Health Report - Separate stories podcast

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.There have been two more measles-associated deaths in the United States References20 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

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. For some the path can be two decades on from when they graduated, especially for the more competitive specialties like surgery. Guest/sDr Sanjay Hettige, Radiologist and Chair, AMA Council of Doctors and TrainingDr Helen Schultz, Consultant PsychiatristSarah, Surgical RegistrarSeniru Mudannayake, President, Australian Medical Students AssociationDr Philip Morreau, President, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons ReferencesRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons 2026-2030 Surgical Pathways StrategyDepartment of Health: Whole of Medical Workforce Supply and Demand Study If you or anyone you know needs help:Lifeline on 13 11 14Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636

A new study compares frequency of ‘gout flares’ in patients over seven years and shows people experiencing flares more frequently have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease.Guest/sDr Kuei-Ting Tung, Clinical nephrologist, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, TaiwanReferencesAnnual gout flare frequency as a marker of sustained cardiovascular risk: a clinical threshold for risk stratification

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected]

In the news:Despite the reduction in daily smoking rates, 'poly-use' of nicotine, is a concern in some groupsThe WHO reports the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest ever seen in that countryThe TGA has a big job on its hands cracking down on influencers and companies flouting regulations around peptidesReferencesNational 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

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.Will it help men feel less concerned about that doctor’s visit and help with early detection?Guest/sProfessor Declan Murphy, consultant urologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre ReferencesGuidelines for the early detection of prostate cancer

A new global study suggests people over sixty may face serious health risks from heat at much lower temperatures than previously understood.Researchers says more preparation is necessary to remediate the health impacts of a warming climate, and offers advice on what can help.Guest/sDr Qinqin Kong, Postdoctoral Scholar in the Departments of Medicine and Health Policy, Stanford University ReferencesLancet 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 suggests

Peri-orificial dermatitis is a rash with little raised bumps that can appear around your mouth, nose and eyes. A dermatologist explains the cause and why using steroid cream is the worst thing you can do for it.Guest/sDr Anes Yang, dermatologist  

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected]

In the news:In a small study, participants with a peanut allergy swallowed capsules containing treated faecal matter, and tried a dose of peanut four months later. Some were able to tolerate the peanut without a reaction.CEO of Eli Lilly discusses barriers to getting their GLP-1 agonist medication listed on the PBS, and questions the veracity of the process for getting the most up to date medications to Australian patients.The President of the United States signed an executive order changing the childhood vaccine schedule, making a link to autism, despite evidence to the contrary.ReferencesNature: 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

It’s been known for some time that the body mass index (BMI) has some limitations.A new study from Johns Hopkins University shows waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) should be included when assessing patients with abdominal fat for risk of cardiovascular disease.Guest/sDr Michael Blaha, Professor of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for Cardiovascular DiseaseReferencesJACC: Risk Reclassification Beyond BMI by Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio Across 9 Cardiovascular Outcomes: Results From the Cross-Cohort Collaboration

Iron deficiency is one of the world’s most common nutritional disorders, affecting millions of women and children globally. The way we test for it now is time consuming, expensive and inaccessible for many.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 deficiencies.Guest/sEmily Eriksson, Senior Research Officer in immunology and infectious diseases, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute ReferencesRapid test breakthrough could transform iron treatment worldwide

A recent study shows a lack of access to medical abortion care for women living in rural and remote areas, as discussed in our earlier story, Access to medical abortion still lacking.We followed up with the college that upholds best practice in rural and remote care, to see how this is being addressed.Guest/sDr Rod Martin, President, Australian College of Rural and Remote MedicineReferencesBMJ: Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected] choices Tasmania

