Home Podcasts Health Report
Health Report

Health Report

ABC Australia 239 Episodes Oct 31, 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

Does what you eat help manage acne?
Does what you eat help manage acne? Oct 31, 2026 0:46:10 A study using data from the UK Biobank indicates following the Mediterranean diet as a way to prevent acne. Researchers say avoiding entire food groups like dairy is not recommended.A new drug to treat pancreatic cancer can extend survival times significantly, but there are some major barriers to access.A plan to reform study pathways for registered psychologists faces opposition
What should be done about e-scooters and e-bikes?
What should be done about e-scooters and e-bikes? Oct 24, 2026 0:41:11 The first national report on e-scooters and e-devices from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare quantifies the impact of these devices on our community. So what should be done to prevent injuries and deaths?A new study shows people who survive cancer have a build up of plaque in their arteries, and a higher risk of heart disease. But are they being monitored for these r
Menopause guidelines could be a gamechanger
Menopause guidelines could be a gamechanger Oct 17, 2026 0:42:28 New guidelines for clinicians will clarify when to use menopausal hormone therapy over other medicines, and what options are available for those with a history of breast cancer.The author of a study investigating what goes on in the gut microbiome of people who have and are being treated for cancer, says there are some surprising results. Research shows pre-teens who began using
What happens when you don't use BMI to measure obesity?
What happens when you don't use BMI to measure obesity? Oct 10, 2026 0:42:01 Broadening the definition of clinical obesity has lowered its prevalence in children but increased it in mid-life. Researchers hope this will assist clinicians with individualised care and advice for people in larger bodies.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 decrease your ris
Waking up stiff and sore? It could be PMR
Waking up stiff and sore? It could be PMR Oct 3, 2026 0:41:36 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.A health law expert talks through the regulations that may apply to the LillyDirect platform, which now facilitates dispensing of the pharmaceutical company's own GLP1 medicine in Austra
Should weight loss injections be easier to access? 
Should weight loss injections be easier to access?  Sep 26, 2026 0:45:20 After failing to negotiate a way for their weight loss medicine to be listed on the PBS, Eli Lilly has launched an online platform to "facilitate dispensing and delivery of medicines to consumers". It provides a pathway via third party providers that people can use to get prescriptions filled and even home delivery.While diagnoses for adult ADHD are on the rise, we look at medica
Is AHPRA doing enough to curb unsafe prescribing?
Is AHPRA doing enough to curb unsafe prescribing? Sep 19, 2026 0:43:05 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 formal complaint with AHPRA. Rachel hasn't been updated on the status of the complaint.Disrupted sleep during pregnancy and the post partum period can increase the risk of cardiovascul
Why you should speed up your steps, even just in short bursts.
Why you should speed up your steps, even just in short bursts. Sep 12, 2026 0:44:43 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.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.
Validation for people living with chronic pain
Validation for people living with chronic pain Sep 5, 2026 0:45:33 An international study of the genes of 2.5 million people confirms fibromyalgia as a nervous system disorder. A rheumatologist explains the relationship to other disorders including CFS/ME and long COVID.Women of reproductive age are getting iron infusions at an increasingly high rate. What’s causing the numbers to rise so sharply and who is missing out?Cuts to USAID are having b
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

Recommended