The Meaning of Health Podcast

Meaning of Health
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A podcast that explores a range of health and health-related issues that affect people in the community. We sit down with lived experience, academic, and practitioner experts to take a deep dive into many different areas of health. We are based at the School of Population and Global Health at the University of Western Australia. www.meaningofhealth.com.au

  1. 6d ago

    Ep 154 - How Lived Experience Expertise Can Improve Mental Health with Lyn Mahboub

    In this episode, Craig is joined by Lyn Mahboub, who has worked in the lived experience space for around 22 years. Lyn came to this work through her own experiences of mental distress and substance use, and a desire to change the system after her encounters with it. Among many roles, she co-chaired the lived experience advisory group during the development of WA’s Mental Health Act 2014. Lyn describes lived experience work as a social justice discipline with roots in the civil rights movement, and the principles that guide WA’s lived experience peer workforce framework. Craig and Lyn discuss the shift from representation to genuine leadership, siloed and service-centric systems, the “gaps” people are pushed into between mental health and alcohol and other drug services, and the social determinants of distress, including housing as suicide prevention. They also unpack the term “serious mental illness”, explore alternative ways of understanding distress such as the Hearing Voices approach, the Power Threat Meaning Framework and Open Dialogue, and consider informed choice around neuroleptics. Lyn closes with a simple message for the community: listen without fixing. You can see more about Lyn’s academic work here: https://profiles.curtin.edu.au/2450-lyn-mahboub You can read more about Open Dialogue here: https://www.rethink.org/news-and-stories/commonly-asked-mental-health-questions/what/what-is-the-open-dialogue-approach-in-mental-health/ Consumers of Mental Health WA also have a number of resources worth looking at: https://comhwa.org.au/ Connect With Us Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you! Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram: @healthmeanswhat Facebook: @MeaningofHealth Website: meaningofhealth.com.au This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.meaningofhealth.com.au

    Ep 154 - How Lived Experience Expertise Can Improve Mental Health with Lyn Mahboub

  2. Sep 25

    Ep 153 - Equitable Access and the ZOLADEX Crisis with Dr Monica Tang & Prof Sallie Pearson

    In this episode of The Meaning of Health, Dr. Craig Cumming, Dr. Monica Tang and Prof. Sallie Pearson explore the recent market withdrawal and subsequent reinstatement of ZOLADEX (goserelin) in Australia. Together, they dissect the gender equity disparities exposed by pharmaceutical market decisions, the systemic underrepresentation of women in clinical trials, and the proactive steps Australia’s health system must take to safeguard equitable access to essential medicines. Guest Information * Dr. Monica Tang is a Medical Oncologist at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, specialising in breast cancer treatment. She also leads the hospital’s Cancer Survivorship Service, focusing on long-term care and outcomes for cancer patients. * Professor Sallie Pearson is a Health Systems Researcher and Pharmacoepidemiologist at UNSW Sydney. She is dedicated to driving research that ensures the safe, effective, and equitable access to medicines across Australia and internationally. Key Takeaways * Gender Disparities in Drug Access: ZOLADEX (goserelin) is a critical hormone therapy used across prostate cancer, premenopausal breast cancer, and fertility preservation. When AstraZeneca removed the drug from the Australian market and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), it created a stark equity issue. * Representation Gaps in Clinical Research: Younger women of childbearing age and pregnant women are routinely excluded from major clinical trials due to fertility and safety uncertainties. Because PBAC listing decisions rely heavily on trial data, these exclusions lead to extrapolations that may fail to support optimal real-world access and outcomes for female populations. * Shifting Toward Inclusive Trial Frameworks: While safety concerns historically justified excluding pregnant and childbearing-aged women from research, national frameworks like the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research are actively working toward safe, inclusive methodologies to fill these critical data gaps. * Addressing Systemic PBS Vulnerabilities: Australia’s PBS operates reactively, depending on pharmaceutical sponsors to apply for listings. To protect patients from unexpected supply disruptions, government bodies must proactively anticipate shortfalls, scout alternative therapies, and secure safeguards before withdrawals occur. * Data-Driven Policy via Medicines Intelligence: Leveraging real-world data is essential for rapid government action. Collaborations between policymakers and research hubs—such as the Centre for Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence—enable monthly evidence updates to the PBAC, helping quantify impacted populations and guide timely funding decisions. Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode * Medicines Intelligence Center of Research Excellence (MI-CRE) * Health Technology Assessment Policy and Methods Review Connect With Us Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you! Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram: @healthmeanswhat Facebook: @MeaningofHealth Website: meaningofhealth.com.au This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.meaningofhealth.com.au

