To assess the heart health and stroke risk factors of the population, Australian GPs and cardiologists have referred to a study from the population of Framingham, Massachusetts, but last week the Heart Foundation replaced it with a tool based on New Zealand and Australian populations. An abnormal heart rhythm can mean observations by a cardiologist with a cumbersome and expensive Holter monitor. A team at Westmead Hospital and the University of Sydney have compared a simple finger electrode link...
Jul 24, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast To assess the heart health and stroke risk factors of the population, Australian GPs and cardiologists have referred to a study from the population of Framingham, Massachusetts, but last week the Heart Foundation replaced it with a tool based on New Zealand and Australian populations. An abnormal heart rhythm can mean observations by a cardiologist with a cumbersome and expensive Holter monitor. A team at Westmead Hospital and the University of Sydney have compared a simple finger electrode link...
Jul 24, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast In health news Norman and Tegan discuss changes in the health system for medical termination of pregnancy; and about life span vs life expectancy in Australia. Alongside MDMA and psilocybin as treatments for mental health issues is ketamine—which shows promise in treatment-resistant depression. A common fracture in children comes from a fall onto an outstretched arm. Parents instinctively want to get an X-ray but an ultrasound can work just as well for most these cases....
Jul 17, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast In health news Norman and Tegan discuss changes in the health system for medical termination of pregnancy; and about life span vs life expectancy in Australia. Alongside MDMA and psilocybin as treatments for mental health issues is ketamine—which shows promise in treatment-resistant depression. A common fracture in children comes from a fall onto an outstretched arm. Parents instinctively want to get an X-ray but an ultrasound can work just as well for most these cases....
Jul 17, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Strength training is fundamental to most athletes' regimes, but the guidelines are overwhelmingly based on male data. An analysis of labelling on sports foods—things like protein shakes and bars—finds that the nutritional claims they make often don’t tally with the ingredients panel. Worry about memory loss is not uncommon, and not confined to an older age group, but measuring memory accurately needs refinement. Many Australians are prescribed opioids as relief for back pain, but the a world-fir...
Jul 10, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Strength training is fundamental to most athletes' regimes, but the guidelines are overwhelmingly based on male data. An analysis of labelling on sports foods—things like protein shakes and bars—finds that the nutritional claims they make often don’t tally with the ingredients panel. Worry about memory loss is not uncommon, and not confined to an older age group, but measuring memory accurately needs refinement. Many Australians are prescribed opioids as relief for back pain, but the a world-fir...
Jul 10, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast If dementia is diagnosed before someone is 65 it's called 'younger onset' dementia, and it can occur while people still have family responsibilities. We talk with people who have been given this news, and to researchers looking to improve diagnosis and care. We think of breastfeeding as being quite natural, but it doesn't always come easily, and issues such as Breastfeeding Aversion Response (or BAR) are still under-researched.
Jul 03, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast If dementia is diagnosed before someone is 65 it's called 'younger onset' dementia, and it can occur while people still have family responsibilities. We talk with people who have been given this news, and to researchers looking to improve diagnosis and care. We think of breastfeeding as being quite natural, but it doesn't always come easily, and issues such as Breastfeeding Aversion Response (or BAR) are still under-researched.
Jul 03, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast A look at some of the big stories in health over the last week ... cough syrup, Duchenne gene therapy; chemo drugs in the US. Some new prescribing guidelines for opioids recommend an exit strategy—and the need for better support infrastructure. It was suspected that brain damage for some people with Parkinson's disease was due to chemical toxins—one of the probable culprits is an environmental contaminant. Having your tonsils out as a child used to be routine, but what about for adults? British ...
Jun 26, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast A look at some of the big stories in health over the last week ... cough syrup, Duchenne gene therapy; chemo drugs in the US. Some new prescribing guidelines for opioids recommend an exit strategy—and the need for better support infrastructure. It was suspected that brain damage for some people with Parkinson's disease was due to chemical toxins—one of the probable culprits is an environmental contaminant. Having your tonsils out as a child used to be routine, but what about for adults? British ...
Jun 26, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast A recent bus crash in the Hunter Valley claimed 10 lives. Trying to make sense of such tragic events often prompts a reach for advice that sounds right, but might not be. Therapy using psychedelic drugs is generally safe yet a review of its use found that adverse events were not properly assessed or not reported. In Canada cannabis was legalised 5 years ago for non-medical and recreational use. Public health researchers have asked if this legalisation had health impacts on mothers and their babi...
