Health Report

ABC Australia

4.4 (91)
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.

2d ago

What happens when you don't use BMI to measure obesity?

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 risk of cancer? A new study shows fear related harms like post traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder are the most frequent symptoms experienced by survivors of intimate partner violence involving guns and other weapons. Family and domestic violence support services: If you need help immediately, call emergency services on Triple Zero. Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 8111800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491The Kids Helpline: 24-hour support on 1800 55 1800Lifeline: 131 114 References The Lancet commission definition of clinical obesity: a multi-cohort cross-sectional analysis from early childhood to older age in seven high-income countriesColonoscopy Intervals and Colorectal Cancer Incidence after Adenoma RemovalGun and Other Weapon–Involved Intimate Partner Violence and Psychiatric SymptomsAIHW: Polypharmacy in Australia in 2025BMJ: Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination before pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes: nationwide, populationbased case-control studyABC News: Russia rails against online 'plague' claims, but few in Irkutsk trust authorities
Oct 2

Waking up stiff and sore? It could be PMR

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 Australia. The Fijian government recently declared a national emergency in response to the rising number of HIV cases in the country. How will that help residents who already have HIV to stay healthy, and prevent further transmission? References Weight loss drug will be easier to access as Eli Lilly disrupts the pharmacy modelABC News: Doctors condemn Eli Lilly move to dispense GLP-1 medication Mounjaro direct to door Lilly Australia told ABC News that LillyDirect operates within existing regulatory frameworks and that the service would improve affordability and convenience for Australians. A spokesperson said: "Australian doctors prescribe the medicine, Australian pharmacists review and dispense prescriptions, and Australian healthcare, pharmacy, privacy and regulatory requirements apply at every stage." A systematic review of epidemiological studies into daylight-saving time & health identifying beneficial & adverse effectsTrial of a Maternal Diet Rich in Eggs and Peanuts to Reduce Infant AllergyAstrazeneca to extend PBS access to Zoladex® (goserelin) monthly (3.6mg) implant
Sep 25

Should weight loss injections be easier to access?

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 medications and other treatments for ADHD in children. Emergency room visits and unplanned hospitalisations occur more often for those being cared for in privately run aged care homes. A study investigating the potential link between the use of hormonal contraceptives and colorectal cancer finds using these medications does not affect your chance of getting this type of cancer, nor does it provide protection against the disease. References Lilly Direct consumer press releaseA Randomised Open-Label Comparison of Dexamphetamine and Methylphenidate in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Symptom Response, Adherence and Weight Impact Over 12 MonthsAssociation of long-term care facility ownership and location on residents’ mortality and hospitalisations: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Australia Contemporary hormonal contraception and colorectal cancer in premenopausal women: nationwide cohort studyFijian government declares national HIV emergency as cases soarWHO continues to support Fiji as it declares HIV a national emergencyKeeping HIV under control is increasingly challengingAndrographis removed from listed medicines framework because of allergy risk
Sep 18

Is AHPRA doing enough to curb unsafe prescribing?

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 cardiovascular events for mothers, and it's now understood these risks can be transferred to the baby as well. PBS listings for medications for three separate conditions have run up against President Trump’s most favoured nation pricing policy this year. New research on this policy and its impact shows there will likely be more of these disruptions to come. References Why is it so easy to get weight loss injections, if they could cause you harm?GLP-1 drug prescribed to woman with eating disorder via telehealth sparks calls for regulationThe implications of maternal sleep disruption on cardiovascular adaptations and cardiometabolic outcomesMost-favoured-nation pricing for prescription drugs in US Medicare: a cohort studyBetter transparency and choice in health careMedical Costs FinderBlood test to detect Alzheimer's disease will be trialled in AustraliaSocial Media Claims About Blood Tests for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Content Analysis
Sep 11

Why you should speed up your steps, even just in short bursts.

