Health Report

Adolescence is a stressful time. Researchers have been investigating simple ways to help improve teen mental health.The US president tests positive for COVID, plus the results of a large study into COVID vaccines and pregnancy.Asthma action plans to help manage the condition.How reminiscing about the past can improve wellbeing in the present.And why you should stick to soap and water if there's gastro about.

Sex tech is giving people with disability better access to their own bodies.What Australia is doing to prepare for the migration of birds that could be carrying a potentially catastrophic strain of avian influenza. The argument for a sugar tax gets stronger, thanks to more evidence from countries that already have one. And in the last 50 years of Aboriginal alcohol programs, what has worked? Plus a special NAIDOC issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

Clarity on vaping changes and a look at the national diabetes inquiry.It turns out Australians are getting close to half of their energy needs from ultra-processed foods which can increase the risk of chronic diseaseExperts believe seasonal depression is more common in Australia than once thought.New research shows Indigenous Australians with hearing loss aren't getting the care they need.

Is it 10 thousand steps or 30mins? How advice on regular exercise varies.What's being done in response to medication shortages.Deprescribing is when you wean off a prescription medication you no longer need, but it needs to be done safely, and it can be difficult to find the right advice.Experts want women to know they don't have to suffer through heavy periods.And when all the tests come back negative, initially it's a weight off your mind, but then you start to wonder, 'what the hell is wrong with me?'

Take a look at changing teaching methods in the classroom, and why that matters for future health.Australian researchers are developing a new drug to fight the potentially deadly condition of sepsis.Could a common drug be used to treat macular degeneration?And what effect does space travel have on ageing?

A comprehensive review has delved into the current research into zinc supplements and their effectiveness.Research has shown that people experiencing chronic pain see the world as a harsher place – distances are longer and hills are steeper.We blink more than we need to, and scientists have been trying to find out why.And, sharing memories of Michael Mosley.

Many people with migraines suffer in the dark for years before they find the right treatment, but one neurologist has suggested a framework to ease the pain. What's happening at the cellular level when an ageing brain is exposed to exercise? At least through the microscope, it looks like rejuvenation.

Australia has a successful breast cancer screening program, but experts say it can (and should) be better. New research drives home the importance of treating type 2 diabetes as early as possible for lifelong benefits. An update on how COVID vaccines are faring with all the new variants circulating in the community. And we take a look at some of the advancements being made in transplant technology.

The top five things you can do to keep your mental health in check, plus an update on the virus everyone is talking about: bird flu.

Correcting the record on fructose, and new research offers some clues about whose allergies might desist as they grow up. Also, new insights from a vaccine complication, and the risk of catching a common virus during pregnancy.

How bird flu has (probably) gone from cows to humans, as well as the latest on psychedelics for depression and psychotropics in healthcare.How much time you should spend sitting, standing, moving and sleeping for the optimal 24 hours. How sexuality might shorten your lifespan. And why the health effects of nanoplastics are so difficult to uncover.

Researchers have found a possible link between iron and long-COVIDEach year the flu vaccine is reformulated to target the current strains of influenza A and B that are circulating globally — but what if it didn't need to be?A new review of Health at Every Size shows that, at least when it comes to measures like cholesterol and blood pressure, it's not enough on its own.One of the most common interventions for IBS is an elimination diet to try to identify a trigger. But that diet might carry its own risk – of triggering disordered eating – a new study warns.While grief effects everyone differently, a small group of people can find themselves 'stuck' in intense grief – it's not depression, it's prolonged grief disorder, and it can be treated.The Health Report mailbag features "stoolgazing" and when to collect your own samples… or not.You can email us at [email protected]

Avian influenza particles have been detected in US milk supplies, just how concerning is that?Why are COVID treatment recommendations different depending on what country you're in?And how much does the average Australian know about preventing dementia?The latest research on bras and knees. You might not think they have much to do with each other, but it turns out that wearing the right bra might actually reduce a woman's risk of a serious knee injury.Pregnancy has been linked to accelerated biological ageing — in simple terms, how old your cells are.And why being released from prison is a health risk.

Research into the influence of gender on autism spectrum disorder diagnoses.Calculating how many lives were saved by Australia's Covid-19 vaccine roll-out, and how to spot a fake Dr Karl, or Dr Swan, in the wilds of social media marketing.A review into how cognitive behavioural therapy can help young people who've experienced trauma.Recently updated WHO guidelines say babies as young as six months can start drinking cow's milk rather than infant formula, but that contradicts Australia's national guidelines.And the Federal Government has recently released more funds to build the local bone marrow donor system… but is it enough?

