Health Report

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observed the cardiac and neural signals from a small number of ICU patients at the point when ventilatory support was withdrawn.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.

Mexico has implemented labelling of processed foods with large warnings if the unhealthy ingredients exceed globally agreed thresholds.New research has been looking into why sitting is bad—and how to change that.Women are being mislead by fertility tests which promote anti-Mullerian hormone—or AMH testing—which are not designed for general screening in the community.One of the side effects of having had babies and ageing in general is what used to be called prolapse—or uterine descent. Sometimes no treatment is needed but there's been a debate among surgeons about which procedure is best.

We heard today about a new test for ovarian cancer. For a long time there's been a search for a way to reliably detect this cancer early on.Some men are prescribed testosterone-replacement therapy in middle age or older, but there's questions around how safe that is for their heart attack and stroke risk.In developing the cervical screening program one woman—Mary Papanicolaou—did a test every day, for 21 years—it's what we now call the PAP test.People tend to think they need seven or eight hours sleep a night. But what counts more is the quality of that sleep.

Measuring activity on Cradle Mountain—Norman and Tegan rise to the challenge.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome—a new guideline for doctors and women.Vigorous Incidental Lifestyle Physical Activity—micro-bursts of it can decrease the risks of developing various cancers.Cochlear implants—the latest intel on this transformative tech. As part of National Science Week.

wide health implications.The remote community of Balgo in the Tanami Desert has many years of hunting for bush tucker. People must leave their Country if they want dialysis care, but that's changing.

Metastatic cancer is for the spread of a cancer from a primary site to other parts of the body. There's no nationally consistent way of keeping track of how many of these cancer patients there are.A consortium of Australian cancer researchers has announced a program called the PrOSPect Initiative. It offers genetic profiling for people with advanced or rare cancers.Aerobic exercise reduces blood pressure, and resistance training prevents progression to diabetes in people at risk. But the evidence is being updated on which exercise is best for lowering blood pressure.Various studies show that regular aerobic exercise reduces blood pressure, and resistance training prevents progression to diabetes in people at risk of metabolic disease. But the evidence on which kinds of exercise are best for lowering blood pressure is being updated.

To assess the heart health and stroke risk factors of the population, Australian GPs and cardiologists have referred to a study from the population of Framingham, Massachusetts, but last week the Heart Foundation replaced it with a tool based on New Zealand and Australian populations.An abnormal heart rhythm can mean observations by a cardiologist with a cumbersome and expensive Holter monitor. A team at Westmead Hospital and the University of Sydney have compared a simple finger electrode linked to your mobile phone against Holter monitoring.Red and processed meats have an environmental cost and health implications. The World Health Organisation has flagged that, globally, we need to consume less. We discuss the evidence for cutting back, and what it could mean for Australia—a big producer and consumer of these meats.

In health news Norman and Tegan discuss changes in the health system for medical termination of pregnancy; and about life span vs life expectancy in Australia.Alongside MDMA and psilocybin as treatments for mental health issues is ketamine—which shows promise in treatment-resistant depression.A common fracture in children comes from a fall onto an outstretched arm. Parents instinctively want to get an X-ray but an ultrasound can work just as well for most these cases.

Strength training is fundamental to most athletes' regimes, but the guidelines are overwhelmingly based on male data.An analysis of labelling on sports foods—things like protein shakes and bars—finds that the nutritional claims they make often don’t tally with the ingredients panel.Worry about memory loss is not uncommon, and not confined to an older age group, but measuring memory accurately needs refinement.Many Australians are prescribed opioids as relief for back pain, but the a world-first trial led by the University of Sydney found that opioids don't offer significant benefit and guidelines for their use need to be changed.

If dementia is diagnosed before someone is 65 it's called 'younger onset' dementia, and it can occur while people still have family responsibilities. We talk with people who have been given this news, and to researchers looking to improve diagnosis and care.We think of breastfeeding as being quite natural, but it doesn't always come easily, and issues such as Breastfeeding Aversion Response (or BAR) are still under-researched.

A look at some of the big stories in health over the last week ... cough syrup, Duchenne gene therapy; chemo drugs in the US.Some new prescribing guidelines for opioids recommend an exit strategy—and the need for better support infrastructure.It was suspected that brain damage for some people with Parkinson's disease was due to chemical toxins—one of the probable culprits is an environmental contaminant.Having your tonsils out as a child used to be routine, but what about for adults? British authorities noticed an increase in tonsillectomy rates—which prompted a clinical trial to see if the surgery was merited.

A recent bus crash in the Hunter Valley claimed 10 lives. Trying to make sense of such tragic events often prompts a reach for advice that sounds right, but might not be.Therapy using psychedelic drugs is generally safe yet a review of its use found that adverse events were not properly assessed or not reported.In Canada cannabis was legalised 5 years ago for non-medical and recreational use. Public health researchers have asked if this legalisation had health impacts on mothers and their babies if it was used during pregnancy—and how those babies were affected.An Australian clinical trial found that a form of psychotherapy called Cognitive Functional Therapy could help people with chronic disabling low back pain.

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

A recent study has looked at correlations between rates of (Australian) population obesity and searching online for anti-obesity and diabetes drugs—searches for a class of drugs called the GLP-1 agonists.You probably know the Australian Government has general exercise recommendations for adults, but what if you're in a high risk group? Does that change the amount of activity you should be doing?Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is perhaps the ‘poor cousin’ of cardio-vascular disease. PAD puts people at risk of heart attack, stroke and amputations, and a really disturbing review of what's known about it in women finds it to be underdiagnosed and undertreated.

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.