    Ep 153 - Equitable Access and the ZOLADEX Crisis with Dr Monica Tang & Prof Sallie Pearson

  3. Sep 18

    Ep 152 – Older Adult Abuse w Dr Catriona Turnbull

    In this episode of The Meaning of Health, host Dorinda’t Hart is joined by Dr Catriona Turnbull from Edith Cowan University (ECU) as they return to the aged care series. Dr Turnbull discusses her work in the Social Ageing Futures Lab and introduces her current project, SOMA (Safety for Older Migrants Facing Mistreatment and Abuse). The conversation explores the intersection of older adult abuse and migration, the challenges faced by transnational families, the systemic and societal drivers of elder abuse, and the critical need to address ageism and social inequities. Guest Information Dr Cationa Turnbull is a sociologist and anthropologist working in the Social Ageing Futures Lab at Edith Cowan University. Specialising in the sociology of migration, transnational families, and older adult abuse, her research focuses on improving safety and care systems for older migrants in Australia. Key Takeaways * High Prevalence & Low Recognition: Approximately 1 in 6 older adults globally and in Australia experience some form of abuse annually. Despite how widespread it is, elder abuse remains one of the least understood forms of family violence, and older adults themselves are often the least likely cohort to recognise mistreatment. * Root Causes & Systemic Solutions: Addressing elder abuse requires tackling broader societal pressures, such as cost-of-living stress and social inequities, rather than placing the burden of protection on older adults. Long-term solutions demand primary prevention, shifting public perception away from seeing ageing as a burden, and sustaining awareness year-round. Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode * National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study (2021) * SOMA Project (Safety for Older Migrants Facing Mistreatment and Abuse) * Social Ageing (SAGE) Futures Lab at ECU * Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) * Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse WA (APEA:WA) Connect With Us Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you! * Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com * Instagram: @healthmeanswhat * Facebook: @MeaningofHealth * Website: meaningofhealth.com.au This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.meaningofhealth.com.au

    Ep 152 – Older Adult Abuse w Dr Catriona Turnbull

  4. Aug 28

    Episode 151 - Hypertension and Research Leadership w Dr Niamh Chapman

    In this episode of The Meaning of Health, Dr. Ingrid Stacey and Dr. Courtney Weber explore the prevention, detection, and management of high blood pressure. They are joined by Dr. Niamh Chapman, a Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney. They discuss the global burden of hypertension and why current healthcare models struggle to detect and treat it effectively. The conversation also offers practical advice for early-career researchers on navigating academic funding, building sustainable research capacity, and driving systemic change. Guest Information Dr Niamh Chapman is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow, and Churchill Fellow. Dr. Chapman is a public health and cardiovascular researcher specialising in hypertension implementation, community engagement, and regional health interventions. Key takeaways * The silent killer: Hypertension affects approximately 1 in 3 Australian adults. Because it lacks obvious symptoms, it often goes undetected until significant cardiovascular or organ damage occurs. * Early detection matters: High blood pressure between the ages of 35 and 55 is strongly linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. We need to normalise going for routine monitoring over the age of 30. * Simplifying Care Protocols: Standardising treatment into structured, step-by-step algorithms (such as the WHO HEARTS program) reduces decision fatigue for healthcare providers and improves patient management. * Adapting for Remote Care: The OzHearts initiative adapts international models to regional, rural, and remote Australian contexts through home monitoring, nurse-led clinics, and telehealth. Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode * WHO HEARTS Technical Package for Cardiovascular Disease Management * The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (Churchill Fellowships) * Blood Pressure (BP) Toolkit Project Connect With Us Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you! Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram: @healthmeanswhat Facebook: @MeaningofHealth Website: meaningofhealth.com.au This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.meaningofhealth.com.au

    Episode 151 - Hypertension and Research Leadership w Dr Niamh Chapman

  5. Aug 23

    Episode 150 – Grow Your Own Intelligence Part 2: Biological Computers

    We continue our celebration of National Science Week with Grow Your Own Intelligence: part 2. Craig and Courtney chat to Chief Scientific Officer Dr Brett Kagan from CorticalLabs about combining human cells and computers to create the ultimate brain-powered external intelligence. You can find out more about Cortical Labs here: https://corticallabs.com/ Connect With Us Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you! Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram: @healthmeanswhat Facebook: @MeaningofHealth Website: meaningofhealth.com.au This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.meaningofhealth.com.au

