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This week, an update on the diphtheria outbreak across multiple Australian states. What's changed to allow the spread to occur? How to build healthier housing for remote communities - and it starts with maintenance. A new trial shows some everyday steps people can take to protect themselves against depression. And reviewing the evidence on calcium and vitamin D when it comes to fractures and falls. References: Ebola outbreak outpacing health response, WHO chief says Ebola-hit DR Congo faces 'cat...
The popularity of peptides appears to be growing in Australia - what do we know about who is using them, what's in them and the risks? A large study of Australians with Parkinson's disease finds links to certain pesticides and high-risk occupations. For people with heart failure, there's a procedure that you can avoid with no ill-effect. And an outbreak of diptheria across multiple states in Australia - how did this happen? References Obesity and cardiovascular disease: A clinical consensus stat...
The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern over an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. How does the disease spread, how can it be treated and how concerned should we be? Further Information: Why is there no vaccine for this Ebola outbreak? Ebola vaccine could take nine months as death toll rises further, WHO warns . Ebola disease in DRC and Uganda . Epidemic of Ebola Disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democra...
ACL injuries are very common in Australia - and the common thinking has been that if you tear your ACL, you'll need surgery. Researchers are arguing the best evidence says we should be looking to rehab first, and that for many people they will recover without surgery. Microplastics in our food supply - from processing and production - mean all of us are ingesting some level of plastic into our bodies. A new study out of Western Australia shows that it is possible to reduce your exposure, but it ...
Urgent care clinics are getting $1.8 billion in this year's federal budget to make them a permanent part of Australia's health system. We speak to the Health Minister Mark Butler about the decision. 'Fitspo' content that sometimes glamourises a ripped bod or restrictive ways of eating could be flooding your social feed - what do we know about its effect on our mental health? And 'phage therapy' - a novel form of treatment aimed at providing an alternative to antibiotics. What are bacteriophages,...
A new review suggests there may be biomarkers linked to irritable bowel syndrome, typically a diagnosis of exclusion. How you get followed up after going to the doctor with symptoms of bowel cancer is shaped in part by where you live. People can now access their diagnostic and pathology results digitally, and for one woman in Brisbane that meant spotting a breast cancer finding that might otherwise have been missed. References: Serological and faecal markers of irritable bowel syndrome: a system...
Two thirds of women report concerns over memory loss, concentration or other cognitive symptoms during menopause. What do we understand about what's going on, and how can it be managed? A new plan for improving asthma outcomes in Australia and ending that reliance on the blue puffer. Understanding how the genes we're born with could shape our risk of some cancers in childhood - with implications for adults too. And the links between home cooking and dementia - with studies suggesting slicing and...
Can you trust the advice ChatGPT Health gives about whether you should go to the hospital or not? Who is using GLP-1 weight loss drugs and how common are they? New guidelines for supporting young people with suicidal ideation or who self-harm. And more findings that drugs removing amyloid from the brain don't help prevent dementia. References: Intensive LDL Cholesterol Targeting in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Municipal water fluoridation, adolescent IQ, and cognition across the life c...
Delve into how medical crises are managed in the isolation of space and what lessons Antarctica offers for astronaut health. The episode also unpacks a groundbreaking study on GLP-1s and mental health, uncovers the risks of incidental findings from routine shoulder scans, and discusses recent findings on adolescent mental health, highlighting the protective roles of school connection and sleep. Additionally, a historical retraction in The Lancet regarding talcum powder safety is examined, alongside an engaging debate on managing appendicitis.
Which flu strains are likely to be dominant this flu season - and what's the story with the new nasal spray vaccine? Speaking of sprays ... there's a simple saline spray that might help kids with sleep apnoea avoid surgery. And a treatment for enlarged prostate that doesn't involve going under the knife. Plus, a new review finds vaping is likely to cause certain types of cancer. References: The carcinogenicity of e-cigarettes: a qualitative risk assessment Cost-Effectiveness of Oral Immunotherap...