The World Health Organisation has advised against artificial sweeteners for weight loss because they offer no long-term benefits.Australian research has found a link between diets high in ultra-processed foods and an increase in risk of depression.Healthcare is a large greenhouse gas emitter, but how do we reduce its environmental impact without compromising on health?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have voted that when they meet formally at the end of May, approval goes forward for a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy—a disabling genetic disease.Post partum depression is a significant issue for both women and their babies, and it doesn't come out of the blue—depression can occur before or during pregnancy.Child neglect leads to both later poor physical health—with things like inflammation—and mental health, such as depression.Would you wear protective eyewear to play tennis, badminton or Aussie Rules?

When 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 also higher quality information.A study on the effect of hormonal contraception suggests that a history of hormonal contraceptive-associated depression could be a risk indicator of postpartum depression.Last week the Minister for Health and Aged Care announced over $500 million for a national lung cancer screening program. It targets high-risk individuals in the early stages.

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

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

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. CreditsAbigail Leeder, ReporterShelby Traynor, Producer

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.

More people are injecting drugs than ever before. So what are the harms, and what are we doing to minimise them?People with schizophrenia have a life expectancy 25 years younger than the average Australian, and one of the reasons is heart attacks. Meanwhile, do surgeons need to change their approach to coronary bypass surgery? And Australian researchers uncover a potential new treatment for a rare blood disorder — that could replace blood letting.

Australia's bone marrow donor registry is funding a cheek swab program to recruit more donors, as it awaits government funding. Also, the latest in alopecia treatment for those who want to reverse hair loss — and the perspective of those who don't. And prostate cancer screening can be imprecise and invasive. Could delving into the genome help narrow things down?

Discussing the importance of addressing social determinants of health with a pioneer for health equity. Should vaping products be banned? Many young Australians are getting addicted to nicotine without always being aware that's what they're consuming. And eye drops could be used to slow the progression of short-sightedness, which is on the rise thanks to our screen-dominated world.

The debate continues on whether the TGA acted too soon on the rescheduling of psilocybin and MDMA for the treatment of some mental illnesses. Calls for Australia's cardiovascular disease guidelines to recommend coronary calcium scoring for patients at intermediate risk. And did you know ovarian cancer often originates in the fallopian tubes? A simple surgical procedure could drive down cases.

How much screen time is too much for young kids? Taking a looking at what digital playtime is doing to children's brains. Calls for better models of care for people living with lymphoedema, to avoid deterioration and costly hospital stays. And organ donation is yet to fully recover from a pandemic-driven dip. Why aren't more people consenting?

Mind Medicine Australia share their thoughts on the recent approval of psychedelic compounds for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. A study in Sweden has looked at a possible association of maternal and paternal primary antibody immunodeficiencies — and if this provides a natural test of a hypothesis about parental immune activation.An intriguing story about people who can't burp, and turn to the internet for answers. Turns out there's a surprising treatment to unlock their gas.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration recently approved the psychedelic compound psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression; and MDMA–or ecstasy–for treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder. A group of researchers think this is premature.More people are tackling the bracing discomfort of ice bath sessions—for the touted health benefits ... but there are some serious risks, so pay attention to the instructions before hopping in.Chronic, non-cancer-related pain is hard to treat and so alternate medications—like antidepressants—are used because of their action on the brain. A group of researchers has compiled the available evidence on their efficacy.

Australians will pay a lot to relieve the pain of arthritis—sometimes opting for unproven therapies using stem cells. Why does this happen?Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers have long looked for the reason why— it may be related to the amount of 'cognitive reserve' some groups have been able to accumulate.Researchers have found that a protein in the K'gari (Fraser Island) funnel web spider venom has the ability to stop heart cells dying. It could also help preserve organs prior to transplant.A genetic form of diabetes can occur later in life, and doesn't require insulin. A pilot project has looked at the benefits of early genetic testing for it.

The Strengthening Medicare Report was released recently, and the key recommendations include changes to the digital health environment; working to scope of practice; and modernising My Health Record.Psilocybin and MDMA are now approved as treatments for depression and MDMA—with caveats. And still need co-ordination between clinicians and manufacturers (the TGA has not approved or registered specific psilocybin or MDMA medications).A financial reward for obese people to achieve sustainable weight loss has proved successful—but the general health environment must also be considered.How to make healthy weight work for a whole population and working on how food is presented and for which particular age groups—so a healthy choice can be made

The prescription rate for medications to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder rose in recent years but was still below what's thought to be the extent of the condition.Organ donation is one of the great miracles of our time, but that's not to say it's easy. To be viable, a heart needs to be transplanted within four or five hours, and this is a huge logistical challenge for a country the size of Australia.The Garvan Institute has studied the combination of genetic profile alongside family history of people with cancers called sarcomas, and found genes to aid early diagnosis.

Sun Pharmaceuticals is a supplier of generic medications and they're in hot water about possible violations of the manufacturing process at their facility in Gujarat, India.Fasting diets like the 5:2 or the 16/8 have become very popular. While there's lots of evidence for the benefits of the 5:2 diet in animals, there's hasn't been much in humans. The results are not out from a trial of intermittent fasting in overweight men and women.One of the biggest puzzles for humans is the brain, or more precisely, the minds. It's a bit of a mystery but still possible to learn something about how to keep it in good order.Hosts: Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor

Royals have a tendency to change the course of history — in life and in death. From King George III's apparent madness, to Queen Victoria's genetic legacy, the Health Report takes a look back at the illnesses (and deaths) that have shaped the world.Note that the change of broadcast time mentioned at the end of the program refers to our live program on Mondays.