Health Report - Separate stories podcast

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

Government spending on public health has fallen $2.3 billion from last year, back down to pre-pandemic levels. This funding not only support vaccination and cancer screening, but campaigns aiming to prevent disease. Also, a major study raises questions about how often children should have their blood pressure tested.ReferencesGovernment expenditure on public health activities in Australia 2023–24 - AIHWGlobal prevalence of hypertension among children and adolescents aged 19 years or younger: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Join Associate Professor Jess Biesiekierski, head of Human Nutrition at the University of Melbourne, as she dives into the nuances of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Discover how gluten may not be the sole culprit behind gut symptoms, with other triggers like FODMAPs and nocebo effects at play. Jess discusses the fascinating gut-brain connection, the importance of balanced diets over gluten exclusion, and highlights an ongoing clinical trial comparing dietary therapies to help those affected. A must-listen for anyone curious about gut health!

A drug used to treat acne and to prevent malaria, doxycycline, could reduce the risk adolescents developing schizophrenia.The association was seen in a study looking at more than 50,000 adolescents who attended psychiatric services in Finland.The authors have called it a "tentative but exciting possibility" – but caution more research is needed.Guest/sProfessor Ian Kelleher, child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of EdinburghReferencesDoxycycline Use in Adolescent Psychiatric Patients and Risk of Schizophrenia: An Emulated Target Trial

Between 30 and 50 per cent of cancers could be preventable, and according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) we're ignoring a big one. In up to five per cent of all cancers, alcohol consumption plays a role. But the director of IARC says we're not doing enough to drive home the risk. Guest/sDr Elisabete Weiderpass, director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization ReferencesCancers attributable to alcohol - IARCAlcohol: a major preventable cause of cancer (IARC Evidence Summary Brief No. 6)

Hosts dive into the vital question of feeding kids whole foods versus hiding veggies. They discuss the pros and cons of sneaking vegetables into meals, highlighting various family approaches. The conversation shifts to how cooking methods can enhance health by creating powerful nutrient combinations. Listeners discover connections between Mediterranean and Vietnamese diets and practical whole-food advice. The episode rounds out with an invitation for audience interaction and a nod to another related podcast.

For the first time since February 2020, there were more flu deaths than COVID deaths in August. A study finds an association between COVID infection in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental diagnoses at three years old. And the Prime Minister's Prize for Science goes to physicist and air quality expert Lidia Morawska.ReferencesDeaths due to acute respiratory infections in Australia - ABSNeurodevelopmental Outcomes of 3-Year-Old Children Exposed to Maternal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Utero

In this episode, Clinical Psychologist Michael Nicholas, a seasoned expert in pain management, dives into the psychological dimensions of chronic pain. He discusses how pain is both a sensory and emotional experience, emphasizing the brain's vital role. Michael highlights the significance of personal context in pain perception and critiques over-reliance on imaging. He advocates for cognitive-behavioral strategies to combat disability fears and stresses the need for better pain education among clinicians. Ultimately, he champions improved functionality over total pain elimination.

New parents want to give their children the best start in life, but the first 12 months can be a confusing and stressful time to navigate. The advice now is to expose babies early to common allergens to reduce their risk of developing food allergies. Allergen starter kits offer to simplify the process, but evidence of their effectiveness is lacking. So how should you go about it?ReferencesNip allergies in the bubThe impact of reversing peanut allergy adviceAre allergen starter packs safe?

Researchers have discovered a chemical messenger that promotes tumour growth in bowel and stomach cancers.A drug that’s already being used for migraines could be repurposed to switch it off.It’s early days, but scientists are hoping this leads to a targeted treatment that improves survival rates.Guest/sDr Pavitha Parathan, postdoctoral researcher at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research InstituteReferencesSensory neuropeptide CGRP and its co-receptor RAMP1 drive tumour cell growth in gastrointestinal cancers