Health Report

Latest Episodes:

The 'sweet poison' fructose myth, and outgrowing childhood allergies May 18, 2024

Show notes

Correcting the record on fructose, and new research offers some clues about whose allergies might desist as they grow up.

Also, new insights from a vaccine complication, and the risk of catching a common virus during pregnancy.

Are cows giving us bird flu? And everything we (don't) know about nanoplastics May 11, 2024

Show notes

How bird flu has (probably) gone from cows to humans, as well as the latest on psychedelics for depression and psychotropics in healthcare.

How much time you should spend sitting, standing, moving and sleeping for the optimal 24 hours.

How sexuality might shorten your lifespan. And why the health effects of nanoplastics are so difficult to uncover.

Iron for long-COVID, 'holy grail' flu shots, and prolonged grief disorder May 04, 2024

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Researchers have found a possible link between iron and long-COVID

Each year the flu vaccine is reformulated to target the current strains of influenza A and B that are circulating globally — but what if it didn't need to be?

A new review of Health at Every Size shows that, at least when it comes to measures like cholesterol and blood pressure, it's not enough on its own.

One of the most common interventions for IBS is an elimination diet to try to identify a trigger. But that diet might carry its own risk – of triggering disordered eating – a new study warns.

While grief effects everyone differently, a small group of people can find themselves 'stuck' in intense grief – it's not depression, it's prolonged grief disorder, and it can be treated.

The Health Report mailbag features "stoolgazing" and when to collect your own samples… or not.

You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au

Sports bras support knees, bird flu in milk, and health after prison release Apr 27, 2024

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Avian influenza particles have been detected in US milk supplies, just how concerning is that?

Why are COVID treatment recommendations different depending on what country you're in?

And how much does the average Australian know about preventing dementia?

The latest research on bras and knees. You might not think they have much to do with each other, but it turns out that wearing the right bra might actually reduce a woman's risk of a serious knee injury.

Pregnancy has been linked to accelerated biological ageing — in simple terms, how old your cells are.

And why being released from prison is a health risk.

Cow's milk for babies, therapy for trauma, and lives saved by COVID vaccines Apr 20, 2024

Show notes

Research into the influence of gender on autism spectrum disorder diagnoses.

Calculating how many lives were saved by Australia's Covid-19 vaccine roll-out, and how to spot a fake Dr Karl, or Dr Swan, in the wilds of social media marketing.

A review into how cognitive behavioural therapy can help young people who've experienced trauma.

Recently updated WHO guidelines say babies as young as six months can start drinking cow's milk rather than infant formula, but that contradicts Australia's national guidelines.

And the Federal Government has recently released more funds to build the local bone marrow donor system… but is it enough?

Norman Swan on what is schizophrenia? Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

In light of the Bondi Junction attack, there's been a lot of commentary about mental illness - including schizophrenia.

So what is schizophrenia? While the exact cause isn't known, it's a serious mental illness that can affect how a person behaves.

It might also surprise you to learn that someone with a diagnosis is more likely to be harmed, than to harm others.

On this special episode of Health Report, Dr Norman Swan talks about the medical facts about the disorder, how common it is and some of the successful treatments.

Treating UTIs (without cranberry juice) and re-examining gender care Apr 13, 2024

Show notes

Is a simpler solution to recurrent UTIs on the way? Plus when should you exercise to get the most benefit?

A deep dive into the UK's reviews of gender affirming treatment, and how Australia's system differs.

Researchers say there's more PFAS in our water than previously thought, but how much do we know about the health harms?

And a new way to deliver immunotherapy straight to the source in bladder cancer.

When your private health won't pay, and flu vaccine options Apr 06, 2024

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In health news this week it's cows with bird flu, vaccines for human flu, and GLP-1s for Parkinson's and possibly bowel cancer prevention.

When your private health insurer won't pay, have you read the fine print on your policy lately?

A look at health literacy barriers, when it's not the apple a day keeping some people away from the doctors' office.

How mRNA technology developed during COVID is now being used to target the proteins that cause Alzheimer's and dementia.

And new technology allowing researchers to look beyond standard autopsy results to investigate possible causes of some cases of SIDS.

The bacteria causing bowel cancer, and how to make indoor air safer Mar 30, 2024

Show notes

How changes to codeine access impacted the use of PBS-listed opiods.

Pinpointing particular strains of bacteria that could lead to bowel cancer.

The Australian research that helped change our definition of anaemia.

And why aren't there already strict guidelines on indoor air quality?

ADHD medication a lifesaver? Will cancer treatment damage your ovaries? Mar 23, 2024

Show notes

Three recent scientific papers looking at ADHD treatment and other health outcomes.

Why no one knows what your cancer treatment will do to your ovaries.

In a small US study, brain cancer tumours shrank rapidly in the first few days when treated with chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR, T cells injected into the fluid around the brain.

And suicidal thoughts are more common than researchers expected in people who do not fit with conventional diagnoses of depression or other psychiatric disorders.

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