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Newsroom FeedNewsroom
Type 2 diabetes is on the rise all over the world
13 July 2011
The Canberra Times
Dr Lesley Russell says the millions of people with diabetes in the United States and Australia is overloading health-care budgets and crushing productivity in both countries. Furthermore, she argues the disease is having wider effects on global economy due to its rising prevalence in the developing world. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Living with an epidemic
29 June 2011
Inside Story
Lesley Russell says in the thirty years since HIV/AIDS was first identified much has been achieved in the United States and Australia. She notes, however, that complacency has been a major problem of the last decade or more and that much still needs to be done to strengthen the international response. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Baulking at the first hurdle
20 May 2011
Inside Story
Republican presidential candidates are gathering for the race, but many seem reluctant to line up at the starting gate, writes US Studies Centre Research Associate Lesley Russell from Washington. Read Article
America's changing face
26 April 2011
The Canberra Times
At the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century, Dr Lesley Russell says the United States is in transition from being a largely white-and-black nation experiencing robust population growth to a nation with an ageing white population, rapidly growing new minorities and a sharply altered geography for African Americans. Lesley Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Jostling for place in 2012 primaries
26 April 2011
The Canberra Times
The 2012 presidential campaign cycle is starting late thanks to a reluctant batch of Republican candidates, says Dr Lesley Russell. She adds that the Obama-Biden team will be difficult to beat, especially if unemployment numbers continue to improve over the next 18 months. Dr Russell is a research asscoiate at the US Studies Centre.
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Caught in America's electoral cycle
28 March 2011
Inside Story
With the recent ascendency of the Republican Party in America, the spending debate in Washington is coming to a head, writes Dr Lesley Russell. Lesley Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre. Read article
Science is the victim when beliefs reign supreme
16 March 2011
The Canberra Times
Lesley Russell says denialist politicians in Australia and America are simply protecting their own interests in opposing attempts to put a price on carbon. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Budget wars
28 February 2011
Inside Story
Lesley Russell says Washington is in the midst of a protracted and partisan war over budgets and deficits. Furthermore, she says, the outcome of the dispute is very uncertain and may be cause for alarm for those struggling to make-ends-meet. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Obama's problematic cover charge: national healthcare
29 January 2011
The Weekend Australian
The Obama administration and congressional Democrats' full-throated campaign to defend the healthcare law and increase support for the measure seems to be working, says Dr Lesley Russell. For this reason she says the Republicans have moved from repeal, to repeal and replace. Lesley Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Good death is a right: advanced care planning
15 January 2011
The Australian
Lesley Russell says Australia ranks behind Britain and ahead of the US in a "quality of death" measure of health care. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Hoping for change amid a vitrolic game of blame
13 January 2011
The Canberra Times
For the moment at least, says Lesley Russell, there is greater civility on Capitol Hill following the shooting in Arizona. However Dr Russell is not optimistic about how long this will last. Lesley Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Easing the burden
17 December 2010
Center for American Progress
Lesley Russell contends the ultimate goal must be that all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity, get the quality health care services they need when they need them. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre. Read article
Measuring the gaps
16 December 2010
Center for American Progress
The Affordable Care Act in America expands the current requirements for the collection and analysis of health care disparities data. Dr Lesley Russell says these data will be critical for guiding both government policy and the programs and practices of individual health care institutions and providers. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Health care needs a big push to get back on track
6 December 2010
The Canberra Times
Lesley Russell says both the United States and Australia have too many preventable adverse events occuring in their hospitals. Dr Russell argues it is clearly time in Australia for a more coordinated effort to implement strategies shown to improve patient safety and to institute regular and public reporting of progress against mandatory national standards. Dr Lesley Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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When cheaper is the best medicine for everyone
23 November 2010
The Canberra Times
Dr Lesley Russell weighs up whether the policy of individuals making co-payments towards their visits to healthcare professionals is a positive for societies in Australia and the United States. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Gridlock looms in Congress
5 November 2010
Canberra Times
Under the circumstances in Washington DC, there are just two courses of political action available to lawmakers according to Lesley Russell: compromise or gridlock. At this point, early in the process, Dr Russell says the latter seems inevitable. Dr Lesley Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre and a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC.
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The 112th Congress: compromise or gridlock?
4 November 2010
Inside Story
In the wake of the midterms, identifying any common ground is almost impossible, writes Lesley Russell in Washington. Dr Lesley Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre and a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC.
