Health Report

• A study using data from the UK Biobank indicates following the Mediterranean diet as a way to prevent acne. Researchers say avoiding entire food groups like dairy is not recommended.
• A new drug to treat pancreatic cancer can extend survival times significantly, but there are some major barriers to access.
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A plan to reform study pathways for registered psychologists faces opposition from some within the industry. They say it could result in graduates without enough practical experience, which may affect the quality of care you get.

References

• Victorian Coroners Court: finding into death without inquest - Richard John Norton
• ABC News: Coroner recommends TGA review peptide restrictions after Australian actor's death
• WHO: Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and Nigeria
• Associations between diet quality and adult acne: A cross sectional study in the UK Biobank
• Redesigning the higher education pathway

• The first national report on e-scooters and e-devices from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare quantifies the impact of these devices on our community. So what should be done to prevent injuries and deaths?
• A new study shows people who survive cancer have a build up of plaque in their arteries, and a higher risk of heart disease. But are they being monitored for these risks?
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In hospital regular medications are sometimes paused while the patient recovers from other illnesses and procedures, but that can mean people are missing these vital medications for much longer than they should.

References

• E-scooter and e-bike injuries and deaths in Australia: national trends and data limitations
• Coronary Plaque Burden and Plaque Composition in Long-Term Cancer Survivors: A Comparative CCTA Study
• Hospitalisation Is a Strong Risk Factor for Discontinuation of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors for Type 2 Diabetes
• The Lancet: 21st century global threats to health are not what you think
• TGA: MS-2 Step (mifepristone and misoprostol)
• Testosterone Screening Thresholds in Active-Duty US Male Service Members

New guidelines for clinicians will clarify when to use menopausal hormone therapy over other medicines, and what options are available for those with a history of breast cancer.

The author of a study investigating what goes on in the gut microbiome of people who have and are being treated for cancer, says there are some surprising results.

Research shows pre-teens who began using a smart phone at age 12 showed a greater risk of eating disorder symptoms at age 14.

If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder:

• Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673
• National Eating Disorder Collaboration
• Lifelineon 131 114

References

• RANZCOG Management of vasomotor and genitourinary symptoms of menopause clinical guideline
• Cell: Microbiome signatures linked to cancer and treatment adverse events in a real-world cohort
• JAMA Network Open: Smartphone Ownership and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Early Adolescence
• Health Report: What age is best for a child's first smartphone?
• Journal of the Royal Society Interface: Quantifying the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 vaccination: evidence from Victoria, Australia
• AIHW: Health Expenditure Australia 2024-2025
• Australian College of Emergency Medicine: State of Emergency
• JAMA Neurology: Global Incidence of All-Cause Dementia, A Meta-Analysis

Broadening the definition of clinical obesity has lowered its prevalence in children but increased it in mid-life. Researchers hope this will assist clinicians with individualised care and advice for people in larger bodies.

If you have polyps removed during a colonoscopy, you may be asked to come back in 3-5 years time for another procedure. But does that timing decrease your risk of cancer?

A new study shows fear related harms like post traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder are the most frequent symptoms experienced by survivors of intimate partner violence involving guns and other weapons.

Family and domestic violence support services:

If you need help immediately, call emergency services on Triple Zero.

• Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811
• 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732
• Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491
• The Kids Helpline: 24-hour support on 1800 55 1800
• Lifeline: 131 114

References

• The Lancet commission definition of clinical obesity: a multi-cohort cross-sectional analysis from early childhood to older age in seven high-income countries
• Colonoscopy Intervals and Colorectal Cancer Incidence after Adenoma Removal
• Gun and Other Weapon–Involved Intimate Partner Violence and Psychiatric Symptoms
• AIHW: Polypharmacy in Australia in 2025
• BMJ: Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination before pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes: nationwide, populationbased case-control study
• ABC News: Russia rails against online 'plague' claims, but few in Irkutsk trust authorities

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition that mostly affects people over 65 years of age but can happen earlier. Learn what to look out for and when you should get it checked out.

A health law expert talks through the regulations that may apply to the LillyDirect platform, which now facilitates dispensing of the pharmaceutical company's own GLP1 medicine in Australia.

The Fijian government recently declared a national emergency in response to the rising number of HIV cases in the country. How will that help residents who already have HIV to stay healthy, and prevent further transmission?

References

• Weight loss drug will be easier to access as Eli Lilly disrupts the pharmacy model
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ABC News: Doctors condemn Eli Lilly move to dispense GLP-1 medication Mounjaro direct to door

Lilly Australia told ABC News that LillyDirect operates within existing regulatory frameworks and that the service would improve affordability and convenience for Australians. A spokesperson said: "Australian doctors prescribe the medicine, Australian pharmacists review and dispense prescriptions, and Australian healthcare, pharmacy, privacy and regulatory requirements apply at every stage."

