Health Report

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 Strategy
Department of Health: Whole of Medical Workforce Supply and Demand Study
Annual gout flare frequency as a marker of sustained cardiovascular risk: a clinical threshold for risk stratification
20 years. Millions of lives saved. One revolutionary vaccine
Select Committee on Women's Health
Association Between Age-Dependent DNA Methylation Changes at FKBP5 Enhancer Sites and Increased Cortical Gene Expression in Schizophrenia
Pennsylvania Department of Health Confirms Two Measles-Associated Deaths

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 cancer
Lancet Planet Health: Exceeding human heat tolerance in a warming, ageing world: a global projection modelling study
ABC Health: People over 60 face heat exposure danger at lower temperatures, study suggests
National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights
WHO Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the Congo
TGA flexes its muscle against illegal peptides and steroids
Melanotan II tanning peptide products found to be inconsistently dosed

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 Disease
Emily Eriksson, Senior Research Officer in immunology and infectious diseases, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
Dr Rod Martin, President, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
References
JACC: Risk Reclassification Beyond BMI by Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio Across 9 Cardiovascular Outcomes: Results From the Cross-Cohort Collaboration
BMJ: Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021
Nature: First poo transplant to treat food allergy in people has ‘exciting’ results
Eli Lilly CEO still wants deal to bring Mounjaro to Australia under PBS
Trump signs order to reduce childhood vaccines and break up MMR shots

‘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 334 673
National Eating Disorder Collaboration
Lifeline on 131 114  
References
AHPRA statement on telehealth providers not screening for eating disorders
JAMA Psychiatry: Use and Misuse of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among People With Eating Disorders
Epidemiological time trends in acute pancreatitis – A 16-year experience from South Australia
Rise in drug-related deaths and hospitalisations driven by stimulants, annual NDARC reports find
Global Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol—Leveraging Estimation for Action | Cardiology | JAMA | JAMA Network
Laureates of the 2026 L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science International Awards
Vitamin B6: too much, too little, too late? An analysis of salestrends in Australia from 2023 to 2025

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 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