In light of the Bondi Junction attack, there's been a lot of commentary about mental illness - including schizophrenia.So what is schizophrenia? While the exact cause isn't known, it's a serious mental illness that can affect how a person behaves. It might also surprise you to learn that someone with a diagnosis is more likely to be harmed, than to harm others.On this special episode of Health Report, Dr Norman Swan talks about the medical facts about the disorder, how common it is and some of the successful treatments.

Is a simpler solution to recurrent UTIs on the way? Plus when should you exercise to get the most benefit?A deep dive into the UK's reviews of gender affirming treatment, and how Australia's system differs. Researchers say there's more PFAS in our water than previously thought, but how much do we know about the health harms?And a new way to deliver immunotherapy straight to the source in bladder cancer.

In health news this week it's cows with bird flu, vaccines for human flu, and GLP-1s for Parkinson's and possibly bowel cancer prevention.When your private health insurer won't pay, have you read the fine print on your policy lately?A look at health literacy barriers, when it's not the apple a day keeping some people away from the doctors' office.How mRNA technology developed during COVID is now being used to target the proteins that cause Alzheimer's and dementia.And new technology allowing researchers to look beyond standard autopsy results to investigate possible causes of some cases of SIDS.

How changes to codeine access impacted the use of PBS-listed opiods. Pinpointing particular strains of bacteria that could lead to bowel cancer. The Australian research that helped change our definition of anaemia. And why aren't there already strict guidelines on indoor air quality?

Three recent scientific papers looking at ADHD treatment and other health outcomes.Why no one knows what your cancer treatment will do to your ovaries.In a small US study, brain cancer tumours shrank rapidly in the first few days when treated with chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR, T cells injected into the fluid around the brain.And suicidal thoughts are more common than researchers expected in people who do not fit with conventional diagnoses of depression or other psychiatric disorders.

Queensland's Chief Health Officer says the term "long-COVID" should be scrapped, but there are different definitions of what long-COVID is and different ways data is collectedEvidence suggests toddler or transition milks are unnecessary at best and harmful at worst.Numbers of alcohol related deaths may have been under reported because past abuse isn't captured when a reformed-drinker dies.

A 62-year-old man in Germany—called HIM—deliberately received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination 217 times within a period of 29 months. Researchers were keen to know how he fared.Sleep has become a bit of an obsession and has us questioning just how much we need. A large study has compared participants' duration of sleep against their risk of Type 2 Diabetes.In pop culture and news coverage menopause and mood changes seem inextricably linked. A special series on menopause has just been published in the Lancet, with one paper specifically on mental health.In hospital emergency rooms emotions can run high, and tempers can get frazzled, which is confronting for both staff and other patients.

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of global disability, and exercise looks like a candidate for treatment. But which type?Skin cancer is a major health risk for Australians, but access to proper cancer screening and treatment is difficult, especially in some of our highest-risk areas, like Far North Queensland.Sarcoidoisis is an enigmatic condition that may attack different parts of the body. Diagnosis is difficult and there are few treatments. It's now being comprehensively researched.

When COVID vaccines first became available in 2021, they were met with celebration. Finally we had some defence against this virus that had struck down so many and triggered such heavy lockdowns.But once they started rolling out en masse, a new concern emerged – reports of side effects that, while rare, could be severe. Just how rare these conditions are has now been better described by a new paper drawing on data from 99 million people from across the world. The answer – as we already suspected, there is a link between the vaccines here in Australia and conditions like heart inflammation, blood clots and a usually temporary paralysis called Guillian-Barre syndrome, among others.But the data also show the risk of those conditions is small in comparison to the risk of the same conditions in someone who actually catches COVID. References:COVID-19 vaccines and adverse events of special interest: A multinational Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) cohort study of 99 million vaccinated individuals

News this week is The Government response to the long COVID inquiry, which looked into how many Australians are living with long COVID and what could be done to support them.And, a report on fine particulates in the air, and their relationship with coronary heart disease.A study has tested whether showing people actual pictures of the plaque inside their arteries is more persuasive than a simple risk score in promoting healthy changes. Turns out, it is.A senior cardiologist calls it The Hidden Killer, and it may contribute to about 50% of heart attacks, especially people who may be younger and with relatively normal cholesterol levels. It’s called Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a).New data is showing that, for children, any contact with the criminal justice system means they’re more likely to die earlier, and have health problems of every kind. Are kids already at risk more likely to be targeted by the system—what would change this trend?

