There has been a rise in people that cut gluten out of their diet to address gut symptoms, despite not having a diagnosis of coeliac disease.  New research is shedding light on what might actually be at play in non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.  Also, how a common antibiotic might lower the risk of developing schizophrenia when given to young people at risk.  And a look at the cancer prevention strategies that could have a big impact, but that most countries aren't taking on board.  References Government expenditure on public health activities in Australia 2023–24 - AIHW Global prevalence of hypertension among children and adolescents aged 19 years or younger: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity - the Lancet Global prevalence of self-reported non-coeliac gluten and wheat sensitivity: a systematic review and metaanalysis Doxycycline Use in Adolescent Psychiatric Patients and Risk of Schizophrenia: An Emulated Target Trial Cancers attributable to alcohol - IARC Alcohol: a major preventable cause of cancer (IARC Evidence Summary Brief No. 6)

If you live with chronic pain, getting referred to a psychologist for pain management can feel like another dismissal.  What does a session with a pain psychologist look like, and how effective can it be if you don't have any mental health diagnoses? Also, some practical information for parents introducing allergens to their babies. And how the nervous system might inadvertently be fuelling gastrointestinal cancers.  References Deaths due to acute respiratory infections in Australia - ABS Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of 3-Year-Old Children Exposed to Maternal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Utero Pain Management Network Pain Management and Research Centre - patient information Management of Chronic Pain - for health professionals Nip allergies in the bub The impact of reversing peanut allergy advice Are allergen starter packs safe? Sensory neuropeptide CGRP and its co-receptor RAMP1 drive tumour cell growth in gastrointestinal cancers

For 50 years we've known pulse oximeters are less accurate on darker skin, and it could lead to misdiagnoses.  Also, allergen starter packs are being advertised to parents. Are they safe? Guidelines have been released for male infertility care so men aren't left out.  And joint replacements don't last forever, but there are ways to extend their life. References Guidelines for the management of male infertility - Healthy Male Data Resource Profile: The Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) Novel Hypoglossal Stimulation Markedly Improves Airflow and Airway Collapsibility in OSA Racial Bias in Pulse Oximetry Measurement - NEJM Find a clinical trial

It's a tricky conversation to navigate, so researchers have tried to find out the best way to bring up weight in the doctor's office while dodging bias and stigma. Also, a look at the evidence surrounding transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression.  The international effort to improve survival from pancreatic cancer. And how a change in guidelines spared tens of thousands of children from peanut allergy.  References Guidelines for Early Food Introduction and Patterns of Food Allergy New systematic review and meta-analysis shows an association between shingles vaccination and lower risk of heart attack and stroke  Shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine - who should get vaccinated? Supporting weight focused discussions in primary care: A qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators Discussing Weight with Patients in Primary Care in Australia: A Mixed Methods Experimental Study TGA approves new brain stimulation device for treatment of depression - ABC News The Australian Pancreatic High-RIsk ScrEening (APRISE) Study The Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) Consortium

Gene editing holds huge promise to cure disease and alleviate human suffering, but there are many ethical considerations when it comes to changing our DNA.  We map the story of Chinese scientist He Jiankui who was jailed for altering the genome of babies without proper consent.  Also, we take a look at the common skin condition rosacea and what treatments are available. And some changes to blood test results mean you could see them before your doctor.  References Global antibiotic resistance surveillance report – World Health Organization  New test categories available for faster access on My Health Record

Endometriosis is a complex condition, and the pain associated with it can persist despite medications and surgery. New guidelines have suggested lifestyle changes like diet or supplements could work for some.  Also, what you can do in your 40s to prevent heart failure later on. And anal cancer is rare but might be going under people's radar. Who should be screened? References Assessment of malnutrition in preschool-aged children by mid-upper arm circumference in the Gaza Strip (January, 2024–August, 2025): a longitudinal, cross-sectional, surveillance study Testimony, advocacy, and the public health effect of genocide Health of the Nation report - RACGP Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis - The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists  Cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health: an actionable vision for heart failure prevention - the Lancet Anal Cancer Screening Guidelines