3D printing is becoming an incredibly versatile modern tool - with scope to apply it to engineering, manufacturing, architecture and design challenges. And it's increasingly being used in ... healthcare. Plus, Kylie and Gillian had been friends for years when Kylie had a stroke in her early 30s. It turned Kylie's work-driven life upside down, and forced her and husband Chris to re-evaluate everything. This week's Health Report features stories from our archive. We'll be back with a new program n...
There's been major buzz in recent years over ultra-processed foods and whether they may be harmful to our health. A new study out of Canada has measured what toddlers eat and how much of it is ultra-processed - and then followed up two years later to examine the behavioural outcomes of those same children. New findings on 'silent' women's health issues and where women would like the focus of healthcare research and spending to be - what the authors are saying is a call to go 'beyond the bikini l...
MDMA psychotherapy was approved in Australia three years ago. Who's using it and what do we know about treatment side effects? Vaccine reminders can help nudge people back on track, but how the message is framed matters. A new review of screen use and sleep in young people finds no link between the amount of use and sleep quality or duration. And a different way of looking at mental health outcomes - whether digital tools can help us forecast someone's future needs and provide better, more perso...
Are Australian schoolkids eating too much salt? And does it put them at risk of high blood pressure? A new approach to breast cancer screening based on risk could reduce the number of screens needed for some women. There's been a lot of hype around brain training to protect against cognitive decline, but the results haven't always measured up. Now a new long-term study has promising results. Plus, navigating the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis -- when can the condition be medically mana...
We know many people are turning to generative AI for health advice, including tips on how to manage stress, anxiety and low mood. When is it safe to turn to a chatbot, and when do you need to see a real human being? And what if you can't afford it? Also, a home review program that aims to get people off drugs they don't need to be on that might be negatively impacting their lives. And good news when it comes to Australia's goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035. References: Uptake and perform...
A paper has suggested exercise has minimal, short-term effects on osteoarthritis. But experts are warning people with the condition that they shouldn't stop moving. Also, school kids are being called on to help in the fight against superbugs. A new study shoots down low-dose aspirin for older people wanting to prevent cancer. And we take a look at another form of arthritis: gout. It's under-recognised and under-treated, but what can be done about it, and why is it such a complicated story? Refer...
Researchers have pin-pointed the best exercise routines for depression or anxiety symptoms, and they might be equal to medication and talk therapy. Also, why states and territories are making changes to their maternity care guidance for doctors. An update on Alzheimer's disease off the back of important vaccine discoveries. Why the packaging of statins might need an upgrade. And some clarity on beta blockers after a heart attack. Does everyone need to be taking them? References: Valacyclovir Tre...
When you pay for private health insurance, you might assume you'll be well covered if you get injured or fall ill. But a new report has revealed the huge costs that catch people off guard, and sometimes prevent them from receiving care. Also, a study hints that constant colds in childhood might not be business-as-usual and should be taken more seriously. And we talk through the Nipah virus outbreak in India, and changes in Victoria to ADHD medication prescribing. References: Nipah and Hendra Vir...
Many people turning to AI for health advice are doing it for valid reasons — it's cheap, fast and isn't bound by a 15-minute timer. But the checks and balances companies use to ensure their products are safe, or even accurate, aren't open to public scrutiny. Also on the show, medical abortion is available up to nine weeks in Australia. There's a push to allow access later. And the much-maligned fat cell gets a look-in from a world-leading expert. References First step towards a national medicine...
If you're having a month off the beers to kick off the year, do you know what a short stretch of sobriety could achieve? Some companies in the United States are even pushing people to trade their alcohol for THC, for "high" January. Also, there hasn't been a big COVID spike over the holidays, but the flu has been going around. People aren't accessing palliative care early enough to reap the benefits, but are there enough services to go around? And a study finds women notified of their breast den...
How far would you go to save your dog? One owner has used ChatGPT and other AI models to find a treatment for his pup's cancer. Also, we could be missing cases of liver disease because of differences between pathology centres. The final instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process. And a look back at the year: does artificial intelligence have a place in your local doctors' office? References What AI scribes can (and can't) do for healthcar...
