Health Report

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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. 

  1. -15 H

    Prescribing exercise for mental health

    Researchers have pin-pointed the best exercise routines for depression or anxiety symptoms, and they might be equal to medication and talk therapy. Also, why states and territories are making changes to their maternity care guidance for doctors.  An update on Alzheimer's disease off the back of important vaccine discoveries. Why the packaging of statins might need an upgrade. And some clarity on beta blockers after a heart attack. Does everyone need to be taking them? References: Valacyclovir Treatment of Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease: The VALAD Randomized Clinical TrialAssessment of adverse effects attributed to statin therapy in product labels: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trialsNutritional deficiencies and muscle loss in adults with type 2 diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonists: A retrospective observational studyEffect of exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms: systematic umbrella review with meta-meta-analysisRespectful Maternity and Newborn Care Frameworkβ blockers after myocardial infarction with mildly reduced ejection fraction: an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsBeta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction in Patients without Heart FailureBeta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction without Reduced Ejection Fraction

    44 min

  2. 6 FÉVR.

    The cost shock of specialist care

    When you pay for private health insurance, you might assume you'll be well covered if you get injured or fall ill.  But a new report has revealed the huge costs that catch people off guard, and sometimes prevent them from receiving care.  Also, a study hints that constant colds in childhood might not be business-as-usual and should be taken more seriously.  And we talk through the Nipah virus outbreak in India, and changes in Victoria to ADHD medication prescribing. References: Nipah and Hendra Viruses: Deadly Zoonotic Paramyxoviruses with the Potential to Cause the Next Pandemic - PMCUrgent ADHD Top-Up Prescriptions Even Easier And CheaperRestoring affordable access to specialist care in AustraliaBurden of Infections in Early Life and Risk of Infections and Systemic Antibiotics Use in Childhood

    43 min

  3. 30 JANV.

    Going to ChatGPT for health advice?

    Many people turning to AI for health advice are doing it for valid reasons — it's cheap, fast and isn't bound by a 15-minute timer.  But the checks and balances companies use to ensure their products are safe, or even accurate, aren't open to public scrutiny. Also on the show, medical abortion is available up to nine weeks in Australia. There's a push to allow access later.  And the much-maligned fat cell gets a look-in from a world-leading expert. References First step towards a national medicines recordNational medicines database promised after telehealth 'doctor-shopping' leads to overdoseUptake of Shingrix vaccine in its first year on the National Immunisation Program: an analysis of Australian Immunisation Register dataCannabis‐based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adultsSafety and efficacy of early medical abortion at home between 10+0 and 11+6 weeks' gestation: a retrospective review

    46 min

  4. 23 JANV.

    What are the benefits of having a dry January?

    If you're having a month off the beers to kick off the year, do you know what a short stretch of sobriety could achieve? Some companies in the United States are even pushing people to trade their alcohol for THC, for "high" January.  Also, there hasn't been a big COVID spike over the holidays, but the flu has been going around.  People aren't accessing palliative care early enough to reap the benefits, but are there enough services to go around? And a study finds women notified of their breast density are often confused and anxious about what to do next.  References: NSW respiratory surveillanceSenior CDC official: Loss of measles elimination status in U.S. would be ‘cost of doing business’Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysisAlcohol consumption and mortality from four alcohol-related cancers in Australia 1950-2018: a time series analysisEarly Palliative Care and Quality of End-of-Life Care for People With Terminal Cancer, Victoria, 2018–2023: A Retrospective, Population-Based Cohort StudyImpact of population based breast density notification: multisite parallel arm randomised controlled trial in BreastScreen

    42 min

  5. 16 JANV.

    Can AI make personalised medicine accessible?

    How far would you go to save your dog? One owner has used ChatGPT and other AI models to find a treatment for his pup's cancer.  Also, we could be missing cases of liver disease because of differences between pathology centres.  The final instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process.  And a look back at the year: does artificial intelligence have a place in your local doctors' office? References What AI scribes can (and can't) do for healthcare - the Health ReportPaul is using AI to fight his dog's incurable cancer - UNSW

    40 min

  6. 9 JANV.

    Walking the Camino with knee osteoarthritis

    People with osteoarthritis used to be told to take it easy and avoid overdoing exercise. But the advice has changed drastically.  Also, should everyone going onto GLP-1 medications for weight loss be screened and monitored for eating disorders?  Another instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process.  And a look back at the year: Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his hyperfixation on autism as an epidemic.  References Trump links paracetamol to autism, urges parents to delay vaccinesThe EPIPHA-KNEE trial: Explaining Pain to target unhelpful pain beliefs to Increase PHysical Activity in KNEE osteoarthritis – a protocol for a multicentre, randomised controlled trial with clinical- and cost-effectiveness analysisManagement of eating disorders for people with higher weight: clinical practice guidelineEating disorder resources: The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 or webchat.Eating Disorders Foundation VictoriaEating Disorders Families Australia — 1300 195 626Professionals Credentialed in Eating DisordersLifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

    39 min

  7. 2 JANV.

    Is Dr Google fuelling your hypochondria?

    Anxiety can manifest in an excessive worry about your health, and it can be debilitating. But there are effective treatments.  Also, antidepressants can be difficult to come off because of the withdrawal symptoms. An expert highlights the need to better educate patients and doctors on deprescribing.  Another instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process.  And a look back at the year: infectious diseases.  References Why the US measles outbreak is so concerningHow Australia's measles vaccine coverage compares to the USAntidepressant prescribing in Australian primary care: time to reevaluateRELEASE information and resourcesHealth anxiety information and workbookHealth anxiety in Australia: prevalence, comorbidity, disability and service use | The British Journal of PsychiatryThe global economic burden of health anxiety/hypochondriasis- a systematic reviewIncrease in the prevalence of health anxiety in medical clinics: Possible cyberchondriaCognitive behavior therapy for health anxiety: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and health economic outcomesA clinician’s quick guide to evidence-based approaches: health anxiety

    40 min

  8. 26/12/2025

    Uncovering the brain circuit for creativity

    There's a paradox in neurodegenerative disease  – sometimes as the brain deteriorates, creativity flourishes. Researchers have used imaging techniques to map creativity in the brains of people with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Also, the exercise program that could change the game for colorectal cancer survivors.  And a look back at the year: GLP-1 medications for weight loss.  References Answering common questions about GLP-1s for weight lossWeight loss drugs could help people with schizophreniaGLP-1s and eating disorders — what are the risks?Structured Exercise after Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer - NEJM Mapping Neuroimaging Findings of Creativity and Brain Disease Onto a Common Brain Circuit

    39 min
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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. 

Informations

  • Création
    ABC
  • Années d’activité
    2005 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    314
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Site web de l’émission
    Health Report

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