Health Report - Separate stories podcast

The lower risk of dementia that seems to be associated with vaccination against shingles might not have anything to do with protection from the virus.It might be the adjuvant in the vaccine itself. Also, ivermectin might be useful in controlling malaria. But its effects are on the mosquitoes, not humans. ReferencesLower risk of dementia with AS01-adjuvanted vaccination against shingles and respiratory syncytial virus infections Ivermectin to Control Malaria — A Cluster-Randomized Trial | New England Journal of MedicineIvermectin against Malaria — Good News in Bad Times | New England Journal of Medicine

When having a baby, there are lots of decisions to be made about maternity care, and barriers depending on your socio-economic situation.A new study has highlighted a worrying issue – finding higher adverse health outcomes in standard public maternity care.However there have been criticisms about how the paper compared the two sectors, and whether it’s a fair contrast.Guest/sProfessor Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery at Western Sydney UniversityReferencesMaternal and Neonatal Outcomes and Health System Costs in Standard Public Maternity Care Compared to Private Obstetric-Led Care: A Population-Level Matched Cohort StudyIs childbirth really safer for women and babies in private hospitals? - the Conversation

New research suggests young bats might be a key source of viral spillover, as the immunity from their mums wane.Coronaviruses are common in bats, though they don’t tend to cause any issues unless they spill over into bridging animals, which might then infect humans.This is becoming more common because of habitat destruction and environmental stressors.Guest/sDr Alison Peel, veterinarian and wildlife disease ecologist at the University of SydneyReferencesSynchronized seasonal excretion of multiple coronaviruses coincides with high rates of coinfection in immature bats

For the first time ever, there’s been an international survey on chronic conditions from the perspective of the patient.Australia is one of 19 countries that participated in the OECD-led survey.Insights from the survey could contribute to improving care for patients living with chronic illness – with an emphasis on continuity of care.Guest/sLesley, participant in the surveyAssociate Professor Liz Marles, Clinical Director for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health CareReferencesPatient-Reported Indicator Survey (PaRIS)PaRIS Survey - Australian National Report 2025

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

Researchers in the UK have published the results of a clinical trial of an IVF technique known as mitochondrial donation.The technique has been used before, but this latest round provides further evidence of its efficacy and safety. In Australia, about 60 babies born each year will develop a serious or fatal case of mitochondrial disease. We could be next to trial this IVF technique. ReferencesMitochondrial Donation in a Reproductive Care Pathway for mtDNA Disease | New England Journal of Medicine Mitochondrial Donation and Preimplantation Genetic Testing for mtDNA Disease | New England Journal of Medicine Reducing the Risks of Mitochondrial Disease in Children | New England Journal of MedicineMitochondrial donation | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Food price elasticity estimates in Australia | Nature FoodMultimorbidity in Australia - AIHW

Discover five critical health risk factors that could shorten your lifespan. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight extremes, and diabetes are all contributors. A recent study reveals that addressing these issues could add years to your life—up to 15 years for women! Explore how managing these risks from a younger age can enhance health outcomes. Learn about the influence of physical activity and nutrition in preventing heart attacks and strokes, especially in an era of rising obesity.

Treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with medication can be life-changing.It's consistently associated with lower risks of self-harm, unintentional injury, traffic crashes and crime.However a new study has found as prescription rates increased, some of these associations weakened.Guest/sProfessor David Coghill, chair of developmental mental health at the University of Melbourne and president of the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association. ReferencesIncreased Prescribing of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medication and Real-World Outcomes Over Time

Since the start of February, pregnant women have been eligible to get vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The vaccine is administered during the 28 to 36 week mark of pregnancy to protect newborns from RSV. As of June, more than 60,000 women had received the vaccine. Guest/sProfessor Jim Buttery, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and infectious diseases physician at the Royal Children's Hospital in MelbourneReferencesRespiratory syncytial virus preventives for children in Australia: current landscape and future directions

The podcast uncovers the dramatic realities of financial toxicity in cancer treatment. A listener shares their struggle with advanced colon cancer and the steep price of unapproved medications. Systemic flaws in drug pricing and approval processes come to light, highlighting the urgent need for healthcare equity. It also explores hidden costs within a universal healthcare system, revealing how financial stress can severely impact patients' mental health and overall well-being.