Health Report

A study looking at step intensity and step count provides helpful advice for those who are limited in their time and ability to increase the number of steps and their pace.The pharmaceutical company closest to getting a drug to market to reduce Lipoprotein (a) levels announced that while it reduces levels of these molecules, that didn’t translate into fewer cardiovascular events. A gene study provides further evidence that cerebral palsy may be a collection of symptoms, rather than a disease and indicates doing a genetic panel early on could improve treatment of affected children.ReferencesCombinations of stepping intensity and daily step counts against all-cause and cardiovascular diseasemortality: insights from a device-based prospective studyNovartis announces Lp(a)HORIZON Phase III topline results for pelacarsen in patients with elevated Lp(a) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD)A phenotypic paradigm for cerebral palsy geneticsSalpingectomy for the Prevention of Epithelial Ovarian CancerOvarian cancer doesn't start in the ovariesStudy on degenerative brain disease finds CTE in 31 former rugby league playersBMJ: Prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at death in National Football League players: retrospective population based cohort study, 2008-21Brisbane Coroner's Court: Non inquest findings into the death of Conor Dean

An international study of the genes of 2.5 million people confirms fibromyalgia as a nervous system disorder. A rheumatologist explains the relationship to other disorders including CFS/ME and long COVID.Women of reproductive age are getting iron infusions at an increasingly high rate. What’s causing the numbers to rise so sharply and who is missing out?Cuts to USAID are having big impacts on spread of HIV in Africa, according to a leading South African expert. What can we learn from their experience about how to manage the growing spread of the disease in Fiji and elsewhere in our region?ReferencesNature Medicine: The genetic architecture of fibromyalgia across 2.5 million individualsIncreasing utilisation of intravenous iron among Australian women of reproductive age, 2013–2024: an Australian population-based studyPacific Beat: Australia boosts Fiji's HIV crisis response with new $8 million fundingMaternal RSVpreF Vaccine Effectiveness Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Hospitalized InfantsNew England Journal of Medicine: Atorvastatin, Cardiovascular Events, and Disability-free Survival in Older AdultsThe BMJ: Measles: CDC refuses to record Pennsylvania fatalities in “measles associated deaths” row

It's become harder for medical students to qualify as a fully accredited specialist. This delay is having a profound impact on the wellbeing of doctors and on access to specialists across Australia. A new study shows people experiencing 'gout flares' more frequently have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease.In the news:Twenty years ago, the first dose of the HPV vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer was administered. What's the impact of the research that led to this, from University of Queensland's Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer AC and his colleague Dr Jian Zhou?A Select Committee on Women's Health will look for the first time at post-partum care and pregnancy, amongst other issues that will support women. Submissions close on October 9.Genetic markers for stress have been investigated in donated brain tissue of people with schizophrenia, showing stress genes had been turned on.Two more people have died of measles in the United States ReferencesRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons 2026-2030 Surgical Pathways StrategyDepartment of Health: Whole of Medical Workforce Supply and Demand StudyAnnual gout flare frequency as a marker of sustained cardiovascular risk: a clinical threshold for risk stratification20 years. Millions of lives saved. One revolutionary vaccineSelect Committee on Women's HealthAssociation Between Age-Dependent DNA Methylation Changes at FKBP5 Enhancer Sites and Increased Cortical Gene Expression in SchizophreniaPennsylvania Department of Health Confirms Two Measles-Associated Deaths

New clinical guidelines for early detection of prostate cancer make big changes to screening, with an end to the digital examination and more frequent PSA tests in older age groups.A new global study suggests people over sixty may face serious health risks from heat at much lower temperatures than previously understood.Overuse of active skincare is one of the causes of peri-orificial dermatitis. We ask a dermatologist about the best way to treat it.ReferencesGuidelines for the early detection of prostate cancerLancet Planet Health: Exceeding human heat tolerance in a warming, ageing world: a global projection modelling studyABC Health: People over 60 face heat exposure danger at lower temperatures, study suggestsNational Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insightsWHO Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the CongoTGA flexes its muscle against illegal peptides and steroidsMelanotan II tanning peptide products found to be inconsistently dosed

