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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

Rachel has lived experience of an eating disorder and came across ads for a telehealth weight loss company on a podcast. The ads continue in their podcast feed, more than a year after they lodged a formal complaint with AHPRA. Rachel hasn't been updated on the status of the complaint.

Disrupted sleep during pregnancy and the post partum period can increase the risk of cardiovascular events for mothers, and it's now understood these risks can be transferred to the baby as well.

PBS listings for medications for three separate conditions have run up against President Trump’s most favoured nation pricing policy this year. New research on this policy and its impact shows there will likely be more of these disruptions to come.

References

Why is it so easy to get weight loss injections, if they could cause you harm?GLP-1 drug prescribed to woman with eating disorder via telehealth sparks calls for regulationThe implications of maternal sleep disruption on cardiovascular adaptations and cardiometabolic outcomesMost-favoured-nation pricing for prescription drugs in US Medicare: a cohort studyBetter transparency and choice in health careMedical Costs FinderBlood test to detect Alzheimer's disease will be trialled in AustraliaSocial Media Claims About Blood Tests for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Content Analysis

Is AHPRA doing enough to curb unsafe prescribing?

A study looking at step intensity and step count provides helpful advice for those who are limited in their time and ability to increase the number of steps and their pace.

The pharmaceutical company closest to getting a drug to market to reduce Lipoprotein (a) levels announced that while it reduces levels of these molecules, that didn’t translate into fewer cardiovascular events. 

A gene study provides further evidence that cerebral palsy may be a collection of symptoms, rather than a disease and indicates doing a genetic panel early on could improve treatment of affected children.

References

Combinations of stepping intensity and daily step counts against all-cause and cardiovascular diseasemortality: insights from a device-based prospective studyNovartis announces Lp(a)HORIZON Phase III topline results for pelacarsen in patients with elevated Lp(a) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD)A phenotypic paradigm for cerebral palsy geneticsSalpingectomy for the Prevention of Epithelial Ovarian CancerOvarian cancer doesn't start in the ovariesStudy on degenerative brain disease finds CTE in 31 former rugby league playersBMJ: Prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at death in National Football League players: retrospective population based cohort study, 2008-21Brisbane Coroner's Court: Non inquest findings into the death of Conor Dean

Why you should speed up your steps, even just in short bursts.

An international study of the genes of 2.5 million people confirms fibromyalgia as a nervous system disorder. A rheumatologist explains the relationship to other disorders including CFS/ME and long COVID.

Women of reproductive age are getting iron infusions at an increasingly high rate. What’s causing the numbers to rise so sharply and who is missing out?

Cuts to USAID are having big impacts on spread of HIV in Africa, according to a leading South African expert. What can we learn from their experience about how to manage the growing spread of the disease in Fiji and elsewhere in our region?

References

 • Nature Medicine: 
The genetic architecture of fibromyalgia across 2.5 million individualsIncreasing utilisation of intravenous iron among Australian women of reproductive age, 2013–2024: an Australian population-based study • Pacific Beat: 
Australia boosts Fiji's HIV crisis response with new $8 million fundingMaternal RSVpreF Vaccine Effectiveness Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Hospitalized InfantsNew England Journal of Medicine: Atorvastatin, Cardiovascular Events, and Disability-free Survival in Older AdultsThe BMJ: Measles: CDC refuses to record Pennsylvania fatalities in “measles associated deaths” row

Validation for people living with chronic pain

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 StudyAnnual gout flare frequency as a marker of sustained cardiovascular risk: a clinical threshold for risk stratification20 years. Millions of lives saved. One revolutionary vaccineSelect Committee on Women's HealthAssociation Between Age-Dependent DNA Methylation Changes at FKBP5 Enhancer Sites and Increased Cortical Gene Expression in SchizophreniaPennsylvania Department of Health Confirms Two Measles-Associated Deaths

Same work but no training pathway for unaccredited registrars

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 cancerLancet Planet Health: Exceeding human heat tolerance in a warming, ageing world: a global projection modelling studyABC Health: People over 60 face heat exposure danger at lower temperatures, study suggestsNational Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insightsWHO Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the CongoTGA flexes its muscle against illegal peptides and steroidsMelanotan II tanning peptide products found to be inconsistently dosed

Will this help more men get prostate checkups?

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 2021Nature: First poo transplant to treat food allergy in people has ‘exciting’ resultsEli Lilly CEO still wants deal to bring Mounjaro to Australia under PBSTrump signs order to reduce childhood vaccines and break up MMR shots

BMI fails the test as a predictor of disease risk

‘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 CollaborationLifeline • 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 DisordersEpidemiological time trends in acute pancreatitis – A 16-year experience from South AustraliaRise in drug-related deaths and hospitalisations driven by stimulants, annual NDARC reports findGlobal Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol—Leveraging Estimation for Action | Cardiology | JAMA | JAMA NetworkLaureates of the 2026 L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science International AwardsVitamin B6: too much, too little, too late? An analysis of salestrends in Australia from 2023 to 2025

Kate has a history of anorexia. Why was she prescribed weight loss jabs?

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 trialsCoalition for Epidemic Preparedness InnovationLongitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021Saliva test for endometriosis lacks real-world evidence, Australian experts sayVitamin K Prophylaxis in Newborns and Bleeding in InfancyBlood tests and ultrasounds: Korea is becoming one of the world's global healthcare hubs

An Alzheimer's blood test is on the way. What could that mean for you?

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 YearsContinuous glucose monitoring versus self-monitoring of blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, multicentre, open-label, superiority trialDiabetes Australia statementAustralian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and AdolescentsUpdate on access to goserelin 3.6 mg implantCost of accessing mental health services for young peopleNew England Journal of Medicine: Meningococcal B Vaccine to Prevent Neisseria gonorrhoeae InfectionMore than 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases reported in 41 states: CDC

When is a child ready for their own smartphone?

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 AgingIsotretinoin Treatment in Adolescence and Adult HeightA complete catalogue of human-infective RNA virusesUK begins trials of Ebola vaccine developed in just eight weeksFuture pharmacy: A better deal for patients and taxpayersPete Hegseth announces plan to test US troops for low testosterone

What can you really learn from a biological ageing test?

There's already a lot to think about when you're trying to get pregnant. Should plastic be one of them? 

Some fertility experts think that yes, cutting down your exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical used to make plastics, could help. 

Also, the mission to come up with consistent guidelines for the testing of gestational diabetes. As early as possible, or wait until 24 to 28 weeks?

And why rethinking dementia could improve our experiences of the condition.

Why these fertility experts are worried about plastic

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