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Judgment of an American president
23 October 2010
Canberra Times
As the mid-term elections approach, Dr Lesley Russell says the growing lack of trust in government is particularly ironic given that in 2008 over fifty per cent of Americans voted for the changes that Barack Obama promised to bring about. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Money talks in the millionaire dash for US votes
18 October 2010
Canberra Times
Lesley Russell says political campaign and advertising funds are flowing at record levels in the lead-up to the congressional elections early next month. Dr Lesley Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre. Read article
Down to the wire with unhappy American voters
14 October 2010
Inside Story
Americans vote soon in mid-term elections that are partly a referendum on the presidency. Lesley Russell looks at why the Democrats seem to be struggling despite the weakness of their opponents. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre. Read article
It's déjà vu for both parties
28 September 2010
Canberra Times
President Barack Obama won't be on the ballot for the November mid-term elections, but he is arguably the key factor in determining the result, writes Lesley Russell. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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US in sorry state when it comes to abject poverty
22 September 2010
Canberra Times
New figures released by the US census Bureau reveal that poverty is a major issue for an increasing number of US citizens, writes Lesley Russell. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre.
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Campaign mode
15 September 2010
Inside Story
With the midterm elections looming, Barack Obama is out of the Oval Office and back on the campaign trail, writes Lesley Russell. Dr Lesley Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre. Read article
Legacy on the line
20 July 2010
Inside Story
Barack Obama’s policies are starting to fall into place. So why is his approval rating so low, asks Lesley Russell. Read Article
Teacher program helps students race to the top
19 July 2010
The Canberra Times
An American scheme is transforming education for the poor, Lesley Russell writes. Read Article
Doctors For America: key group in driving health care reform
16 April 2010
Australian Medicine
Dr Lesley Russell says the support of the recent US healthcare reform bill by health professional associations was a key driver of its success. Dr Russell is a research associate at the US Studies Centre. Read article
Some required reading for those wanting safer health care
11 April 2010
Croakey: the Crikey health blog
Amidst the attention surrounding the US Federal Government's health reform proposals, Dr Lesley Russell considers what it might all mean for quality and safety of care. It’s an issue that’s too important for it not to be on the agenda. Dr Russell, a research associate of the US Studies Centre, says there is evidence from the US to show that relatively simple measures can make a big difference, in saving both lives and health care dollars.
Read articleNot a one-pill health solution
1 April 2010
Canberra Times
Dr Lesley Russell comments on the task ahead for the Obama administration to simultaneously implement the provisions of the healthcare law and to fight back the attempts from the right to undo it. Dr Russell is a Research Associate at the US Studies Centre. Read article
US finds prevention better than cure: healthcare reform
27 March 2010
The Australian
As US President Barack Obama successfully concludes his campaign to enact healthcare reform legislation and looks to begin the long-term task of implementation, Kevin Rudd is taking the initial steps to turn his 2007 election commitments on health into reality. In this opinion piece US Studies Centre Research Associate Dr Lesley Russell hopes that Kevin Rudd is bold enough to borrow some ideas from President Obama. Read article
What Obama's healthcare reforms mean for America
25 March 2010
Leading expert on the US healthcare system Dr Lesley Russell outlines how the new reforms will affect the American population and overall government expenditure. She also provides opinion about the likelihood of a voter backlash that some are predicting at November's mid-term elections. Watch Online
US health reform: What's going to change?
23 March 2010
ABC Radio National Life Matters
The US Congress has voted to pass Barack Obamba's health reforms, which aim to deliver universal and affordable health care. Republicans are deeply opposed to the plan and promise a concerted campaign to prevent its implementation. Health analyst Lesley Russell outlines what's likely to change. Listen Online
Americans nervous about what healthcare will mean
22 March 2010
ABC PM
US Studies Centre research associate Lesley Russell is an expert on the US healthcare system and in this interview discusses why many Americans are nervous about the reforms passed today in Washington DC. Listen Online
Obama's healthcare gamble
23 February 2010
Inside Story: Current Affairs and Culture
Lesley Russell examines President Barack Obama's strategy to convince his doubters ahead of this week's healthcare reform summit. Read Article
First lady effective health lobbyist
15 February 2010
The Canberra Times
Lesley Russell writes about the ambitious program announced by First Lady, Michelle Obama, to end the American plague of childhood obesity. Read Article
Obama pitches to middle class
1 February 2010
The Canberra Times
The economy and jobs were key issues in Obama's State of the Union speech, Lesley Russell writes. Read Article
Don’t underestimate Obama
28 January 2010
Inside Story
2010 could be even tougher for Barack Obama, but things could turn around quickly, writes Lesley Russell. Read Article
Healthcare reform outpaces the US
16 January 2010
The Weekend Australian
Lesley Russell comments on a new report comparing the performance of the Australian and US healthcare systems. Read Article
The Monday morning after
10 November 2009
Inside Story
Can Democrats in the US Senate use the same techniques as their colleagues in the House to turn healthcare reforms into law, asks Lesley Russell. Read Article
Health reform on US agenda
26 October 2009
