also be related to what’s known in economics as the “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/dec/22/recession-cosmetics-lipstick">lipstick effect</a>”, where customers under financial strain tend to reduce spending on big-ticket items in favour of lower-priced luxuries. Selling such low-ticket items doesn’t always give online retailers the biggest profit margins. But it can play a crucial role in acquiring and retaining customers, and creating opportunities to upsell. Our research also showed that younger, lower-income customers were more likely to spend more when using BNPL services, likely because it provides them with additional “liquidity” – access to cash. <h2>Why might they be spending more?</h2> It’s easy to see why so many consumers like BNPL. Some even think of it as more of a way of payment than a form of credit. The core feature of such services - offering interest-free instalment payments for online purchases - has a significant psychological impact on customers. It leverages the principle that the perceived benefit of spending in the present outweighs the displeasure associated with future payments. This behaviour aligns with theories of “hyperbolic discounting” – our preference for smaller immediate rewards over larger later ones – and the related “<a href="https://www.behavioraleconomics.com/resources/mini-encyclopedia-of-be/present-bias/">present bias</a>” phenomenon. Our results also suggest customers with high category experience – that is, more familiar with the larger product categories carried by a retailer – and those more sensitive to deals and promotions are likely to spend more when online retailers provide BNPL as a payment option. <h2>A growing influence on spending</h2> The economic impact of BNPL is substantial in the countries that have pioneered its adoption. In Australia, birthplace of Afterpay, Zip, Openpay, and Latitude, it’s <a href="https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/AFIA_BNPL_Research_Report-1.pdf">estimated</a> that (allowing for flow-on effects) BNPL services contributed A$14.3 billion to gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2021 financial year. Industry research firm Juniper Research <a href="https://www.juniperresearch.com/press/pressreleasesbuy-now-pay-later-users-to-exceed-670-million-globally/">projects</a> the number of BNPL users will exceed 670 million globally by 2028, an increase of more than 100% on current levels. Substantial projected growth in the sector is attributed to multiple factors. These include increasing e-commerce usage, economic pressures, the flexibility of payment options and widespread adoption by merchants. <h2>Buyer, beware</h2> BNPL services can be a convenient way to pay for online purchases. But it’s important to use them responsibly. That means understanding the potential risks and benefits to make your own informed decisions. Be mindful of your spending. Don’t let the allure of easy payments let you get carried away. Customers should explore beyond the marketing tactics of interest-free split payments and pay close attention to terms and conditions, including any fees and penalties. They should treat BNPL like any other form of credit. Whether you’re a shopper considering using BNPL or a business thinking about offering it, our research highlights that it may have the power to significantly influence spending patterns – for better or worse.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/246686/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ashish-kumar-1056067">Ashish Kumar</a>, Senior Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/research-suggests-those-who-use-buy-now-pay-later-services-end-up-spending-more-246686">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Women spend more of their money on health care than men. And no, it’s not just about 'women’s issues'

