Health Report

The habits that protect your mental health 30.05.2026 42min

This week, an update on the diphtheria outbreak across multiple Australian states. What's changed to allow the spread to occur? How to build healthier housing for remote communities - and it starts with maintenance. A new trial shows some everyday steps people can take to protect themselves against depression. And reviewing the evidence on calcium and vitamin D when it comes to fractures and falls. References: Ebola outbreak outpacing health response, WHO chief says Ebola-hit DR Congo faces 'catastrophic collision' of disease and conflict, WHO warns Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation (CDC) Calcium, vitamin D, or combined supplementation to prevent fractures and falls: systematic review and meta-analysis Diphtheria in Australia – Epidemiological update – 18 May 2026 Impact of Restriction-Resumption Protocols on Mood and Anxiety in Healthy Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

Peptides: who's using them and what's in them? 23.05.2026 44min

The popularity of peptides appears to be growing in Australia - what do we know about who is using them, what's in them and the risks? A large study of Australians with Parkinson's disease finds links to certain pesticides and high-risk occupations. For people with heart failure, there's a procedure that you can avoid with no ill-effect. And an outbreak of diptheria across multiple states in Australia - how did this happen? References Obesity and cardiovascular disease: A clinical consensus statement from the National Heart Foundation of Australia Impact and Effectiveness of Australia's 2025 Hybrid RSV Immunisation Program: Results from the PAEDS-FluCAN Network Diphtheria outbreak could be 'contained within months' but response criticised as too slow Responding to injectable synthetic peptide use among young people: priorities for clinicians and public health Insights from a cross-sectional population-based study of 10,929 Australians living with Parkinson's disease: risk factors, comorbidities, and sex differences Cardiac resynchronization therapy with or without atrioventricular node ablation in atrial fibrillation: the CAAN-AF trial

Ebola outbreak: how it spreads and prospects for a vaccine 21.05.2026

The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern over an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. How does the disease spread, how can it be treated and how concerned should we be? Further Information: Why is there no vaccine for this Ebola outbreak? Ebola vaccine could take nine months as death toll rises further, WHO warns. Ebola disease in DRC and Uganda. Epidemic of Ebola Disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda determined a public health emergency of international concern. Absence of USAID likely slowed Ebola detection and response, former officials say

Do you need surgery after an ACL tear? 16.05.2026 51min

ACL injuries are very common in Australia - and the common thinking has been that if you tear your ACL, you'll need surgery. Researchers are arguing the best evidence says we should be looking to rehab first, and that for many people they will recover without surgery. Microplastics in our food supply - from processing and production - mean all of us are ingesting some level of plastic into our bodies. A new study out of Western Australia shows that it is possible to reduce your exposure, but it takes a lot of work. There's a growing evidence base for the use of digital interventions for people with some categories of eating disorder. And they might have spillover benefits for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, which can co-occur with an eating disorder. But how do you find one that you can trust? Plus, the renaming of polycystic ovary syndrome and the implications for people with the condition. References: Low-plastic diet and urinary levels of plastic-associated phthalates and bisphenols: the randomized controlled PERTH Trial Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture Acute, Longer-Term, and Transdiagnostic Outcomes After Digital Interventions for Eating Disorders Aluminium adjuvants in vaccines and potential health effects: systematic review Polycystic ovary syndrome renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome Thriving Kids - Services Australia

'Fitspo' content and mental health 09.05.2026 44min

Urgent care clinics are getting $1.8 billion in this year's federal budget to make them a permanent part of Australia's health system. We speak to the Health Minister Mark Butler about the decision. 'Fitspo' content that sometimes glamourises a ripped bod or restrictive ways of eating could be flooding your social feed - what do we know about its effect on our mental health? And 'phage therapy' - a novel form of treatment aimed at providing an alternative to antibiotics. What are bacteriophages, how does this therapy work and how far off is it from showtime? Plus, success for Australia in eliminating trachoma - an infectious eye disease - as a public health issue. References: Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem Mpox disease epidemiology, vaccine uptake and vaccination coverage in Australia 2022–2024: a descriptive study Hantavirus-hit cruise ship leaves Cape Verde after three evacuated Major budget boost means Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are here to stay Lifting the Screen on Fitspiration: A Meta-Analysis Cross-reactive anti-prophage antibodies and bacterial heteroresistance implicated in phage therapeutic failure

Markers of irritable bowel syndrome 02.05.2026 45min

A new review suggests there may be biomarkers linked to irritable bowel syndrome, typically a diagnosis of exclusion. How you get followed up after going to the doctor with symptoms of bowel cancer is shaped in part by where you live. People can now access their diagnostic and pathology results digitally, and for one woman in Brisbane that meant spotting a breast cancer finding that might otherwise have been missed. References: Serological and faecal markers of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis Variations in the investigation of colorectal cancer-related symptoms in Australian primary care: a retrospective cohort study Outbreak of diptheria in the Kimberley. Nine-Valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Related Cancers in Males An estimated 450,000 diabetics will miss out on subsidised Mounjaro after negotiations stalled

