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ABC Australia

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.

Health Report - Full program podcast

Are Australian schoolkids eating too much salt? And does it put them at risk of high blood pressure?

A new approach to breast cancer screening based on risk could reduce the number of screens needed for some women.

There's been a lot of hype around brain training to protect against cognitive decline, but the results haven't always measured up. Now a new long-term study has promising results. 

Plus, navigating the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis -- when can the condition be medically managed and when should you consider surgery?

References:

Impact of cognitive training on claims-based diagnosed dementia over 20 years: evidence from the ACTIVE studyEfficacy and safety of once-daily oral orforglipron compared with oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes (ACHIEVE-3)Risk factors for the development of food allergy in infants and childrenSodium, potassium and blood pressure in Australian schoolchildren: exploring differences by sex and weight status — a cross-sectional studyRisk-Based vs Annual Breast Cancer Screening: The WISDOM Randomized Clinical Trial

Are Australian kids eating too much salt?

We know many people are turning to generative AI for health advice, including tips on how to manage stress, anxiety and low mood. 

When is it safe to turn to a chatbot, and when do you need to see a real human being? And what if you can't afford it?

Also, a home review program that aims to get people off drugs they don't need to be on that might be negatively impacting their lives. 

And good news when it comes to Australia's goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035. 

References:

Uptake and performance of self-collection offered through primary care to all eligible participants in a national cervical screening programme in Australia: a retrospective cohort studyExtended follow-up of invasive cervical cancer risk after quadrivalent HPV vaccination: nationwide, register based studyLeisure-Time Physical Activity and Cancer Mortality Among Cancer SurvivorsInformed use of AI technologies for mental healthAI and mental health in Australia: what needs to happen next - Black Dog InstitutePharmacists call for medicine review program to be expanded - ABC NewsThe effect of deprescribing interventions on mortality and health outcomes in older people: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Can AI chatbots be good therapists?

A paper has suggested exercise has minimal, short-term effects on osteoarthritis. But experts are warning people with the condition that they shouldn't stop moving. 

Also, school kids are being called on to help in the fight against superbugs. A new study shoots down low-dose aspirin for older people wanting to prevent cancer. 

And we take a look at another form of arthritis: gout. It's under-recognised and under-treated, but what can be done about it, and why is it such a complicated story?

References:

Menopausal hormone therapy and long term mortality: nationwide, register based cohort studySixth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health (AURA report)Education and Behaviour Change - The Fleming Initiative's StanceIntermittent fasting for adults with overweight or obesityEffectiveness of exercise therapy for osteoarthritis: an overview of systematic reviews and randomised controlled trialsCancer Incidence and Mortality With Aspirin in Older Adults: Follow-Up of the ASPREE TrialThe effects of daily low-dose aspirin on white matter hyperintensity lesions and retinal vascular calibre in healthy older adults: the ENVIS-ion exploratory neuroimaging substudy of the ASPREE randomised clinical trial • 
Treat-to-Target Urate-Lowering Treatment and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With GoutArthritis Australia gout resourcesGout Medcast resources

Wait, does exercise help osteoarthritis?

Researchers have pin-pointed the best exercise routines for depression or anxiety symptoms, and they might be equal to medication and talk therapy.

Also, why states and territories are making changes to their maternity care guidance for doctors. 

An update on Alzheimer's disease off the back of important vaccine discoveries. Why the packaging of statins might need an upgrade.

And some clarity on beta blockers after a heart attack. Does everyone need to be taking them?

References:

Valacyclovir Treatment of Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease: The VALAD Randomized Clinical TrialAssessment of adverse effects attributed to statin therapy in product labels: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trialsNutritional deficiencies and muscle loss in adults with type 2 diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonists: A retrospective observational studyEffect of exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms: systematic umbrella review with meta-meta-analysisRespectful Maternity and Newborn Care Frameworkβ blockers after myocardial infarction with mildly reduced ejection fraction: an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsBeta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction in Patients without Heart FailureBeta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction without Reduced Ejection Fraction

Prescribing exercise for mental health

When you pay for private health insurance, you might assume you'll be well covered if you get injured or fall ill. 

But a new report has revealed the huge costs that catch people off guard, and sometimes prevent them from receiving care. 

Also, a study hints that constant colds in childhood might not be business-as-usual and should be taken more seriously. 

And we talk through the Nipah virus outbreak in India, and changes in Victoria to ADHD medication prescribing.