In the news:An increase in hospitalisations and overdose deaths is being driven by use of methamphetamine, cocaine and stimulant medications, particularly in men.A study looking at the global burden of disease from Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol shows the impact of LDL is falling in rich countries but going up in poorer countries.Pioneer of nutritional psychiatry, Professor Felice Jacka has been awarded a prestigious prize for her work.Vitamin B6 supplements are still being widely purchased, despite warnings of potential side effects. Does the TGA need to be acting more quickly to crack down on manufacturers?GuestDeakin Distinguished Professor Felice Jacka OAM, Director, Food & Mood Centre, Deakin UniversityReferencesRise 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

‘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. She says it was “criminally easy” and is speaking out to protect others. While Australian data on this issue is not yet published, a study from the United States shows a person with an eating disorder is twice as likely as someone without one, to access GLP1s for weight loss. According to their data, one in five people with eating disorders in the study were currently using them. An Australian clinical psychologist and expert says awareness of the need for eating disorder screening amongst general practitioners is patchy and that more needs to be done to educate about the risks of prescribing weight loss injections to patients.If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder: Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673National Eating Disorder CollaborationLifeline on 131 114  Guest/s‘Kate’ person with lived experience of anorexia nervosa  Dr Cheri Levinson, Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville and Director of the Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT) labDr Nicholas Peiper, Professor, Epidemiology & Population Health, and  Chief Scientist, Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT) Laboratory, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of LouisvilleDr Sarah Trobe, clinical psychologist and National Director of the National Eating Disorder Collaboration (NEDC)  ReferencesAHPRA statement on Telehealth providersJAMA Psychiatry: Use and Misuse of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among People With Eating Disorders

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.Guest/sGeorge Baretto, Professor of Surgery, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University ReferencesEpidemiological time trends in acute pancreatitis – A 16-year experience from South Australia

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected]

In the news:Getting an endometriosis diagnosis is difficult in more ways than one. A new saliva test developed overseas is being trialled as a way to help those living with the condition. If it works in real world trials, it will indicate the probability of endometriosis, to detect whether or not more invasive testing is needed.Misinformation about Vitamin K injections for newborn babies is rife on social media. We look at the evidence.People are travelling to South Korea to get a full medical work-up including scans, blood tests and endoscopies. The trip might be fun, but is all that testing really necessary?ReferencesSaliva 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

Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease currently requires either a PET scan or a lumbar puncture, both of which can be expensive and inaccessible for those with symptoms. Clinicians, researchers, government and industry partners have come together in a new arrangement to trial a blood test that uses biomarkers for the disease, in the hope it will aid diagnosis.Guest/sProfessor Matthew Kiernan, Chief Executive Officer and Institute Director, NeuRA (Neuroscience Research Australia) ReferencesTest that could identify signs of Alzheimer's disease 20 years earlier greenlit for trials

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 others, in case the trials aren't successful.So what else goes on behind the scenes to achieve this when time is of the essence?Guest/sProfessor Jane Halton, Chair CEPI ReferencesCoalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation

Less than one third of general practices provide medical abortion in Australia, with access and support influenced by geographic location and socio-economic status.Despite the fact that medications are available on the PBS, those who live in a rural or remote area may still have to travel to find a GP who provides the service.Guest/sLuke Grzeskowiak, Associate Professor, Flinders University ReferencesLongitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected]

In the news:After earlier announcing the withdrawal of a certain dose of a breast cancer medicine from the Australian market, the drug company has now offered to supply it to eligible patients for free, rather than drop the price for the PBS.A new report shows young people are paying more in out of pocket costs for mental health treatment than their older counterparts.A study from the Kirby Institute's GoGovax trial shows the vaccine for meningococcal B does not protect against gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men.ReferencesUpdate 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 

Parents of younger children and early adolescents can face pressure to allow them their own smart phone, with concerns around mental health effects and sleep disruption. A new study looks at what happens when you delay giving a child a smartphone by one year.Guest/sDr. Ran Barzilay, Child Adolescent psychiatrist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania ReferencesSmartphone Acquisition and Use at Age 13 Years and Health Outcomes at Age 14 Years