A study shows waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) should be included with BMI when assessing patients with abdominal fat for risk of cardiovascular disease.A new rapid 'lateral flow' test is being trialled in the hope it will provide faster and more accurate results to help detect and treat iron deficiencies.We follow up on our earlier story about the lack of access to medical abortion services for women in rural and remote areas.Guest/sDr Michael Blaha, Professor of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for Cardiovascular DiseaseEmily Eriksson, Senior Research Officer in immunology and infectious diseases, Walter and Eliza Hall InstituteDr Rod Martin, President, Australian College of Rural and Remote MedicineReferencesJACC: Risk Reclassification Beyond BMI by Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio Across 9 Cardiovascular Outcomes: Results From the Cross-Cohort CollaborationBMJ: Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021Nature: First poo transplant to treat food allergy in people has ‘exciting’ resultsEli Lilly CEO still wants deal to bring Mounjaro to Australia under PBSTrump signs order to reduce childhood vaccines and break up MMR shots

‘Kate’ has a history of anorexia nervosa and was once hospitalised for the condition. Yet she was able to access GLP1s to control her weight via a telehealth provider, without being screened for an eating disorder. Surveys of acute pancreatitis are currently underway around Australia, in response to an increase in cases globally. A study from South Australia shows some surprising results with an increased incidence in young people, women and those from a higher socio-economic background.If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder: Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673National Eating Disorder CollaborationLifeline on 131 114  ReferencesAHPRA statement on telehealth providers not screening for eating disordersJAMA Psychiatry: Use and Misuse of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among People With Eating DisordersEpidemiological time trends in acute pancreatitis – A 16-year experience from South AustraliaRise in drug-related deaths and hospitalisations driven by stimulants, annual NDARC reports findGlobal Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol—Leveraging Estimation for Action | Cardiology | JAMA | JAMA NetworkLaureates of the 2026 L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science International AwardsVitamin B6: too much, too little, too late? An analysis of salestrends in Australia from 2023 to 2025

Clinicians, researchers, government and industry partners have come together in a new arrangement to trial a blood test that uses biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, in the hope it will aid diagnosis.A new vaccine developed to treat the latest outbreak of ebolavirus is already being tested on humans. But the organisation behind it has also invested in three other vaccines, in case the trials aren't successful. Less than one third of general practices provide medical abortion in Australia, with access and support influenced by geographic location and socio-economic status.ReferencesTest that could identify signs of Alzheimer's disease 20 years earlier greenlit for trialsCoalition for Epidemic Preparedness InnovationLongitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021Saliva test for endometriosis lacks real-world evidence, Australian experts sayVitamin K Prophylaxis in Newborns and Bleeding in InfancyBlood tests and ultrasounds: Korea is becoming one of the world's global healthcare hubs

A new study looks at the health benefits of holding off on a child's smartphone by one year. Is there a "best" age to let them have their own device?Despite the lack of subsidies for CGM devices that monitor glucose levels for those with type 2 diabetes,  research shows continuous glucose monitoring can be beneficial for those living with the condition.There is now clear evidence that having high blood pressure as a child can influence health outcomes later in life. New clinical guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure twice during childhood and adolescence, beginning at age 7.ReferencesSmartphone Acquisition and Use at Age 13 Years and Health Outcomes at Age 14 YearsContinuous glucose monitoring versus self-monitoring of blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, multicentre, open-label, superiority trialDiabetes Australia statementAustralian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and AdolescentsUpdate on access to goserelin 3.6 mg implantCost of accessing mental health services for young peopleNew England Journal of Medicine: Meningococcal B Vaccine to Prevent Neisseria gonorrhoeae InfectionMore than 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases reported in 41 states: CDC

There's a race going on in Silicon Valley to find ways to slow down ageing and monetise longevity. Some of the tools used to measure this are biological age tests that give various health readings. Can you biohack your way to reverse ageing? Parents and caregivers of adolescents can worry about the side effects of taking oral medications for acne. A new study into the use of isotretinoin found no association with reduced adult height. A newly updated human-infective RNA virus dataset may be used to find patterns that help predict what a future virus, or ‘disease x’ might look like. ReferencesFour Corners: The Race to Reverse AgingIsotretinoin Treatment in Adolescence and Adult HeightA complete catalogue of human-infective RNA virusesUK begins trials of Ebola vaccine developed in just eight weeksFuture pharmacy: A better deal for patients and taxpayersPete Hegseth announces plan to test US troops for low testosterone

