Health Report

US President Donald Trump has told women they shouldn't take paracetamol (also known as Tylenol or acetaminophen) during pregnancy because it has been linked to autism. We unpack the evidence with experts — where has this claim come from? Have we really found a treatment for autism spectrum disorder? And what are the dangers of taking health advice from Trump?Also, an unexpected result from a study looking into whether a yoga exercise program could prevent falls in older adults.

Trump has suggested there's a link between pregnant women taking paracetamol and autism in children. In a press conference Trump said pregnant women with fevers should "tough it out".

A major change has been made to Australia's asthma guidelines, but how long will it take everyone to catch on?Also, we know daily aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease isn't beneficial, but a new study shows there might be risks. And should the one-time blood test for lipoprotein(a) be free for everyone?References:National Climate Risk Assessment | Australian Climate ServiceUnderestimating heat-related mortality—a comparison of excess mortality and death record studies for Australia - The Lancet Regional Health – Western PacificMore evidence climate change is bad for our hearts - ABC listen Medical Imaging and Pediatric and Adolescent Hematologic Cancer Risk | New England Journal of MedicineIg Nobel Prizes celebrate pizza-eating lizards, drunk bats and garlic-flavoured breast milk - ABC NewsAspirin, cardiovascular events, and major bleeding in older adults: extended follow-up of the ASPREE trialLp(a) testing for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in high-income countries: a cost-effectiveness analysisAustralian Asthma Handbook

The way we get information has changed, and when it comes to health and wellness more and more people are turning to social media. There are pros and cons, but when it comes to something as important as birth control, there's a price to pay for taking guidance from influencers. Also on the show, why parent-focused programs haven't been working to tackle obesity in toddlers. And a story about the benefits of withdrawing medication, rather than starting it. ReferencesAlcohol and Cancer Risk - JAMA InsightsReview of Evidence on Alcohol and Health - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and MedicineGLP-1 RAs and Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes by Body Mass Index in Type 2 Diabetes Incidence of GLP‐1 receptor agonist use by women of reproductive age attending general practices in Australia, 2011–2022: a retrospective open cohort studyJoint statement on professional responsibilities for prescribing and dispensing medicines - AHPRAParent-focused behavioural interventions for the prevention of early childhood obesity (TOPCHILD): a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis“Do You Know What Birth Control Actually Does to Your Body?”: Assessing Contraceptive Information on TikTokWithdrawal of heart failure therapy after atrial fibrillation rhythm control with ejection fraction normalization: the WITHDRAW-AF trial

Researchers have tricked participants with placebo pain relief in an effort to map the brainstem. Also, how immunotherapy might be used to treat mental health conditions in some young people. And delays in diagnosing frontotemporal dementia means some people are missing out on important care. ReferencesAnswering common questions about GLP-1s for weight lossGLP-1s and eating disorders — what are the risks?A Case Series of Young People Receiving Adjunctive Immunotherapy for Neuroimmune-Mediated Major Mood or Psychotic SyndromesFourteen years later: Reviewing the diagnostic criteria for behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementiaSomatotopic organization of brainstem analgesic circuitryA radical new way to treat low back pain - ABC listenYou can listen to more episodes of the Health Report podcast with presenters Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Covering topics like Trump’s policy changes to the growing trend of young people being diagnosed with cancer, we bring you the latest in health and medical news.

Lots of people develop a daily skincare routine for anti-ageing purposes, but what if there are benefits from starting even earlier — at just nine weeks old?Also, a discussion in the United States about SSRI antidepressants in pregnancy has caused lots of anxiety. We talk through the risks versus the benefits. And a common drug used to treat everything from nerves to heart conditions could show promise in stopping the spread of triple negative breast cancer. ReferencesPharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) Meeting Outcomes - July 2025Allostatic Load and Racial and Rural Disparities in Breast Cancer Survival | Oncology | JAMA Network Open | JAMA NetworkStructured vs Self-Guided Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions for Global Cognitive FunctionEmollients to Prevent Pediatric Eczema: A Randomized Clinical TrialPaternal Depression as a Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Offspring: Implications for Maternal Depression and Its Treatment During PregnancyAssociation Between Serotonergic Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorder in ChildrenHox-C12 coordinates β2-adrenoceptor coupling to a cAMP/calcium feedforward loop to drive invasion in triple-negative breast cancerAustralian Physiotherapy AssociationYou can listen to more episodes of the Health Report podcast with presenters Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.Covering topics like Trump’s policy changes to the growing trend of young people being diagnosed with cancer, we bring you the latest in health and medical news.