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mike-armour-391382">Mike Armour</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amelia-mardon-1505419">Amelia Mardon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/danielle-howe-1492317">Danielle Howe</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hannah-adler-1533549">Hannah Adler</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-oshea-457947">Michelle O'Shea</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> Medicare, Australia’s <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/medicare?language=und">universal health insurance scheme</a>, guarantees all Australians access to a wide range of health and hospital services at low or no cost. Although access to the scheme is universal across Australia (regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status), one analysis suggests <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/healthcare-out-of-pocket-costs-an-agenda-for-international-womens-day/">women often spend more</a> out-of-pocket on health services than men. Other research has found men and women spend similar amounts on health care overall, or even that men spend <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/ah/pdf/AH18191">a little more</a>. However, it’s clear women spend a <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/ah/pdf/AH18191">greater proportion of their overall expenditure</a> on health care than men. They’re also more likely to <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/healthcare-out-of-pocket-costs-an-agenda-for-international-womens-day/">skip or delay medical care</a> due to the cost. So why do women often spend more of their money on health care, and how can we address this gap? <h2>Women have more chronic diseases, and access more services</h2> Women are <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/health-conditions-prevalence/latest-release">more likely</a> to have a chronic health condition compared to men. They’re also more likely to report having multiple chronic conditions. While men generally die earlier, women are more likely to spend more of their life <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00053-7/fulltext">living with disease</a>. There are also some conditions which affect women more than men, such as <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-biological-differences-between-men-and-women-alter-immune-responses-and-affect-womens-health-208802">autoimmune conditions</a> (for example, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis). Further, medical treatments can sometimes be <a href="https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/967984/CIU-Evidence-Brief-Gender-disparity-and-gender-equality-measures-in-health.pdf">less effective for women</a> due to a focus on men in medical research. These disparities are likely significant in understanding why women <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/healthcare-out-of-pocket-costs-an-agenda-for-international-womens-day/">access health services</a> more than men. For example, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/female-health/contents/access-health-care">88% of women</a> saw a GP in 2021–22 compared to <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/male-health/contents/access-health-care">79% of men</a>. As the number of GPs <a href="https://practices.hotdoc.com.au/blog/the-decline-of-bulk-billing-and-its-impact-on-general-practice-in-australia/#:%7E:text=The%20Medicare%20rebate%20for%20patients,to%20ensure%20their%20financial%20sustainability.">offering bulk billing</a> continues to decline, women are likely to need to pay more out-of-pocket, because they <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/32ea8a7f-50d5-4047-b70b-92dd63d387b8/aihw-phe239-240-factsheet.pdf.aspx">see a GP more often</a>. In 2020–21, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/female-health/contents/access-health-care">4.3% of women</a> said they had delayed seeing a GP due to cost at least once in the previous 12 months, compared to <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/male-health/contents/access-health-care">2.7% of men</a>. Data from the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-services/patient-experiences/2020-21">Australian Bureau of Statistics</a> has also shown women are more likely to delay or avoid seeing a mental health professional due to cost. Women are also more likely to need prescription medications, owing at least partly to their increased rates of chronic conditions. This adds further out-of-pocket costs. In 2020–21, <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/healthcare-out-of-pocket-costs-an-agenda-for-international-womens-day/">62% of women</a> received a prescription, compared to 37% of men. In the same period, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/female-health/contents/access-health-care">6.1% of women</a> delayed getting, or did not get prescribed medication because of the cost, compared to <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/male-health/contents/access-health-care">4.9% of men</a>. <h2>Reproductive health conditions</h2> While women are disproportionately affected by chronic health conditions throughout their lifespan, much of the disparity in health-care needs is concentrated between the first period and menopause. Almost <a href="https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/news/impact-of-pelvic-pain-vastly-underestimated">half of women</a> aged over 18 report having experienced chronic pelvic pain in the previous five years. This can be caused by conditions such as endometriosis, dysmenorrhoea (period pain), vulvodynia (vulva pain), and bladder pain. <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/2023/2023-september/1-in-7-australian-women-aged-44-49-have-endometriosis">One in seven women</a> will have a diagnosis of endometriosis by age 49. Meanwhile, a quarter of all women aged 45–64 <a href="https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/research/womens-health-survey/menopause-in-australian-women">report symptoms</a> related to menopause that are significant enough to disrupt their daily life. All of these conditions can significantly reduce quality of life and increase the need to seek health care, sometimes including surgical treatment. Of course, conditions like endometriosis don’t just affect women. They also impact <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10501128/">trans men</a>, intersex people, and those who are gender diverse. <h2>Diagnosis can be costly</h2> Women often have to wait <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9518795/">longer to get a diagnosis</a> for chronic conditions. One <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.10.12.23296976v2.full-text">preprint study</a> found women wait an average of 134 days (around 4.5 months) longer than men for a diagnosis of a long-term chronic disease. Delays in diagnosis often result in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33004965/">needing to see more doctors</a>, again increasing the costs. Despite affecting about as many people as diabetes, it takes an average of between <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33050751/">six-and-a-half</a> to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33004965/">eight years</a> to diagnose endometriosis in Australia. This can be attributed to a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35928674/">number of factors</a> including society’s normalisation of women’s pain, poor knowledge about endometriosis among some health professionals, and the lack of affordable, non-invasive methods to accurately diagnose the condition. There have been recent improvements, with the introduction of <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/historic-medicare-changes-for-women-battling-endometriosis#:%7E:text=In%20addition%20to%20the%20specialised,with%20complex%20histories%20and%20symptoms.">Medicare rebates for longer GP consultations</a> of up to 60 minutes. While this is not only for women, this extra time will be valuable in diagnosing and managing complex conditions. But gender inequality issues still exist in the Medicare Benefits Schedule. For example, both pelvic and breast ultrasound rebates are <a href="https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/the-gender-medicare-gap-is-seeing-women-pay-more-for-ultrasounds-and-other-health-services/">less than a scan for the scrotum</a>, and <a href="https://www.endozone.com.au/treatment/MRI">no rebate</a> exists for the MRI investigation of a woman’s pelvic pain. <h2>Management can be expensive too</h2> Many chronic conditions, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0167482X.2020.1825374?casa_token=yIlFZg_vJxsAAAAA%3ALwSa5DBMoDDWTiZsU1FC0MLLXkDd_eWBrGa2gr8b6NeRevp4ynlsTD_IMMYV_ek766j2P5C-B4Qy#d1e167">such as endometriosis</a>, which has a wide range of symptoms but no cure, can be very hard to manage. People with endometriosis often use allied health and <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/imj.15494?casa_token=1sc4ZMGvDjIAAAAA%3AIrIY2B-RNVDDnUPMSsHI4axnBiTv-omNDHGlNSpsrm_qbMGY9iQ4htIyco5mj-Qhd7krsp7rfHtcbQ">complementary medicine</a> to help with symptoms. On average, women are more likely than men to use both <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2017/may/patterns-of-complementary-and-alternative-medi-2">complementary therapies</a> and <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/primary-health-care/general-practice-allied-health-primary-care">allied health</a>. While women with chronic conditions can access a <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/chronic-disease-management-plan?context=20">chronic disease management plan</a>, which provides Medicare-subsidised visits to a range of allied health services (for example, physiotherapist, psychologist, dietitian), this plan only subsidises five sessions per calendar year. And the reimbursement is <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9346321/">usually around 50% or less</a>, so there are still significant out-of-pocket costs. In the case of chronic pelvic pain, the cost of accessing allied or complementary health services has been found to average <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-022-01618-z">A$480.32 across a two-month period</a> (across both those who have a chronic disease management plan and those who don’t). <h2>More spending, less saving</h2> Womens’ health-care needs can also perpetuate financial strain beyond direct health-care costs. For example, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31600241">women with endometriosis</a> and chronic pelvic pain are often caught in a cycle of needing time off from work to attend medical appointments. Our <a href="https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5480104/v1">preliminary research</a> has shown these repeated requests, combined with the common dismissal of symptoms associated with pelvic pain, means women sometimes face discrimination at work. This can lead to lack of career progression, underemployment, and premature retirement. Similarly, with <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ASFAResearch_ImpactofMenopauseOnRetirement_080324.pdf">160,000 women</a> entering menopause each year in Australia (and this number expected to increase with population growth), the <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Menopause/Report/Chapter_3_-_Impact_on_work_and_the_economic_consequences_of_menopause#:%7E:text=3.1This%20chapter%20explores%20the,on%20partners%20or%20family%20members.">financial impacts</a> are substantial. As many as <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ASFAResearch_ImpactofMenopauseOnRetirement_080324.pdf">one in four women</a> may either shift to part-time work, take time out of the workforce, or retire early due to menopause, therefore earning less and paying less into their super. <h2>How can we close this gap?</h2> Even though women are more prone to chronic conditions, until relatively recently, much of medical research has been <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8812498/">done on men</a>. We’re only now beginning to realise important differences in how men and women experience certain conditions (such as <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-neuro-092820-105941">chronic pain</a>). Investing in women’s health research will be important to improve treatments so women are less burdened by chronic conditions. In the 2024–25 federal budget, the government committed $160 million towards <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-ged-kearney-mp/media/reforming-the-health-system-to-improve-sexual-and-reproductive-care">a women’s health package</a> to tackle gender bias in the health system (including cost disparities), upskill medical professionals, and improve sexual and reproductive care. While this reform is welcome, continued, long-term investment into women’s health is crucial.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/243797/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mike-armour-391382">Mike Armour</a>, Associate Professor at NICM Health Research Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amelia-mardon-1505419">Amelia Mardon</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Reproductive Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/danielle-howe-1492317">Danielle Howe</a>, PhD Candidate, NICM Health Research Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hannah-adler-1533549">Hannah Adler</a>, PhD Candidate, Health Communication and Health Sociology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-oshea-457947">Michelle O'Shea</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/women-spend-more-of-their-money-on-health-care-than-men-and-no-its-not-just-about-womens-issues-243797">original article</a>. </div>

Caring

Booking a summer holiday deal? Beware ‘drip pricing’ and other tactics to make you pay more than you planned