Health news: Insomnia: what kind of therapy and/or behaviour changes are more likely to work? And new advice on sun exposure that reflects Australia's diverse population.Low-carb diets have grabbed a lot of attention, promising weight loss and improved health, but they're not all the same.Diet is important for health, but foods high in sodium are a risk factor for high blood pressure, and stomach cancer.In early 2022, after nearly two years of the COVID pandemic, doctors started to notice another alarming trend: severe and unexpected liver disease in children all over the world.Some activities really make us feel good—like working up a sweat, or connecting with people. Might it be possible for a doctor to prescribe such activities?

A groundbreaking study from the Queensland Brain Institute has found serious deficiencies in the amount and quality of food provided to kids by Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services. This can compromise kids' nutritional needs, and brain development.Getting a diagnosis for autism for a child or adolescent is a series of complicated and often expensive hoops to jump through—and it’s even harder for adults.

The addictive painkiller fentanyl has swept through the USA—but its effects haven't been as big in Australia. Why?Vaccination against COVID-19 can save lives and reduce the risk of severe disease. Why are some people under vaccinated—and what's the risk for people not up to date with shots?An early form of breast cancer—ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)—is often found by women themselves, not as part of screening programs.The power and potential pitfalls of AI in medicine have been debated, but AI is already having an impact in radiology.

The drug name on everyone’s lips is semaglutide—a seemingly magical substance that can solve all our ills. But it’s not just semaglutide, there’s a whole class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists.Opioids are commonly prescribed to patients who have cancer to help them with pain, but the drugs are not risk free and can have their downsides.Last year there was a Senate report into the state of dental care in Australia, and like a visit to the dentist—it wasn’t a fun read.Back pain affects so many people – but when doctors look at it, they find that while some people recovery quickly other continue to suffer in silence and agony.v

What's happening with COVIDAustralian vaccination rates are droppingA new term for chance discoveries on scans

The shock of a cancer diagnosis is familiar for far too many people.But when Na'ama Carlin was diagnosed with breast cancer, her health wasn't the only consideration. If you're in need of support you can contact Mummy's Wish or Hope for Two.

First heard in July 2023It’s called ‘young onset’ dementia if diagnosed before the age of 65—and can occur while people are still caring for kids and supporting a household.First heard in July 2023We think breastfeeding is quite natural, but it doesn’t always come easily, and some issues—such as Breastfeeding Aversion Response (or BAR)—are still under-researched.

Drug use has been increasing, whether it be cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, or ketamine. That includes recreational use and substance abuse.So it begs the question: Has criminalising drugs ever worked? And what needs to be done to drive down the harms associated with this increasing drug use?If you're in need of support, you can contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015, or contact Counselling Online.

A new kind of ADHD clinic is cashing in on surging demand for diagnoses—and promising salaries of more than $900,000 to recruit psychiatrists. As the need for services has grown, so have waitlists.Given the choice between a ChatGPT bot or a real doctor, a panel of health care professionals found the bot's responses were both more empathetic and gave higher quality information.

More and more people are tackling the bracing discomfort of ice bath sessions. Alongside several touted health benefits there are some serious risks. Norman is at Bronte Beach to chill.Researchers observed the cardiac and neural signals from a small number of ICU patients at the point when ventilatory support was withdrawn. They recorded the quite new phenomena of electrical activity in a particular area of the brain.Keeping motivated to exercise can be difficult, but for people getting over a traumatic brain injury it's even more so. An exercise program at Liverpool Hospital uses gaming to encourage activity.

Feeling dissatisfied with their appearance can become an obsession for some people, and affect quality of life and relationships.Most people can benefit from reduced salt intake, and so reduce the risk of heart attack, atrial fibrillation, stroke, dementia, and kidney damage.A few months ago the program there was a story on an under-recognised cause of high blood pressure called primary aldosteronism. One listener asked to be tested.An area of Australian healthcare that might be a candidate for review is drug subsidy. We might consider what New Zealand's PHARMAC does, and conduct a competitive tender.

Bringing clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.

There are eerily familiar of clusters of respiratory infections being reported across China.We know that for some health conditions women are more likely to have a worse time than men. But for the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the chances of a woman sustaining an injury to it are up to 6 or even 10 times as likely as men.When someone has a complex or severe mental health issue, the specialist they really need is a psychiatrist. However, GPs are finding it now more difficult to track down a psychiatrist to accept their patients.