Cognitive Functional Therapy can help relieve low back pain, and shows some positive long-term results.Ovarian cancer doesn't start in the ovaries, but in the fallopian tubes, and opportunistic surgery could prevent it.And is your gut microbiome responsible for your insomnia or is your insomnia changing your microbiome?

Dietary guidelines tell us what we should eat for good health, but at the moment it is possible to follow the guidelines and still eat predominantly ultraprocessed foods. A new study has looked at the impact this has on your health, and compared it to a minimally processed diet chock full of whole foods. Also, there are calls to change the criteria for diagnosing perimenopause. And the benefits of psilocybin for depression might have been overstated.

If you reach for a no-sugar drink, thinking you're making a wise choice, you might need to think again. A new study suggests artificially sweetened drinks carry a similar type 2 diabetes risk to sugar sweetened beverages. Also, loneliness is a growing public health issue, especially among younger people. What can we do to address it?And gynaecological cancer survivors are flipping the script, teaching health professionals.

There are ways to rejuvenate old memories, but a new study has compared the process to the myth of Sisyphus, who was cursed to repeatedly roll a stone up a hill. Also on the show, many doctors are already using artificial intelligence to help take notes. But are patients always aware these AI scribes are in the room?The emergence of vaping has slowed our progress when it comes to smoking cessation. And looking at a sick person might activate your immune system, getting it ready to fight off infection.

Just like human children, young bats have been found to harbour and spread lots of viruses. Their susceptibility to contracting multiple viruses at once makes them the perfect breeding ground for new disease variants. Also, we take a look at a study that seemed to show private hospital were better than public hospitals for childbirth. Is it that simple?And a survey of people with chronic conditions shows where Australia is ahead, and where we need to improve.

Five risk factors explain 50 per cent of cardiovascular risk at age 50, according to a new study. Addressing those risk factors can add years to your life, even if you address them in middle age. Also, the UK demonstrates a cutting edge IVF technique is effective at avoiding mitchondrial disease. ADHD treatment has real world positives, but the effects are lessening as more people get diagnosed. And an update on how RSV vaccination in pregnant women is going, five months into the program.

The human exposome is the environmental equivalent of the human genome, and there's a project in the works to map it. It's a huge project that needs to take into account our lifestyles, cultures, economics and politics. Essentially, everything but our genome. Also, a concerning disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians when it comes to kidney transplants. And a small risk comes to light in relation to GLP-1s used for diabetes and weight loss. ReferencesGuidance on medicinal cannabis prescribing targets unsafe practice - AHPRAGLP-1 Drugs Linked to Higher Risk of Age-Related Macular DegenerationAm I on the list? Clinician‐reported factors for kidney transplantation non‐waitlisting among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with kidney failure: a cross‐sectional studyThe Human Exposome ProjectGeneration Cancer - 4CornersMapping the chemical complexity of plastics - Nature

Immunotherapy uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. In blood cancer, a revolutionary t-cell therapy has cured patients and could show promise in solid tumours. In bladder cancer, the tuberculosis vaccine is infused to treat non-invasive cancer. However a shortage of BCG means researchers are having to test out other methods. Also, is Australia on the front foot when it comes to type 2 diabetes treatment? And what does copper in the brain have to do with Parkinson's disease?

In the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, it can sometimes feel like the answer to everything is right around the corner. A dog owner is testing this with the help of super-computing, to try and find another treatment for his dog's cancer. Also, the national lung cancer screening program is about to begin. Who is eligible, and is the healthcare system prepared?And with syphilis cases rising in the community, there are implications for expectant mothers.

