Serious health and safety risks to young people from My Health Record are not being addressed, warn a coalition of nine leading community and health groups from across Australia.
Young people may stop seeking help
- 'Young people may stop seeking health services for needs that are often stigmatised, such as mental health, sexual and reproductive health, substance use and gender diversity,’ warns Maggie Toko, VMIAC CEO, ‘because My Health Record will allow parents or guardians to view health information by default.’
Lack of targeted information for young people
- ‘My Health Record allows young people aged 14 to 18 years to take control of their own health record,’ said Shauna Gaebler, CEO of CoMHWA, ‘however available information is confusing and at times contradictory.’
- ‘We are deeply concerned that there has been no targeted information to young people in Australia about My Health Record,’ said Shauna Gaebler. ‘Time is running out for young people to be able to make an informed decision about their use of My Health Record’.
Call for action
The coalition has written to the CEO of Australian Digital Health Agency to seek answers and actions, but we have received no response. Our calls for action include:
- Suspension of the national rollout of My Health Record until protections for the privacy and safety of young people are adopted, including:
- A clear process for young people to gain control of their record
- Action to inform and support young people to understand the risks and make an informed choice regarding their use of My Health Record
If young people are not informed about how to gain control of their My Health Record, risks include:
-Ends
Shauna Gaebler, CEO CoMHWA. Mobile: 0422 190 689, Ph: (08) 9258 8911, E: [email protected] ---
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