What do we know about brain fog in menopause? 25.04.2026

Two thirds of women report concerns over memory loss, concentration or other cognitive symptoms during menopause. What do we understand about what's going on, and how can it be managed? A new plan for improving asthma outcomes in Australia and ending that reliance on the blue puffer. Understanding how the genes we're born with could shape our risk of some cancers in childhood - with implications for adults too. And the links between home cooking and dementia - with studies suggesting slicing and dicing at home (instead of eating out more often) could have a protective effect for your cognition. References RSV Vaccine - Department of Health Home cooking, cooking skills and dementia requiring long-term care: a population-based cohort study in Japan Typology of out-of-home eaters: a description of sociodemographic, lifestyle, nutritional and environmental characteristics in the NutriNet-Santé cohort Gender and age differences in weekend eating habits: associations with fat mass percentage in a cross-sectional study Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and risk of substance use disorders among US veterans with type 2 diabetes: cohort study Heart-nosed bat alphacoronaviruses use human CEACAM6 to enter cells Advances in understanding of cognitive symptoms during menopause A Bold Blueprint for Asthma Reform in Australia Integrated germline and somatic molecular profiling to detect cancer predisposition has a high clinical impact in poor-prognosis paediatric cancer

Can ChatGPT Health tell when you should go to hospital? 18.04.2026 49min

Can you trust the advice ChatGPT Health gives about whether you should go to the hospital or not? Who is using GLP-1 weight loss drugs and how common are they? New guidelines for supporting young people with suicidal ideation or who self-harm. And more findings that drugs removing amyloid from the brain don't help prevent dementia. References: Intensive LDL Cholesterol Targeting in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Municipal water fluoridation, adolescent IQ, and cognition across the life course Andrographis paniculata (Andrographis) and anaphylaxis - updated safety review and supplementary report Amyloid‐beta‐targeting monoclonal antibodies for people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease ChatGPT Health performance in a structured test of triage recommendations Initiators of Semaglutide in General Practice in New South Wales, 2020–2023: A Retrospective Cohort Study Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Children and Adolescents Suicide and intentional self-harm hospitalisations among young people Generational effects in self-reported age of onset for youth suicidal ideation, self-harm and attempted suicide: A retrospective analysis using data from the Australian National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020–2022

Treating a medical emergency ... in space 11.04.2026 43min

When a medical emergency happens in space, how is it treated? And what does life in Antarctica have to teach us about staying healthy on a spaceflight? Findings from a large study of Australian teenagers find links between school connection, sleep and mental health trajectories through adolescence. If you have a shoulder injury and suspect it's the rotator cuff, should you have a scan? You might find more than you bargained for. And how badly should you want to hang on to your appendix in the case of appendicitis? Is it better to jettison it or keep it in there? References: Association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and worsening mental illness in people with depression and anxiety in Sweden: a national cohort study Retraction: Cosmetic talc powder Oncologic Risk of Missed Appendiceal Tumors in Acute Appendicitis Future Proofing Study - Research Insights 2026 Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

What to expect this flu season 04.04.2026 42min

Which flu strains are likely to be dominant this flu season - and what's the story with the new nasal spray vaccine? Speaking of sprays ... there's a simple saline spray that might help kids with sleep apnoea avoid surgery. And a treatment for enlarged prostate that doesn't involve going under the knife. Plus, a new review finds vaping is likely to cause certain types of cancer. References: The carcinogenicity of e-cigarettes: a qualitative risk assessment Cost-Effectiveness of Oral Immunotherapy Treatments vs No Treatment for Peanut Allergy in Children Annual Immunisation Coverage Report 2025 Vaping likely to cause cancer, new Australian review of evidence finds (ABC News) Influenza (flu) vaccine - Department of Health Influenza immunisation resources - National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Historic 1994 influenza vaccine cohorts define breadth of antibody and B cell responses toward future influenza A and B viruses Lab Notes: Super-K flu is here … but it's not our biggest problem Intranasal Treatments for Children With Sleep-Disordered Breathing: The MIST+ Randomized Clinical Trial Prostate artery Embolisation Assessment of Safety and feasibilitY (P-EASY): a potential alternative to long-term medical therapy for benign prostate hyperplasia The ‘Prostate Embolisation AS first-line therapY compAred to meDication in treatment naïVe men with prostAte eNlargement, a randomised ControllEd trial’ (P-EASY ADVANCE): a randomised controlled trial of prostate embolisation vs medication for BPH Prostate artery EmbolisAtion Safety and efficacY: Preliminary and foLlow-Up urodynamic Studies (P-EASY PLUS)

3D printing in healthcare 28.03.2026 39min

3D printing is becoming an incredibly versatile modern tool - with scope to apply it to engineering, manufacturing, architecture and design challenges. And it's increasingly being used in ... healthcare. Plus, 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. This week's Health Report features stories from our archive. We'll be back with a new program next week.