Hyenas and vultures play a role in driving down the risk of disease outbreaks, but their decline due to human behaviour is putting our health in danger.Also, we discuss Lifeblood's changes which bring down some of the barriers facing gay and bisexual men, and transgender women, who'd like to donate blood or plasma. Pain education could help people with osteoarthritis get the most out of exercise programs — and even walk the Camino. Plus there's a push to extend genetic carrier screening to cover dozens more conditions.

There are concerns people are getting their hands on medicinal cannabis to treat conditions where there's very little evidence of benefit — and the possibility of harm. Also, why weight loss drugs could improve treatment for people with schizophrenia. The full breadth of corporate ownership of radiology clinics is revealed. And what questions need to be asked with IVF in the spotlight, as Monash IVF deals with the fallout from a second bungled embryo transfer.References:Medicinal cannabis prescribing practices under scrutiny after scripts issued 'every 4 minutes' - ABC News‘Infuriating and dangerous’: Psychiatrist tries and fails to speak with his patients’ medicinal cannabis prescribers - AusDoc.Efficacy and safety of semaglutide versus placebo for people with schizophrenia on clozapine with obesity (COaST): a phase 2, multi-centre, participant and investigator- blinded, randomised controlled trial in AustraliaCorporatisation and ownership concentration in diagnostic imaging: an audit of Australian practices

A structured exercise program has increased survival in people with colon cancer after they've undergone surgery and chemotherapy. Also, a common genetic variant could double the risk of dementia in men — if they receive two doses of the mutation. We provide an update on the flu, COVID and RSV circulating the community.And a study bringing together millions of lab tests has found is take a lot longer for the body to bounce back from pregnancy than commonly thought. References:Measles Seroprevalence in Infants Under 9 Months of Age in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisGene–Environment Interaction Affects Risk of Atopic Eczema: Population and In Vitro StudiesStructured Exercise after Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer - NEJM Haemochromatosis Genotypes and Incident Dementia in a Prospective Study of Older AdultsPregnancy and postpartum dynamics revealed by millions of lab tests - ScienceAdvancesal issues from social, scientific and political points of view.

Our cognitive ability changes throughout our lives, but what happens when we're young can determine our intelligence in adulthood — especially if we don't do anything to bolster it. Also, NSW follows other states in allowing GPs and diagnose and treat ADHD. There are updated guidelines for the treatment of osteoporosis. And when you go into remission from cancer, you usually undergo regular tests to make sure it hasn't returned. But does the evidence support this is beneficial, or simply a cause for anxiety?

If you've come across ads of Norman pushing a product for you to buy — no you haven't. These ads are actually deepfake scams using an AI Norman to sell unproven supplements. Also, why a new Alzheimer's drug coming onto the market might not become cheap enough for most people to take. A breakthrough in gene-editing could push us closer to a future full of CRISPR treatments. And why eight hours a night might not be the magic number for sleep.

Gut health is more complicated than social media influencers might have you believe. It can be impacted by diet, exercise, the medications you take, the colds you catch. And any one of these factors can lead to irritable bowel syndrome. Also, an overlooked allergy that starts with a tick bite. And the barriers people face who are suffering iron deficiency and its often overwhelming symptoms.

It's a common sleep disorder that can have knock-on effects on your cardiovascular and overall metabolic health. But sleep apnea doesn't always present how people think, especially in women. Also, we take a look at Labor's health promises as they start their second term in government. New guidelines have been developed to improve care in early pregnancy loss. And one in seven Australians is on an antidepressant, in some cases simply because it can be so hard to come off them.

The immune system seems to respond faster, and better, when you get a booster vaccine in the same arm as your initial vaccine. Also, your GP might miss something going wrong with your liver because of the way pathology labs report blood test results. And a common type 2 diabetes drug, metformin, could be used to treat knee osteoarthritis — and delay knee replacements.

