Health Report

Clinicians, researchers, government and industry partners have come together in a new arrangement to trial a blood test that uses biomarkers for the 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 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 trials
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation
Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021
Saliva test for endometriosis lacks real-world evidence, Australian experts say
Vitamin K Prophylaxis in Newborns and Bleeding in Infancy
Blood tests and ultrasounds: Korea is becoming one of the world's global healthcare hubs

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 Years
Continuous glucose monitoring versus self-monitoring of blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, multicentre, open-label, superiority trial
Diabetes Australia statement
Australian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents
Update on access to goserelin 3.6 mg implant
Cost of accessing mental health services for young people
New England Journal of Medicine: Meningococcal B Vaccine to Prevent Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection
More than 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases reported in 41 states: CDC

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 Aging
Isotretinoin Treatment in Adolescence and Adult Height
A complete catalogue of human-infective RNA viruses
UK begins trials of Ebola vaccine developed in just eight weeks
Future pharmacy: A better deal for patients and taxpayers
Pete Hegseth announces plan to test US troops for low testosterone

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 beyond
Pharmacist prescribing: without evidence, it's the patient who pays
RACGP-commissioned review confirms pharmacist prescribing improves access to care
New law gives registered nurses PBS prescribing rights for the first time
Sexual orientation and gender identity based disparities in colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening in the United States
US study on cancer screening access and what it means for AustraliaUSyd CEC response
Australian cancer trials are getting worse at reporting sex differences - putting patients at risk
Australia's health 2026 (AIHW)
Diet Quality and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With Alzheimer Pathology
Long-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

While looking for ways to treat pain in those with musculoskeletal disorders, researchers examined studies in which sleep supplement melatonin had been used. 
A study into the behaviour of immune cells in coeliac disease patients showed surprising results. Instead of being overactive, T cells in coeliac disease were subdued, and didn't survive as long as T cells from healthy people. 
Spinal stimulators have been in use for many years, but the evidence for their benefit, or otherwise has been unclear until now.
References
Efficacy and effectiveness of melatonin for the management of musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo and active controlled trials
Functional immune profiling reveals CD4+ T cell dysregulation in coeliac disease (Immunology and Cell Biology, 2026)
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation plus locomotor training versus sham-stimulation plus locomotor training in chronic spinal cord injury (eWALK): a multicentre, triple-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial
The little-known cause of heart attack in young women
Worsening Asthma Outcomes in Australian Adults: A Comparison of Stratified Sample Surveys in 2012 and 2021
Most Australians unaware of 'black triangle' medicine side effects reporting scheme: study
New pneumococcal vaccine for adults on the NIP
Statement from Invidior on removal of Sublocade from Australian market