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jeannie-marie-paterson-6367">Jeannie Marie Paterson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Have you ever spotted what looked like a great deal on a website, added it to your “basket” and proceeded to checkout – only to find extra fees added on at the last minute? It’s frustratingly common when making airline, hotel and many other kinds of bookings to see an advertised price get ratcheted up at checkout with additional fees – perhaps “shipping insurance”, “resort fees” or just “taxes”. The practice is known as “<a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/pricing/price-displays">drip pricing</a>” and it can <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WH-Junk-Fees-Guide-for-States.pdf">distort</a> consumer decision-making and affect competition. Nonetheless, there is no specific ban on this conduct in Australia. Some companies have, however, effectively been prosecuted for it under the Australian Consumer Law, which contains some strict rules about misleading consumers through advertising. Many of us have already begun booking flights, hotels and more as we head into the summer holiday season. Here’s what the law says about companies changing prices in the lead-up to checkout, and how you can protect yourself as a consumer. <h2>What’s wrong with drip pricing?</h2> The tactic that underpins drip pricing is to draw a customer in with an attractive “headline” price but then add in other fees as the customer approaches the checkout. It’s reasonable to ask whether there’s anything wrong with this practice: after all, the customer still sees the final price at checkout. Why might that be seen as misleading conduct under Australian Consumer Law? The reasons lie in views about consumer buying behaviour and the nature of the statutory prohibition. Typically, the closer a consumer gets to a sale, the less likely they are to pull out or even fully notice any additional fees. They may then end up paying more than they intended and also have lost the opportunity to deal with other suppliers of the same product at a better price. In the relevant section of Australian Consumer Law, there’s no requirement of an intention to mislead. It’s also not necessarily relevant that the true pricing situation is eventually revealed to the consumer or that it’s in the “fine print”. Thus, in the eyes of the law, it can be enough that consumers were enticed by an attractive headline price. <h2>Price surprises</h2> This legal position is well illustrated by a <a href="https://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/HCA/2013/54.html">case</a> settled by the High Court in 2013, after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took on telecom provider TPG Internet in <a href="https://www.mondaq.com/australia/advertising-marketing-branding/282802/advertising-and-the-acl-fine-print-couldnt-save-tpg-internet-in-the-high-court">2010</a>, alleging misleading conduct. In this case, TPG had been advertising broadband internet services for $29.99 per month. But on reading the fine print, you’d have discovered this deal was only available with a landline service costing an additional $30 per month. The case moved up through Australia’s court system, but ultimately, the High Court majority held that the telco had engaged in misleading conduct. The High Court recognised that the very point of advertising is to draw consumers into “the marketing web”. It is therefore not enough to disclose the true (higher) price only at the point the transaction is concluded. TPG was fined $2 million in this case. Since then, the maximum penalties have increased, now the higher of: <ul> <li>$50 million</li> <li>three times the value obtained from the contravention, or (if the benefit can not be determined)</li> <li>30% of the business’s adjusted turnover during the breach period.</li> </ul> <h2>Dynamic pricing</h2> Other pricing complaints have been in the news recently, including concerns about point-of-sale dynamic pricing. Basically, this means using an algorithm that adjusts ticket prices in response to demand, as consumers wait in a virtual purchasing queue. Recent media reporting has centred on <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-14/ticketmaster-live-nation-dynamic-pricing-tickets-class-action/104469646">concerns</a> about the use of point-of-sale dynamic pricing in the events ticketing industry. A form of dynamic pricing is used by hotels and airlines. They increase prices seasonally and according to demand. But these “dynamic” prices are clearly visible to consumers as they start looking for a deal. Some bodies even publish helpful tables of likely prices at different times. The kind of dynamic pricing that happens at the very point consumers are waiting to buy is very different and arguably creates an “unfair surprise”. Whether these kinds of practices also fall within the category of misleading conduct remains to be seen. But it is arguable that consumers could reasonably expect the real-time movement of prices to be disclosed upfront. Earlier this year, the government announced <a href="https://theconversation.com/albanese-government-promises-to-ban-dodgy-trading-practices-234142">plans</a> to address both drip pricing and dynamic pricing as part of a broader ban on unfair trading practices. <h2>What can consumers do?</h2> While all this law reform and litigation is playing out, here are some things you can do to avoid pricing shock. 1. Slow down. One of the strategies that online markets often rely on is “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/12/accc-suing-coles-woolworths-pricing-strategies-allegations">scarcity signalling</a>” – those clocks or numbers you see counting down as you move through a website. The very purpose of these is to make a consumer rush – which can mean failing to notice those additional fees that may make the buy not a good deal. 2. Take screen shots as you progress. Remember what it is you thought you were getting. Doing this also provides a basis for lodging a complaint if the headline and actual price don’t match up. 3. Check. Take a close look at the final bill before pressing pay. 4. Report. Tell your local Fair Trading Office or the ACCC if the advertised deal and the final price don’t meet up. A recent action taken by the ACCC against <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/23/accc-suing-coles-woolworths-discounts-misleading">Woolworths and Coles</a> alleging “illusory” discounts was launched because of consumer tip-offs.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244825/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jeannie-marie-paterson-6367">Jeannie Marie Paterson</a>, Professor of Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/booking-a-summer-holiday-deal-beware-drip-pricing-and-other-tactics-to-make-you-pay-more-than-you-planned-244825">original article</a>. </div>

Travel Trouble

Australia Post wants to charge more for stamps next year. Here’s why it has to keep letters alive