References:

Nipah and Hendra Viruses: Deadly Zoonotic Paramyxoviruses with the Potential to Cause the Next Pandemic - PMCUrgent ADHD Top-Up Prescriptions Even Easier And CheaperRestoring affordable access to specialist care in AustraliaBurden of Infections in Early Life and Risk of Infections and Systemic Antibiotics Use in Childhood

The cost shock of specialist care

Many people turning to AI for health advice are doing it for valid reasons — it's cheap, fast and isn't bound by a 15-minute timer. 

But the checks and balances companies use to ensure their products are safe, or even accurate, aren't open to public scrutiny.

Also on the show, medical abortion is available up to nine weeks in Australia. There's a push to allow access later. 

And the much-maligned fat cell gets a look-in from a world-leading expert.

References

First step towards a national medicines recordNational medicines database promised after telehealth 'doctor-shopping' leads to overdoseUptake of Shingrix vaccine in its first year on the National Immunisation Program: an analysis of Australian Immunisation Register dataCannabis‐based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adultsSafety and efficacy of early medical abortion at home between 10+0 and 11+6 weeks' gestation: a retrospective review

Going to ChatGPT for health advice?

If you're having a month off the beers to kick off the year, do you know what a short stretch of sobriety could achieve?

Some companies in the United States are even pushing people to trade their alcohol for THC, for "high" January. 

Also, there hasn't been a big COVID spike over the holidays, but the flu has been going around. 

People aren't accessing palliative care early enough to reap the benefits, but are there enough services to go around?

And a study finds women notified of their breast density are often confused and anxious about what to do next. 

References:

NSW respiratory surveillanceSenior CDC official: Loss of measles elimination status in U.S. would be ‘cost of doing business’Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysisAlcohol consumption and mortality from four alcohol-related cancers in Australia 1950-2018: a time series analysisEarly Palliative Care and Quality of End-of-Life Care for People With Terminal Cancer, Victoria, 2018–2023: A Retrospective, Population-Based Cohort StudyImpact of population based breast density notification: multisite parallel arm randomised controlled trial in BreastScreen

What are the benefits of having a dry January?

How far would you go to save your dog? One owner has used ChatGPT and other AI models to find a treatment for his pup's cancer. 

Also, we could be missing cases of liver disease because of differences between pathology centres. 

The final instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process. 

And a look back at the year: does artificial intelligence have a place in your local doctors' office?

References

What AI scribes can (and can't) do for healthcare - the Health ReportPaul is using AI to fight his dog's incurable cancer - UNSW

Can AI make personalised medicine accessible?

People with osteoarthritis used to be told to take it easy and avoid overdoing exercise. But the advice has changed drastically. 

Also, should everyone going onto GLP-1 medications for weight loss be screened and monitored for eating disorders? 

Another instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process. 

And a look back at the year: Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his hyperfixation on autism as an epidemic. 

References

Trump links paracetamol to autism, urges parents to delay vaccinesThe EPIPHA-KNEE trial: Explaining Pain to target unhelpful pain beliefs to Increase PHysical Activity in KNEE osteoarthritis – a protocol for a multicentre, randomised controlled trial with clinical- and cost-effectiveness analysisManagement of eating disorders for people with higher weight: clinical practice guideline
Eating disorder resources:

The Butterfly Foundation • on 1800 33 4673 or 
webchat • .
Eating Disorders Foundation VictoriaEating Disorders Families Australia • — 1300 195 626
Professionals Credentialed in Eating DisordersLifeline • on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline • on 1800 551 800

Walking the Camino with knee osteoarthritis

Anxiety can manifest in an excessive worry about your health, and it can be debilitating. But there are effective treatments. 

Also, antidepressants can be difficult to come off because of the withdrawal symptoms. An expert highlights the need to better educate patients and doctors on deprescribing. 

Another instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process. 

And a look back at the year: infectious diseases. 

References

Why the US measles outbreak is so concerningHow Australia's measles vaccine coverage compares to the USAntidepressant prescribing in Australian primary care: time to reevaluateRELEASE information and resourcesHealth anxiety information and workbookHealth anxiety in Australia: prevalence, comorbidity, disability and service use | The British Journal of PsychiatryThe global economic burden of health anxiety/hypochondriasis- a systematic reviewIncrease in the prevalence of health anxiety in medical clinics: Possible cyberchondriaCognitive behavior therapy for health anxiety: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and health economic outcomesA clinician’s quick guide to evidence-based approaches: health anxiety

The cost shock of specialist care

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