A review of the evidence for community pharmacist prescribing has reopened the debate about who should be able to prescribe, and a legislative change means some registered nurses with special training will soon be authorised to prescribe a number of medicines on the PBS too.Australia's Health 2026 report shows that dementia has overtaken coronary heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia,  and rising obesity rates are a contributor.A new study assessed three parameters in the diets of Swedish participants who were at risk of dementia. Can the quality of your diet really make a difference?A follow up of patients admitted to intensive care units around Australia with sepsis and septic shock, looked at the longer term effects of this life threatening condition.ReferencesCommunity pharmacist prescribing outcomes in Australia and beyondPharmacist prescribing: without evidence, it's the patient who paysRACGP-commissioned review confirms pharmacist prescribing improves access to careNew law gives registered nurses PBS prescribing rights for the first timeSexual orientation and gender identity based disparities in colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening in the United StatesUS study on cancer screening access and what it means for AustraliaUSyd CEC responseAustralian cancer trials are getting worse at reporting sex differences - putting patients at riskAustralia's health 2026 (AIHW)Diet Quality and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With Alzheimer PathologyLong-term survival in patients discharged alive from hospital following an intensive care unit admission with sepsis or septic shock in Australia and New Zealand: an observational cohort study

While looking for ways to treat pain in those with musculoskeletal disorders, researchers examined studies in which sleep supplement melatonin had been used. A study into the behaviour of immune cells in coeliac disease patients showed surprising results. Instead of being overactive, T cells in coeliac disease were subdued, and didn't survive as long as T cells from healthy people. Spinal stimulators have been in use for many years, but the evidence for their benefit, or otherwise has been unclear until now.ReferencesEfficacy and effectiveness of melatonin for the management of musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo and active controlled trialsFunctional immune profiling reveals CD4+ T cell dysregulation in coeliac disease (Immunology and Cell Biology, 2026)Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation plus locomotor training versus sham-stimulation plus locomotor training in chronic spinal cord injury (eWALK): a multicentre, triple-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trialThe little-known cause of heart attack in young womenWorsening Asthma Outcomes in Australian Adults: A Comparison of Stratified Sample Surveys in 2012 and 2021Most Australians unaware of 'black triangle' medicine side effects reporting scheme: studyNew pneumococcal vaccine for adults on the NIPStatement from Invidior on removal of Sublocade from Australian market

A movement disorder specialist says the APVMA decision on the use of herbicide paraquat ignores evidence of the link with cases of Parkinson's disease.Analysis of patient data shows less than twenty percent of people attend a cardiac rehabilitation program after their hospital stay, despite the fact that it can make a huge difference to health outcomes. There's been a substantial increase in vaccine concerns from parents, with changes to messaging on vaccines in the USA filtering through to Australia. A childhood immunisation expert outlines an approach to help turn this around.And a study shows most IVF add-on treatments do not result in more pregnancies.References:Statement from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines AuthorityChemical regulator approves restricted use of herbicide paraquat previously linked to Parkinson's diseaseMapping patient outcomes associated with cardiac rehabilitationChildhood vaccine hesitancy, The New England Journal of MedicineSafety and effectiveness of ten common in-vitro fertilisation add-onsNo evidence most IVF add-on treatments improve fertilityConcerns regarding the public health risks associated with unapproved peptide productsWA Health provides public health update following avian influenza detection in wild bird

The first cases of H5N1 bird flu have been confirmed following the discovery and rescue of a sick bird on a remote beach in Western Australia.Since then more sick birds have been reported, with authorities stressing the safest approach is to take a photo and notify them.While the risk of bird to human transmission is low, there have been almost one thousand cases of H5N1 bird flu in humans since 2003.So what happens now?Further information:Bird flu (avian influenza) CDCHuman infections with highly pathogenic avian influenzaAn overview of influenza H5 vaccinesScience Show: Preparing for the next pandemicVet chanced upon sick bird that turned out to be first H5 bird flu case

A new review brings together data from studies worldwide and shows that the impact of alcohol has been underestimated, but that changing drinking habits can reverse and slow down damage.Should gyms turn the volume down on the loud music they play while patrons are working out?The donated brains of Parkinson's patients are analysed, showing that the original clinical diagnoses are incorrect in up to twenty percent of cases.And a study shows survivors of Ebola can experience longer term neurological symptoms, including memory loss.References:Neurological Manifestations in Adult Survivors of Ebola Virus DiseaseInternet Searches for Leucovorin, Folate, and Acetaminophen After a White House Autism AnnouncementAssignment of benefit changes delayedOngoing access to Zoladex monthly implant in Australia - AstraZenecaA review of the relationship between dimensions of alcohol consumption and the burden of diseasePathology and Genetics in a Global Cohort of Parkinsonian DisordersLower Music Volume Levels in Fitness Class and Perceived Exercise Intensity

