Health Report

When 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 also higher quality information.A study on the effect of hormonal contraception suggests that a history of hormonal contraceptive-associated depression could be a risk indicator of postpartum depression.Last week the Minister for Health and Aged Care announced over $500 million for a national lung cancer screening program. It targets high-risk individuals in the early stages. 

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

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

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. CreditsAbigail Leeder, ReporterShelby Traynor, Producer

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.

More people are injecting drugs than ever before. So what are the harms, and what are we doing to minimise them?People with schizophrenia have a life expectancy 25 years younger than the average Australian, and one of the reasons is heart attacks. Meanwhile, do surgeons need to change their approach to coronary bypass surgery? And Australian researchers uncover a potential new treatment for a rare blood disorder — that could replace blood letting. 

Australia's bone marrow donor registry is funding a cheek swab program to recruit more donors, as it awaits government funding. Also, the latest in alopecia treatment for those who want to reverse hair loss — and the perspective of those who don't. And prostate cancer screening can be imprecise and invasive. Could delving into the genome help narrow things down?

Discussing the importance of addressing social determinants of health with a pioneer for health equity. Should vaping products be banned? Many young Australians are getting addicted to nicotine without always being aware that's what they're consuming. And eye drops could be used to slow the progression of short-sightedness, which is on the rise thanks to our screen-dominated world. 

The debate continues on whether the TGA acted too soon on the rescheduling of psilocybin and MDMA for the treatment of some mental illnesses. Calls for Australia's cardiovascular disease guidelines to recommend coronary calcium scoring for patients at intermediate risk. And did you know ovarian cancer often originates in the fallopian tubes? A simple surgical procedure could drive down cases. 

How much screen time is too much for young kids? Taking a looking at what digital playtime is doing to children's brains. Calls for better models of care for people living with lymphoedema, to avoid deterioration and costly hospital stays. And organ donation is yet to fully recover from a pandemic-driven dip. Why aren't more people consenting?