Briefs

The physical and psychological benefits of having a pet have been recorded by a number of studies and include decreased blood pressure and cholesterol levels; increased physical activity;  improving self-esteem; and reducing rates of depression and loneliness; with one study estimating Australian cat and dog owners saved approximately $3.86 billion in health expenditure over one year.

The recent release of the final report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care revealed poor living circumstances for many in residential aged care homes as well as lengthy wait times (e.g. in 2017–18, one-quarter of eligible people waited more than 30 months to get a Level 4 Home Care package) for people living at home who rely on Home Care support.

The stated aim of the UN-Habitat is ‘to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities’ and to promote ‘urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.’

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely reduced the number of people coming to Australia as permanent migrants or as temporary students and has also changed how people have moved both between and within Australia’s states and territories.

For governments and communities, ‘smart’ strategies in relation to cities and urban policy have appeal in that they offer technological solutions to urban problems such as waste management, community engagement and environmental sustainability.