Published by ABC Australia
Covering the health stories that make a difference. Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander dissect the latest and breaking news in the medical world.
Listen on Apple Podcasts9 min
In the news: After earlier announcing the withdrawal of a certain dose of a breast cancer medicine from the Australian market, the drug company has now offered to supply it to eligible patients for free, rather than drop the price for the PBS. A new report shows young people are paying more in out of pocket costs for mental health treatment than their older counterparts. A study from the Kirby Institute's GoGovax trial shows the vaccine for meningococcal B does not protect against gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men. References Update on access to goserelin 3.6 mg implant Cost of accessing mental health services for young people New England Journal of Medicine: Meningococcal B Vaccine to Prevent Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection More than 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases reported in 41 states: CDC
11 min
Parents of younger children and early adolescents can face pressure to allow them their own smart phone, with concerns around mental health effects and sleep disruption. A new study looks at what happens when you delay giving a child a smartphone by one year. Guest/s Dr. Ran Barzilay, Child Adolescent psychiatrist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania References Smartphone Acquisition and Use at Age 13 Years and Health Outcomes at Age 14 Years
8 min
You may have seen people wearing a small white disk on their upper arm. It's likely it was a "CGM" or continuous glucose monitoring device. In Australia, only people with type 1 diabetes can access subsidies for these devices, but there is hope this may be extended in the future. Research comparing the use of these devices, with self-monitoring of glucose levels, strengthens the case for use of CGM devices for people living with type 2 diabetes. Guest/s Associate Prof Emma Wilmot, University of Nottingham School of Medicine References Continuous glucose monitoring versus self-monitoring of blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, multicentre, open-label, superiority trial Diabetes Australia statement
8 min
There is now clear evidence that having high blood pressure as a child can influence health outcomes later in life. The first ever Australian clinical guidelines on this condition recommend a check of blood pressure at age 7 and again during adolescence. Guest/s Nick Larkins, paediatric nephrologist, Perth Children's Hospital and Senior Research Fellow, Edith Cowan University References Australian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents
4 min
A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au
8 min
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
15 min
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
7 min
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
7 min
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
4 min
A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au
13 min
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
7 min
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)
6 min
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
10 min
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 and intensivist at The Alfred Intensive Care Unit 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
4 min
A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au
11 min
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
7 min
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
10 min
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)
8 min
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
5 min
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