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.

49m ago

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
Aug 14

BMI fails the test as a predictor of disease risk

A study shows waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) should be included with BMI when assessing patients with abdominal fat for risk of cardiovascular disease. 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 iron deficiencies. We follow up on our earlier story about the lack of access to medical abortion services for women in rural and remote areas. Guest/s Dr Michael Blaha, Professor of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for Cardiovascular DiseaseEmily Eriksson, Senior Research Officer in immunology and infectious diseases, Walter and Eliza Hall InstituteDr Rod Martin, President, Australian College of Rural and Remote MedicineReferences JACC: Risk Reclassification Beyond BMI by Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio Across 9 Cardiovascular Outcomes: Results From the Cross-Cohort CollaborationBMJ: Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021Nature: 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
Aug 7

Kate has a history of anorexia. Why was she prescribed weight loss jabs?

‘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. 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. If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder: Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673National Eating Disorder CollaborationLifeline on 131 114 References AHPRA statement on telehealth providers not screening for eating disordersJAMA Psychiatry: Use and Misuse of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among People With Eating DisordersEpidemiological time trends in acute pancreatitis – A 16-year experience from South AustraliaRise 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
Jul 31

An Alzheimer's blood test is on the way. What could that mean for you?

Clinicians, researchers, government and industry partners have come together in a new arrangement to trial a blood test that uses biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, in the hope it will aid diagnosis. A new vaccine developed to treat the latest outbreak of ebolavirus is already being tested on humans. But the organisation behind it has also invested in three other vaccines, in case the trials aren't successful. Less than one third of general practices provide medical abortion in Australia, with access and support influenced by geographic location and socio-economic status. References Test that could identify signs of Alzheimer's disease 20 years earlier greenlit for trialsCoalition for Epidemic Preparedness InnovationLongitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021Saliva test for endometriosis lacks real-world evidence, Australian experts sayVitamin K Prophylaxis in Newborns and Bleeding in InfancyBlood tests and ultrasounds: Korea is becoming one of the world's global healthcare hubs
Jul 24

When is a child ready for their own smartphone?

A new study looks at the health benefits of holding off on a child's smartphone by one year. Is there a "best" age to let them have their own device? Despite the lack of subsidies for CGM devices that monitor glucose levels for those with type 2 diabetes, research shows continuous glucose monitoring can be beneficial for those living with the condition. There is now clear evidence that having high blood pressure as a child can influence health outcomes later in life. New clinical guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure twice during childhood and adolescence, beginning at age 7. References Smartphone Acquisition and Use at Age 13 Years and Health Outcomes at Age 14 YearsContinuous glucose monitoring versus self-monitoring of blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, multicentre, open-label, superiority trialDiabetes Australia statementAustralian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and AdolescentsUpdate on access to goserelin 3.6 mg implantCost of accessing mental health services for young peopleNew England Journal of Medicine: Meningococcal B Vaccine to Prevent Neisseria gonorrhoeae InfectionMore than 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases reported in 41 states: CDC
Jul 17

What can you really learn from a biological ageing test?

There's a race going on in Silicon Valley to find ways to slow down ageing and monetise longevity. Some of the tools used to measure this are biological age tests that give various health readings. Can you biohack your way to reverse ageing? Parents and caregivers of adolescents can worry about the side effects of taking oral medications for acne. A new study into the use of isotretinoin found no association with reduced adult height. A newly updated human-infective RNA virus dataset may be used to find patterns that help predict what a future virus, or ‘disease x’ might look like. References Four Corners: The Race to Reverse AgingIsotretinoin Treatment in Adolescence and Adult HeightA complete catalogue of human-infective RNA virusesUK begins trials of Ebola vaccine developed in just eight weeksFuture pharmacy: A better deal for patients and taxpayersPete Hegseth announces plan to test US troops for low testosterone
Jul 10

Who should be allowed to prescribe medications?

A review of the evidence for community pharmacist prescribing has reopened the debate about who should be able to prescribe, and a legislative change means some registered nurses with special training will soon be authorised to prescribe a number of medicines on the PBS too. Australia's Health 2026 report shows that dementia has overtaken coronary heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia, and rising obesity rates are a contributor. A new study assessed three parameters in the diets of Swedish participants who were at risk of dementia. Can the quality of your diet really make a difference? A follow up of patients admitted to intensive care units around Australia with sepsis and septic shock, looked at the longer term effects of this life threatening condition. References Community pharmacist prescribing outcomes in Australia and beyondPharmacist prescribing: without evidence, it's the patient who paysRACGP-commissioned review confirms pharmacist prescribing improves access to careNew law gives registered nurses PBS prescribing rights for the first timeSexual orientation and gender identity based disparities in colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening in the United StatesUS study on cancer screening access and what it means for AustraliaUSyd CEC responseAustralian cancer trials are getting worse at reporting sex differences - putting patients at riskAustralia's health 2026 (AIHW)Diet Quality and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With Alzheimer PathologyLong-term survival in patients discharged alive from hospital following an intensive care unit admission with sepsis or septic shock in Australia and New Zealand: an observational cohort study

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Dr. Norman Swan

Host
Dr. Preeya Alexander

Host
Michael Blaha

Guest
Emily Eriksson

Guest
Rod Martin

Guest
Mark Butler

Guest

4.4

out of 5

91 Ratings

A great listen!

09/22/2022

LisaLee3

Just found this podcast and love it. Thank you!
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
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.