Health Report

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.

Our joints are capable of making a cacophony of sounds, even more so as we get older. Is it ever a cause for concern?Research shows once more that vaccination protects against long COVID, but the timing of the jab may be important. Generations of teenagers have found a way to smoke weed — legal or not. So what do we know about the effects on the brain?And the Declaration of Helsinki has turned 60 years old. Are these ethical principles that guide clinical research up to scratch?

Donald Trump's re-election could spell big health policy changes for the United States, including the rolling back of a 20th century intervention. Also, a major review into how health professionals operate in Australia, and how we can do better. How checking blood pressure in childhood could prevent heart disease down the line. Concerns about a common heart procedure. And, the last word on asthma treatment?

Spray-on skin already helps many burns patients, but what about those with deeper burns? Meet the team trialling a technique to grow sheets of replacement skin.Takeaways from the inquiry into Australia's COVID-19 pandemic response, and a dip in childhood vaccination rates.A new gene variant among some First Nations peoples in Oceania that could explain susceptibility to some diseases.And how physiotherapists are helping women who experience pain during or after sex.

What keeps some people running while others drop off? New data from parkrun groups shows why some keep coming back to jogging.New draft limits on 'forever chemicals' PFAS in Australia's drinking water from national medical research body.Type 2 diabetes incidence seems to be edging down in Australian adults — but this decline isn't the same across all ethnic groups.And juvenile arthritis is as common as type 1 diabetes among children, but diagnosis is much slower and there are vastly fewer specialists to treat this autoimmune disease.

The ancient practice of blood letting is still a vitally important treatment for some people. But for years that blood was being discarded.The viruses behind the recent burst of infections this Spring, and why your recent blood pressure reading might have been incorrect.Self-harm is on the rise among for young people, a major new report recommends addressing social and cultural contributors to halt this rise.And meet the 'breech whisperer' helping deliver babies in the breech position — bottom first instead of head first. He wants to preserve the delicate art of this manoeuvre.

There are plenty of app games on the market claiming to help kids with ADHD, depression or anxiety, a review examines if they do.MicroRNA researchers have won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. What's the big deal with these tiny molecules?Despite being common, there are few treatments for functional seizures and functional neurological disorder (FND). A new program is changing that.The rate of skin infections in Aboriginal children living in remote communities has halved over the course of a major five-year study, and this could prevent more severe life-threatening illnesses.

There's long been an assumed link between ADHD and dyslexia, and now a study has looked at the genes of thousands of people to find the overlap. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can be found in homes and workplaces. Researchers have looked at a potential link between domestic levels of radon and childhood leukaemia.Can period-tracking apps be trusted to give you information about your fertility?And science fiction is becoming science fact in the field of brain-computer interfaces.

There are areas known as 'Blue Zones' where people were thought to live very long lives. It was thought to have something to do with lifestyles in these spots, but one demographer has debunked the entire notion. Also, we discuss the best way to maintain weight loss in adolescents with weight-related health problems. How to screen for prostate cancer better, with fewer false alarms. And a new protocol that could reduce the toxicity of Hodgkin lymphoma treatment.

The government bans life insurers from using genetic testing results to demand higher premiums. Inflammation in childhood is linked to metabolic disorders and mental illness in later life. Australian invention could revolutionise X-ray market. And COVID antiviral gets put to the test.

A scientist carbon dated his own kidney stone to better understand the mysterious, and painful, formations. How a new approach could curb the biggest killer of young people. The Ebola vaccine is put to the test.And diabetes drugs now available for weight loss prescriptions in Australia.

You hear a lot about the dangers of concussion in sport, but maybe sport can actually mitigate the harms of concussion.We navigate the link between tablet use in children and angry outbursts. How erectile dysfunction and other issues below the belt can be indicators of problems above the belt.And did Australian supermodel Elle MacPherson really beat cancer without treatment?

Most people struggling with insomnia at least once in their life, and for some it's a long-term struggle. Can an app help with treatment?We give an update on all things COVID-19, including the latest research on vaccine effects. How parents, childcare centres and policymakers can keep children safe from toxins. And how accurate are food tracking apps, especially when it comes to complex meals?

Tips on how to fend off the behavioural problems and cognitive troubles that come with too much screen time, too young. What a new paper has to say about semaglutide and suicidal ideation, plus promising results from a trial of antibiotics in sub-Saharan Africa. What dietitians can do to help drive down the rising rate of obesity. And a rare inner ear condition that could benefit from developments in gene therapy.

We know a varied diet of veggies is good for our microbiome, but what about a varied environment? Where we spend our time also influences the good bacteria in our bodies.Also, we take a look at the mpox outbreak that's now a cause of international concern. And why surgeons don't want you to get knee surgery if you've got osteoarthritis.

The Olympics has reignited a century-old debate about sex categories in sport — and what happens when policy doesn't align with biology. A look at the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Melbourne. Also, a response to union calls for reproductive leave to support women going through menopause. Why people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of severe injuries. And the history of Hepatitis E, which one expert says Australia needs to take more seriously.

Marketing of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) tests could be exploiting the anxiety women might feel about their fertility. An update on influenza, COVID-19 and whooping cough in Australia. Two more risk factors for dementia have been identified — what are the implications for preventing cognitive decline?And what impact does a double mastectomy have on breast cancer recurrence and deaths?

Research is clear on the benefits of exercise for certain types of pain, including for pain associated with cancer treatment. A running group is putting this into practice. An update on mammal-to-mammal transmission of bird flu, and a check in with a major AIDS conference. Also, do we need to reconsider regulations around cigarettes in the wake of a crackdown on vaping?And heart attacks in young women can have a major psychological impact — especially when the person had no known risk factors.