Health Report - Separate stories podcast

After studies showed certain vaccines had a protective effect against Alzheimer's, researchers wanted to see if treating the virus might slow disease progression.However in a group of people with early Alzheimer's disease this had no effect on cognitive decline. Also, a new study urges us to rethink the side effects of statins. And GLP-1s under the spotlight for nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss. ReferencesValacyclovir Treatment of Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease: The VALAD Randomized Clinical TrialAssessment of adverse effects attributed to statin therapy in product labels: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trialsNutritional deficiencies and muscle loss in adults with type 2 diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonists: A retrospective observational study

Cardio might be the most effective way to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms, according to a new review of the evidence.It also suggests the kind of class, and how long you exercise for, should differ depending on whether you’re addressing depression or anxiety.It indicates exercise could be prescribed as a first-line therapy, being as good as, or better than, medication and talking therapies.Guest/sNeil Munro, James Cook UniversityReferencesEffect of exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms: systematic umbrella review with meta-meta-analysis

In recent years more women have been opting for home births, and in some extreme cases women have eschewed medical support entirely.In some states, including recently in Victoria, new advice has come in to address gaps in the maternal care system that leave some women feeling disempowered.They’ve placed emphasis on open discussions between doctors and patients, and a woman’s right to deny certain aspects of care.Guest/sDr Nisha Khot, obstetrician in Victoria, and president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and GynaecologistsReferencesRespectful Maternity and Newborn Care Framework

Beta blockers, which can slow down the heart rate, are often prescribed after a heart attack.But recent studies have painted a conflicting picture of how effective these drugs are in reducing heart problems in this scenario.While these studies have complicated the story, experts are cautioning people not to act without checking in with their doctors.Guest/sProfessor Jason Kovacic, director and CEO of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, and cardiologist at St Vincent’s Hospital in SydneyReferencesβ blockers after myocardial infarction with mildly reduced ejection fraction: an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsBeta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction in Patients without Heart FailureBeta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction without Reduced Ejection Fraction

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

Two cases of Nipah virus have been identified in India, but this isn't the first outbreak of the bat-borne disease. The World Health Organization says there's a low risk it will spread beyond India. Also, the Victorian Government makes a controversial decision that could see people with ADHD receive six months worth of medication over the phone. ReferencesNipah and Hendra Viruses: Deadly Zoonotic Paramyxoviruses with the Potential to Cause the Next Pandemic - PMCUrgent ADHD Top-Up Prescriptions Even Easier And Cheaper

Becoming unwell is stressful enough, but now patients are fighting back on the financial stress that often follows.Close to one in five Australians say they’ve delayed or cancelled specialist appointments or surgeries because of the cost.On top of that, half of Australians say medical costs have caused them stress, and some report receiving unexpected bills that sometimes seem unrelated to their care.Patients are calling on the federal government to make reforms to reduce high prices and address “bill shock”.Guest/sDr Adam Triggs, partner at economics advisory firm Mandala, ANU  Crawford School of Public PolicyProfessor Jennifer Martin, pharmacologist and president of the Royal Australasian College of PhysiciansLuan Lawrenson-Woods, women's health advocate and host of the Regarding Me podcastNick Verry, oesophageal cancer survivor and consumer advocate for upper GI cancersHayleyGreg NewbeginStatement from the Medical Oncology Group of Australia:MOGA is cognisant of the impact out of pocket expenses has on patients suffering with cancer and the significant stress this adds to an already overwhelmingly challenging time in people’s lives. When considering out of pocket expenses for our patients, we Medical Oncologists need to be mindful of the direct costs (e.g. specialist fees and drug costs) and indirect costs (e.g. the cost of tests, travel, etc).  We as a individuals within the speciality have control of our own fee structure.  We note the Grattan Institute Special Treatment - Improving Australians' access to specialist care, where it points out that the vast majority of Oncology services are performed by Specialists working in the public system and that the median out of pocket cost to see an Oncologist is $0 in 2023.  This doesn't diminish the fact that many of our patients face significant financial pressure as they navigate their diagnosis and treatment.  MOGA advocates for improved outcomes for Australian patients facing a cancer diagnosis.  This included exemplary clinical care and support of our patients.  We agree with many of the recommendations in the Grattan Report to ensure timely, appropriate and with minimal cost, access to Medical Oncology Specialist services Australia.ReferencesRestoring affordable access to specialist care in Australia

