Health Report - Separate stories podcast

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has convened a panel to discuss the use of a common antidepressant during pregnancy. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. Experts are concerned the panel has cast undue doubt on the medication, and changes shouldn’t be made without evidence. Guest/s Dr Carolyn Breadon , peri...

Beta blockers are commonly used to treat heart conditions because they’re able to block the effects of stress hormones. Now Australian researchers are uncovering their potential in stopping the progression of triple negative breast cancer. Stress hormones can speed up the spread of cancer – so they’ve looked for a way to switch off that process. Guest/s Associate Professor Michelle Halls , Monash...

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

The number of overdose deaths involving pregabalin shows that more education is needed for those prescribing it. The Monash IVF review raises questions for the way the industry is regulated. And a look at the Massachusetts Model which aims to limit the influence of private equity in health care. References Victorian Overdose Deaths 2015–2024 Regulating Private Equity in Health Care — The Massachus...

Millions of Australians suffer from low back pain, and it’s a leading cause of disease burden overall. Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) addresses the physical, psychological and social factors that contribute to low back back. A new study has looked at how long the benefits from CFT last, looking three years out from the start of treatment. Guest/s Professor Mark Hancock , Professor of Physiothe...

Evidence shows the ovaries are not to blame for most cancers formerly known as 'ovarian cancer'. The most common, and severe, actually begin in the fallopian tubes and fimbriae. Studies suggest opportunistic surgery could be the best prevention. Guest/s Associate Professor Orla McNally, director of gynaecological oncology at the Royal Women's Hospital, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre References...

There's growing evidence of the link between the gut microbiome and our sleep — or lack of sleep.  A new study has tried to identify which bacteria contribute to the risk of insomnia, and which might protect against it.  It's information that could be used in the future to develop effective treatments.  Guest/s Professor Ancha Baranova , School of Systems Biology, George Mason University Reference...

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

Taking too many supplements with vitamin B6 in them can lead to concerning symptoms and even long-term nerve pain.  Now, more concerns are being raised about B6-containing products, this time energy drinks that contain far more than the daily recommended amount.  Also, a new study estimates the lives and life-years saved by COVID-19 vaccination — and another study assesses the safety of updated mR...

A diet full of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) has generally been thought to be bad for your health – and a trigger for disease. But for the first time a study has looked at the health effects of UPFs within the context of national dietary guidelines. And while a minimally processed diet is still better for you overall, it’s not all bad news if you’re sticking close to those directions. Guest/s Dr Sam...

It can be hard to know when a woman is in perimenopause, which is the transitional phase leading up to menopause. In the past irregular periods were thought to be one of the first indicators of fluctuating hormones. But vasomotor symptoms – like hot flashes and night sweats – are also reliable indicators, especially for women who already have inconsistent menstrual cycles. Guest/s Professor Susan...

Psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, is approved in Australia for use in treatment-resistant depression. But a new study suggests the benefits of psilocybin in these patients might not be as effective as past clinical trials have suggested. In 2023, Australia became the first country in the world to legalise the use of psychedelics to treat some mental health conditions. G...

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

US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr has pulled $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccines. Experts are dismayed and say it could impede our ability to react fast and effectively to another pandemic. 

There are calls for a national loneliness strategy, after a report revealed the extent of the issue, especially in young people. Researchers found 43 per cent of people aged 15 to 25 feel lonely — that’s more than two in five young people. One in seven reported persistent loneliness lasting at least two years. Technology was both a help and at times, a hindrance to connection. Guest/s Associate Pr...

Artificially sweetened drinks — think kombuchas or no sugar fizzy drinks — have been thought of as a healthier alternative. However a new Australian study has found both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages are associated with type 2 diabetes. The researchers say this drives home the need for policy changes to address sweetened beverages as a whole. Guest/s Professor Barbora de Cou...

Doctors can’t know everything — and there’s plenty they can learn from people with lived experience. A program is connecting people who’ve dealt with ovarian and gynaecological cancers with student doctors.

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

A new study out in Nature has shown our immune system becomes primed when we see sick, sniffling people.  Also, the national mental health commission puts out its latest report card, and it's not great news.  And data out of South Australia hints at a worrying trend in secondary cancers in people with colorectal cancer.  References Mental Health Commission - National Report Card 2024 Incidence, Ri...

When it comes to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, it’s likely the horse has bolted the gate. Many doctors are using new tools to help out with clinical paperwork and free up their time. But what are the benefits, and potential pitfalls, for patients? And how can they opt out? Guest/s Professor Enrico Coiera , Director of the Centre for Health Informatics at Macquarie Universi...

While the prevalence of smoking has been falling in Australia, our progress has slowed since the emergence of vaping. And in the UK new research has found that teens who currently vape are as likely to start smoking as their peers were in the 1970s. But it’s not all bad news – there are signs that new restrictions have helped to slow the rate of young people taking up vaping in the first place. Gu...

Reminiscing about the past? Dwelling on times gone by? Or, as a new study suggests, are you simply rejuvenating your memories? When we encode new memories, it’s only natural that we then go on to forget some of those experiences. But there are many things we are able to recall time and time again, no matter how much time has past. Could frequent reminiscing be the reason? Guest/s Professor Karl-He...

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

The lower risk of dementia that seems to be associated with vaccination against shingles might not have anything to do with protection from the virus. It might be the adjuvant in the vaccine itself.  Also, ivermectin might be useful in controlling malaria. But its effects are on the mosquitoes, not humans.  References Lower risk of dementia with AS01-adjuvanted vaccination against shingles and res...

When having a baby, there are lots of decisions to be made about maternity care, and barriers depending on your socio-economic situation. A new study has highlighted a worrying issue – finding higher adverse health outcomes in standard public maternity care. However there have been criticisms about how the paper compared the two sectors, and whether it’s a fair contrast. Guest/s Professor Hannah D...