Health Report

There are areas known as 'Blue Zones' where people were thought to live very long lives.  It was thought to have something to do with lifestyles in these spots, but one demographer has debunked the entire notion.  Also, we discuss the best way to maintain weight loss in adolescents with weight-related health problems.  How to screen for prostate cancer better, with fewer false alarms. And a new pr...

The government bans life insurers from using genetic testing results to demand higher premiums.  Inflammation in childhood is linked to metabolic disorders and mental illness in later life.  Australian invention could revolutionise X-ray market.  And COVID antiviral gets put to the test. 

A scientist carbon dated his own kidney stone to better understand the mysterious, and painful, formations.  How a new approach could curb the biggest killer of young people.  The Ebola vaccine is put to the test. And diabetes drugs now available for weight loss prescriptions in Australia. 

You hear a lot about the dangers of concussion in sport, but maybe sport can actually mitigate the harms of concussion. We navigate the link between tablet use in children and angry outbursts.  How erectile dysfunction and other issues below the belt can be indicators of problems above the belt. And did Australian supermodel Elle MacPherson really beat cancer without treatment? 

Most people struggling with insomnia at least once in their life, and for some it's a long-term struggle. Can an app help with treatment? We give an update on all things COVID-19, including the latest research on vaccine effects.  How parents, childcare centres and policymakers can keep children safe from toxins.  And how accurate are food tracking apps, especially when it comes to complex meals?

Tips on how to fend off the behavioural problems and cognitive troubles that come with too much screen time, too young.  What a new paper has to say about semaglutide and suicidal ideation, plus promising results from a trial of antibiotics in sub-Saharan Africa.  What dietitians can do to help drive down the rising rate of obesity.  And a rare inner ear condition that could benefit from developme...

We know a varied diet of veggies is good for our microbiome, but what about a varied environment?  Where we spend our time also influences the good bacteria in our bodies. Also, we take a look at the mpox outbreak that's now a cause of international concern.  And why surgeons don't want you to get knee surgery if you've got osteoarthritis.  

The Olympics has reignited a century-old debate about sex categories in sport — and what happens when policy doesn't align with biology.  A look at the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Melbourne. Also, a response to union calls for reproductive leave to support women going through menopause.  Why people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of severe injuries.  And the history...

Marketing of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) tests could be exploiting the anxiety women might feel about their fertility.  An update on influenza, COVID-19 and whooping cough in Australia.  Two more risk factors for dementia have been identified — what are the implications for preventing cognitive decline? And what impact does a double mastectomy have on breast cancer recurrence and deaths?

Research is clear on the benefits of exercise for certain types of pain, including for pain associated with cancer treatment. A running group is putting this into practice.  An update on mammal-to-mammal transmission of bird flu, and a check in with a major AIDS conference.  Also, do we need to reconsider regulations around cigarettes in the wake of a crackdown on vaping? And heart attacks in youn...

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'...

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? Pl...

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 disease Experts 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...

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 technol...

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-COVID Each 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 in...

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 migh...

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 mon...

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...