Health Report - Separate stories podcast

With more tools at our fingertips than ever for capturing how we feel day-to-day - smartphones, apps, wearables and more - is there a way to better utilise that data to improve mental health outcomes?Researchers from the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney argue an approach to treatment that captures and analyses these data - called measurement-based care - can help clinicians more effectively monitor and treat patients.Guest/sAssociate Professor Frank Iorfino – Brain and Mind Centre, University of SydneyReferencesThe necessity of digital measurement-based care for navigating complexity in youth mental healthDynamic learning of individual-level suicidal ideation trajectories to enhance mental health care

They tackle whether salt is harmful for everyone, exploring salt sensitivity and population risk. Heated citrus drinks and possible tooth damage get a lively discussion. Personal dental habits and listener mail spark entertaining back-and-forth. The segment also teases related listening recommendations.

A brain training trial finds a reduction in dementia diagnoses after 20 years -- but for a very specific kind of training.New research into oral GLP-1 medications for diabetes and -- perhaps further down the track -- weight loss.And risk factors for developing an allergy. Some well known, others more peculiar.ReferencesImpact 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 children

Most Australian children are eating too much salt, according to new research.The study found Victorian school children were getting too much sodium, but not enough potassium.A high salt intake can lead to high blood pressure, which in children can be an early warning sign for cardiovascular disease later in life.GuestDr Carley Grimes, Senior Lecturer in Population Nutrition, Deakin UniversityReferencesSodium, potassium and blood pressure in Australian schoolchildren: exploring differences by sex and weight status — a cross-sectional study

Currently, breast screening is recommended for women aged 50 to 74. Women over 40 can also have a free mammogram every two years.But researchers have looked at what happens when the type of screening is adjusted depending on your risk.High-risk women would undergo more intense screening, while screening for low-risk women wouldn’t happen at all until they reach 50.Guest/sProfessor Dorothy Keefe, CEO, Cancer AustraliaReferencesRisk-Based vs Annual Breast Cancer Screening: The WISDOM Randomized Clinical Trial

The diagnosis and management of endometriosis can be complex and difficult to navigate.What are the different ways in which the condition can be diagnosed? When is a laparoscopy called for and when don't you need one? And how do you seek a second opinion?Guest/sDr Nyash Gwata, Gynaecologist, Obstetrician and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon in Melbourne

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au

A study has found self-collection swabs are enabling more women to be screened for HPV, which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Vaccination against HPV has also been shown not to wane in a long-term follow up of more than 300,000 girls and women. And another win for exercise — moderate to vigorous physical activity has been associated with a lower risk of death among survivors of bladder, endometrial, lung, rectal and ovarian cancers. ReferencesUptake 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 Survivors

Jill Newby, clinical psychology professor and digital mental health researcher, discusses AI and therapy. She contrasts proven module-based online CBT with the untested world of generative chatbots. Conversations cover how chatbots are built, risks when things go wrong, when a single AI interaction might help, and practical safety tips for seeking AI-based support.

A deep dive into stopping unnecessary medicines and the idea of polypharmacy. Discussion of harms from multiple drugs, interactions and how ageing changes drug effects. A look at medication-related hospital admissions and barriers to reviewing meds. A real case about reducing opioids to lower fall risk and improve safety.