Ultra-processed foods and behaviour in kids 21.03.2026 45min

There's been major buzz in recent years over ultra-processed foods and whether they may be harmful to our health. A new study out of Canada has measured what toddlers eat and how much of it is ultra-processed - and then followed up two years later to examine the behavioural outcomes of those same children. New findings on 'silent' women's health issues and where women would like the focus of healthcare research and spending to be - what the authors are saying is a call to go 'beyond the bikini line.' It takes days for the results of an STI test to come back, and that can cause all sorts of problems. A new 'point-of-care' test aims to shave that testing window down to less than an hour, with implications for sexual health treatment in regional and remote areas. Plus, sex differences after a diagnosis of cancer - men and women appear to follow separate trajectories, especially when it comes to their risk of death and adverse outcomes. References: Psilocybin or Nicotine Patch for Smoking Cessation Sex-based prognosis in industry-sponsored advanced solid tumour trials: an individual participant data meta-analysis of survival and adverse events Thanks to AI, Paul can see the culprit of his dog's cancer Meet the man who designed a cancer vaccine for his dog Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Behavioral Outcomes in Canadian Children Multilevel predictors of ultra-processed food intake in Canadian preschoolers ‘Women deserve better’: a national mixed-methods exploration of the ‘silent’ health conditions and social issues affecting women and girls in Australia CRISPR-Cas-based diagnostics for point-of-care detection of sexually transmitted infections: a laboratory development and evaluation study

MDMA therapy's side effects 14.03.2026 42min

MDMA psychotherapy was approved in Australia three years ago. Who's using it and what do we know about treatment side effects? Vaccine reminders can help nudge people back on track, but how the message is framed matters. A new review of screen use and sleep in young people finds no link between the amount of use and sleep quality or duration. And a different way of looking at mental health outcomes - whether digital tools can help us forecast someone's future needs and provide better, more personalised care. References: Within-Person Association Between Daily Screen Use and Sleep in Youth Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) or Opioid Analgesia Added to Ibuprofen for Children’s Musculoskeletal Injury Effects of daily multivitamin–multimineral and cocoa extract supplementation on epigenetic aging clocks in the COSMOS randomized clinical trial Side-effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis Experiences of Australian clinicians, researchers, and patients with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: A framework-guided qualitative analysis The AuTOMATIC trial: a multicentre digitally-automated, Bayesian, adaptive, parallel, factorial randomised controlled trial of SMS reminders for childhood vaccination The necessity of digital measurement-based care for navigating complexity in youth mental health Dynamic learning of individual-level suicidal ideation trajectories to enhance mental health care

Are Australian kids eating too much salt? 07.03.2026 44min

Are Australian schoolkids eating too much salt? And does it put them at risk of high blood pressure? A new approach to breast cancer screening based on risk could reduce the number of screens needed for some women. There's been a lot of hype around brain training to protect against cognitive decline, but the results haven't always measured up. Now a new long-term study has promising results. Plus, navigating the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis -- when can the condition be medically managed and when should you consider surgery? References: Impact of cognitive training on claims-based diagnosed dementia over 20 years: evidence from the ACTIVE study Efficacy and safety of once-daily oral orforglipron compared with oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes (ACHIEVE-3) Risk factors for the development of food allergy in infants and children Sodium, potassium and blood pressure in Australian schoolchildren: exploring differences by sex and weight status — a cross-sectional study Risk-Based vs Annual Breast Cancer Screening: The WISDOM Randomized Clinical Trial

Can AI chatbots be good therapists? 28.02.2026 45min

We know many people are turning to generative AI for health advice, including tips on how to manage stress, anxiety and low mood. When is it safe to turn to a chatbot, and when do you need to see a real human being? And what if you can't afford it? Also, a home review program that aims to get people off drugs they don't need to be on that might be negatively impacting their lives. And good news when it comes to Australia's goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035. References: Uptake and performance of self-collection offered through primary care to all eligible participants in a national cervical screening programme in Australia: a retrospective cohort study Extended follow-up of invasive cervical cancer risk after quadrivalent HPV vaccination: nationwide, register based study Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Cancer Mortality Among Cancer Survivors Informed use of AI technologies for mental health AI and mental health in Australia: what needs to happen next - Black Dog Institute Pharmacists call for medicine review program to be expanded - ABC News The effect of deprescribing interventions on mortality and health outcomes in older people: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Wait, does exercise help osteoarthritis? 21.02.2026 41min