Another COVID wave, another COVID vaccine and another episode of Coronacast ... sort of?Norman and Tegan will be providing coronavirus updates when needed, so subscribe to The Health Report feed so you don't miss out!References:The unequal effects of the health–economy trade-off during the COVID-19 pandemic

In 2016 Australia legalised cannabis for medicinal use and now the Greens party are advocating for its recreational use as well. The Australian Medical Association say that would send the wrong message.Antimicrobial resistance has been described an emerging public health emergency. A major cause is overuse of antibiotics and other drugs to combat microbes, like fungi.When a baby is born premature time is of the essence, and the idea of slowing things down in those first few moments seems counter-intuitive.

In March 2023 a Senate inquiry began to review how the health system manages people with ADHD, and the Government has now three months to respond.The ABC's Birth Project invited people to share their experiences of birth in Australia—and if improvements could be made to the system. The responses indicate that there's plenty of scopeYellow Fever is spread by mosquitoes, and some U.S. researchers say that it's ripe for a comeback. The same species of mosquito is already either in Australia or nearby.The latest report on what we're spending on health in Australia has offered a clear picture of what COVID has cost.What's that rash contact details:What's that rash email: [email protected] Instagram @abcheal

If we don't get enough sleep we're apt to doze off in the day, but for some people, dozing off can signal rare disorder of the brain's sleep-wake cycles, and it plays havoc with their lives.In one 24-hour period our body undergoes a number of synchronised biological changes, which are also linked to our mental health.

A question asked about COVID-19 was whether high doses of intravenous vitamin C could fight it. Two randomised controlled trials showed no benefit for COVID-19. But high-dose Vitamin C can benefit cancer treatment.Arthritis of the hands is common, painful, a bit of a mystery, and hard to treat. Researchers have trialled a drug commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis, and found some benefit.In Victoria, hospital researchers have been watching how COVID and lockdowns affected births there. Some hospital adaptations persisted well past the lockdown phases—including shorter hospital stays after birth.Blood cancers often affect people younger than the average person who develops cancer, and Australian and New Zealand haematologists have been pioneers in trialling new treatments—this year marking the 50th anniversary of the clinical trial group that coordinates studies.

Two of the most common causes of death in Australia, and globally, are stroke and dementia. One cause of stroke is atrial fibrillation—an abnormal heart rhythm—it may also cause dementia.Faecal microbe (or poo) transplants are something we've talked about on the program, but until recently, they've not been widely available. In fact, the product is made in Australia.Australia is to participate in a survey of the experiences of patients in general practice who have a chronic illness.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an extreme form of anxiety caused by the laying down of bad memories when someone is involved in a threatening situation. A new treatment has been developed for people to write about their experience, and feelings about the memory.Having your blood pressure checked at the doctor's or hospital is a health care basic. A recent trial has found a significant and possibly unexpected source or error: the size of the cuff, relative to the thinness or thickness of your upper arm.For people with cancer, being offered a place in a clinical trial can provide hope of a better outcome, but trial participants are far less likely to be from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds than the general population.Hosts: Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor

Australians will soon vote on changing the Australian Constitution to recognise First Nations people—the Voice to Parliament. When it comes to health, there's a strong evidence base for the Voice. In a slightly edited form, we hear again a conversation from a few weeks' ago with two key people working in this area.Over the past two decades, deaths from cardiovascular disease among people with diabetes have gone down, but is revealing other trends

3D printing is becoming an incredibly versatile modern tool—there’s scope in engineering, manufacturing, architecture and design—as well as in several aspects of health care. Today we tour the Herston Biofabrication Institute—part of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital—where clinicians, academics, and industry work together in a state of the art facility.

To have you in the best physical condition before major surgery many surgeons send you for a pre-operative assessment by a physician—does it help?When a child has persistent cold symptoms, it might be sinusitis and require antibiotics.If a child faints it's really only a worry when it causes an injury. But there might be an abnormality of the heart's electrical system, called congential Long QT syndrome, and prompt parents to have their child checked. Rehab after knee replacement is controversial because some hospitals keep you in for it, but if you go home soon after the surgery, maybe digital rehab will become an option.

Humans spend around a third of their lives sleeping, and its management has created a multi-million dollar industry. We discuss the sleep of FIFO workers, the sleep of people with PTSD, and what we can do to improve our shut-eye time with a therapy called circadian medicine.

A clearer picture of where and how mistakes are made in medical diagnoses.Monkeys on some Caribbean islands are helping researchers understand more about addiction.Sydney's Liverpool Hospital developed a program using gaming to spur on patients recovering from traumatic brain injury.

Australia's had probably its first conference on Long COVID.The idea of a worm infection evokes a visceral response—but there are potential health benefits to worms.GPs may hesitate to approach a discussion about weight loss because of the risk of body shaming and stigma.