The Canberra Times
There are many common issues driving health-care reform in Australia and the United States, key among them the increasing economic and social burden of preventable chronic illnesses, writes Lesley Russell. Read Article
Healthy reform likely despite Republican ill will
14 September 2009
The Canberra Times
Obama's speech on healthcare reform was a rare example of a leader simultaneously reframing the agenda on a key election issue and pointedly highlighting the barriers to its enactment, says Lesley Russell. Read Article
Costly US scheme should be lesson
12 September 2009
The Weekend Australian
Lesley Russell says the proposed healthcare financing option for Australians, called Medicare Select, looks a lot like the Medicare Advantage scheme in the US which has been heavily criticised. Read Article
Fixing an ailing health system
10 September 2009
ABC The World Today
Lesley Russell, John R. Graham and Geoffrey Garrett provide analysis of Barack Obama's address to Congress, in which he pushed his plan to reform the US health care system. Listen Online
Tobacco developments in the US
2 September 2009
Croakey: The Crikey health blog
As Australia considers introducing tougher controls on tobacco, it is timely to be reminded that there is much work yet to be done in other countries, writes Lesley Russell. Read Article
Farewell a rallying cry for health
31 August 2009
The Canberra Times
Lesley Russell writes that Ted Kennedy was a focused and powerful legislator who died with his lifelong goal of universal health cover tantalisingly within reach. Read Article
Patient poorly, may improve
15 August 2009
The Canberra Times
The United States is on the brink of substantial reforms to make health care more accessible and affordable. But the battle is far from over, writes Lesley Russell. Read Article
Putting health in recovery position
14 August 2009
The Canberra Times
Members of Congress have left Washington for the August recess, and back in their districts they are facing public outrage - real and manufactured - about health-care reform, Lesley Russell writes. Read Article
Call for action on food safety
14 July 2009
The Canberra Times
Lesley Russell writes about the increasing incidence of food-borne illness is countries such as Australia and the United States. Read Article
Obama era too good to pass up
11 July 2009
The Weekend Australian
Lesley Russell writes about her return to Washington, DC, where she previously spent 12 years working as a congressional staffer during the Reagan and first Bush presidencies. This time she returns to be part of the Obama revolution. Read Article
US legislators move to rein in runaway health costs
30 June 2009
The Canberra Times
A draft Bill has been prepared, but now the hard work begins, Lesley Russell writes. Read Article
No easy remedy to cure infection
1 May 2009
The Canberra Times
Competing demands complicate our responses to swine flu, Lesley Russell writes. Read Article
Healthy attitude generates change
9 March 2009
The Canberra Times
Lesley Russell writes that Obama is taking a clinical approach to vital health reform.
Obesity issues in the US
23 February 2009
It is clear that politicians and health policy experts in the United States and around the world can no longer ignore the debate over the impact of obesity on the economy, productivity and health care costs. This paper by Lesley Russell, the second in a small series, looks at the issues in obesity prevention and treament in the US, and considers what the US and Australia can learn from each other about how to successfully tackle these issues. Read Paper
Obama writes e-health script
23 January 2009
The Canberra Times
Lesley Russell writes that a key aspect of President Barack Obama's plan to overhaul the economy and reform health care services is an investment of $20 billion in health information technology, with the aim of having all health records stored and accessed electronically by 2014. He sees this investment as essential for saving jobs, money and lives by cutting red tape, preventing medical mistakes, and reducing health care costs by billions of dollars each year. Read Article
Health care reform in the 2008 US presidential campaign
16 December 2008
Dr Lesley Russell, a Reseach Associate of the US Studies Centre, released the first of a series of short papers focussing on health care reform today. It is an analysis with attention to the health reform proposals likely to come from the Obama Administration in 2009. Read Article
Inclusiveness in Obama's administration
7 November 2008
SBS Radio World View
Rebecca Lewis interviews Lesley Russell. Listen Online
World View interview with Lesley Russell
6 November 2008
SBS Radio
Listen to the World View interview with Lesley Russell. Listen Online
Richard Aedy interviews Lesley Russell
6 November 2008
ABC Radio National
Listen to Richard Aedy's interview with Lesley Russell on president-elect Barack Obama. Listen Online
Obama represents realisation of American dream
5 November 2008
The Canberra Times
Lesley Russell writes that Barack Obama has run a presidential campaign noted for its organisation, cohesion and planning. Read Article
Tide is running against McCain
21 October 2008
The Canberra Times
As the US presidential campaign enters its last weeks, it is clear that John McCain's campaign needs a dramatic turnaround to win this election, writes Lesley Russell. Read Article
The weight is behind McCain, but Obama has the votes
14 October 2008
The Sydney Morning Herald
There is a substantial, if imperfect, correlation between a map of the obese and overweight in the United States and maps of polling for the 2008 presidential race on websites such as RealClear Politics, writes Lesley Russell. Read Article
Debate a telling test of character
29 September 2008
The Canberra Times
Lesley Russell writes that it was not surprising that a significant part of the presidential debate that was supposed to be on foreign policy and international affairs focused instead on the economic crisis. Read Article
McCain, Obama debates crucial
26 September 2008
The Canberra Times
This US economic crisis threatens to leave the next president with a $1 trillion debt that will seriously impact on his ability to implement any election promise, whether it is health-care reform or tax cuts, writes Lesley Russell. Read Article
