
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

Jun 28, 2024 • 40min
Counting steps or minutes: How to track exercise
Is it 10 thousand steps or 30mins? How advice on regular exercise varies.What's being done in response to medication shortages.Deprescribing is when you wean off a prescription medication you no longer need, but it needs to be done safely, and it can be difficult to find the right advice.Experts want women to know they don't have to suffer through heavy periods.And when all the tests come back negative, initially it's a weight off your mind, but then you start to wonder, 'what the hell is wrong with me?'

Jun 21, 2024 • 46min
What space travel tells us about ageing
Take a look at changing teaching methods in the classroom, and why that matters for future health.Australian researchers are developing a new drug to fight the potentially deadly condition of sepsis.Could a common drug be used to treat macular degeneration?And what effect does space travel have on ageing?

Jun 14, 2024 • 41min
Can you cut a common cold short?
A comprehensive review has delved into the current research into zinc supplements and their effectiveness.Research has shown that people experiencing chronic pain see the world as a harsher place – distances are longer and hills are steeper.We blink more than we need to, and scientists have been trying to find out why.And, sharing memories of Michael Mosley.

Jun 7, 2024 • 41min
A plan of attack for migraine sufferers
In this podcast, they discuss a new framework for migraine treatment, the benefits of exercise on brain health, and the impact of rising temperatures on mental health. They also explore innovative cancer surveillance and treatment options, including personalized vaccines and immunotherapy. Personal experiences with migraines are shared, emphasizing the challenges in diagnosis and advancements in therapy. Additionally, the effects of exercise on cognitive performance and immune cells are examined, with a focus on rejuvenation at the cellular level.

May 31, 2024 • 45min
Life-saving changes that could detect breast cancers earlier
A dive into improving breast cancer screening programs, the lifelong benefits of early type 2 diabetes treatment, updates on COVID vaccine effectiveness, and advancements in transplant technology are discussed. Additionally, the podcast delves into personalized breast cancer screening, advancements in stem cell therapy, desensitization therapy for peanut allergies, and the importance of social connections in health outcomes.

May 24, 2024 • 45min
Maintaining your mental fitness – and a new culprit for Alzheimer's disease?
The top five things you can do to keep your mental health in check, plus an update on the virus everyone is talking about: bird flu.

May 17, 2024 • 45min
The 'sweet poison' fructose myth, and outgrowing childhood allergies
Correcting the record on fructose, and new research offers some clues about whose allergies might desist as they grow up. Also, new insights from a vaccine complication, and the risk of catching a common virus during pregnancy.

May 10, 2024 • 41min
Are cows giving us bird flu? And everything we (don't) know about nanoplastics
How bird flu has (probably) gone from cows to humans, as well as the latest on psychedelics for depression and psychotropics in healthcare.How much time you should spend sitting, standing, moving and sleeping for the optimal 24 hours. How sexuality might shorten your lifespan. And why the health effects of nanoplastics are so difficult to uncover.

May 3, 2024 • 51min
Iron for long-COVID, 'holy grail' flu shots, and prolonged grief disorder
Researchers discuss the link between iron and long-COVID. The quest for a universal flu vaccine is explored. The risks of elimination diets for IBS are highlighted. Prolonged grief disorder is discussed as a unique form of grief. The Health Report mailbag features 'stoolgazing' experiences.

Apr 26, 2024 • 44min
Sports bras support knees, bird flu in milk, and health after prison release
Avian influenza particles have been detected in US milk supplies, just how concerning is that?Why are COVID treatment recommendations different depending on what country you're in?And how much does the average Australian know about preventing dementia?The latest research on bras and knees. You might not think they have much to do with each other, but it turns out that wearing the right bra might actually reduce a woman's risk of a serious knee injury.Pregnancy has been linked to accelerated biological ageing — in simple terms, how old your cells are.And why being released from prison is a health risk.