A paper has suggested exercise has minimal, short-term effects on osteoarthritis. But experts are warning people with the condition that they shouldn't stop moving. Also, school kids are being called on to help in the fight against superbugs. A new study shoots down low-dose aspirin for older people wanting to prevent cancer. And we take a look at another form of arthritis: gout. It's under-recognised and under-treated, but what can be done about it, and why is it such a complicated story? References: Menopausal hormone therapy and long term mortality: nationwide, register based cohort study Sixth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health (AURA report) Education and Behaviour Change - The Fleming Initiative's Stance Intermittent fasting for adults with overweight or obesity Effectiveness of exercise therapy for osteoarthritis: an overview of systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials Cancer Incidence and Mortality With Aspirin in Older Adults: Follow-Up of the ASPREE Trial The effects of daily low-dose aspirin on white matter hyperintensity lesions and retinal vascular calibre in healthy older adults: the ENVIS-ion exploratory neuroimaging substudy of the ASPREE randomised clinical trial Treat-to-Target Urate-Lowering Treatment and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Gout Arthritis Australia gout resources Gout Medcast resources

Prescribing exercise for mental health 14.02.2026 43min

Researchers have pin-pointed the best exercise routines for depression or anxiety symptoms, and they might be equal to medication and talk therapy. Also, why states and territories are making changes to their maternity care guidance for doctors. An update on Alzheimer's disease off the back of important vaccine discoveries. Why the packaging of statins might need an upgrade. And some clarity on beta blockers after a heart attack. Does everyone need to be taking them? References: Valacyclovir Treatment of Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease: The VALAD Randomized Clinical Trial Assessment of adverse effects attributed to statin therapy in product labels: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials Nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss in adults with type 2 diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonists: A retrospective observational study Effect of exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms: systematic umbrella review with meta-meta-analysis Respectful Maternity and Newborn Care Framework β blockers after myocardial infarction with mildly reduced ejection fraction: an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials Beta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction in Patients without Heart Failure Beta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction without Reduced Ejection Fraction

The cost shock of specialist care 07.02.2026 43min

When you pay for private health insurance, you might assume you'll be well covered if you get injured or fall ill. But a new report has revealed the huge costs that catch people off guard, and sometimes prevent them from receiving care. Also, a study hints that constant colds in childhood might not be business-as-usual and should be taken more seriously. And we talk through the Nipah virus outbreak in India, and changes in Victoria to ADHD medication prescribing. References: Nipah and Hendra Viruses: Deadly Zoonotic Paramyxoviruses with the Potential to Cause the Next Pandemic - PMC Urgent ADHD Top-Up Prescriptions Even Easier And Cheaper Restoring affordable access to specialist care in Australia Burden of Infections in Early Life and Risk of Infections and Systemic Antibiotics Use in Childhood

Going to ChatGPT for health advice? 31.01.2026 46min

Many people turning to AI for health advice are doing it for valid reasons — it's cheap, fast and isn't bound by a 15-minute timer. But the checks and balances companies use to ensure their products are safe, or even accurate, aren't open to public scrutiny. Also on the show, medical abortion is available up to nine weeks in Australia. There's a push to allow access later. And the much-maligned fat cell gets a look-in from a world-leading expert. References First step towards a national medicines record National medicines database promised after telehealth 'doctor-shopping' leads to overdose Uptake of Shingrix vaccine in its first year on the National Immunisation Program: an analysis of Australian Immunisation Register data Cannabis‐based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults Safety and efficacy of early medical abortion at home between 10+0 and 11+6 weeks' gestation: a retrospective review

What are the benefits of having a dry January? 24.01.2026 41min

If you're having a month off the beers to kick off the year, do you know what a short stretch of sobriety could achieve? Some companies in the United States are even pushing people to trade their alcohol for THC, for "high" January. Also, there hasn't been a big COVID spike over the holidays, but the flu has been going around. People aren't accessing palliative care early enough to reap the benefits, but are there enough services to go around? And a study finds women notified of their breast density are often confused and anxious about what to do next. References: NSW respiratory surveillance Senior CDC official: Loss of measles elimination status in U.S. would be ‘cost of doing business’ Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis Alcohol consumption and mortality from four alcohol-related cancers in Australia 1950-2018: a time series analysis Early Palliative Care and Quality of End-of-Life Care for People With Terminal Cancer, Victoria, 2018–2023: A Retrospective, Population-Based Cohort Study Impact of population based breast density notification: multisite parallel arm randomised controlled trial in BreastScreen