Health Report - Separate stories podcast — Podcast

Does daylight saving time impact your health? 03.10.2026 9m

In the news: People report feeling tired as they adjust to daylight saving time as the clock springs forward and falls back. But what does the science say about how the time change affects our health? The results of a study on the diet of pregnant and breast feeding women and the effect it has on the infant's likelihood of developing an allergy. Astra Zeneca has announced it will extend access to Gosrelin 3.6mg implant via the PBS References A systematic review of epidemiological studies into daylight-saving time & health identifying beneficial & adverse effects Trial of a Maternal Diet Rich in Eggs and Peanuts to Reduce Infant Allergy Astrazeneca to extend PBS access to Zoladex® (goserelin) monthly (3.6mg) implant

Could your hip stiffness be something more? 03.10.2026 11m

Waking up with stiff hips and sore legs? It may be more than just the signs of old age. Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition that mostly affects people over 65 years of age but can happen earlier. Learn what to look out for and when you should get it checked out. Guest/s Professor Catherine Hill, Head of Rheumatology Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Adelaide and Head of the Rheumatology research group Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Research If you have PMR and would like to participate in research, you can contact Professor Hill here.

Is this model of getting weight loss prescriptions legal? 03.10.2026 8m

A health law expert has examined the LillyDirect platform, which now facilitates dispensing of the pharmaceutical company's own GLP1 medicine in Australia. He talks through the regulations that apply to this model to see how it stacks up. Norman Swan is a director of a company that has a share in an online pharmacy business. Guest/s Dr Christopher Rudge, lecturer at Sydney Law School, and Deputy Director of Sydney Health Law References Weight loss drug will be easier to access as Eli Lilly disrupts the pharmacy model ABC News: Doctors condemn Eli Lilly move to dispense GLP-1 medication Mounjaro direct to door Lilly Australia told ABC News that LillyDirect operates within existing regulatory frameworks and that the service would improve affordability and convenience for Australians. A spokesperson said: "Australian doctors prescribe the medicine, Australian pharmacists review and dispense prescriptions, and Australian healthcare, pharmacy, privacy and regulatory requirements apply at every stage."

Cases of HIV in Fiji are rising. What's being done about it? 03.10.2026 9m

The Fijian government recently declared a national emergency in response to the rising number of HIV cases in the country. How will that help residents who already have HIV to stay healthy, and prevent further transmission? Guest/s Dr Virginia Macdonald, Technical lead HIV, Kirby Institute, UNSW

Mailbag: pharmacist on weight loss injection dispensing 03.10.2026 2m

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected]

Weight loss drug will be easier to access as Eli Lilly disrupts the pharmacy model 26.09.2026 14m

In the news: After failing to negotiate a way for their medicine, tirzapetide to be listed on the PBS, Eli Lilly has launched an online platform to "facilitate dispensing and delivery of medicines to consumers". LillyDirect is now operating in Australia with their GLP1 receptor agonist the first medicine to be supplied to patients in this way via a third party online pharmacy and with options for home delivery. Fiji has declared a national emergency around it's HIV crisis and is taking an all of government approach to address the epidemic and prevent further transmission. The TGA has removed Andropgraphis from the list of ingredients allowed in medicines and supplements, in response a high number of adverse reactions. This will impact some cold and flu remedies and 'immune-boosting' supplements which should now be withdrawn from sale. References Lilly Direct consumer press release Fijian government declares national HIV emergency as cases soar WHO continues to support Fiji as it declares HIV a national emergency Keeping HIV under control is increasingly challenging Andrographis removed from listed medicines framework because of allergy risk

What's the best way to treat ADHD in children? 26.09.2026 10m

While diagnoses for adult ADHD are on the rise, we look at medications and other treatments for ADHD in children.

You’re more likely to be hospitalised from a private aged care facility 26.09.2026 7m

Emergency room visits and unplanned hospitalisations occur more often for those being cared for in privately run aged care homes. Researchers believe this may indicate the quality of care is poorer in these facilities and warn against the trend away from government-run and not-for-profit aged care homes. Guest/s Professor Maria Inacio, Professor in Health Services and epidemiology Director of the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) at Flinders University and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute References Association of long-term care facility ownership and location on residents’ mortality and hospitalisations: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Australia

Does taking contraceptives increase your risk of cancer? 26.09.2026 5m

A study investigating the potential link between the use of hormonal contraceptives and colorectal cancer finds there is no evidence for it either way. It confirms that using these medications does not affect your chance of getting this type of cancer, nor does it provide protection against the disease. Guest/s Dr Lina Morch, Team leader, Treatment for cancer group, Danish Cancer Institute References Contemporary hormonal contraception and colorectal cancer in premenopausal women: nationwide cohort study

Mailbag: out of pocket costs and GLP1s 26.09.2026 6m

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected]