You may have seen people wearing a small white disk on their upper arm. It's likely it was a "CGM" or continuous glucose monitoring device.In Australia, only people with type 1 diabetes can access subsidies for these devices, but there is hope this may be extended in the future.Research comparing the use of these devices, with self-monitoring of glucose levels, strengthens the case for use of CGM devices for people living with type 2 diabetes.Guest/sAssociate Prof Emma Wilmot, University of Nottingham School of Medicine ReferencesContinuous glucose monitoring versus self-monitoring of blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, multicentre, open-label, superiority trialDiabetes Australia statement

There is now clear evidence that having high blood pressure as a child can influence health outcomes later in life.The first ever Australian clinical guidelines on this condition recommend a check of blood pressure at age 7 and again during adolescence.  Guest/sNick Larkins, paediatric nephrologist, Perth Children's Hospital and Senior Research Fellow, Edith Cowan University ReferencesAustralian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected]

In the news:The same team who developed the first vaccine against COVID-19 have come up with a vaccine for the new strain of Ebola in only eight weeks.A report from the Grattan Institute calls for a shake-up of community pharmacy fundingUS Department of War head Pete Hegseth announces plans for testosterone screening for militaryReferencesUK 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

There's a race going on in Silicon Valley to find ways to both slow down ageing and monetise longevity.Some of the tools used to measure this are biological age tests that give various health readings. For an episode of Four Corners, Norman Swan visited one of the team who developed an evidence-based clock called DunedinPACE.Guest/sDan Belsky, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University ReferencesFour Corners: The Race to Reverse Aging

How acne is treated depends on severity, but those affected can worry about the side-effects of medications that are taken orally. A study into the use of isotretinoin for acne in adolescents found no association with reduced adult height. Guest/sSigrun Schmidt, Medical Doctor and PhD, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark ReferencesIsotretinoin Treatment in Adolescence and 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. What can we learn from the behaviour of past viruses, to help prepare for the next outbreak? Guest/sMark Woolhouse, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh ReferencesA complete catalogue of human-infective RNA viruses

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected]

In the news this week:Research commissioned by the RACGP shows limited evidence for benefits of community pharmacists prescribing drug treatments for around 20 common and minor conditionsA law change means registered nurses will soon be able to prescribe some PBS medicinesA US study shows disparities in cancer screening rates for LGBTI+ populations, what's happening here in Australia?Australian cancer trials not following regulations on reporting sex differencesReferencesCommunity 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 risk

The AIHW's Australia's Health 2026 report shows that dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, rising by 39 percent over the past decade and overtaking coronary heart disease.Guest/sMichelle Gourley, Head, Burden of Disease and Mortality Unit, Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing  ReferencesAustralia's health 2026 (AIHW)

A study comparing the diets of Swedish participants at risk of dementia, as well as those who were not provides more evidence for the importance of a healthy diet in prevention of the condition.Guest/sAnja Mrhar, Visiting researcher, Aging Research Center at Karolinska Institutet and PhD candidate in Biosciences – Nutrition, University of Ljubljana ReferencesDiet Quality and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With Alzheimer Pathology

People diagnosed with septic shock in intensive care units are more likely to die within 5 years of hospitalisation. Researchers say more needs to be done to raise awareness of early warning signs to prevent these conditions, and more targeted post admission care and follow up for those who have experienced septic shock.Guest/sProfessor Andrew Udy, Deputy Director of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, Monash University and intensivist at The Alfred Intensive Care UnitReferencesLong-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

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected]

In the news this week:Asthma is getting worse in Australia. Are prevention treatments being used widely enough?Australia's medicine safety black triangle scheme aims to encourage people to report drug side effects, but new research shows most users don't know it exists.New pneumococcal vaccine has wider coverage and is available to more people.US based drug company to remove opioid disorder treatment Sublocade from the Australian market.ReferencesWorsening 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