<div class="theconversation-article-body">By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-alexander-1126222">Paul Alexander</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a> Remember back at the turn of the millennium, when sending a small letter only cost 45 cents? If you haven’t used the postal service recently, you might be in for a rude shock. Late last week, it was announced Australia Post had notified the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of a proposal to increase the price of stamps. If ultimately approved by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, the current basic postage rate for a small letter, $1.50, would <a href="https://auspost.com.au/disruptions-and-updates/pricing-updates/bpr-letter-pricing-update">rise</a> to $1.70 by mid-2025. Stamps for regular large and priority small letters would go from $2.20 up to $2.70. There would still be a discounted option for seasonal greetings cards, which would remain at 65 cents. If you’re feeling a sense of déjà vu, that’s because the last basic postage rate <a href="https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/media-release/decision-basic-postage-rate">increase</a> to $1.50 only just came into effect earlier this year. Like physical cash, letters have arguably been in terminal decline. According to Australia Post, <a href="https://newsroom.auspost.com.au/proposed-stamp-price-increase-as-letters-losses-mount">fewer than 3%</a> of letters are now sent by individuals. The rest are overwhelmingly business and government communications. But for some key groups, the “snail mail” remains a vital service. So why do we need to keep letters alive, and will increasing the price of stamps be enough to do so? <h2>A duty to serve all Australians</h2> As a publicly owned organisation, Australia Post has a range of formal community service obligations (CSOs). These are <a href="https://www.transparency.gov.au/publications/communications-and-the-arts/australian-postal-corporation/australia-post-annual-report-2022-23/other-important-information/community-service-obligations">enshrined in legislation</a> – the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989. These CSOs were set up to ensure essential postal services are accessible and affordable to all Australians, including those in regional, rural and remote areas. They include providing a universal access to a standard letter service at a uniform price across the country, as well as specific obligations on the frequency, range and speed of mail delivery. Since 2015, Australia Post has been lobbying to reform its community service obligations to <a href="https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/australia-post-posts-222m-loss-letter-posting-in-terminal-decline-20150925-gjup78">better align</a> with changed consumer behaviour and needs. That has led to some changes in what’s expected, including a range of <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/postal-services-modernisation-discussion-paper.pdf">reforms</a> implemented by the Australian government over the past year. These have included <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-12/auspost-to-halve-letter-delivery-frequency-from-monday/103699458">reducing delivery frequency</a> for letters and reallocating resources to parcel delivery, while still maintaining essential services in regional and remote areas and for special interest groups. We are clearly in a broader transition to new CSOs – and a new role for Australia Post. Much of that comes down to the difficulty of delivering letters. <h2>The long decline of letters</h2> In the last financial year, Australia Post’s letter volumes <a href="https://newsroom.auspost.com.au/proposed-stamp-price-increase-as-letters-losses-mount">fell</a> by almost 13%, which the company said led to a loss of $361.8 million. But this is nothing new. From a peak in 2008, letter delivery volumes have been <a href="https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/media-release/ensuring-australia-post-can-deliver-more-australians">plummeting</a> for more than a decade. <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> Australia Post <a href="https://newsroom.auspost.com.au/proposed-stamp-price-increase-as-letters-losses-mount">says</a> they’re now at levels not seen since the 1950s. Remember, in 1955, the Australian population was only 9.2 million people. Parallels with declining cash usage highlight our aversion to doing things with paper. Cash use in Australia has also fallen to historic lows, forcing the government to step in with a plan to <a href="https://theconversation.com/businesses-will-have-to-accept-cash-for-essentials-under-government-plan-243899">keep it alive for essentials</a>. <h2>All or nothing</h2> A key conundrum is that we can’t keep letters half-alive. For all Australians to be able post letters on a scheduled basis with fast delivery requires Australia Post to maintain a complete letter network across the entire nation. The overall costs of operating this – while not specifically itemised publicly – include maintaining delivery routes and retail outlets, paying employee wages and investing in infrastructure. Naturally, increasing the cost of sending letters will discourage businesses from doing so, shrinking the market ever more. But because the size of the mail delivery network does not shrink proportionately, this can cause outsize problems for Australia Post. Australia is not unique. Postal services around the world have felt <a href="https://www.upu.int/en/publications/physical-postal-services/strategies-and-ways-for-developing-the-traditional-letterpost-documents-market">similar pressures</a>, many of which have diversified into parcel logistics and offering other digital services. <h2>Could we just lose letters?</h2> There are three core demographics in Australian society that still need to send and receive physical mail. These are: <ul> <li> older Australians, particularly those who are less familiar with or have limited access to digital platforms </li> <li> residents of regional and remote areas with limited internet connectivity </li> <li> concessional users for whom discounted mail is the most affordable form of important communications. </li> </ul> At the very least, these groups all need to have a guaranteed ability to send and receive official information. That includes bank statements, legal notices, utility bills and government correspondence, such as electoral information. Less critical, but still socially important and likely not to be terminated, is delivery of cards and letters for personal milestones, holidays or other events. That puts Australia Post in a tricky position. It likely cannot maintain such large mail delivery infrastructure unless it does so at increasing losses. That also reduces its ability to provide other, more relevant services and can blunt its competitiveness in the parcel delivery market. <h2>Letters as small parcels</h2> For Australia Post, one solution may lie in leveraging its <a href="https://auspost.com.au/content/dam/auspost_corp/media/documents/2024-australia-post-annual-report.pdf">thriving</a> parcels delivery network. Given the essential user base for mail delivery is now so small, it makes sense for letters to be “special” delivery services, much as courier document services are now. Parcel home delivery resources could take this mail the last mile. This would be much more expensive per item for Australia Post. But if the market continued to decrease in volume, it would minimise total costs. It would also allow the government to provide a targeted subsidy if required.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244503/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-alexander-1126222">Paul Alexander</a>, Adjunct Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-post-wants-to-charge-more-for-stamps-next-year-heres-why-it-has-to-keep-letters-alive-244503">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

What’s the difference between gelato and ice cream? One contains more air

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> As the weather gets warmer, it’s the perfect time for ice cream or a gelato. Who am I kidding? It’s the perfect time year round. But what’s the difference between gelato and ice cream? Not everyone agrees. Some people say they’re made with <a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/gelato-vs-ice-cream-8609179">different amounts of fat</a>. Others say it’s all about the <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/whats-the-difference-between-gelato-and-ice-cream-909197#:%7E:text=Gelato%20is%20churned%20at%20a,much%20as%2050%20percent%20air.">air content</a>. To add to the confusion, gelato is the Italian word for any type of ice cream. But in Australia, gelato refers to the frozen dessert of Italian origin. <h2>How are they similar?</h2> Ice cream and gelato are both sweet desserts served cold. They both contain varying amounts of cream, milk, sugar, flavours, and sometimes eggs. The fat component from the cream provides the richness, smoothness and body. Eggs are normally associated with gelato but can also be added to ice cream to enhance the richness. Most commercial ice creams and gelato also contain <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-emulsifiers-bad-not-enough-evidence-to-say-we-should-stop-eating-them-121325">emulsifiers</a>. These are food additives that act as a stabiliser by preventing liquids that normally don’t mix from separating. Emulsifiers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-024-00893-5#Sec11">have been linked</a> to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11345991/">numerous gut symptoms</a>. However most of the evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies, and there is <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-024-00893-5/tables/2">limited robust evidence of this in humans</a>. Ice cream and gelato are both made by churning (whipping) the ingredients, leading to air bubbles forming. In fact, it’s the air bubbles that allow us to eat these desserts frozen. It gives them a palatable texture and mouthfeel by making the mixture softer and lighter. Imagine how hard it would be to eat a hard lump of frozen dessert. Many people assume both ice cream and gelato are good sources of calcium, presumably because they’re made from dairy products. But due to the low proportions of milk (it’s mostly cream, which contains less calcium), they both only provide about 65 milligrams of calcium per half cup. That’s <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/calcium">about 7%</a> of the daily calcium requirements for adults aged 19-50. They also both contain small amounts of protein – about 2-3 grams per half cup. That’s only about 5% of your <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/protein">daily protein requirements</a>. So ice cream and gelato are not a valuable source of calcium and protein, making them of low nutritional value. That’s why they’re regarded as “<a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating">sometimes</a>” foods. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633714/original/file-20241121-15-36t0ln.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Gelato vs ice cream" /><figcaption>The Conversation, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></figcaption></figure> <h2>How are they different?</h2> It’s about the air The <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/On_Food_and_Cooking/bKVCtH4AjwgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA8&printsec=frontcover">speed</a> at which the mixture is churned can determine the amount of air it contains. This impacts the product’s thickness and smoothness. Ice cream is traditionally <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/On_Food_and_Cooking/bKVCtH4AjwgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA8&printsec=frontcover">churned faster</a> <a href="https://eu.venchi.com/blog/italian-gelato-vs-icecream">than gelato</a>. This means more air is incorporated, making it feel fluffy and creamy compared to gelato, which tends to feels thicker and richer. It’s about the ice Churning at a slower speed, as you would typically for gelato, also <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/On_Food_and_Cooking/bKVCtH4AjwgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA8&printsec=frontcover">increases the size of ice crystals</a>. Large ice crystals give a coarse icy texture, compared to a creamier texture from smaller ice crystals in ice cream. How about the fat? Although many websites say ice cream <a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/gelato-vs-ice-cream-8609179">contains more fat</a> than gelato, this is a tricky one to tease out. In Australia, <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2015L00424/latest/text">food standards</a> say ice cream should contain at least 100g milk fat per kilogram (or 10% milk fat). So products with less fat need to be called something else – frozen dessert, iced confection, even gelato. So, in theory, a lower-fat product made the same way as ice cream could be called gelato. Non-dairy products made the same way as ice cream could also be called gelato. So how much milk fat does gelato need to contain? I can’t find any legal requirements in Australia or elsewhere. <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ice-cream-vs-gelato-vs-sherbet-vs-sorbet">Cooking websites</a> often refer to it having 4-9% milk fat. But depending on the recipe, it could be higher. Fat content also differs from flavour to flavour. For example, if you compare the nutritional content of half a cup of vanilla ice cream with half a cup of vanilla gelato, the ice cream has 2g more fat. Other flavours will give different results. How about the sugar or kilojules? If we just compare half a cup of vanilla ice cream with half a cup of vanilla gelato, the gelato has about 3g more sugar. Again, different flavours will give different results. The difference in kilojoules is very small – 15kJ per half cup. <h2>Overall, which one’s healthier?</h2> Effectively there is little difference nutritionally between ice cream and gelato. But brands and flavours vary considerably. They each use different amounts of cream, eggs and other ingredients. So kilojoule, fat and sugar content can vary considerably too. Should you still eat them? Yes, absolutely if you enjoy them. However, both are classified as sometimes foods due to their added sugar and low level of nutrients. And perhaps limit your serve size.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/238988/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-gelato-and-ice-cream-one-contains-more-air-238988">original article</a>. </div>