Genomic testing is cheaper than ever and can pick up a risk of disease in people with no family history. Should we expand it nation-wide?IUDs are a highly effective form of contraception, but some women are concerned about pain. A new study looks at how commonly women experience pain on insertion and why.Researchers have criticised the current state of peer review for scientific grants in Australia, arguing the process lacks transparency and opportunities for appeal.And the TGA is cracking down on unregulated peptides, saying they're a safety risk for consumers.Statement from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing in response to the Health Report.For more on peptides, listen to our recent story Who's using peptides, and do we know what's in them?ReferencesDiabetes society apologizes after removal of Trump protesters from conference sparks outrageDiabetes Association in uproar after members expelled from annual meeting over protest of NIH cutsEgg Allergy Prevalence Before and After Guidelines for Earlier Egg IntroductionTGA strengthens compliance focus on unapproved peptide products as part of evolving risk responseTGA cracks down on unregulated peptides, says increased imports are posing a risk to consumer safetyFeasibility and outcomes of the DNA Screen nationwide adult genomic screening pilotFactors Associated With Pain Related to Insertion of a Contraceptive Intrauterine Device: Findings of a National SurveyAustralia’s erosion of peer review - Science

Australia's specialist medical college for obstetrics and gynaecology is raising the alarm over proposed changes to abortion access in three Australian states.How physical activity influences your 'biological clock' - and whether it can help you feel younger than you actually are.Changes to how bulk billing is administered and what that could mean for community-run Aboriginal health services in remote parts of Australia.And the withdrawal of a drug for breast cancer and endometriosis from Australia - why has it happened and what does it mean for patients?References:Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation (US CDC).AI Chatbot Use and Disclosure for Mental Health Among US Adolescents and Young AdultsAstraZeneca pulls critical breast cancer and endometriosis drug Zoladex from shelvesAbortion Access Under Attack Again in Two Australian States - RANZCOGPhysical activity and biological age measured by DNA methylation clocks: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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 saysEbola-hit DR Congo faces 'catastrophic collision' of disease and conflict, WHO warnsEbola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & UgandaEbola Outbreak: Current Situation (CDC)Calcium, vitamin D, or combined supplementation to prevent fractures and falls: systematic review and meta-analysisDiphtheria in Australia – Epidemiological update – 18 May 2026Impact of Restriction-Resumption Protocols on Mood and Anxiety in Healthy Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

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?ReferencesObesity and cardiovascular disease: A clinical consensus statement from the National Heart Foundation of AustraliaImpact and Effectiveness of Australia's 2025 Hybrid RSV Immunisation Program: Results from the PAEDS-FluCAN NetworkDiphtheria outbreak could be 'contained within months' but response criticised as too slowResponding to injectable synthetic peptide use among young people: priorities for clinicians and public healthInsights from a cross-sectional population-based study of 10,929 Australians living with Parkinson's disease: risk factors, comorbidities, and sex differencesCardiac resynchronization therapy with or without atrioventricular node ablation in atrial fibrillation: the CAAN-AF trial

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 Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda determined a public health emergency of international concern.Absence of USAID likely slowed Ebola detection and response, former officials say

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 takes a lot of work.There's a growing evidence base for the use of digital interventions for people with some categories of eating disorder. And they might have spillover benefits for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, which can co-occur with an eating disorder. But how do you find one that you can trust?Plus, the renaming of polycystic ovary syndrome and the implications for people with the condition.References:Low-plastic diet and urinary levels of plastic-associated phthalates and bisphenols: the randomized controlled PERTH TrialTreatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament RuptureAcute, Longer-Term, and Transdiagnostic Outcomes After Digital Interventions for Eating DisordersAluminium adjuvants in vaccines and potential health effects: systematic reviewPolycystic ovary syndrome renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndromeThriving Kids - Services Australia