Getting sick more often in the first few years of life can have flow-on effects throughout childhood, according to a new study.Children who caught more infections before the age of three went on to get sick more often, and use more antibiotics.It raises the question – should we be doing more to protect toddlers, rather than treating recurrent colds as a part of growing up?Guest/sDr Linny Kimly Phuong, a paediatric infectious diseases physician based in MelbourneReferencesBurden of Infections in Early Life and Risk of Infections and Systemic Antibiotics Use in Childhood

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

The government has announced it will establish a database that provides a complete picture of a patient's medicines history. At the moment, this information is only available for high-risk medications. Also good news in the first year of the Shingrix vaccine rollout to protect against the painful shingles virus. And a Cochrane review casts doubt on the use of medicinal cannabis for chronic nerve pain. ReferencesFirst step towards a national medicines recordNational medicines database promised after telehealth 'doctor-shopping' leads to overdoseUptake of Shingrix vaccine in its first year on the National Immunisation Program: an analysis of Australian Immunisation Register dataCannabis‐based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults

ChatGPT is about to open up its dedicated health AI bot, and it has people wondering about the safety of relying on Big Tech for this advice. Many people already turn to AI for health tips, and help in decoding dense medical language. While there can be positives, experts are concerned about the speed at which these platforms are moving — as regulation struggles to keep pace. Guest/sProfessor Enrico Coiera, Director for the Centre of Health Informatics and Macquarie University

There are many reasons someone might need to terminate a pregnancy.At the moment women should be able to access medications up to nine weeks.But in some locations and some clinics there are barriers that can significantly delay care.How can access be improved, and why aren’t medical abortions offered beyond nine weeks?Guest/sProfessor Danielle Mazza, head of the department of general practice at Monash University and director of the SPHERE Centre of Research ExcellenceReferencesSafety and efficacy of early medical abortion at home between 10+0 and 11+6 weeks' gestation: a retrospective review

Fat has gotten a bad wrap, but one expert is determined to educate people on its importance.Fat cells are responsible for storing energy, insulating, protecting delicate tissues and producing the appetite hormone leptin.Professor Stephen O’Rahilly argues the fat cell is not to blame for the harms of obesity. Instead, the harms come when the fat cell becomes overwhelmed.Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly delivered the Charles Perkins Centre capstone the Nicholas Catchlove Lecture 2025.Guest/sSir Stephen O'Rahilly, professor of clinical biochemistry and medicine at the University of Cambridge

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

In the US, companies have jumped on the trend of people abstaining from alcohol in January and offered THC as an alternative.It raises the question – is THC, or cannabis more broadly, a healthier alternative to alcohol?And what are the health benefits of avoiding alcohol for a month?Guest/sProfessor Michael Farrell, director of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at UNSWReferencesAlcohol consumption and mortality from four alcohol-related cancers in Australia 1950-2018: a time series analysis

Palliative care is designed to support people with life-limiting illnesses, but many people aren’t accessing it until they’re close to death.That’s despite research showing that accessing care early can improve quality of life and alleviate suffering.A new study has found early palliative care is associated with a higher likelihood of dying at home.It is also linked to a lower likelihood of hospital admissions in the final month of life.Guest/sAssociate Professor Chris Schilling, health economist in the centre for palliative care at the University of MelbourneReferencesEarly Palliative Care and Quality of End-of-Life Care for People With Terminal Cancer, Victoria, 2018–2023: A Retrospective, Population-Based Cohort Study

In some places in Australia, women are notified of how dense their breasts are after they’ve undergone their routine mammogram.Dense breasts can be a risk factor for cancer, and can also make it harder to detect.But notifying women can cause anxiety and confusion, not only because of the risks, but because of the out-of-pocket costs that follow.Guest/sDr Brooke Nickel, senior research fellow in the school of public health at the University of SydneyReferencesImpact of population based breast density notification: multisite parallel arm randomised controlled trial in BreastScreen

For the first time since the pandemic began, we haven't seen a significant spike in COVID-19 cases over the holidays. However there has been a rise in flu cases, with a strain spreading that evades the vaccines. The United States could lose its measles elimination status, but a senior CDC official says it's "the cost of doing business". And a new review reiterates what experts have been saying about paracetamol and autism. ReferencesNSW respiratory surveillanceSenior CDC official: Loss of measles elimination status in U.S. would be ‘cost of doing business’Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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

How far would you go to save your dog? One owner has used ChatGPT and other AI models to find a treatment for his pup's cancer. Also, we could be missing cases of liver disease because of differences between pathology centres. The final instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process. And a look back at the year: does artificial intelligence have a place in your local doctors' office?ReferencesWhat AI scribes can (and can't) do for healthcare - the Health ReportPaul is using AI to fight his dog's incurable cancer - UNSW