Food & Wine

Is thunderstorm asthma becoming more common?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kira-morgan-hughes-1520392">Kira Morgan Hughes</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> When spring arrives, so do warnings about thunderstorm asthma. But a decade ago, most of us hadn’t heard of it. So where did thunderstorm asthma come from? Is it a new phenomenon? In 2016, the world’s most <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(18)30120-7/fulltext">catastrophic thunderstorm asthma</a> event took Melbourne by surprise. An increase in warnings and monitoring is partly a response to this. But there are also signs climate change may be exacerbating the likelihood of thunderstorm asthma, with more extreme weather, extended pollen seasons and a rise in Australians reporting hay fever. <h2>A landmark catastrophe</h2> The first time many Australians heard of thunderstorm asthma was in November 2016, when a <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(18)30120-7/fulltext">major event</a> rocked Melbourne. During a late night storm, an estimated <a href="https://www.jaci-inpractice.org/action/showFullTableHTML?isHtml=true&tableId=tbl1&pii=S2213-2198%2820%2931133-8">10,000 people</a> were rushed to hospitals with severe asthma attacks. With thousands of calls on emergency lines, ambulances and emergency departments were unprepared to handle the rapid increase in people needing urgent medical care. Tragically, ten of those people died. This was the most catastrophic thunderstorm asthma event in recorded history and the first time deaths have ever occurred anywhere in the world. In response, the Victorian Department of Health <a href="https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/epidemic-thunderstorm-asthma-program">implemented initiatives</a>, including public awareness campaigns and improvements to health and emergency services, to be ready for future thunderstorm asthma events. A network of <a href="https://www.melbournepollen.com.au/faqs/how-has-epidemic-thunderstorm-asthma-forecasting-system-been-developed/">pollen monitoring stations</a> was also set up across the state to gather data that helps to predict future events. <h2>A problem for decades</h2> While this event was unexpected, it wasn’t the first time we’d had thunderstorm asthma in Australia – we’ve actually known about it for decades. Melbourne reported its first instance of thunderstorm asthma back in 1984, only a year after this phenomenon was <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(85)91510-7/fulltext">first discovered</a> in Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Thunderstorm asthma has since been reported in other parts of Australia, including Canberra and New South Wales. But it is still most common in Melbourne. Compared to any other city (or country) the gap is significant: over a quarter of all known events worldwide have <a href="https://www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(20)31133-8/fulltext">occurred in Melbourne</a>. <h2>Why Melbourne?</h2> Melbourne’s location makes it a hotspot for these kinds of events. Winds coming from the north of Melbourne tend to be dry and hot as they come from deserts in the centre of Australia, while winds from the south are cooler as they come from the ocean. When hot and cool air mix above Melbourne, it creates the perfect conditions for <a href="https://dro.deakin.edu.au/articles/thesis/Enemies_of_the_air_beware_impact_of_weather_parameters_on_airborne_allergens_and_asthma_presentations/21118435">thunderstorms</a> to form. Northern winds also blow a lot of pollen from farmlands into the city, in particular grass pollen. This is not only the <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/bf02136145">most common cause</a> of seasonal hay fever in Melbourne but also a <a href="https://karger.com/iaa/article-abstract/116/4/253/163752/Thunderstorm-Asthma-Due-to-Grass-Pollen?redirectedFrom=fulltext">major trigger of thunderstorm asthma</a>. <h2>Why grass pollen?</h2> There’s a particular reason grass pollen is the main culprit behind thunderstorm asthma in Australia. During storms there is a lot of moisture in the air. Grass pollen will absorb this moisture, making it swell up like a water balloon. If pollen absorbs too much water whilst airborne, it can burst or “<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PII0140-6736(92)90864-Y/fulltext">rupture</a>,” releasing hundreds of microscopic particles into the air that can be swept by powerful winds. Normally, when you breathe in pollen it gets stuck in your upper airway – for example, your nose and throat. This is what causes typical hay fever symptoms such as sneezing or runny nose. But the microscopic particles released from ruptured grass pollen are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22794674/">much smaller</a> and don’t get stuck as easily in the upper airway. Instead, they can travel deep into your airways until they reach your lungs. This may trigger more severe symptoms, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, even in people with <a href="https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erj/16/1/3">no prior history of asthma</a>. <h2>So who is at risk?</h2> You might think asthma is the biggest risk factor for thunderstorm asthma. In fact, the biggest risk factor is hay fever. Up to <a href="https://www.resmedjournal.com/article/S0954-6111(17)30351-7/fulltext">99% of patients</a> who went to the emergency department during the Melbourne 2016 event had hay fever, while a majority (60%) had no prior diagnosis of asthma. <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24745332.2020.1727301">Every single person</a> hospitalised was allergic to at least one type of grass pollen. All had a sensitivity to <a href="https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/grains-research-development/annual-ryegrass">ryegrass</a>. <h2>Is thunderstorm asthma becoming more common?</h2> Thunderstorm asthma events are rare, with just <a href="https://www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(20)31133-8/fulltext">26 events</a> officially recorded worldwide. However there is evidence these events could become more frequent and severe in coming years, due to climate change. Higher temperatures and pollution could be making <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(19)30015-4/fulltext">plants produce more pollen</a> and <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/imj.13699">pollen seasons last much longer</a>. Extreme weather events, including thunderstorms, are also expected to become <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.14177">more common and severe</a>. In addition, there are signs rates that hay fever may be increasing. The number of Australians reporting allergy symptoms have risen from <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever-in-australia/summary">15%</a> in 2008 to <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/health-conditions-prevalence/latest-release">24%</a> in 2022. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4356643/">Similar trends in other countries</a> has been linked to climate change. <h2>How can I prepare?</h2> Here are three ways you can reduce your risk of thunderstorm asthma: <ul> <li> stock up on allergy medication and set up an <a href="https://asthma.org.au/manage-asthma/asthma-action-plan/">asthma action plan</a> with your GP </li> <li> check daily <a href="https://www.pollenforecast.com.au/">pollen forecasts</a> for the estimated pollen level and risk of a thunderstorm asthma event in your local area </li> <li> on days with high pollen or a high risk of thunderstorm asthma, spend less time outside or wear a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8431835/">surgical face mask</a> to reduce your symptoms.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/243929/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> </li> </ul> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kira-morgan-hughes-1520392">Kira Morgan Hughes</a>, PhD Candidate in Allergy and Asthma, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-thunderstorm-asthma-becoming-more-common-243929">original article</a>. </div>