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, how does this therapy work and how far off is it from showtime?Plus, success for Australia in eliminating trachoma - an infectious eye disease - as a public health issue. References:Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problemMpox disease epidemiology, vaccine uptake and vaccination coverage in Australia 2022–2024: a descriptive studyHantavirus-hit cruise ship leaves Cape Verde after three evacuatedMajor budget boost means Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are here to stayLifting the Screen on Fitspiration: A Meta-AnalysisCross-reactive anti-prophage antibodies and bacterial heteroresistance implicated in phage therapeutic failure

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 systematic review and meta-analysisVariations in the investigation of colorectal cancer-related symptoms in Australian primary care: a retrospective cohort studyOutbreak of diptheria in the Kimberley.Nine-Valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Related Cancers in MalesAn estimated 450,000 diabetics will miss out on subsidised Mounjaro after negotiations stalled

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 dicing at home (instead of eating out more often) could have a protective effect for your cognition.ReferencesRSV Vaccine - Department of HealthHome cooking, cooking skills and dementia requiring long-term care: a population-based cohort study in JapanTypology of out-of-home eaters: a description of sociodemographic, lifestyle, nutritional and environmental characteristics in the NutriNet-Santé cohortGender and age differences in weekend eating habits: associations with fat mass percentage in a cross-sectional studyGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and risk of substance use disorders among US veterans with type 2 diabetes: cohort studyHeart-nosed bat alphacoronaviruses use human CEACAM6 to enter cellsAdvances in understanding of cognitive symptoms during menopauseA Bold Blueprint for Asthma Reform in AustraliaIntegrated germline and somatic molecular profiling to detect cancer predisposition has a high clinical impact in poor-prognosis paediatric cancer

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 DiseaseMunicipal water fluoridation, adolescent IQ, and cognition across the life courseAndrographis paniculata (Andrographis) and anaphylaxis - updated safety review and supplementary reportAmyloid‐beta‐targeting monoclonal antibodies for people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s diseaseChatGPT Health performance in a structured test of triage recommendationsInitiators of Semaglutide in General Practice in New South Wales, 2020–2023: A Retrospective Cohort StudySuicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Children and AdolescentsSuicide and intentional self-harm hospitalisations among young peopleGenerational effects in self-reported age of onset for youth suicidal ideation, self-harm and attempted suicide: A retrospective analysis using data from the Australian National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020–2022

When a medical emergency happens in space, how is it treated? And what does life in Antarctica have to teach us about staying healthy on a spaceflight?Findings from a large study of Australian teenagers find links between school connection, sleep and mental health trajectories through adolescence.If you have a shoulder injury and suspect it's the rotator cuff, should you have a scan? You might find more than you bargained for.And how badly should you want to hang on to your appendix in the case of appendicitis? Is it better to jettison it or keep it in there?References:Association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and worsening mental illness in people with depression and anxiety in Sweden: a national cohort studyRetraction: Cosmetic talc powderOncologic Risk of Missed Appendiceal Tumors in Acute AppendicitisFuture Proofing Study - Research Insights 2026Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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 assessmentCost-Effectiveness of Oral Immunotherapy Treatments vs No Treatment for Peanut Allergy in ChildrenAnnual Immunisation Coverage Report 2025Vaping likely to cause cancer, new Australian review of evidence finds (ABC News)Influenza (flu) vaccine - Department of HealthInfluenza immunisation resources - National Centre for Immunisation Research and SurveillanceHistoric 1994 influenza vaccine cohorts define breadth of antibody and B cell responses toward future influenza A and B virusesLab Notes: Super-K flu is here … but it's not our biggest problemIntranasal Treatments for Children With Sleep-Disordered Breathing: The MIST+ Randomized Clinical TrialProstate artery Embolisation Assessment of Safety and feasibilitY (P-EASY): a potential alternative to long-term medical therapy for benign prostate hyperplasiaThe ‘Prostate Embolisation AS first-line therapY compAred to meDication in treatment naïVe men with prostAte eNlargement, a randomised ControllEd trial’ (P-EASY ADVANCE): a randomised controlled trial of prostate embolisation vs medication for BPHProstate artery EmbolisAtion Safety and efficacY: Preliminary and foLlow-Up urodynamic Studies (P-EASY PLUS)

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 next week.