The Health Report explores evolving advice for knee osteoarthritis, highlighting how pain education and proper exercise can significantly improve mobility, even for challenging feats like walking the Camino. It critically examines Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial claims about autism, vaccines, and paracetamol, dispelling common myths and addressing the widespread impact of health misinformation. Additionally, the episode delves into the crucial need for eating disorder screening and multidisciplinary care for individuals considering GLP-1 weight loss medications, acknowledging the pervasive influence of diet culture. Personal accounts of stroke recovery are shared, detailing both humorous and challenging experiences, including the search for
This episode explores health anxiety, its debilitating effects, and effective treatments, including a look into "cyberchondria." It also examines the rising use of antidepressants in Australia, focusing on long-term risks and the importance of safe deprescribing. Additionally, it features an inspiring story of a woman's recovery from cancer and stroke through mindfulness, alongside an overview of 2025's infectious disease trends.
There's a paradox in neurodegenerative disease – sometimes as the brain deteriorates, creativity flourishes. Researchers have used imaging techniques to map creativity in the brains of people with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Also, the exercise program that could change the game for colorectal cancer survivors. And a look back at the year: GLP-1 medications for weight loss. References Answering common questions about GLP-1s for weight loss Weight loss drugs could help people with schizophrenia G...
The episode delves into significant health topics, starting with the benefits and risks of replacing table salt with potassium-enriched alternatives for better heart health, and challenges in its widespread adoption. It highlights the urgent need for genetic carrier screening, exemplified by Mackenzie's Mission, detailing its process, available options, and barriers to access. Furthermore, the podcast explores the controversial yet potentially vital role of artificial intelligence in predicting patient preferences for end-of-life care, examining the ethical dilemmas, privacy concerns, and the crucial need for trust and transparency in such sensitive applications. Finally, it reviews the "Make America Healthy Again" movement's profound effects on US and global public health policies, including vaccine controversies and funding cuts.
Despite facing an increased risk of chronic disease later in life, remote Indigenous babies start life with a more diverse gut microbiome. A new study in Nature also found the infants have bacteria that have completely disappeared from non-Indigenous populations. Also, a guide to living healthy after a fatty liver disease diagnosis. And why fewer people are getting the HPV vaccine. References Eating For Your Liver - Liver Foundation 2025 Cervical Cancer Elimination Progress Report Indigenous inf...
Historically women have had a hard time being heard in the doctor's office, with dismissiveness and delays in diagnosis all too common. The state government in Victoria has held an enquiry into women's pain to come up with recommendations aimed at shifting that experience to a more positive one. Also, we get a better sense of what's nature vs nurture when it comes to our attributes and our disease risks. And research suggests antibiotics, and their effects on the gut microbiome, could weaken vac...
The dentists' chair is not everyone's favourite place. Have you ever sat there wondering, why would anyone become a dentist? We take a trip to dental school to find out why so many people get into dentistry, and the skills it takes. Also, are we doing enough to weigh up the risks vs benefits of CT scanning? And how an autoimmune skin condition actually affects the whole body, particularly the heart. References: Stronger safety controls to be introduced for products containing vitamin B6 - TGA Bi...
No coffee for six months, not even decaf. That's what participants of a trial looking into the effect on atrial fibrillation were asked to do. Also, could we be on the verge of changing guidelines for asthma care in children? Or is it too early to call? And catching cancer early can be important. How far away are we from harnessing blood, urine and even saliva tests to help? References PFAS inquiry hands down 47 recommendations to better regulate 'forever chemicals' in Australia - ABC News The L...
There has been a rise in people that cut gluten out of their diet to address gut symptoms, despite not having a diagnosis of coeliac disease. New research is shedding light on what might actually be at play in non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Also, how a common antibiotic might lower the risk of developing schizophrenia when given to young people at risk. And a look at the cancer prevention strategies that could have a big impact, but that most countries aren't taking on board. References Governm...
