Health Report - Separate stories podcast

In the news: 1.9 million Australians are taking more than five different medicines daily. And the number of medicines you take increases with age. What are the implications of 'polypharmacy' on your health? Being vaccinated against HPV before pregnancy has benefits for pregnancy outcomes. An unconfirmed case of pneumonic plague in Russia has caused international concern. Do you need to be worried?...

The first study comparing the new guidelines for clinical obesity against previous BMI (body mass index)-based measurements across the life span has shown that fewer children are classified as obese than previously thought. However the prevalence of clinical obesity is greater in mid life. Researchers say this will add to evidence that assists clinicians with individualised care and advice for peo...

If you have polyps removed during a colonoscopy, you may be asked to come back in 3-5 years time for another procedure. But does that timing actually decrease your risk of getting cancer? A study looking at colonoscopies done 5 years after high risk adenomas had been removed provides some encouraging results. Guest/s Michael Bretthauer, Professor of Medicine at the University of Oslo and Gastroent...

Little has been known about the mental health impact on survivors of intimate partner violence when guns and other weapons are involved.  A new study shows fear related harms like post traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder are the most frequent symptoms experienced by survivors.  Guest/s Susan Rees, Professor in Psychiatry and Mental Health, UNSW  References Gun and Other Weapon–Involved In...

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

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...

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...

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...

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 

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

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...

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

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...

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  Refere...

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

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 mislea...

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...

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  Re...

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...

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

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...

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 an...

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)HORIZ...

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...

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