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Health Report

Health Report

ABC Australia 239 Episodes Aug 29, 2026

Health Report covers the health stories that make a difference. Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander dissect the latest and breaking news in the medical world.

Episodes

Same work but no training pathway for unaccredited registrars
Same work but no training pathway for unaccredited registrars Aug 29, 2026 0:48:40 It's become harder for medical students to qualify as a fully accredited specialist. This delay is having a profound impact on the wellbeing of doctors and on access to specialists across Australia. A new study shows people experiencing 'gout flares' more frequently have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease.In the news:Twenty years ago, the first dose of the HPV vaccin
Will this help more men get prostate checkups?
Will this help more men get prostate checkups? Aug 22, 2026 0:42:56 New clinical guidelines for early detection of prostate cancer make big changes to screening, with an end to the digital examination and more frequent PSA tests in older age groups.A new global study suggests people over sixty may face serious health risks from heat at much lower temperatures than previously understood.Overuse of active skincare is one of the causes of peri-orifi
BMI fails the test as a predictor of disease risk
BMI fails the test as a predictor of disease risk Aug 15, 2026 0:44:49 A study shows waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) should be included with BMI when assessing patients with abdominal fat for risk of cardiovascular disease.A new rapid 'lateral flow' test is being trialled in the hope it will provide faster and more accurate results to help detect and treat iron deficiencies.We follow up on our earlier story about the lack of ac
Kate has a history of anorexia. Why was she prescribed weight loss jabs?
Kate has a history of anorexia. Why was she prescribed weight loss jabs? Aug 8, 2026 0:52:06 ‘Kate’ has a history of anorexia nervosa and was once hospitalised for the condition. Yet she was able to access GLP1s to control her weight via a telehealth provider, without being screened for an eating disorder. Surveys of acute pancreatitis are currently underway around Australia, in response to an increase in cases globally. A study from South Australia shows some surprising
An Alzheimer's blood test is on the way. What could that mean for you?
An Alzheimer's blood test is on the way. What could that mean for you? Aug 1, 2026 0:43:02 Clinicians, researchers, government and industry partners have come together in a new arrangement to trial a blood test that uses biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, in the hope it will aid diagnosis.A new vaccine developed to treat the latest outbreak of ebolavirus is already being tested on humans. But the organisation behind it has also invested in three other vaccines, in cas
When is a child ready for their own smartphone?
When is a child ready for their own smartphone? Jul 25, 2026 0:43:38 A new study looks at the health benefits of holding off on a child's smartphone by one year. Is there a "best" age to let them have their own device?Despite the lack of subsidies for CGM devices that monitor glucose levels for those with type 2 diabetes,  research shows continuous glucose monitoring can be beneficial for those living with the condition.There is now clear evidence
What can you really learn from a biological ageing test?
What can you really learn from a biological ageing test? Jul 18, 2026 0:43:23 There's a race going on in Silicon Valley to find ways to slow down ageing and monetise longevity. Some of the tools used to measure this are biological age tests that give various health readings. Can you biohack your way to reverse ageing? Parents and caregivers of adolescents can worry about the side effects of taking oral medications for acne. A new study into the use of isot
Who should be allowed to prescribe medications?
Who should be allowed to prescribe medications? Jul 11, 2026 0:43:07 A review of the evidence for community pharmacist prescribing has reopened the debate about who should be able to prescribe, and a legislative change means some registered nurses with special training will soon be authorised to prescribe a number of medicines on the PBS too.Australia's Health 2026 report shows that dementia has overtaken coronary heart disease as the leading caus
Could a sleep supplement help reduce chronic pain?
Could a sleep supplement help reduce chronic pain? Jul 4, 2026 0:44:19 While looking for ways to treat pain in those with musculoskeletal disorders, researchers examined studies in which sleep supplement melatonin had been used. 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 peopl
Should we ban the use of controversial herbicide, paraquat?
Should we ban the use of controversial herbicide, paraquat? Jun 27, 2026 0:42:25 A movement disorder specialist says the APVMA decision on the use of herbicide paraquat ignores evidence of the link with cases of Parkinson's disease.Analysis of patient data shows less than twenty percent of people attend a cardiac rehabilitation program after their hospital stay, despite the fact that it can make a huge difference to health outcomes. There's been a substantial
Bird flu has reached Australia. Now what?
Bird flu has reached Australia. Now what? Jun 22, 2026 0:19:12 The first cases of H5N1 bird flu have been confirmed following the discovery and rescue of a sick bird on a remote beach in Western Australia.Since then more sick birds have been reported, with authorities stressing the safest approach is to take a photo and notify them.While the risk of bird to human transmission is low, there have been almost one thousand cases of H5N1 bird flu
Good and bad news on alcohol and disease risk
Good and bad news on alcohol and disease risk Jun 20, 2026 0:44:11 A new review brings together data from studies worldwide and shows that the impact of alcohol has been underestimated, but that changing drinking habits can reverse and slow down damage.Should gyms turn the volume down on the loud music they play while patrons are working out?The donated brains of Parkinson's patients are analysed, showing that the original clinical diagnoses are

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