Health Report - Separate stories podcast

For the first time since February 2020, there were more flu deaths than COVID deaths in August.  A study finds an association between COVID infection in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental diagnoses at three years old.  And the Prime Minister's Prize for Science goes to physicist and air quality expert Lidia Morawska. References Deaths due to acute respiratory infections in Australia - ABS Neurodevel...

We know that psychotherapy can be beneficial for some people experiencing chronic pain. But what does a session look like for someone who doesn’t have any mental health diagnoses, like anxiety or depression? Guest/s Professor Michael Nicholas , clinical psychologist and director of Pain Education at the Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute References Pain Management Network Pain M...

New parents want to give their children the best start in life, but the first 12 months can be a confusing and stressful time to navigate.  The advice now is to expose babies early to common allergens to reduce their risk of developing food allergies.  Allergen starter kits offer to simplify the process, but evidence of their effectiveness is lacking. So how should you go about it? References Nip...

Researchers have discovered a chemical messenger that promotes tumour growth in bowel and stomach cancers. A drug that’s already being used for migraines could be repurposed to switch it off. It’s early days, but scientists are hoping this leads to a targeted treatment that improves survival rates. Guest/s Dr Pavitha Parathan, postdoctoral researcher at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Insti...

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at  healthreport@abc.net.au References Everything you ever wanted to know about osteoarthritis 

Now parents are encouraged to introduce common allergens in the first year of life, products are popping up promising to make it easier.  However it's unclear whether these sachets are adequate to help prevent allergies, or if it's still better to stick to whole foods.  Guest/s Professor Mimi Tang , paediatric immunologist and allergist at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital 

When a couple is struggling to conceive, historically women have been the focus of infertility discussions. However in up to 30 per cent of cases male reproductive issues are the sole factor, and in another 20 per cent of cases it’s a contributing factor. For the first time guidelines have been released for the assessment and management of male infertility. Guest/s Professor Rob McLachlan , Medica...

Joint replacements don’t last forever, but they are lasting longer thanks to new technology. A new report has looked at the more than 150,000 hip, knee and shoulder joint replacements in the 12 months to December 2024. Just 6.9 per cent of these were revisions, meaning an artificial joint needed to be replaced. Guest/s Dr Peter Lewis, orthopaedic surgeon and deputy director of the Australian Joint...

We’ve known for about 50 years that there’s an issue with the machine that measures oxygen saturation in your blood. Pulse oximeters can overestimate oxygen saturation in people with dark skin, and it can result in them not receiving vital care. New research is underway to assess how this disparity might affect sleep apnea assessments – and whether incorrect readings could lead to misdiagnoses. Gu...

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

A change in guidance has prevented tens of thousands of children from developing an allergy to peanuts.  Until about 10 years ago, parents were advised to delay the introduction of peanuts until about three years of age.  It's now understood that advice actually led to an increase in allergies.  Also, the shingles vaccine could lower the risk of heart attacks and stroke, adding to benefits that go...

For people in larger bodies, going to the doctor can be a minefield, even for common ailments. Weight and weight loss can be brought up unprompted, and because of this some people avoid going to the doctors at all. So how should weight be discussed in primary care? How do doctors avoid an overemphasis on weight, versus avoiding it entirely? Guest/s Professor Gemma Sharp , founding director of the...

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses the magnetic field to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It has shown promise in depression when other treatments haven’t worked. Where does the evidence stand on TMS, and how does it compare to other treatments like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)? Guest/s Professor Paul Fitzgerald , director of the school of medicine and psychology at the Australian...

The five-year survival rate from pancreatic cancer is only 13 per cent, and one explanation could be late diagnosis. A consortium of experts has formed to increase survival by improving early detection and screening. The goal is to increase the 5-year suvival rate to 50 per cent within the next decade. Guest/s Dr Diane Simeone , director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health and founder o...

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

The World Health Organization (WHO) has put out its global report on antibiotic resistance. In some countries resistance to last-ditch antibiotics is going up, leaving no treatment options available to potentially deadly bugs.  Also, if you've got a My Health Record you'll be getting faster access to some blood test results.  References Global antibiotic resistance surveillance report – World Heal...

Rosacea is a common and chronic skin condition that often affects the cheeks, chin, nose and eyes. While there’s no cure, there are treatments that can help manage the condition. There are people who are more susceptible, and some potential risks that go alongside it. Guest/s Associate Professor Gayle Ross , dermatologist and the head of dermatology research at Royal Melbourne Hospital

In 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui announced he had edited the genomes of human embryos. The births of twins Lulu and Nana brought forward an ongoing debate about whether we should ever make heritable changes to the human genome. And if we do, how far should we go? Can we really stop at curing disease, or will we be opening the door for designer babies? Guest/s Professor John Rasko, leading res...

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

Tens of thousands of children aged under five are suffering acute malnutrition in Gaza, according to a recent study highlighting the impact of blockades and aid restrictions.  The study published in the Lancet shows how rates of wasting — measuring the circumference of the upper arm — noticeably fluctuated when aid was allowed through or at times of ceasefire.  References Assessment of malnutritio...

There is emerging evidence that diet changes might be able to help people with endometriosis manage their symptoms. There have been recent studies looking into the effects of a low FODMAP diet and supplements. Guidelines have been updated to reflect where the evidence stands on endometriosis care and treatment. Guest/s Dr Marilla Druitt, obstetrician, gynaecologist and RANZCOG councillor Reference...

Heart failure affects about 55 million people worldwide, including Almost 144,000 people in Australia. Prevention is possible, but are we taking the right approach to lower the risk of people falling into heart failure? A new Lancet series propose a comprehensive framework to reduce the burden of heart failure in the community. Guest/s Associate Professor Adam Nelson , cardiologist at the Royal Ad...

Anal cancer is a rare cancer with a lot of stigma attached, and many misconceptions. While rates are significantly higher in men who have sex with men than those who don’t, more women are still diagnosed with the condition than men. We also know most cases are caused by infection with specific strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), driving home the importance of vaccination. Guest/s Dr Mary Poynte...

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

Independent MP Dr Monique Ryan says the government could double its funding to researchers through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).  That's according to costings she has commissioned, which she says points to an excess of funds that Australia could use to jump on the gaps in medical research left by the Trump administration.  Also, warnings from the TGA on melatonin bought online and the B...