Health Report - Separate stories podcast

ABC Australia
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

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. 6d ago

    Poo transplant shows promise as treatment for peanut allergy

    In the news: In a small study, participants with a peanut allergy swallowed capsules containing treated faecal matter, and tried a dose of peanut four months later. Some were able to tolerate the peanut without a reaction.CEO of Eli Lilly discusses barriers to getting their GLP-1 agonist medication listed on the PBS, and questions the veracity of the process for getting the most up to date medications to Australian patients.The President of the United States signed an executive order changing the childhood vaccine schedule, making a link to autism, despite evidence to the contrary.References Nature: First poo transplant to treat food allergy in people has ‘exciting’ resultsEli Lilly CEO still wants deal to bring Mounjaro to Australia under PBSTrump signs order to reduce childhood vaccines and break up MMR shots

  2. 6d ago

    BMI alone not the best way to assess cardiovascular risk

    It’s been known for some time that the body mass index (BMI) has some limitations. A new study from Johns Hopkins University shows waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) should be included when assessing patients with abdominal fat for risk of cardiovascular disease. Guest/s Dr Michael Blaha, Professor of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for Cardiovascular DiseaseReferences JACC: Risk Reclassification Beyond BMI by Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio Across 9 Cardiovascular Outcomes: Results From the Cross-Cohort Collaboration

  3. 6d ago

    Could this test for iron levels be a gamechanger?

    Iron deficiency is one of the world’s most common nutritional disorders, affecting millions of women and children globally. The way we test for it now is time consuming, expensive and inaccessible for many. 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 deficiencies. Guest/s Emily Eriksson, Senior Research Officer in immunology and infectious diseases, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute References Rapid test breakthrough could transform iron treatment worldwide

  4. 6d ago

    Improving access to medical abortion in rural and remote areas

    A recent study shows a lack of access to medical abortion care for women living in rural and remote areas, as discussed in our earlier story, Access to medical abortion still lacking. We followed up with the college that upholds best practice in rural and remote care, to see how this is being addressed. Guest/s Dr Rod Martin, President, Australian College of Rural and Remote MedicineReferences BMJ: Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021

  5. 6d ago

    Mailbag: GLP1s and eating disorders

    A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au Pregnancy choices Tasmania

  6. Aug 7

    Stimulant use driving hospitalisations and overdose deaths

    In the news: An increase in hospitalisations and overdose deaths is being driven by use of methamphetamine, cocaine and stimulant medications, particularly in men.A study looking at the global burden of disease from Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol shows the impact of LDL is falling in rich countries but going up in poorer countries.Pioneer of nutritional psychiatry, Professor Felice Jacka has been awarded a prestigious prize for her work.Vitamin B6 supplements are still being widely purchased, despite warnings of potential side effects. Does the TGA need to be acting more quickly to crack down on manufacturers?Guest Deakin Distinguished Professor Felice Jacka OAM, Director, Food & Mood Centre, Deakin UniversityReferences Rise in drug-related deaths and hospitalisations driven by stimulants, annual NDARC reports findGlobal Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol—Leveraging Estimation for Action | Cardiology | JAMA | JAMA NetworkLaureates of the 2026 L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science International AwardsVitamin B6: too much, too little, too late? An analysis of salestrends in Australia from 2023 to 2025

  7. Aug 7

    Why is it so easy to get weight loss injections, if they could cause you harm?

    ‘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.  She says it was “criminally easy” and is speaking out to protect others.  While Australian data on this issue is not yet published, a study from the United States shows a person with an eating disorder is twice as likely as someone without one, to access GLP1s for weight loss. According to their data, one in five people with eating disorders in the study were currently using them.  An Australian clinical psychologist and expert says awareness of the need for eating disorder screening amongst general practitioners is patchy and that more needs to be done to educate about the risks of prescribing weight loss injections to patients. If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder:  Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673National Eating Disorder CollaborationLifeline on 131 114  Guest/s ‘Kate’ person with lived experience of anorexia nervosa  Dr Cheri Levinson, Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville and Director of the Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT) labDr Nicholas Peiper, Professor, Epidemiology & Population Health, and  Chief Scientist, Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT) Laboratory, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of LouisvilleDr Sarah Trobe, clinical psychologist and National Director of the National Eating Disorder Collaboration (NEDC)  References AHPRA statement on Telehealth providersJAMA Psychiatry: Use and Misuse of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among People With Eating Disorders

  8. Aug 7

    Acute pancreatitis is becoming more common in younger people

    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 results with an increased incidence in young people, women and those from a higher socio-economic background. Guest/s George Baretto, Professor of Surgery, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University References Epidemiological time trends in acute pancreatitis – A 16-year experience from South Australia

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About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    ABC Australia
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    Health Report - Separate stories podcast

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