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. A gene study provides further evidence that cerebral palsy may be a collection of symptoms, rather than a disease and indicates doing a genetic panel early on could improve treatment of affected children. References Combinations of stepping intensity and daily step counts against all-cause and cardiovascular diseasemortality: insights from a device-based prospective studyNovartis announces Lp(a)HORIZON Phase III topline results for pelacarsen in patients with elevated Lp(a) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD)A phenotypic paradigm for cerebral palsy geneticsSalpingectomy for the Prevention of Epithelial Ovarian CancerOvarian cancer doesn't start in the ovariesStudy on degenerative brain disease finds CTE in 31 former rugby league playersBMJ: Prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at death in National Football League players: retrospective population based cohort study, 2008-21Brisbane Coroner's Court: Non inquest findings into the death of Conor Dean
Sep 4

Validation for people living with chronic pain

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 big impacts on spread of HIV in Africa, according to a leading South African expert. What can we learn from their experience about how to manage the growing spread of the disease in Fiji and elsewhere in our region? References Nature Medicine: The genetic architecture of fibromyalgia across 2.5 million individualsIncreasing utilisation of intravenous iron among Australian women of reproductive age, 2013–2024: an Australian population-based studyPacific Beat: Australia boosts Fiji's HIV crisis response with new $8 million fundingMaternal RSVpreF Vaccine Effectiveness Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Hospitalized InfantsNew England Journal of Medicine: Atorvastatin, Cardiovascular Events, and Disability-free Survival in Older AdultsThe BMJ: Measles: CDC refuses to record Pennsylvania fatalities in “measles associated deaths” row
Aug 28

Same work but no training pathway for unaccredited registrars

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 vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer was administered. What's the impact of the research that led to this, from University of Queensland's Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer AC and his colleague Dr Jian Zhou?A Select Committee on Women's Health will look for the first time at post-partum care and pregnancy, amongst other issues that will support women. Submissions close on October 9.Genetic markers for stress have been investigated in donated brain tissue of people with schizophrenia, showing stress genes had been turned on.Two more people have died of measles in the United States References Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 2026-2030 Surgical Pathways StrategyDepartment of Health: Whole of Medical Workforce Supply and Demand StudyAnnual gout flare frequency as a marker of sustained cardiovascular risk: a clinical threshold for risk stratification20 years. Millions of lives saved. One revolutionary vaccineSelect Committee on Women's HealthAssociation Between Age-Dependent DNA Methylation Changes at FKBP5 Enhancer Sites and Increased Cortical Gene Expression in SchizophreniaPennsylvania Department of Health Confirms Two Measles-Associated Deaths
Aug 21

Will this help more men get prostate checkups?

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-orificial dermatitis. We ask a dermatologist about the best way to treat it. References Guidelines for the early detection of prostate cancerLancet Planet Health: Exceeding human heat tolerance in a warming, ageing world: a global projection modelling studyABC Health: People over 60 face heat exposure danger at lower temperatures, study suggestsNational Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insightsWHO Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the CongoTGA flexes its muscle against illegal peptides and steroidsMelanotan II tanning peptide products found to be inconsistently dosed

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Dr. Norman Swan

Host
Dr. Preeya Alexander

Host
Michael Blaha

Guest
Emily Eriksson

Guest
Rod Martin

Guest

4.4

out of 5

91 Ratings

Menopause segment

05/01/2023

nataushka

Completely superficial treatment of the subject. Really worthless. Might as well not have bothered. Also Norman’s comment about husbands not bothering their husbands - really trivializing what is a serious concern for many relationships
A great listen!

09/22/2022

LisaLee3

Just found this podcast and love it. Thank you!
Informative. In depth. Host researches.

10/20/2019

ricstra

This podcast is one of my top three to follow from the many I listen to. Norman Swan knows a lot about health generally and researches episode subjects in depth. The caliber of his guests indicate Swan is respected as an interviewer in health subjects. He keeps the interviews interesting, informative and moving along.
My Favorite Podcast

04/05/2008

jgzm

The Health Report gets into each topic with enough depth to be educational and thought provoking. I regularly find myself printing off the transcripts to share with friends that don't have an Ipod. It's well produced and easy to listen to.