Health Report

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
WEHI TrueSat rapid iron test
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

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