Body

No more Mr Nice Guy: Tom Hanks blows up at movie critics

Tom Hanks has taken aim at movie critics in a heated on Conan O'Brien's podcast, calling out the entire review section of the entertainment industry. The Hollywood actor launched into his tirade on the Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast as he looked at how movie reviews and the general audience reception to films has changed over the years. “Now what happened is that time has become one of the metrics for how these things matter, right?” he said. “In the day it was just a fist fight. It was every movie you came out, are you going to make the playoffs or not? Guess what? No, kid, you’re 2 and 12 and you ain’t going nowhere. Or, you got a shot.” “It used to be you had these Rubicons that you crossed,” he continued. “First of all, do you love it or not? That’s the first thing. Yes, okay, you have crossed the Rubicon, right? The next Rubicon you cross is when the movie is completely done a year and a half later, and you see it for the first time, and you might like it. It doesn’t matter if it works or not, you look at it and say, ‘Hey, I think we acquitted ourselves pretty good.’ That’s Rubicon No. 2.” Hanks went on, “Then the critics weigh in, that’s Rubicon No. 3, and that’s always up down. ‘We hate it, we like it. This is the worst thing … Oh hey, oh hi Tom, I saw you in a movie. It was cute.’” “That’s when you ask the wife, ‘Hey, honey, could you take the revolver out of the glove box and hide it somewhere, because I think…,” Hanks joked. Podcast host O'Brien then brought up that Hanks was initially “disappointed” with his 1996 film That Thing You Do!, which marked his directorial debut, but the movie has since become a cult classic in pop culture. “Let me tell you something about these c***suckers who write about movies,” Hanks responded, before asking O’Brien and his co-hosts, “Can I say that?” “Somebody who wrote about it is, ‘Tom Hanks has to stop hanging around with veterans of TV, because this is just like the shot on TV and it’s not much of anything,’” Hanks recalled. “That same person then wrote about the cult classic That Thing You Do! Same exact person. They said, ‘All you need is 20 years between now and then, and it ends up speaking some words.’” Image credits: Shutterstock

