Health Report

Sandy Herriot, a consultant colorectal surgeon, sheds light on the troubling rise of bowel cancer among young Australians and the need for early screening, despite low participation rates. Meanwhile, Susan Sawyer, director at the Centre for Adolescent Health, dives into the pressing issue of adolescent mental health, discussing the surge in depression and anxiety amid societal pressures and the impact of social media. Both guests emphasize the importance of proactive health measures and the urgent need for education in these critical areas.

There's a shortage of eggs in Australia, and it might not let up as we brace for the arrival of the H5N1 strain of bird flu. That strain has shown is can make the jump into humans. But how does it manage?Also, menopause hormone therapy is in high demand. What are the benefits and the risks?And with kids spending less time outside, short-sightedness is on the rise. But treatments are improving. 

There are some things you can do to guard against cognitive decline, and a study has found a hands-on approach is best. Also, rates of vaccination in pregnancy are falling in New South Wales. Should Australia follow Italy's lead and screen everyone for coeliac disease?And we hear from two friends who've had strokes 20 years apart. 

Kylie and Gillian had been friends for years when Kylie had a stroke in her early 30s. It turned Kylie's work-driven life upside down, and forced her and husband Chris to re-evaluate everything. 

When Gillian suffered a stroke at age 50, Kylie was one of the first friends she reached out to. It wasn't Gillian's first life-altering medical emergency, having gone through cancer treatment years earlier. 

Despite their strokes being 20 years apart, Kylie and Gillian were left with similar disabilities. Both faced a long and often gruelling period of rehabilitation — thankfully with partners and friends by their sides. 

When Kylie had her stroke, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) didn't exist. It took Gillian's stroke, 20 years later, for Kylie to fully understand how much support she was missing out on. 

For a long time many have assumed they can tell how healthy a person is because of their weight. Now, a major global collaboration of experts is challenging that. A Lancet commission has recommended changing the criteria for clinical obesity to move away from BMI as a sole measure of health. Also, why a recent review into fluoride in drinking water is flawed — and a higher quality study done in our own backyard. And how a genetic study of depression could unlock new treatments for people who are struggling to find medications that work. 

We try to give little kids the best start in life, and in supermarkets there's an ever-expanding range of foods marketed specifically for themBut how much sugar is in them?  Plus, we peer into the evidence around ultra-processed foods. References:Ultra-processed foods are ‘pushing aside’ all other food groups to dominate global dietsScience Extra: Weight of the world

Bras might seem unrelated to knee injuries, but research suggests otherwise.Women are significantly more prone to tearing their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and wearing the right bra could help reduce this risk.It's a good thing because knee injuries can have devastating consequences for women's health and mobility.And why vaping become one of the biggest health issues of 2024.