Out of pocket costs to become more transparent 19.09.2026 10m

In the news: A legislative amendment passed this week will see an overhaul of the Medical Costs Finder website with more specialist fee data to be included. Plus powers to prevent private health insurers from 'phoenixing' policy products have been introduced. A study from University of Sydney analysing social media posts about the new blood test for Alzheimer's disease reveals the extent of misleading information being spread by influencers References Better transparency and choice in health care Medical Costs Finder Blood test to detect Alzheimer's disease will be trialled in Australia Social Media Claims About Blood Tests for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Content Analysis

AHPRA 'investigating' unsafe prescribing of weight loss injections 19.09.2026 14m

Our story on weight loss injections being prescribed to people with lived experience of eating disorders without proper screening, drew a raft of responses from people with similar stories and concerns. Rachel has lived experience of an eating disorder and came across ads for a telehealth weight loss company on a podcast. The ads continue in their podcast feed, more than a year after they lodged a formal complaint with AHPRA. Rachel hasn't been updated on the status of the complaint. What is the body that regulates doctors doing about protecting patients from unscrupulous telehealth operators and medical professionals? Guest/s Justin Untersteiner, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Health Practitioner Agency References Why is it so easy to get weight loss injections, if they could cause you harm? GLP-1 drug prescribed to woman with eating disorder via telehealth sparks calls for regulation Crackdown on reckless prescribing as regulator ramps up peptides oversight

Lost sleep affects both mother and baby health 19.09.2026 7m

Disrupted sleep during pregnancy and the post partum period can increase the risk of cardiovascular events for mothers, and it's now understood these risks can be transferred to the baby as well. What can be done to improve cardiometabolic and cardiovascular health in pregnancy and beyond? Guest/s Helen Collins, Assistant Professor, University of Louisville, Center for Cardiometabolic Science References The implications of maternal sleep disruption on cardiovascular adaptations and cardiometabolic outcomes

Trump drug pricing policy having impacts here as well 19.09.2026 6m

PBS listings for medications for three separate conditions have run up against President Trump’s most favoured nation pricing policy this year. People with breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and opioid addiction have so far been affected. New research on this policy and it’s impact shows there will likely be more of these disruptions to come. Guest/s Dr Thomas Hwang, Assistant Professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital and faculty at Harvard Medical School References Most-favoured-nation pricing for prescription drugs in US Medicare: a cohort study

Mailbag: heart disease medications 19.09.2026 4m

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected]

Could this procedure prevent some cases of ovarian cancer? 12.09.2026 15m

In the news: The American College of Gynaecology has strengthened it's clinical guidelines recommending removal of the fallopian tubes in women already having certain procedures, to prevent some types of ovarian cancer. Australia's first NFL game was played this week, and we discuss a new paper that was presented at the International Sports Concussion Conference in Melbourne on CTE from brains of former rugby players donated to a brain bank. As well as a study about CTE in NFL players. A coroner's report on the death of a child in 2024 discusses the role of the multivitamins the boy was being given. The supplements did not contain vitamin C, and the boy died of scurvy. References Salpingectomy for the Prevention of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Ovarian cancer doesn't start in the ovaries Study on degenerative brain disease finds CTE in 31 former rugby league players BMJ: Prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at death in National Football League players: retrospective population based cohort study, 2008-21 Brisbane Coroner's Court: Non inquest findings into the death of Conor Dean

Step intensity offers another way to improve your health 12.09.2026 8m

A study looking at step intensity and step count provides helpful advice for those who are limited in their time and ability to increase the number of steps and their pace. There are long term benefits associated with increasing the pace of your steps, even in shorter bursts. Guest/s Emmanuel Stamatakis, Professor of physical activity, lifestyle and population health Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University References Combinations of stepping intensity and daily step counts against all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality: insights from a device-based prospective study

Heart disease prevention drug fails at final hurdle 12.09.2026 8m

The pharmaceutical company closest to getting a drug to market to reduce Lipoprotein (a) levels announced that while it reduces levels of these molecules, that didn’t translate into fewer cardiovascular events. What does this mean for those with high Lp (a)? Guest/s Dr Nelson Wang, cardiologist and senior research fellow, George Institute of Public Health References Novartis announces Lp(a)HORIZON Phase III topline results for pelacarsen in patients with elevated Lp(a) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Genes to play role in earlier cerebral palsy diagnosis 12.09.2026 6m

A gene study provides further evidence that cerebral palsy may be a collection of symptoms, not a disease. It also indicates doing a genetic panel early on could help confirm diagnosis and provide an opportunity for better treatment of affected children. Guest/s Peter Robinson, Professor of medical computer science, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Connecticut in the United States References A phenotypic paradigm for cerebral palsy genetics

Mailbag: fibromyalgia 12.09.2026 5m

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected]