Health Report - Full program podcast
Covering the health stories that make a difference. Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander dissect the latest and breaking news in the medical world.
Latest episodes
Jul 5, 2021 • 40min
The pathway out of the pandemic; the harms of alcohol in pregnancy; supporting pregnant women with SUDs; and is low carb always best?
While NSW is still trying to contain COVID cases, the Prime Minister last week outlined a four stage pathway out of the pandemic. Singapore is already underway with its plan that uses a layered public health response including high vaccinations rates. Is this the path out of the pandemic?Just how dangerous is even small amounts of alcohol in pregnancy? Research shows it can set children up for unusual behaviours with alcohol while still very young.What help is out there for women with substance use disorders and their babies, and why are some falling through the cracks?And could a high-carbohydrate, low-protein diet be linked to a healthier life? Well, it depends on what kind of carbs you're talking about.
Jun 28, 2021 • 38min
COVID threats emerge across Australia; trial shows promise for managing diabetes and hypertension; could a new class of drugs help prevent end stage kidney disease?; and the harm of long working hours
Around the country, the threat of COVID has emerged again. What does the modelling show about where this is heading?The World Health Organisation finds it's the biggest workplace hazard - long working hours. And it says long hours can be deadly.UK research finds type 2 diabetes might be reversible without drugs for some people, as well as the other conditions that often come with it.Also on diabetes, could a new class of drug slash the number of people who go on to need dialysis or kidney transplants?
Jun 21, 2021 • 35min
Alzheimer’s drug has experts divided; rising ICE use in Australia; the disappointing results of a study aimed at improving ovarian cancer survival rates
This week, the first of a new series on substance use and what you need to know about ICE - crystal meth. Does early diagnosis of ovarian cancer through screening make a difference to survival rates? And the search for an Alzheimer's disease treatment is as controversial as ever. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug for Alzheimer's disease in nearly two decades, but not everyone is welcoming the decision.
Jun 14, 2021 • 29min
Navigating the pandemic: Dr Anthony Fauci
From the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, one expert came to the fore as a trusted voice, not just in his home country of the United States, but around the globe: Dr Anthony S Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Jun 7, 2021 • 40min
Are grommets over prescribed in children?; Kangaroo care and infant mortality; long term survival following a heart attack; should biological sex be considered in cancer care?
Are grommets over prescribed for children with recurring ear infections?
May 31, 2021 • 37min
Australian atlas of healthcare variation; dangerous sunburn; targetted radiation therapy; antibody testing for vaccine efficacy
Australian atlas of healthcare variation; dangerous sunburn; targetted radiation therapy; antibody testing for vaccine efficacy
May 24, 2021 • 43min
Spend less time sitting; cumulative weight gain; ancestors and our microbiome; new look biobanking
Taking a look at how long we spend sitting, and what to do about it; assessing the cumulative affect of yearly weight gain; the oral microbiome and our ancestors; aiming for a brain biobank; and Q&A
May 17, 2021 • 37min
Male and female life expectancy; sinonasal inflammation and your brain; eye injury prevention; the virus and RNA transcription
May 10, 2021 • 37min
Modelling vaccination plans; development of preterm babies; bronchiolitis in infants; Q&A
Modelling COVID vaccination targets to achieve pandemic prevention and control in Australia; the developmental outcomes of preterm babies is becoming clear; a study on who has followed over 4000 of these kids to the age of 5; and treatment in hospital of a common respiratory condition of babies.
May 3, 2021 • 29min
Effectiveness of paracetamol, cannabidiol over the counter, the health of Australians in 2030, and depression in people with dementia
An Australian research group has undertaken a wide study on paracetamol to see what evidence exists for its use in different types of pain. We also ask whether medicinal cannabis is we would like it to be as a pain reliever; and if antidepressants are effective be in your elderly relatives with dementia.
