Health Report - Separate stories podcast

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MEDICINE
UPDATED WEEKLY

Specialist and mainstream audiences alike rely on the Health Report to bring clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.

4 DAYS AGO

What's your sports bra got to do with your knees?

Bras might seem unrelated to knee injuries, but research suggests otherwise. Women are significantly more prone to tearing their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and wearing the right bra could help reduce this risk. It's a good thing because knee injuries can have devastating consequences for women's health and mobility. And why vaping become one of the biggest health issues of 2024.

37 min
3 JAN

Why aren't kids getting the food they need at childcare?

The first 2,000 days of life are crucial for brain development. Children learn and grow more during this time than at any other point in their lives. However, research shows many childcare centres are failing to provide proper nutrition: children are going hungry, and meals often don't meet basic dietary standards. Experts are calling for better food support in disadvantaged areas and improved nutritional guidelines for early childhood centres to help children get the nourishment they need.

40 min
27/12/2024

Could a bacterial strain spark bowel cancer?

Scientists are increasingly concerned about the rising incidence of colorectal cancer among younger populations, and emerging research points to the gut microbiome as a key factor in understanding this trend. A study from the University of Melbourne uncovered a specific bacterial strain that can cause DNA damage, potentially triggering the development of colorectal cancer. References: Intratumoral presence of the genotoxic gut bacteria pks+ E. coli, Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum and their association with clinicopathological and molecular features of colorectal cancer

40 min
20/12/2024

Should you exercise more or get surgery for knee pain?

Many individuals with knee osteoarthritis are being subjected to unnecessary tests and procedures, even though exercise is often the most effective treatment. New clinical care guidelines have been introduced, highlighting the importance of non-surgical approaches to manage pain and improve mobility. And do you ever worry you spend too much time sitting around? Well now you can find out. An international team of researchers has unpacked how long you should sit, stand, sleep and exercise for optimal health.  References: Osteoarthritis of the Knee Clinical Care Standard Associations of 24 h time-use compositions of sitting, standing, physical activity and sleeping with optimal cardiometabolic risk and glycaemic control: The Maastricht Study

38 min
13/12/2024

Undiagnosed disease in DR Congo — what could it be?

More than 400 people have come down with a unidentified disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed teams to identify the cause of the outbreak, which is largely affecting children under five years of age. Also, a COVID-19 vaccine that tackles new variants. And overweight and obesity overtakes tobacco as the leading risk factor contributing to burden of disease. References Undiagnosed disease - Democratic Republic of the Congo Initial samples in DR Congo unexplained outbreak positive for malaria mRNA vaccines encoding membrane-anchored RBDs of SARS-CoV-2 mutants induce strong humoral responses and can overcome immune imprinting Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 - interactive data on risk factor burden

10 min
13/12/2024

Direct-to-consumer tests could do more harm than good

More and more medical tests are being marketed direct to consumers. These range from STI tests to multicancer detection tests. There are concerns these tests aren’t reliable, and could either give people false confidence, or a false positive. Experts think current regulatory frameworks have failed to keep up with the phenomenon of at-home testing. Guest/s Dr Patti Shih, Australian Centre for Health Engagement Evidence & Values at the University of Wollongong References Direct-to-consumer tests: emerging trends are cause for concern

7 min
13/12/2024

Investigating the environmental triggers for motor neurone disease

The number of Australians diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) has increased over the past 40 years. But only 10 per cent of cases have a clear genetic cause. Scientists have been investigating the possible environmental triggers for sporadic MND. Their focus? Pesticides, metals and a neurotoxin produced by blue-green algae. Guest/s Tracy Ellis Professor Dominic Rowe, neurologist at Macquarie University Professor Ken Rodgers, neurotoxicology at the University of Technology Sydney References Synthesis of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom knowledge and analysis of recent trends in the Murray-Darling Basin Prevalence of β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) and its isomers in freshwater cyanobacteria isolated from eastern Australia Occupational Exposures to Pesticides and Other Chemicals: a New Zealand Motor Neurone Disease Case-Control Study Exposure to environmental toxins and the risk of sporadic motor neuron disease: an expanded Australian case-control study Macquarie University Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre Australian-first MND map awarded $1m government grant

12 min
13/12/2024

Is steroid use changing how we view ourselves?

The third most commonly injected illegal drug in Australia is performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs). Steroids and other PIEDs have long been the 'open' secret behind the muscled superheroes of Hollywood. With an increasing number of Australians taking them, experts are warning that these drugs aren't without health risks. Guest/s Dr Timothy Piatkowski, harm reduction researcher at Griffith University Dr Scott Griffiths, leads the Physical Appearance Research Team at University of Melbourne References The global epidemiology of anabolic-androgenic steroid use: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Change in sociocultural ideal male physique: An examination of past and present action figures "They sent it away for testing and it was all bunk": Exploring perspectives on drug checking among steroid consumers in Queensland, Australia

10 min

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Specialist and mainstream audiences alike rely on the Health Report to bring clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.