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 line.'It takes days for the results of an STI test to come back, and that can cause all sorts of problems. A new 'point-of-care' test aims to shave that testing window down to less than an hour, with implications for sexual health treatment in regional and remote areas.Plus, sex differences after a diagnosis of cancer - men and women appear to follow separate trajectories, especially when it comes to their risk of death and adverse outcomes.References:Psilocybin or Nicotine Patch for Smoking CessationSex-based prognosis in industry-sponsored advanced solid tumour trials: an individual participant data meta-analysis of survival and adverse eventsThanks to AI, Paul can see the culprit of his dog's cancerMeet the man who designed a cancer vaccine for his dogUltraprocessed Food Consumption and Behavioral Outcomes in Canadian ChildrenMultilevel predictors of ultra-processed food intake in Canadian preschoolers‘Women deserve better’: a national mixed-methods exploration of the ‘silent’ health conditions and social issues affecting women and girls in AustraliaCRISPR-Cas-based diagnostics for point-of-care detection of sexually transmitted infections: a laboratory development and evaluation study

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 personalised care.References:Within-Person Association Between Daily Screen Use and Sleep in YouthAcetaminophen (Paracetamol) or Opioid Analgesia Added to Ibuprofen for Children’s Musculoskeletal InjuryEffects of daily multivitamin–multimineral and cocoa extract supplementation on epigenetic aging clocks in the COSMOS randomized clinical trialSide-effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysisExperiences of Australian clinicians, researchers, and patients with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: A framework-guided qualitative analysisThe AuTOMATIC trial: a multicentre digitally-automated, Bayesian, adaptive, parallel, factorial randomised controlled trial of SMS reminders for childhood vaccinationThe necessity of digital measurement-based care for navigating complexity in youth mental healthDynamic learning of individual-level suicidal ideation trajectories to enhance mental health care

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 managed and when should you consider surgery?References:Impact of cognitive training on claims-based diagnosed dementia over 20 years: evidence from the ACTIVE studyEfficacy and safety of once-daily oral orforglipron compared with oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes (ACHIEVE-3)Risk factors for the development of food allergy in infants and childrenSodium, potassium and blood pressure in Australian schoolchildren: exploring differences by sex and weight status — a cross-sectional studyRisk-Based vs Annual Breast Cancer Screening: The WISDOM Randomized Clinical Trial

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 performance of self-collection offered through primary care to all eligible participants in a national cervical screening programme in Australia: a retrospective cohort studyExtended follow-up of invasive cervical cancer risk after quadrivalent HPV vaccination: nationwide, register based studyLeisure-Time Physical Activity and Cancer Mortality Among Cancer SurvivorsInformed use of AI technologies for mental healthAI and mental health in Australia: what needs to happen next - Black Dog InstitutePharmacists call for medicine review program to be expanded - ABC NewsThe effect of deprescribing interventions on mortality and health outcomes in older people: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

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?References:Menopausal hormone therapy and long term mortality: nationwide, register based cohort studySixth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health (AURA report)Education and Behaviour Change - The Fleming Initiative's StanceIntermittent fasting for adults with overweight or obesityEffectiveness of exercise therapy for osteoarthritis: an overview of systematic reviews and randomised controlled trialsCancer Incidence and Mortality With Aspirin in Older Adults: Follow-Up of the ASPREE TrialThe effects of daily low-dose aspirin on white matter hyperintensity lesions and retinal vascular calibre in healthy older adults: the ENVIS-ion exploratory neuroimaging substudy of the ASPREE randomised clinical trial Treat-to-Target Urate-Lowering Treatment and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With GoutArthritis Australia gout resourcesGout Medcast resources

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 Treatment of Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease: The VALAD Randomized Clinical TrialAssessment of adverse effects attributed to statin therapy in product labels: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trialsNutritional deficiencies and muscle loss in adults with type 2 diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonists: A retrospective observational studyEffect of exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms: systematic umbrella review with meta-meta-analysisRespectful Maternity and Newborn Care Frameworkβ blockers after myocardial infarction with mildly reduced ejection fraction: an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsBeta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction in Patients without Heart FailureBeta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction without Reduced Ejection Fraction

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 Viruses: Deadly Zoonotic Paramyxoviruses with the Potential to Cause the Next Pandemic - PMCUrgent ADHD Top-Up Prescriptions Even Easier And CheaperRestoring affordable access to specialist care in AustraliaBurden of Infections in Early Life and Risk of Infections and Systemic Antibiotics Use in Childhood