Movies

"Happy wives, happy social lives?" Men are more emotionally disconnected than women – what can be done about it?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/roger-patulny-94836">Roger Patulny</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/hong-kong-baptist-university-2801">Hong Kong Baptist University</a> Many of us are worried about loneliness and isolation, and both <a href="https://theconversation.com/dont-be-fooled-loneliness-affects-men-too-15545">decade-old</a> and <a href="https://www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/blog/how-many-australians-are-lonely/">recent data</a> suggest they impact men more than women. Loneliness predicts health outcomes including <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1745691614568352">early mortality</a>, greater <a href="https://hqlo.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12955-022-01946-6">psychological distress</a>, and more <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-022-00355-9">cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological problems</a>. New research also links loneliness to <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-18770-w">more intolerant attitudes towards women</a>. These findings raise concerns over the causes and impacts of men’s loneliness and isolation. <h2>A deep dive into loneliness</h2> I recently analysed more than 50 indicators from a decade of data collected by the <a href="https://www.acspri.org.au/aussa">Australian Social Attitudes Survey</a>, from 2011–12, 2015–16, 2017–18, and 2022–23. My statistical models produced results for (self-identified) men and women, after controlling for the impacts of age, employment and partner status. I confirmed that Australian men are more likely to be socially and emotionally disconnected than women. I also found some reasons why this might be the case. I found men appear to focus their emotional energies primarily on their nuclear families and partners. Consequently, they over-rely on their female partners for intimate support and develop more distant, limited and transactional relationships with other people – and other men. <h2>Men are more emotionally disconnected</h2> The data show men continue to lack emotional support on a range of indicators. This puts them at greater risk of health impacts and potentially encourages more toxic attitudes towards women. A significantly greater proportion of men than women reported: <ul> <li>receiving no support from their closest friend</li> <li>receiving fun/practical advice over emotional support from close friends</li> <li>having less contact with a close friend</li> <li>not having anyone for emotional support</li> <li>not feeling “very close” to their closest friend</li> <li>not feeling “love” as their most commonly experienced emotion in the last week.</li> </ul> <h2>Men have more distant, transactional relationships</h2> Why are men in this situation? Masculinity roles are clearly influential. Traditional masculinity encourages men to appear capable, controlled and independent, avoid displays of “vulnerable” emotions or male-to-male affection (like hugging, touch or crying), and embrace the hetero-normative ideal of male provision and leadership. Such norms have been found to constrain male intimacy <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37531906/">by disallowing vulnerability</a>. My data show men tend to develop looser, transactional ties with more distant people. This may reduce the quality of the connection and its potential to reduce loneliness. I have found men are more likely than women to: <ul> <li>think it is OK to befriend someone just because they’ll make a “useful” contact</li> <li>feel obligated to repay favours immediately (foregoing longer-term connections)</li> <li>be kind to others because they “value doing the right thing”, rather than because they empathically connect with or care about the person</li> <li>give and receive kindness from strangers (rather than more familiar people)</li> <li>seek help with household jobs from more distant family or friends</li> <li>seek practical support (money, advice) from private and commercial sources (rather than friends or family)</li> <li>not seek help from family or friends for emotional, sickness or care issues.</li> </ul> This means many men retain an individualist masculine desire to remain emotionally aloof. <hr /> <iframe id="TBJfz" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/TBJfz/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <hr /> <h2>Appearing in control but becoming dependent?</h2> So where do men turn for intimate, emotional connection? Most often, their families. Prior studies show partnered men are <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-18770-w">less lonely than single men</a>. My data show men revere the nuclear family institution and the core supportive role of women and female partners. Men are more likely than women to: <ul> <li>believe having children increases their social standing</li> <li>believe family is more important than friends</li> <li>rely on family over friends for support</li> <li>have mixed-gender friendships (in contrast to womens’ predominately female friendships)</li> <li>see their (predominantly female) partner as their closest friend</li> <li>emotionally support their (predominantly female) partner ahead of supporting others.</li> </ul> However, the masculine desire to be a “good nuclear family man” <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37531906/">can both support and impede</a> men’s social connection. Partnered men might feel less lonely but that doesn’t mean they give or gain sufficient emotional support from their nuclear families. My data show men are less likely than women to: <ul> <li>plan or organise social and family activities</li> <li>have at least weekly contact with non-nuclear family or friends</li> <li>emotionally support their friends, family or children ahead of their partners</li> <li>have their partner support them ahead of others (women were more likely to support their children first).</li> </ul> This raises several issues. If men cling to the notion that their primary role is to provide for and support their (female) partner – while she in turn emotionally supports everyone else – they risk becoming personally isolated through diminished networks and outmoded expectations. In this context, men who believe they should earn more than their partners <a href="https://theconversation.com/loneliness-in-the-workplace-is-greatest-among-men-with-traditional-views-about-being-the-breadwinner-230535">are lonelier</a> than other men. It also risks pushing the burden of maintaining social and emotional connections onto <a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a27259689/toxic-masculinity-male-friendships-emotional-labor-men-rely-on-women/">women and partners</a>, and men becoming socially and emotionally dependent on them. And it can “bake in” hetero-normative family-to-family interactions (organised by female partners) as the most “legitimate” form of socialising for men. This can be highly exclusionary for LGBTQIA+ people, along with single men and single fathers, who register among <a href="https://www.relationships.org.au/relationship-indicators/">the highest rates of loneliness in Australia</a>. <hr /> <iframe id="qCmHw" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/qCmHw/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <hr /> <h2>How can men become more emotionally connected?</h2> Feelings shouldn’t be seen as just a <a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a27259689/toxic-masculinity-male-friendships-emotional-labor-men-rely-on-women/">“female thing”</a>. Younger men’s more inclusive masculine attitudes can allow them to <a href="https://theconversation.com/he-is-always-there-to-listen-friendships-between-young-men-are-more-than-just-beers-and-banter-200301">subvert the “rules” of masculinity</a>, express emotion and embrace <a href="https://theconversation.com/he-is-always-there-to-listen-friendships-between-young-men-are-more-than-just-beers-and-banter-200301">“bromances”</a>. Men can also connect emotionally with other men through <a href="https://theconversation.com/he-is-always-there-to-listen-friendships-between-young-men-are-more-than-just-beers-and-banter-200301">jokes and humour</a> and participating in shared activities <a href="https://theconversation.com/lost-touch-with-friends-during-lockdown-heres-how-to-reconnect-and-let-go-of-toxic-ones-172853">that allow incidental communication</a>, like Men’s Sheds. The following initiatives may well help men broaden their intimate networks beyond the nuclear family. We could:<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/239194/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <ul> <li>help men into caring roles through more <a href="https://theconversation.com/loneliness-in-the-workplace-is-greatest-among-men-with-traditional-views-about-being-the-breadwinner-230535">family friendly employment and care-leave policies</a></li> <li>support initiatives such as <a href="https://meninmind.movember.com/">Movember Men in Mind</a> that encourage men to seek help, and improve their emotional expression and support skills</li> <li>encourage partnered, heterosexual men to broaden and diversify their intimate networks beyond the nuclear family bubble, and be more inclusive of single men, single fathers, and LGBTQIA+ people. <a href="https://thephn.com.au/news/the-mens-table-successful-mental-health-initiative-expanding-across-seven-new-regions">Men’s Table initiatives</a> could be of great value here</li> <li>encourage the development of more online <a href="https://theconversation.com/he-is-always-there-to-listen-friendships-between-young-men-are-more-than-just-beers-and-banter-200301">safe spaces</a> to form intimate bonds while avoiding toxic online masculine spaces.</li> </ul> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/roger-patulny-94836">Roger Patulny</a>, Professor, Academy of Geography, Sociology and International Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/hong-kong-baptist-university-2801">Hong Kong Baptist University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/happy-wives-happy-social-lives-men-are-more-emotionally-disconnected-than-women-what-can-be-done-about-it-239194">original article</a>. </div>

Mind

Are older adults more vulnerable to scams? What psychologists have learned about who’s most susceptible, and when

