Health Report - Full program podcast

ABC listen
  • 4.4 (18)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
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. 

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Left or right arm? The site of your booster vaccine matters

    The immune system seems to respond faster, and better, when you get a booster vaccine in the same arm as your initial vaccine.  Also, your GP might miss something going wrong with your liver because of the way pathology labs report blood test results.  And a common type 2 diabetes drug, metformin, could be used to treat knee osteoarthritis — and delay knee replacements.

    40 min

  2. 25 APR

    Would you trust AI to make a life or death decision?

    When you can't make medical decisions for yourself, it's often the responsibility of a loved one, or sometimes a doctor who doesn't know you at all.  Some researchers are suggesting artificial intelligence could be trained to know your wishes and be another voice in the room when making decisions.  Also, it can take up to 95 per cent vaccine coverage to protect against measles outbreaks. How's Australia doing? And curing cancer can take a toll. Is there a way to adjust treatment protocols to drive down the risk of long-term side effects?

    40 min

  3. 18 APR

    Is misinformation fuelling our measles outbreaks?

    In Australia, we've already seen more cases of measles this year than we saw during the whole of 2024.  It's believed misinformation is to blame, leading to vaccine hesitancy and exposing the community to a highly infectious virus.  Also, we take a look at draft guidelines for prostate cancer. Why a 'minor' stroke isn't very minor. And new evidence looking into the metabolic effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    44 min

  4. 11 APR

    Using food to help treat depression

    Australia has been at the forefront of research into how what we eat affects our mental health.  What do we know so far, and what are some small changes you can make to see improvements? Also, the doctors strike in NSW continues a much-needed conversation about conditions in the public health system.  And hoping to find out your risk of heart attack and stroke? This is where to start.

    41 min

  5. 4 APR

    Helping pregnant women stop smoking — safely

    Quitting smoking can be tough, and for many women who've fallen pregnant their only option has been to go cold turkey.  Researchers are trying to figure out whether medications to help are safe for mum and bub.  Also, a condition that causes breathlessness that's often mistaken for asthma. These are the symptoms of vocal cord dysfunction.  And a study suggests we've been majorly underestimating the burden of diabetes in Australia.

    38 min

  6. 28 MAR

    The key to creativity? You might be overthinking it

    A study of people with neurodegenerative disease has discovered that bursts of creativity can happen when the brain is shutting down.  Also, there's a lot of misinformation out there about back pain and how to treat it. Here's where the evidence isn't.  And the questions women should ask before undergoing vaginal surgery if their sexual function is important to them.

    40 min

  7. 21 MAR

    Why there's no quick fix for osteoarthritis

    A new resource has launched to provide information to the millions of Australians living with osteoarthritis.  It pushes back against the idea that an injection or surgery will fix all your woes when it comes to this degenerative disease.  Also, what climate change is doing to our hearts, and how a simple check in at school is helping students manage their mental health.

    40 min

  8. 14 MAR

    Dr Google could be making your health anxiety worse

    What used to be called hypochondria is now health anxiety — an excessive worry about developing a serious illness.  While experiences of health anxiety vary, for some people it can take over their lives and even lead to physical symptoms.  Also, a link between conditions like endometriosis and heart disease.  And local scientists help make a big discovery about how cells recycle waste.

    42 min
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Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    ABC listen
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2025
  • Episodes
    313
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    Health Report - Full program podcast

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