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.ReferencesFirst step towards a national medicines recordNational medicines database promised after telehealth 'doctor-shopping' leads to overdoseUptake of Shingrix vaccine in its first year on the National Immunisation Program: an analysis of Australian Immunisation Register dataCannabis‐based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adultsSafety and efficacy of early medical abortion at home between 10+0 and 11+6 weeks' gestation: a retrospective review

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 density are often confused and anxious about what to do next. References:NSW respiratory surveillanceSenior CDC official: Loss of measles elimination status in U.S. would be ‘cost of doing business’Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysisAlcohol consumption and mortality from four alcohol-related cancers in Australia 1950-2018: a time series analysisEarly Palliative Care and Quality of End-of-Life Care for People With Terminal Cancer, Victoria, 2018–2023: A Retrospective, Population-Based Cohort StudyImpact of population based breast density notification: multisite parallel arm randomised controlled trial in BreastScreen

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?ReferencesWhat AI scribes can (and can't) do for healthcare - the Health ReportPaul is using AI to fight his dog's incurable cancer - UNSW

People with osteoarthritis used to be told to take it easy and avoid overdoing exercise. But the advice has changed drastically. Also, should everyone going onto GLP-1 medications for weight loss be screened and monitored for eating disorders? Another 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: Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his hyperfixation on autism as an epidemic. ReferencesTrump links paracetamol to autism, urges parents to delay vaccinesThe EPIPHA-KNEE trial: Explaining Pain to target unhelpful pain beliefs to Increase PHysical Activity in KNEE osteoarthritis – a protocol for a multicentre, randomised controlled trial with clinical- and cost-effectiveness analysisManagement of eating disorders for people with higher weight: clinical practice guidelineEating disorder resources:The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 or webchat.Eating Disorders Foundation VictoriaEating Disorders Families Australia — 1300 195 626Professionals Credentialed in Eating DisordersLifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

Anxiety can manifest in an excessive worry about your health, and it can be debilitating. But there are effective treatments. Also, antidepressants can be difficult to come off because of the withdrawal symptoms. An expert highlights the need to better educate patients and doctors on deprescribing. Another 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: infectious diseases. ReferencesWhy the US measles outbreak is so concerningHow Australia's measles vaccine coverage compares to the USAntidepressant prescribing in Australian primary care: time to reevaluateRELEASE information and resourcesHealth anxiety information and workbookHealth anxiety in Australia: prevalence, comorbidity, disability and service use | The British Journal of PsychiatryThe global economic burden of health anxiety/hypochondriasis- a systematic reviewIncrease in the prevalence of health anxiety in medical clinics: Possible cyberchondriaCognitive behavior therapy for health anxiety: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and health economic outcomesA clinician’s quick guide to evidence-based approaches: health anxiety

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. ReferencesAnswering common questions about GLP-1s for weight lossWeight loss drugs could help people with schizophreniaGLP-1s and eating disorders — what are the risks?Structured Exercise after Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer - NEJM Mapping Neuroimaging Findings of Creativity and Brain Disease Onto a Common Brain Circuit

Substituting your table salt for something with lower sodium could drive down your risk of heart attack and stroke. Also, what expectant parents might not know about screening for genetic diseases before conceiving. Artificial intelligence (AI) could soon be used to help predict decisions a person might make at the end of life. And a look back at the year: Make America Health Again. ReferencesSalt Substitution and Recurrent Stroke and Death: A Randomized Clinical TrialMackenzie's MissionNationwide, Couple-Based Genetic Carrier Screening - NEJMUnlocking the secrets of your DNA - the Health ReportCan Artificial Intelligence Speak for Incapacitated Patients at the End of Life?Should artificial intelligence guide surrogate decisions in healthcare? - Journal of Medical Ethics blogA Personalized Patient Preference Predictor for Substituted Judgments in Healthcare: Technically Feasible and Ethically Desirable

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. ReferencesEating For Your Liver - Liver Foundation2025 Cervical Cancer Elimination Progress ReportIndigenous infants in remote Australia retain an ancestral gut microbiome despite encroaching Westernization

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 vaccine response. ReferencesThe effect of shingles vaccination at different stages of the dementia disease course WHO issues global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines in treating obesity Product warnings updated for GLP-1 RA class - TGA Inquiry into Women's Pain - Victorian GovernmentGovt backs green whistle during IUD insertion in response to women’s pain inquiryEstimation and mapping of the missing heritability of human phenotypesBifidobacteria support optimal infant vaccine responses - NatureAntibiotics-Driven Gut Microbiome Perturbation Alters Immunity to Vaccines in HumansThe Antibiotics and Vaccine Immune Responses Study (AVIRS) – people must be in Adelaide to participate!