Musculoskeletal health researchers went looking for alternative treatments for those with chronic pain. They're now studying the impact of sleep and have found a moderate reduction in pain for those who took melatonin.If you live in Brisbane of Sydney and would like to take part in the SLEEP-FIT study, click here.Guest/sMichelle Hall, Associate Professor within Sydney Musculoskeletal Health and the School of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney ReferencesEfficacy and effectiveness of melatonin for the management of musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo and active controlled trials

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. Researchers say this effect isn’t simply driven by inflammation or diet, but suggests an underlying difference linked to genetic risk, and the test could one day help clinicians identify people at risk of developing coeliac disease and other auto-immune disorders.Guest/sProfessor Jason Tye-Din, Coeliac Research Lab Head, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute; Director, Snow Centre for Immune HealthDr Vanessa Bryant, Bryant Lab Head, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute; Scientific Engagement and Collaboration Lead, Snow Centre for Immune Health ReferencesFunctional immune profiling reveals CD4+ T cell dysregulation in coeliac disease (Immunology and Cell Biology, 2026) 

Standing and walking exercises are standard treatment for those with spinal cord injuries. A recent study tested the addition of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) to rehab training to see if it can improve walking mobility.Guest/sDr Liz Bye, research fellow and physiotherapist from spinal cord injury research collaborative, University of Sydney ReferencesTranscutaneous 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 trial

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected] little-known cause of heart attack in young women

In the news this week:Evidence for IVF add on treatments weak or non-existentHealth risks of toxic weight-loss peptides like unapproved "Retatrutide" purchased onlineBird flu update, WA Health says they are monitoring humans who have been exposed, but risk is lowReferencesSafety 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 Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) decision to restrict but not ban the use of paraquat by farmers has disappointed some in the medical and scientific community.Movement disorder specialist says the APVMA decision on the use of pesticide paraquat ignores evidence of the link with cases of Parkinson's disease.Guest/sAssociate Professor Wes Thevathasan, Parkinson's disease specialist working across several hospitals, the University of Melbourne and The Florey Institute ReferencesStatement from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines AuthorityChemical regulator approves restricted use of herbicide paraquat previously linked to Parkinson's disease

Following hospitalisation for cardiac procedures, patients are offered a 6-8 week rehabilitation program to help them recover and make lifestyle changes to improve heart health. But a study shows only 1 in 5 people do the program, despite the fact that it can make a huge difference to health outcomes. So what's going wrong?Guest/sDr Susie Cartledge, Senior Research Fellow, Monash University school of public health and preventive medicine ReferencesMapping patient outcomes associated with cardiac rehabilitation

There has 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 says one on one conversations with trusted health care providers are vital for parents who have immunisation concerns and this can have real impact on others in their community.Guest/sProfessor Margie Danchin, immunisation expert at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute ReferencesChildhood vaccine hesitancy, The New England Journal of Medicine

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at [email protected]

In the news this week:Neurological symptoms in survivors of Ebola.Internet searches surge after Trump's statements on autism and painkillersDelays to planned bulk billings changes.An update on the removal of a drug for breast cancer, endometriosis treatments from Australian markets.ReferencesNeurological Manifestations in Adult Survivors of Ebola Virus Disease.Internet Searches for Leucovorin, Folate, and Acetaminophen After a White House Autism AnnouncementAssignment of benefit changes delayed.Ongoing access to Zoladex monthly implant in Australia - AstraZeneca.

Those who drink alcohol want to do so safely, but the risks of disease are ever present.Studies show differing health outcomes and relationships between consumption of alcohol and diseases like cancer, early onset dementia and heart disease.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.It shows that the 'no safe level of alcohol' finding does not exclude alcohol from having beneficial effects.GuestProfessor Jurgen Rehm, senior scientist and researcher, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada  ReferencesA review of the relationship between dimensions of alcohol consumption and the burden of disease