When you can't make medical decisions for yourself, it's often the responsibility of a loved one, or sometimes a doctor who doesn't know you at all. Some researchers are suggesting artificial intelligence could be trained to know your wishes and be another voice in the room when making decisions. Also, it can take up to 95 per cent vaccine coverage to protect against measles outbreaks. How's Australia doing?And curing cancer can take a toll. Is there a way to adjust treatment protocols to drive down the risk of long-term side effects?

In Australia, we've already seen more cases of measles this year than we saw during the whole of 2024. It's believed misinformation is to blame, leading to vaccine hesitancy and exposing the community to a highly infectious virus. Also, we take a look at draft guidelines for prostate cancer. Why a 'minor' stroke isn't very minor. And new evidence looking into the metabolic effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Australia has been at the forefront of research into how what we eat affects our mental health. What do we know so far, and what are some small changes you can make to see improvements?Also, the doctors strike in NSW continues a much-needed conversation about conditions in the public health system. And hoping to find out your risk of heart attack and stroke? This is where to start.

Quitting smoking can be tough, and for many women who've fallen pregnant their only option has been to go cold turkey. Researchers are trying to figure out whether medications to help are safe for mum and bub. Also, a condition that causes breathlessness that's often mistaken for asthma. These are the symptoms of vocal cord dysfunction. And a study suggests we've been majorly underestimating the burden of diabetes in Australia.

A study of people with neurodegenerative disease has discovered that bursts of creativity can happen when the brain is shutting down. Also, there's a lot of misinformation out there about back pain and how to treat it. Here's where the evidence isn't. And the questions women should ask before undergoing vaginal surgery if their sexual function is important to them.

A new resource has launched to provide information to the millions of Australians living with osteoarthritis. It pushes back against the idea that an injection or surgery will fix all your woes when it comes to this degenerative disease. Also, what climate change is doing to our hearts, and how a simple check in at school is helping students manage their mental health.

What used to be called hypochondria is now health anxiety — an excessive worry about developing a serious illness. While experiences of health anxiety vary, for some people it can take over their lives and even lead to physical symptoms. Also, a link between conditions like endometriosis and heart disease. And local scientists help make a big discovery about how cells recycle waste.

When you have dementia, being diagnosed early can help you and your loved ones manage the condition. It could also aid in treatment.A new study has found that in some cases, weight loss and lipid changes happened up to a decade before dementia was diagnosed.Also, concerns that people of a higher weight with restrictive eating disorders could access GLP-1s if doctors aren’t screening patients appropriately.And why type 1 diabetes is more commonly being diagnosed in adults, not just children and adolescents.

On social media, an influencer's job is to influence you — to get you to strive for a particular lifestyle or buy a specific product. In some cases they're pushing medical tests, telling people to take charge of their health with full body MRI scans and cancer detection tools that have very little, or no evidence to support them.Also, we take a comprehensive look at GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss. And who should be substituting table salt for potassium salt?

Victoria is starting to notify women when they have dense breasts on their mammogram, following Western Australia and South Australia. So what does this information mean? And what should you be doing with it?Also, the concerning state of health policy in the United States.A correction on adolescent mental health. And what western medicine can learn from First Nations communities about autonomy and traditional living.

Australia has been highlighted in an international report on the rising incidence of bowel cancer in young people. Our screening age was dropped last year to 45, however the overall uptake of bowel cancer screening remains at about 40 per cent. Also, a private hospital opening in Melbourne is promising to cut the cost to its patients down to zero. And what can be done to prevent depression and anxiety in adolescents?

There's a shortage of eggs in Australia, and it might not let up as we brace for the arrival of the H5N1 strain of bird flu. That strain has shown is can make the jump into humans. But how does it manage?Also, menopause hormone therapy is in high demand. What are the benefits and the risks?And with kids spending less time outside, short-sightedness is on the rise. But treatments are improving.

There are some things you can do to guard against cognitive decline, and a study has found a hands-on approach is best. Also, rates of vaccination in pregnancy are falling in New South Wales. Should Australia follow Italy's lead and screen everyone for coeliac disease?And we hear from two friends who've had strokes 20 years apart.

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.

When Gillian suffered a stroke at age 50, Kylie was one of the first friends she reached out to. It wasn't Gillian's first life-altering medical emergency, having gone through cancer treatment years earlier.