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 - TGABird flu confirmed in elephant seal population at Heard IslandDecades of data missing: Metastatic breast cancer cases double previous estimatesProjected Lifetime Cancer Risks From Current Computed Tomography ImagingStudy on current CT scanning practices and the incidence of future cancersMediterranean Diet and Patients With Psoriasis: The MEDIPSO Randomized Clinical Trial

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?ReferencesPFAS inquiry hands down 47 recommendations to better regulate 'forever chemicals' in Australia - ABC News The Lancet series on ultra-processed foodsOrforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (ATTAIN-2): a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled trialCaffeinated Coffee Consumption or Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation: The DECAF Randomized Clinical TrialBudesonide–formoterol versus salbutamol as reliever therapy in children with mild asthma (CARE): a 52-week, open-label, multicentre, superiority, randomised controlled trial

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. ReferencesGovernment expenditure on public health activities in Australia 2023–24 - AIHWGlobal prevalence of hypertension among children and adolescents aged 19 years or younger: an updated systematic review and meta-analysisNon-coeliac gluten sensitivity - the LancetGlobal prevalence of self-reported non-coeliac gluten and wheat sensitivity: a systematic review and metaanalysisDoxycycline Use in Adolescent Psychiatric Patients and Risk of Schizophrenia: An Emulated Target TrialCancers attributable to alcohol - IARCAlcohol: a major preventable cause of cancer (IARC Evidence Summary Brief No. 6)

If you live with chronic pain, getting referred to a psychologist for pain management can feel like another dismissal. What does a session with a pain psychologist look like, and how effective can it be if you don't have any mental health diagnoses?Also, some practical information for parents introducing allergens to their babies. And how the nervous system might inadvertently be fuelling gastrointestinal cancers. ReferencesDeaths due to acute respiratory infections in Australia - ABSNeurodevelopmental Outcomes of 3-Year-Old Children Exposed to Maternal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in UteroPain Management NetworkPain Management and Research Centre - patient informationManagement of Chronic Pain - for health professionalsOPEN pain training - for health professionalsNip allergies in the bubThe impact of reversing peanut allergy adviceAre allergen starter packs safe?Sensory neuropeptide CGRP and its co-receptor RAMP1 drive tumour cell growth in gastrointestinal cancers

For 50 years we've known pulse oximeters are less accurate on darker skin, and it could lead to misdiagnoses. Also, allergen starter packs are being advertised to parents. Are they safe?Guidelines have been released for male infertility care so men aren't left out. And joint replacements don't last forever, but there are ways to extend their life.ReferencesGuidelines for the management of male infertility - Healthy MaleData Resource Profile: The Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR)Novel Hypoglossal Stimulation Markedly Improves Airflow and Airway Collapsibility in OSARacial Bias in Pulse Oximetry Measurement - NEJMFind a clinical trial

It's a tricky conversation to navigate, so researchers have tried to find out the best way to bring up weight in the doctor's office while dodging bias and stigma.Also, a look at the evidence surrounding transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression. The international effort to improve survival from pancreatic cancer. And how a change in guidelines spared tens of thousands of children from peanut allergy. ReferencesGuidelines for Early Food Introduction and Patterns of Food AllergyNew systematic review and meta-analysis shows an association between shingles vaccination and lower risk of heart attack and stroke Shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine - who should get vaccinated?Supporting weight focused discussions in primary care: A qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitatorsDiscussing Weight with Patients in Primary Care in Australia: A Mixed Methods Experimental StudyTGA approves new brain stimulation device for treatment of depression - ABC NewsThe Australian Pancreatic High-RIsk ScrEening (APRISE) StudyThe Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) Consortium

Gene editing holds huge promise to cure disease and alleviate human suffering, but there are many ethical considerations when it comes to changing our DNA. We map the story of Chinese scientist He Jiankui who was jailed for altering the genome of babies without proper consent. Also, we take a look at the common skin condition rosacea and what treatments are available. And some changes to blood test results mean you could see them before your doctor. ReferencesGlobal antibiotic resistance surveillance report – World Health Organization New test categories available for faster access on My Health Record