Daylight saving time kicks in this weekend for New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. Time shifts can be controversial, and in recent years there's been research into the effects on our health. One study has looked into the incidence of strokes and obesity.  Also, why experts want to change the name of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and we take a tour of the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.  References: Draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy - NHMRC Safety concerns over imported melatonin products - TGA Retraction: Apple cider vinegar for weight management in lebanese adolescents and young adults with overweight and obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Circadian-informed modeling predicts regional variation in obesity and stroke outcomes under different permanent US time policies Polycystic ovary syndrome perspectives from patients and health professionals on clinical features, current name, and renaming: a longitudinal international online survey - the Lancet Inside the Australian lab where scientists study bird flu and other emerging disease threats - ABC News Dynamic Balnce for Life A Judo-Based Exercise Program to Reduce Falls and Frailty Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Feasibility Study

US President Donald Trump has told women they shouldn't take paracetamol (also known as Tylenol or acetaminophen) during pregnancy because it has been linked to autism.  We unpack the evidence with experts — where has this claim come from? Have we really found a treatment for autism spectrum disorder? And what are the dangers of taking health advice from Trump? Also, an unexpected result from a study looking into whether a yoga exercise program could prevent falls in older adults. 

A major change has been made to Australia's asthma guidelines, but how long will it take everyone to catch on? Also, we know daily aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease isn't beneficial, but a new study shows there might be risks.  And should the one-time blood test for lipoprotein(a) be free for everyone? References: National Climate Risk Assessment | Australian Climate Service Underestimating heat-related mortality—a comparison of excess mortality and death record studies for Australia - The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific More evidence climate change is bad for our hearts - ABC listen  Medical Imaging and Pediatric and Adolescent Hematologic Cancer Risk | New England Journal of Medicine Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate pizza-eating lizards, drunk bats and garlic-flavoured breast milk - ABC News Aspirin, cardiovascular events, and major bleeding in older adults: extended follow-up of the ASPREE trial Lp(a) testing for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in high-income countries: a cost-effectiveness analysis Australian Asthma Handbook

The way we get information has changed, and when it comes to health and wellness more and more people are turning to social media.  There are pros and cons, but when it comes to something as important as birth control, there's a price to pay for taking guidance from influencers.  Also on the show, why parent-focused programs haven't been working to tackle obesity in toddlers. And a story about the benefits of withdrawing medication, rather than starting it.  References Alcohol and Cancer Risk - JAMA Insights Review of Evidence on Alcohol and Health - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine GLP-1 RAs and Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes by Body Mass Index in Type 2 Diabetes  Incidence of GLP‐1 receptor agonist use by women of reproductive age attending general practices in Australia, 2011–2022: a retrospective open cohort study Joint statement on professional responsibilities for prescribing and dispensing medicines - AHPRA Parent-focused behavioural interventions for the prevention of early childhood obesity (TOPCHILD): a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis “Do You Know What Birth Control Actually Does to Your Body?”: Assessing Contraceptive Information on TikTok Withdrawal of heart failure therapy after atrial fibrillation rhythm control with ejection fraction normalization: the WITHDRAW-AF trial

Researchers have tricked participants with placebo pain relief in an effort to map the brainstem.  Also, how immunotherapy might be used to treat mental health conditions in some young people.  And delays in diagnosing frontotemporal dementia means some people are missing out on important care.  References Answering common questions about GLP-1s for weight loss GLP-1s and eating disorders — what are the risks? A Case Series of Young People Receiving Adjunctive Immunotherapy for Neuroimmune-Mediated Major Mood or Psychotic Syndromes Fourteen years later: Reviewing the diagnostic criteria for behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia Somatotopic organization of brainstem analgesic circuitry A radical new way to treat low back pain - ABC listen You can listen to more episodes of the Health Report podcast with presenters Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Covering topics like Trump’s policy changes to the growing trend of young people being diagnosed with cancer, we bring you the latest in health and medical news. 

