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Health Report

ABC Australia
Health Report
Latest episode

969 episodes

  • Health Report

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

    09/10/2026 | 42 mins.
    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 811 811
    1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732
    Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491
    The Kids Helpline: 24-hour support on 1800 55 1800
    Lifeline: 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 countries
    Colonoscopy Intervals and Colorectal Cancer Incidence after Adenoma Removal
    Gun and Other Weapon–Involved Intimate Partner Violence and Psychiatric Symptoms
    AIHW: Polypharmacy in Australia in 2025
    BMJ: Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination before pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes: nationwide, populationbased case-control study
    ABC News: Russia rails against online 'plague' claims, but few in Irkutsk trust authorities
  • Health Report

    Waking up stiff and sore? It could be PMR

    02/10/2026 | 41 mins.
    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 model
    ABC 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 effects
    Trial of a Maternal Diet Rich in Eggs and Peanuts to Reduce Infant Allergy
    Astrazeneca to extend PBS access to Zoladex® (goserelin) monthly (3.6mg) implant
  • Health Report

    Should weight loss injections be easier to access?

    25/09/2026 | 45 mins.
    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 release
    A Randomised Open-Label Comparison of Dexamphetamine and Methylphenidate in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Symptom Response, Adherence and Weight Impact Over 12 Months
    Association 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 study
    Fijian government declares national HIV emergency as cases soar
    WHO continues to support Fiji as it declares HIV a national emergency
    Keeping HIV under control is increasingly challenging
    Andrographis removed from listed medicines framework because of allergy risk
  • Health Report

    Is AHPRA doing enough to curb unsafe prescribing?

    18/09/2026 | 43 mins.
    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 regulation
    The implications of maternal sleep disruption on cardiovascular adaptations and cardiometabolic outcomes
    Most-favoured-nation pricing for prescription drugs in US Medicare: a cohort study
    Better transparency and choice in health care
    Medical Costs Finder
    Blood test to detect Alzheimer's disease will be trialled in Australia
    Social Media Claims About Blood Tests for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Content Analysis
  • Health Report

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

    11/09/2026 | 44 mins.
    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 study
    Novartis 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 genetics
    Salpingectomy for the Prevention of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
    Ovarian cancer doesn't start in the ovaries
    Study on degenerative brain disease finds CTE in 31 former rugby league players
    BMJ: Prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at death in National Football League players: retrospective population based cohort study, 2008-21
    Brisbane Coroner's Court: Non inquest findings into the death of Conor Dean
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About Health Report
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.
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