Health Report - Separate stories podcast — Podcast

New Ebola vaccine ready for testing on humans 18.07.2026 8min

In the news: The same team who developed the first vaccine against COVID-19 have come up with a vaccine for the new strain of Ebola in only eight weeks. A report from the Grattan Institute calls for a shake-up of community pharmacy funding US Department of War head Pete Hegseth announces plans for testosterone screening for military References UK begins trials of Ebola vaccine developed in just eight weeks Future pharmacy: A better deal for patients and taxpayers Pete Hegseth announces plan to test US troops for low testosterone

Can you really slow down biological ageing? 18.07.2026 15min

There's a race going on in Silicon Valley to find ways to both slow down ageing and monetise longevity. Some of the tools used to measure this are biological age tests that give various health readings. For an episode of Four Corners, Norman Swan visited one of the team who developed an evidence-based clock called DunedinPACE. Guest/s Dan Belsky, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University References Four Corners: The Race to Reverse Aging

What's the best way to treat acne? 18.07.2026 7min

How acne is treated depends on severity, but those affected can worry about the side-effects of medications that are taken orally. A study into the use of isotretinoin for acne in adolescents found no association with reduced adult height. Guest/s Sigrun Schmidt, Medical Doctor and PhD, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark References Isotretinoin Treatment in Adolescence and Adult Height

Will this virus catalogue help us get ahead of the next pandemic? 18.07.2026 7min

A newly updated human-infective RNA virus dataset may be used to find patterns that help predict what a future virus, or ‘disease x’ might look like. What can we learn from the behaviour of past viruses, to help prepare for the next outbreak? Guest/s Mark Woolhouse, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh References A complete catalogue of human-infective RNA viruses

Mailbag: sepsis and septic shock 18.07.2026 4min

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au

Are pharmacist prescribing programs working? 11.07.2026 13min

In the news this week: Research commissioned by the RACGP shows limited evidence for benefits of community pharmacists prescribing drug treatments for around 20 common and minor conditions A law change means registered nurses will soon be able to prescribe some PBS medicines A US study shows disparities in cancer screening rates for LGBTI+ populations, what's happening here in Australia? Australian cancer trials not following regulations on reporting sex differences References Community pharmacist prescribing outcomes in Australia and beyond Pharmacist prescribing: without evidence, it's the patient who pays RACGP-commissioned review confirms pharmacist prescribing improves access to care New law gives registered nurses PBS prescribing rights for the first time Sexual orientation and gender identity based disparities in colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening in the United States US study on cancer screening access and what it means for Australia USyd CEC response Australian cancer trials are getting worse at reporting sex differences - putting patients at risk

Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia 11.07.2026 7min

The AIHW's Australia's Health 2026 report shows that dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, rising by 39 percent over the past decade and overtaking coronary heart disease. Guest/s Michelle Gourley, Head, Burden of Disease and Mortality Unit, Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing References Australia's health 2026 (AIHW)

What should you eat to prevent dementia? 11.07.2026 6min

A study comparing the diets of Swedish participants at risk of dementia, as well as those who were not provides more evidence for the importance of a healthy diet in prevention of the condition. Guest/s Anja Mrhar, Visiting researcher, Aging Research Center at Karolinska Institutet and PhD candidate in Biosciences – Nutrition, University of Ljubljana References Diet Quality and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With Alzheimer Pathology

How to prevent sepsis and septic shock 11.07.2026 10min

People diagnosed with septic shock in intensive care units are more likely to die within 5 years of hospitalisation. Researchers say more needs to be done to raise awareness of early warning signs to prevent these conditions, and more targeted post admission care and follow up for those who have experienced septic shock. Guest/s Professor Andrew Udy, Deputy Director of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, Monash University References Long-term survival in patients discharged alive from hospital following an intensive care unit admission with sepsis or septic shock in Australia and New Zealand: an observational cohort study

Mailbag: coeliac disease and immune cells 11.07.2026 4min

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au

Asthma management practices not what they should be 04.07.2026 11min

In the news this week: Asthma is getting worse in Australia. Are prevention treatments being used widely enough? Australia's medicine safety black triangle scheme aims to encourage people to report drug side effects, but new research shows most users don't know it exists. New pneumococcal vaccine has wider coverage and is available to more people. US based drug company to remove opioid disorder treatment Sublocade from the Australian market. References Worsening Asthma Outcomes in Australian Adults: A Comparison of Stratified Sample Surveys in 2012 and 2021 Most Australians unaware of 'black triangle' medicine side effects reporting scheme: study New pneumococcal vaccine for adults on the NIP Statement from Invidior on removal of Sublocade from Australian market