Lots of people develop a daily skincare routine for anti-ageing purposes, but what if there are benefits from starting even earlier — at just nine weeks old? Also, a discussion in the United States about SSRI antidepressants in pregnancy has caused lots of anxiety. We talk through the risks versus the benefits.  And a common drug used to treat everything from nerves to heart conditions could show promise in stopping the spread of triple negative breast cancer.  References Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) Meeting Outcomes - July 2025 Allostatic Load and Racial and Rural Disparities in Breast Cancer Survival | Oncology | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network Structured vs Self-Guided Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions for Global Cognitive Function Emollients to Prevent Pediatric Eczema: A Randomized Clinical Trial Paternal Depression as a Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Offspring: Implications for Maternal Depression and Its Treatment During Pregnancy Association Between Serotonergic Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children Hox-C12 coordinates β2-adrenoceptor coupling to a cAMP/calcium feedforward loop to drive invasion in triple-negative breast cancer Australian Physiotherapy Association

Cognitive Functional Therapy can help relieve low back pain, and shows some positive long-term results. Ovarian cancer doesn't start in the ovaries, but in the fallopian tubes, and opportunistic surgery could prevent it. And is your gut microbiome responsible for your insomnia or is your insomnia changing your microbiome?

Dietary guidelines tell us what we should eat for good health, but at the moment it is possible to follow the guidelines and still eat predominantly ultraprocessed foods.  A new study has looked at the impact this has on your health, and compared it to a minimally processed diet chock full of whole foods.  Also, there are calls to change the criteria for diagnosing perimenopause. And the benefits of psilocybin for depression might have been overstated. 

If you reach for a no-sugar drink, thinking you're making a wise choice, you might need to think again.  A new study suggests artificially sweetened drinks carry a similar type 2 diabetes risk to sugar sweetened beverages.  Also, loneliness is a growing public health issue, especially among younger people. What can we do to address it? And gynaecological cancer survivors are flipping the script, teaching health professionals. 

There are ways to rejuvenate old memories, but a new study has compared the process to the myth of Sisyphus, who was cursed to repeatedly roll a stone up a hill.  Also on the show, many doctors are already using artificial intelligence to help take notes. But are patients always aware these AI scribes are in the room? The emergence of vaping has slowed our progress when it comes to smoking cessation.  And looking at a sick person might activate your immune system, getting it ready to fight off infection.

Just like human children, young bats have been found to harbour and spread lots of viruses.  Their susceptibility to contracting multiple viruses at once makes them the perfect breeding ground for new disease variants.  Also, we take a look at a study that seemed to show private hospital were better than public hospitals for childbirth. Is it that simple? And a survey of people with chronic conditions shows where Australia is ahead, and where we need to improve. 

Five risk factors explain 50 per cent of cardiovascular risk at age 50, according to a new study.  Addressing those risk factors can add years to your life, even if you address them in middle age.  Also, the UK demonstrates a cutting edge IVF technique is effective at avoiding mitchondrial disease.  ADHD treatment has real world positives, but the effects are lessening as more people get diagnosed.  And an update on how RSV vaccination in pregnant women is going, five months into the program.  

The human exposome is the environmental equivalent of the human genome, and there's a project in the works to map it.  It's a huge project that needs to take into account our lifestyles, cultures, economics and politics. Essentially, everything but our genome.  Also, a concerning disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians when it comes to kidney transplants.  And a small risk comes to light in relation to GLP-1s used for diabetes and weight loss.  References Guidance on medicinal cannabis prescribing targets unsafe practice - AHPRA GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Higher Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Am I on the list? Clinician‐reported factors for kidney transplantation non‐waitlisting among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with kidney failure: a cross‐sectional study The Human Exposome Project Generation Cancer - 4Corners Mapping the chemical complexity of plastics - Nature

Immunotherapy uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. In blood cancer, a revolutionary t-cell therapy has cured patients and could show promise in solid tumours.  In bladder cancer, the tuberculosis vaccine is infused to treat non-invasive cancer. However a shortage of BCG means researchers are having to test out other methods.  Also, is Australia on the front foot when it comes to type 2 diabetes treatment? And what does copper in the brain have to do with Parkinson's disease?