Health Report

The addictive painkiller fentanyl has swept through the USA—but its effects haven't been as big in Australia. Why?Vaccination against COVID-19 can save lives and reduce the risk of severe disease. Why are some people under vaccinated—and what's the risk for people not up to date with shots?An early form of breast cancer—ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)—is often found by women themselves, not as part of screening programs.The power and potential pitfalls of AI in medicine have been debated, but AI is already having an impact in radiology.

The drug name on everyone’s lips is semaglutide—a seemingly magical substance that can solve all our ills. But it’s not just semaglutide, there’s a whole class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists.Opioids are commonly prescribed to patients who have cancer to help them with pain, but the drugs are not risk free and can have their downsides.Last year there was a Senate report into the state of dental care in Australia, and like a visit to the dentist—it wasn’t a fun read.Back pain affects so many people – but when doctors look at it, they find that while some people recovery quickly other continue to suffer in silence and agony.v

What's happening with COVIDAustralian vaccination rates are droppingA new term for chance discoveries on scans

The shock of a cancer diagnosis is familiar for far too many people.But when Na'ama Carlin was diagnosed with breast cancer, her health wasn't the only consideration. If you're in need of support you can contact Mummy's Wish or Hope for Two.

The discussion dives into the emotional toll and challenges of younger onset dementia, emphasizing the need for better support and recognition. Personal stories highlight the struggle of navigating this condition while managing family responsibilities. There's also a focus on the inadequacies in the medical response and the advent of a promising blood test for easier diagnosis. The podcast further explores breastfeeding aversion, shedding light on the complex emotions and guilt mothers face, and underscores the urgent need for more research and support in this area.

Drug use has been increasing, whether it be cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, or ketamine. That includes recreational use and substance abuse.So it begs the question: Has criminalising drugs ever worked? And what needs to be done to drive down the harms associated with this increasing drug use?If you're in need of support, you can contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015, or contact Counselling Online. 

A new kind of ADHD clinic is cashing in on surging demand for diagnoses—and promising salaries of more than $900,000 to recruit psychiatrists. As the need for services has grown, so have waitlists.Given the choice between a ChatGPT bot or a real doctor, a panel of health care professionals found the bot's responses were both more empathetic and gave higher quality information.

More and more people are tackling the bracing discomfort of ice bath sessions. Alongside several touted health benefits there are some serious risks. Norman is at Bronte Beach to chill.Researchers observed the cardiac and neural signals from a small number of ICU patients at the point when ventilatory support was withdrawn. They recorded the quite new phenomena of electrical activity in a particular area of the brain.Keeping motivated to exercise can be difficult, but for people getting over a traumatic brain injury it's even more so. An exercise program at Liverpool Hospital uses gaming to encourage activity.

Feeling dissatisfied with their appearance can become an obsession for some people, and affect quality of life and relationships.Most people can benefit from reduced salt intake, and so reduce the risk of heart attack, atrial fibrillation, stroke, dementia, and kidney damage.A few months ago the program there was a story on an under-recognised cause of high blood pressure called primary aldosteronism. One listener asked to be tested.An area of Australian healthcare that might be a candidate for review is drug subsidy. We might consider what New Zealand's PHARMAC does, and conduct a competitive tender.

Bringing clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.