Jun 19, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast A recent bus crash in the Hunter Valley claimed 10 lives. Trying to make sense of such tragic events often prompts a reach for advice that sounds right, but might not be. Therapy using psychedelic drugs is generally safe yet a review of its use found that adverse events were not properly assessed or not reported. In Canada cannabis was legalised 5 years ago for non-medical and recreational use. Public health researchers have asked if this legalisation had health impacts on mothers and their babi...
Jun 19, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bringing clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.
Jun 12, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast A recent study has looked at correlations between rates of (Australian) population obesity and searching online for anti-obesity and diabetes drugs—searches for a class of drugs called the GLP-1 agonists. You probably know the Australian Government has general exercise recommendations for adults, but what if you're in a high risk group? Does that change the amount of activity you should be doing? Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is perhaps the ‘poor cousin’ of cardio-vascular disease. PAD puts ...
Jun 05, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast A recent study has looked at correlations between rates of (Australian) population obesity and searching online for anti-obesity and diabetes drugs—searches for a class of drugs called the GLP-1 agonists. You probably know the Australian Government has general exercise recommendations for adults, but what if you're in a high risk group? Does that change the amount of activity you should be doing? Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is perhaps the ‘poor cousin’ of cardio-vascular disease. PAD puts ...
Jun 05, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast A new kind of ADHD clinic is cashing in on surging demand for diagnoses — and promising salaries of more than $900,000 to recruit psychiatrists.
May 29, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast A new kind of ADHD clinic is cashing in on surging demand for diagnoses — and promising salaries of more than $900,000 to recruit psychiatrists.
May 29, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The World Health Organisation has advised against artificial sweeteners for weight loss because they offer no long-term benefits. Australian research has found a link between diets high in ultra-processed foods and an increase in risk of depression. Healthcare is a large greenhouse gas emitter, but how do we reduce its environmental impact without compromising on health?
May 22, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The World Health Organisation has advised against artificial sweeteners for weight loss because they offer no long-term benefits. Australian research has found a link between diets high in ultra-processed foods and an increase in risk of depression. Healthcare is a large greenhouse gas emitter, but how do we reduce its environmental impact without compromising on health?
May 22, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have voted that when they meet formally at the end of May, approval goes forward for a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy—a disabling genetic disease. Post partum depression is a significant issue for both women and their babies, and it doesn't come out of the blue—depression can occur before or during pregnancy. Child neglect leads to both later poor physical health—with things like inflammation—and mental health, such as depression. Would you ...
May 15, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have voted that when they meet formally at the end of May, approval goes forward for a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy—a disabling genetic disease. Post partum depression is a significant issue for both women and their babies, and it doesn't come out of the blue—depression can occur before or during pregnancy. Child neglect leads to both later poor physical health—with things like inflammation—and mental health, such as depression. Would you ...
May 15, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast When given the choice between a ChatGPT bot or a real doctor, a panel of health care professionals found the bot's responses were both more empathetic and also higher quality information. A study on the effect of hormonal contraception suggests that a history of hormonal contraceptive-associated depression could be a risk indicator of postpartum depression. Last week the Minister for Health and Aged Care announced over $500 million for a national lung cancer screening program. It targets high-ri...
May 08, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast When given the choice between a ChatGPT bot or a real doctor, a panel of health care professionals found the bot's responses were both more empathetic and also higher quality information. A study on the effect of hormonal contraception suggests that a history of hormonal contraceptive-associated depression could be a risk indicator of postpartum depression. Last week the Minister for Health and Aged Care announced over $500 million for a national lung cancer screening program. It targets high-ri...
May 08, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bringing clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.
May 01, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bringing clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.
May 01, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bringing clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.
Apr 24, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bringing clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.
Apr 24, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Drug use has been increasing, whether it be cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens or ketamine. That includes recreational use and substance abuse. So it begs the question: Has criminalising drugs ever worked? And what needs to be done to drive down the harms associated with this increasing drug use? If you're in need of support, you can contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015, or contact Counselling Online . Credits Abigail Leeder, Reporter Shelby Traynor, Produce...
Apr 17, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Drug use has been increasing, whether it be cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens or ketamine. That includes recreational use and substance abuse. So it begs the question: Has criminalising drugs ever worked? And what needs to be done to drive down the harms associated with this increasing drug use? If you're in need of support, you can contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015, or contact Counselling Online . Credits Abigail Leeder, Reporter Shelby Traynor, Produce...
Apr 17, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The shock of a cancer diagnosis is familiar for far too many people. But when Na'ama Carlin was diagnosed with breast cancer, her health wasn't the only consideration. If you're in need of support you can contact Mummy's Wish or Hope for Two .
Apr 10, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