Despite their strokes being 20 years apart, Kylie and Gillian were left with similar disabilities. Both faced a long and often gruelling period of rehabilitation — thankfully with partners and friends by their sides.

When Kylie had her stroke, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) didn't exist. It took Gillian's stroke, 20 years later, for Kylie to fully understand how much support she was missing out on.

For a long time many have assumed they can tell how healthy a person is because of their weight. Now, a major global collaboration of experts is challenging that. A Lancet commission has recommended changing the criteria for clinical obesity to move away from BMI as a sole measure of health. Also, why a recent review into fluoride in drinking water is flawed — and a higher quality study done in our own backyard. And how a genetic study of depression could unlock new treatments for people who are struggling to find medications that work.

We try to give little kids the best start in life, and in supermarkets there's an ever-expanding range of foods marketed specifically for themBut how much sugar is in them? Plus, we peer into the evidence around ultra-processed foods. References:Ultra-processed foods are ‘pushing aside’ all other food groups to dominate global dietsScience Extra: Weight of the world

Bras might seem unrelated to knee injuries, but research suggests otherwise.Women are significantly more prone to tearing their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and wearing the right bra could help reduce this risk.It's a good thing because knee injuries can have devastating consequences for women's health and mobility.And why vaping become one of the biggest health issues of 2024.

The first 2,000 days of life are crucial for brain development.Children learn and grow more during this time than at any other point in their lives.However, research shows many childcare centres are failing to provide proper nutrition: children are going hungry, and meals often don't meet basic dietary standards.Experts are calling for better food support in disadvantaged areas and improved nutritional guidelines for early childhood centres to help children get the nourishment they need.

Scientists are increasingly concerned about the rising incidence of colorectal cancer among younger populations, and emerging research points to the gut microbiome as a key factor in understanding this trend.A study from the University of Melbourne uncovered a specific bacterial strain that can cause DNA damage, potentially triggering the development of colorectal cancer.

Many individuals with knee osteoarthritis are being subjected to unnecessary tests and procedures, even though exercise is often the most effective treatment.New clinical care guidelines have been introduced, highlighting the importance of non-surgical approaches to manage pain and improve mobility.And do you ever worry you spend too much time sitting around? Well now you can find out.An international team of researchers has unpacked how long you should sit, stand, sleep and exercise for optimal health. References:Osteoarthritis of the Knee Clinical Care StandardAssociations of 24 h time-use compositions of sitting, standing, physical activity and sleeping with optimal cardiometabolic risk and glycaemic control: The Maastricht Study

Performance and image-enhancing drugs are more common than you might expect, especially if you're not enmeshed in gym culture. Experts are worried the medical community has fallen behind the rise in steroid use, leaving users physically and mentally vulnerable. Also, at-home testing kits promise to diagnose a range of illnesses from vitamin deficiency to cancers. Are they accurate?And motor neurone disease (MND) is affecting more Australians. With the environment likely to blame, researchers are trying to pin down the culprits.

There's already a lot to think about when you're trying to get pregnant. Should plastic be one of them? Some fertility experts think that yes, cutting down your exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical used to make plastics, could help. Also, the mission to come up with consistent guidelines for the testing of gestational diabetes. As early as possible, or wait until 24 to 28 weeks?And why rethinking dementia could improve our experiences of the condition.

Sore back from sitting all day? A new study suggest virtual yoga — much of which can be done from a chair — could help relieve low back pain.AI-generated deepfakes of health professionals are promoting a supplement, and concerning new data on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).Two stroke survivors challenge Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bill Shorten, on NDIS accessibility and funding.And a pilot program examining how music therapy can help those affected by early onset dementia.

Some describe Australia as the allergy capital of the world, noting high rates of food allergies — what can parents do to help kids early? Why the term 'Munchausen by Proxy' is making headlines, and how to spot Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA).The global impact of Donald Trump's re-election on abortion access and funding.And a new study shows screening of parents can help identify couples with a higher chance of passing on genetic disorders to children.