Melatonin could help reduce chronic pain 04.07.2026 7min

Musculoskeletal health researchers went looking for alternative treatments for those with chronic pain. They're now studying the impact of sleep and have found a moderate reduction in pain for those who took melatonin. If you live in Brisbane of Sydney and would like to take part in the SLEEP-FIT study, click here. Guest/s Michelle Hall, Associate Professor within Sydney Musculoskeletal Health and the School of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney References Efficacy and effectiveness of melatonin for the management of musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo and active controlled trials

Test may help identify people at risk of coeliac disease 04.07.2026 10min

A study into the behaviour of immune cells in coeliac disease patients showed surprising results. Instead of being overactive, T cells in coeliac disease were subdued, and didn't survive as long as T cells from healthy people. Researchers say this effect isn’t simply driven by inflammation or diet, but suggests an underlying difference linked to genetic risk, and the test could one day help clinicians identify people at risk of developing coeliac disease and other auto-immune disorders. Guest/s Professor Jason Tye-Din, Coeliac Research Lab Head, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute; Director, Snow Centre for Immune Health Dr Vanessa Bryant, Bryant Lab Head, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute; Scientific Engagement and Collaboration Lead, Snow Centre for Immune Health References Functional immune profiling reveals CD4+ T cell dysregulation in coeliac disease (Immunology and Cell Biology, 2026)

Do spinal stimulators help people walk again? 04.07.2026 8min

Standing and walking exercises are standard treatment for those with spinal cord injuries. A recent study tested the addition of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) to rehab training to see if it can improve walking mobility. Guest/s Dr Liz Bye, research fellow and physiotherapist from spinal cord injury research collaborative, University of Sydney References Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation plus locomotor training versus sham-stimulation plus locomotor training in chronic spinal cord injury (eWALK): a multicentre, triple-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial

Mailbag: Paraquat use continues in Australia 04.07.2026 5min

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au The little-known cause of heart attack in young women

Evidence for IVF add-on treatments is weak 27.06.2026 8min

In the news this week: Evidence for IVF add on treatments weak or non-existent Health risks of toxic weight-loss peptides like unapproved "Retatrutide" purchased online Bird flu update, WA Health says they are monitoring humans who have been exposed, but risk is low References Safety and effectiveness of ten common in-vitro fertilisation add-ons No evidence most IVF add-on treatments improve fertility Concerns regarding the public health risks associated with unapproved peptide products WA Health provides public health update following avian influenza detection in wild bird

Parkinson's specialist says regulator's decision is wrong 27.06.2026 9min

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) decision to restrict but not ban the use of paraquat by farmers has disappointed some in the medical and scientific community. Movement disorder specialist says the APVMA decision on the use of pesticide paraquat ignores evidence of the link with cases of Parkinson's disease. Guest/s Associate Professor Wes Thevathasan, Parkinson's disease specialist working across several hospitals, the University of Melbourne and The Florey Institute References Statement from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Chemical regulator approves restricted use of herbicide paraquat previously linked to Parkinson's disease

Heart attacks are common, but rehab isn't. Why not? 27.06.2026 9min

Following hospitalisation for cardiac procedures, patients are offered a 6-8 week rehabilitation program to help them recover and make lifestyle changes to improve heart health. But a study shows only 1 in 5 people do the program, despite the fact that it can make a huge difference to health outcomes. So what's going wrong? Guest/s Dr Susie Cartledge, Senior Research Fellow, Monash University school of public health and preventive medicine References Mapping patient outcomes associated with cardiac rehabilitation

Trust in childhood vaccinations is in decline. Here's how to get it back 27.06.2026 10min

There has been a substantial increase in vaccine concerns from parents, with changes to messaging on vaccines in the USA filtering through to Australia. A childhood immunisation expert says one on one conversations with trusted health care providers are vital for parents who have immunisation concerns and this can have real impact on others in their community. Guest/s Professor Margie Danchin, immunisation expert at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute References Childhood vaccine hesitancy, The New England Journal of Medicine

Mailbag: noise in gyms 27.06.2026 3min

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au