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/natalie-c-ebner-1527554">Natalie C. Ebner</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/didem-pehlivanoglu-1527551">Didem Pehlivanoglu</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a> About 1 in 6 Americans <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/05/2020-census-united-states-older-population-grew.html">are age 65 or older</a>, and that percentage <a href="https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-older-americans">is projected to grow</a>. Older adults often hold positions of power, have retirement savings accumulated over the course of their lifetimes, and make important financial and health-related decisions – all of which makes them attractive targets for financial exploitation. In 2021, there were more than 90,000 older victims of fraud, according to the FBI. These cases resulted in <a href="https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3ElderFraudReport.pdf">US$1.7 billion in losses</a>, a 74% increase compared with 2020. Even so, that may be a significant undercount, since embarrassment or lack of awareness <a href="https://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/fraud-victims-11.pdf">keeps some victims from reporting</a>. <a href="https://ncea.acl.gov/elder-abuse#gsc.tab=0">Financial exploitation</a> represents one of the most common forms of elder abuse. Perpetrators are often individuals in the victims’ inner social circles – family members, caregivers or friends – but can also be strangers. When older adults experience financial fraud, they typically <a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/AgeandFraud/Infographic">lose more money</a> than younger victims. Those losses can have <a href="https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2012.11">devastating consequences</a>, especially since older adults have limited time to recoup – dramatically reducing their independence, health and well-being. But older adults have been largely neglected in research on this burgeoning type of crime. We are <a href="https://ebnerlab.psych.ufl.edu/natalie-c-ebner-phd/">psychologists who study social cognition</a> and <a href="https://ebnerlab.psych.ufl.edu/didem-pehlivanoglu/">decision-making</a>, and <a href="https://ebnerlab.psych.ufl.edu/">our research lab</a> at the University of Florida is aimed at understanding the factors that shape vulnerability to deception in adulthood and aging. <h2>Defining vulnerability</h2> Financial exploitation involves a variety of exploitative tactics, such as coercion, manipulation, undue influence and, frequently, some sort of deception. The majority of current research focuses on <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3052">people’s ability to distinguish between truth and lies</a> during interpersonal communication. However, deception occurs in many contexts – increasingly, over the internet. Our lab conducts laboratory experiments and real-world studies to measure susceptibility under various conditions: investment games, lie/truth scenarios, phishing emails, text messages, fake news and deepfakes – fabricated videos or images that are created by artificial intelligence technology. To study how people respond to deception, we use measures like surveys, brain imaging, behavior, eye movement and heart rate. We also collect health-related biomarkers, such as being a carrier of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8346443/">gene variants</a> that increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease, to identify individuals with particular vulnerability. And <a href="https://doi.org/10.20900/agmr20230007">our work</a> shows that an older adult’s ability to detect deception is not just about their individual characteristics. It also depends on how they are being targeted. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=339&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=339&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=339&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=426&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=426&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=426&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="A figure with two circles and an arrow between them. One circle shows icons that symbolize individual susceptibility to deception -- like a brain, and a walking cane -- while the other has icons of types of deception, like mail or a text message." /></a><figcaption>Vulnerability depends not only on the person, but also the type of fraud being used. Natalie Ebner and Didem Pehlivanoglu</figcaption></figure> <h2>Individual risk factors</h2> Better cognition, social and emotional capacities, and brain health are all associated with less susceptibility to deception. Cognitive functions, such as how quickly our brain processes information and how well we remember it, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691619827511">decline with age</a> and impact decision-making. For example, among people around 70 years of age or older, declines in analytical thinking are associated with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/xap0000426">reduced ability to detect false news stories</a>. Additionally, low memory function in aging is associated with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gby036">greater susceptibility to email phishing</a>. Further, according to recent <a href="https://osf.io/preprints/osf/6f2y9">research</a>, this correlation is specifically pronounced among older adults who carry a gene variant that is a genetic risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Indeed, some research suggests that greater financial exploitability may serve as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104773">an early marker</a> of disease-related cognitive decline. Social and emotional influences are also crucial. Negative mood can enhance somebody’s ability to detect lies, while <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/xap0000426">positive mood in very old</a> age can impair a person’s ability to detect fake news. Lack of support and loneliness exacerbate susceptibility to deception. Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa077">increased reliance on online platforms</a>, and older adults with lower digital literacy are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnac188">more vulnerable to fraudulent emails and robocalls</a>. Finally, an individual’s brain and body responses play a critical role in susceptibility to deception. One important factor is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2020.10.007">interoceptive awareness</a>: the ability to accurately read our own body’s signals, like a “gut feeling.” This awareness is correlated with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.3714">better lie detection</a> in older adults. According to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glx051">a first study</a>, financially exploited older adults had a significantly smaller size of insula – a brain region key to integrating bodily signals with environmental cues – than older adults who had been exposed to the same threat but avoided it. Reduced insula activity is also related to greater difficulty <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1218518109">picking up on cues</a> that make someone appear less trustworthy. <h2>Types of effective fraud</h2> Not all deception is equally effective on everyone. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1145/3336141">Our findings</a> show that email phishing that relies on reciprocation – people’s tendency to repay what another person has provided them – was more effective on older adults. Younger adults, on the other hand, were more likely to fall for phishing emails that employed scarcity: people’s tendency to perceive an opportunity as more valuable if they are told its availability is limited. For example, an email might alert you that a coin collection from the 1950s has become available for a special reduced price if purchased within the next 24 hours. There is also evidence that as we age, we have greater difficulty detecting the “wolf in sheep’s clothing”: someone who appears trustworthy, but is not acting in a trustworthy way. In <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50500-x">a card-based gambling game</a>, we found that compared with their younger counterparts, older adults are more likely to select decks presented with trustworthy-looking faces, even though those decks consistently resulted in negative payouts. Even after learning about untrustworthy behavior, older adults showed greater difficulty overcoming their initial impressions. <h2>Reducing vulnerability</h2> Identifying who is especially at risk for financial exploitation in aging is crucial for preventing victimization. We believe interventions should be tailored, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, perhaps machine learning algorithms could someday determine the most dangerous types of deceptive messages that certain groups encounter – such as in text messages, emails or social media platforms – and provide on-the-spot warnings. Black and Hispanic consumers are <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/combating-fraud-african-american-latino-communities-ftcs-comprehensive-strategic-plan-federal-trade/160615fraudreport.pdf">more likely to be victimized</a>, so there is also a dire need for interventions that resonate with their communities. Prevention efforts would benefit from taking a holistic approach to help older adults reduce their vulnerability to scams. Training in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-019-01259-7">financial, health</a> and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-08437-0.pdf">digital literacy</a> are important, but so are programs to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10363-1">address loneliness</a>. People of all ages need to keep these lessons in mind when interacting with online content or strangers – but not only then. Unfortunately, financial exploitation often comes from individuals close to the victim.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/227991/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/natalie-c-ebner-1527554">Natalie C. Ebner</a>, Professor of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/didem-pehlivanoglu-1527551">Didem Pehlivanoglu</a>, Postdoctoral Researcher, Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-older-adults-more-vulnerable-to-scams-what-psychologists-have-learned-about-whos-most-susceptible-and-when-227991">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

"One more shot": Nick Kyrgios makes major career announcement

After two years of dealing with an injury, Nick Kyrgios has made a major announcement about his career future. The 29-year-old Aussie tennis champion has confirmed he will be returning to the court for Australian Open in 2025, after not playing any professional tennis for 492 days. His last match dates all the way back to June 13th in 2023, which he lost against China’s Yibing Wu before he took a step back from the court to deal with serious knee and wrist injuries. While many fans have speculated whether he would ever return to the sport, Kyrgios made the announcement himself while speaking at South by South West (SXSW) in Sydney on Thursday. “The injury I had was brutal,” he said as a keynote speaker on stage. “The surgeon said I probably wouldn’t be able to play again. But I said whatever, just try and get me another 2-3 years of my career." “Everything has gone semi-well and I will be playing the Australia Open this summer.” While on his hiatus from playing, Kyrios has dabbled in the world of commentating, but he admitted it has been tough to sit on the sidelines for so long. “It’s been a brutal last couple of years ... but just being out there to play in front of a home crowd ... I just want to be out there, lighting up the crowd and playing in front of my own country,” Kyrios added. “Whether it is good or bad, it will certainly be a lot of fun, for sure. I am looking forward to it. “My only motivation to come back and play is to try and win a grand slam, and I’ll give it one more shot.” Image credits: Getty Images

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Are older adults more vulnerable to scams? What psychologists have learned about who’s most susceptible, and when

"One more shot": Nick Kyrgios makes major career announcement

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