    Episode 150 – Grow Your Own Intelligence Part 2: Biological Computers

  6. Aug 23

    Episode 149 – Grow Your Own Intelligence Part 1: Revivification

    We celebrate National Science Week with a 2-part series: Grow Your Own Intelligence. First up in part 1, Craig, Courtney and Rami chat with the artists and scientists behind Revivification: * Guy Ben-ary * Nathan Thompson * Stuart Hodgetts You can read more about Revivification here: https://guybenary.com/projects/revivification.html And see some of the brain organoids on our instagram. You can also go see their show in Melbourne as part as the No or Never Festival - (opening on the 21st of August): https://nowornever.melbourne.vic.gov.au/event/revivification Connect With Us Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you! Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram: @healthmeanswhat Facebook: @MeaningofHealth Website: meaningofhealth.com.au This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.meaningofhealth.com.au

    Episode 149 – Grow Your Own Intelligence Part 1: Revivification

  7. Aug 7

    Episode 148 - Beyond Vaccines w Prof Asha Bowen, Dr Lorraine Anderson & Dr Caitlin White

    In this 2-part episode of The Meaning of Health, Dr Ingrid Stacey and Leah Roberts explore the current diphtheria outbreak in Australia and its impact on Aboriginal communities. * Part 1 (with Prof Asha Bowen): Examines the underlying social determinants driving the resurgence of diphtheria, the critical link between environment and skin disease, and the structural barriers facing community-led solutions. The discussion dives into the dangers of healthcare normalisation of skin sores and inputs into how government fundings can be better deployed for sustainable health benefits. * Part 2 (with Dr Lorraine Anderson and Dr Caitlin White): Focuses on the importance of community-led responses and the need for long-term strategies addressing housing and environmental health. The conversation highlights how culturally safe care and local Aboriginal leadership are fundamental to effective public health outcomes. Guest Information * Prof Asha Bowen: Clinician-scientist, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at Perth Children’s Hospital, and Head of Skin Health at Telethon Kids Institute / Kids Research Institute Australia. * Dr Lorraine Anderson: Medical Director at Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) and experienced general practitioner dedicated to Aboriginal primary health care in the Kimberley. * Dr Caitlin White: Public Health Medical Officer at the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) and expert in clinical and public health priorities. Key Takeaways * The Current Landscape: Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease currently affecting remote Aboriginal communities in Australia. * Vaccines Alone Are Not Enough: Strong vaccine uptake exists in Aboriginal communities; however, the resurgence of diphtheria is driven by the social determinants of health and living environments that enable transmission. * Community Leadership Is Key: Community-led health services and Aboriginal leadership are essential for delivering effective, trusted public health responses. * Overcoming Healthcare Normalisation: Skin sores in children have become so common in clinical settings that they are frequently normalized and overlooked by healthcare workers rather than treated as a critical public health priority. * Collaborative Efforts: Strong partnerships between government bodies and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) ensure better, more coordinated care. Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode Deep‑rooted inequalities are driving the latest diphtheria outbreak. But we can fix them. AHCWA COVID-19 Response Review Environmental Health Model of Care Report ACCHS Clinician Handbook Connect With Us Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you! Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram: @healthmeanswhat Facebook: @MeaningofHealth Website: meaningofhealth.com.au This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.meaningofhealth.com.au

  8. May 22

    Ep 147 - Dental Public Health w/Dr Mohammed Junaid

    Ingrid and Craig chat with Dr Mohammed Junaid from the UWA Dental School and Oral Health Centre of Western Australia. Junaid is a practicing public health dentist, lecturer and researcher, who trained in India and obtained professional qualifications from Royal Colleges of Glasgow and England before completing his PhD at UWA. As part of his role, he organises the Clinics to Communities program in Perth. His previous clinical work has seen him travel different regions in India. Junaid discusses the importance of oral health, and the impact it can have on other aspects of a person’s life if it is not taken care of. He also talks through his philosophy of treating the person rather than just their teeth, as many people have a range of life challenges that impact on their oral health, and need to be understood before helping them make decisions about their oral health care. Junaid also shares his thoughts on the oral health system generally in Australia, and challenges created by funding and resourcing issues, in part due to the fact that oral health care is not funded by Medicare for a majority of Australians. You can read more about Junaid and his work here: https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/mohammed-junaid-2/ As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.meaningofhealth.com.au

    Ep 147 - Dental Public Health w/Dr Mohammed Junaid
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A podcast that explores a range of health and health-related issues that affect people in the community. We sit down with lived experience, academic, and practitioner experts to take a deep dive into many different areas of health. We are based at the School of Population and Global Health at the University of Western Australia. www.meaningofhealth.com.au

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