• A systematic review of epidemiological studies into daylight-saving time & health identifying beneficial & adverse effects
• Trial of a Maternal Diet Rich in Eggs and Peanuts to Reduce Infant Allergy
• Astrazeneca to extend PBS access to Zoladex® (goserelin) monthly (3.6mg) implant

After failing to negotiate a way for their weight loss medicine to be listed on the PBS, Eli Lilly has launched an online platform to "facilitate dispensing and delivery of medicines to consumers". It provides a pathway via third party providers that people can use to get prescriptions filled and even home delivery.

While diagnoses for adult ADHD are on the rise, we look at medications and other treatments for ADHD in children.

Emergency room visits and unplanned hospitalisations occur more often for those being cared for in privately run aged care homes.

A study investigating the potential link between the use of hormonal contraceptives and colorectal cancer finds using these medications does not affect your chance of getting this type of cancer, nor does it provide protection against the disease.

References

• Lilly Direct consumer press release
• A Randomised Open-Label Comparison of Dexamphetamine and Methylphenidate in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Symptom Response, Adherence and Weight Impact Over 12 Months
• Association of long-term care facility ownership and location on residents’ mortality and hospitalisations: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Australia
• Contemporary hormonal contraception and colorectal cancer in premenopausal women: nationwide cohort study
• Fijian government declares national HIV emergency as cases soar
• WHO continues to support Fiji as it declares HIV a national emergency
• Keeping HIV under control is increasingly challenging
• Andrographis removed from listed medicines framework because of allergy risk

Rachel has lived experience of an eating disorder and came across ads for a telehealth weight loss company on a podcast. The ads continue in their podcast feed, more than a year after they lodged a formal complaint with AHPRA. Rachel hasn't been updated on the status of the complaint.

Disrupted sleep during pregnancy and the post partum period can increase the risk of cardiovascular events for mothers, and it's now understood these risks can be transferred to the baby as well.

PBS listings for medications for three separate conditions have run up against President Trump’s most favoured nation pricing policy this year. New research on this policy and its impact shows there will likely be more of these disruptions to come.

References

• Why is it so easy to get weight loss injections, if they could cause you harm?
• GLP-1 drug prescribed to woman with eating disorder via telehealth sparks calls for regulation
• The implications of maternal sleep disruption on cardiovascular adaptations and cardiometabolic outcomes
• Most-favoured-nation pricing for prescription drugs in US Medicare: a cohort study
• Better transparency and choice in health care
• Medical Costs Finder
• Blood test to detect Alzheimer's disease will be trialled in Australia
• Social Media Claims About Blood Tests for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Content Analysis

A study looking at step intensity and step count provides helpful advice for those who are limited in their time and ability to increase the number of steps and their pace.

The pharmaceutical company closest to getting a drug to market to reduce Lipoprotein (a) levels announced that while it reduces levels of these molecules, that didn’t translate into fewer cardiovascular events.

A gene study provides further evidence that cerebral palsy may be a collection of symptoms, rather than a disease and indicates doing a genetic panel early on could improve treatment of affected children.

References

• Combinations of stepping intensity and daily step counts against all-cause and cardiovascular diseasemortality: insights from a device-based prospective study
• Novartis announces Lp(a)HORIZON Phase III topline results for pelacarsen in patients with elevated Lp(a) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD)
• A phenotypic paradigm for cerebral palsy genetics
• Salpingectomy for the Prevention of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
• Ovarian cancer doesn't start in the ovaries
• Study on degenerative brain disease finds CTE in 31 former rugby league players
• BMJ: Prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at death in National Football League players: retrospective population based cohort study, 2008-21
• Brisbane Coroner's Court: Non inquest findings into the death of Conor Dean

An international study of the genes of 2.5 million people confirms fibromyalgia as a nervous system disorder. A rheumatologist explains the relationship to other disorders including CFS/ME and long COVID.

Women of reproductive age are getting iron infusions at an increasingly high rate. What’s causing the numbers to rise so sharply and who is missing out?

Cuts to USAID are having big impacts on spread of HIV in Africa, according to a leading South African expert. What can we learn from their experience about how to manage the growing spread of the disease in Fiji and elsewhere in our region?

References

• Nature Medicine: The genetic architecture of fibromyalgia across 2.5 million individuals
• Increasing utilisation of intravenous iron among Australian women of reproductive age, 2013–2024: an Australian population-based study
• Pacific Beat: Australia boosts Fiji's HIV crisis response with new $8 million funding
• Maternal RSVpreF Vaccine Effectiveness Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Hospitalized Infants
• New England Journal of Medicine: Atorvastatin, Cardiovascular Events, and Disability-free Survival in Older Adults
• The BMJ: Measles: CDC refuses to record Pennsylvania fatalities in “measles associated deaths” row

It's become harder for medical students to qualify as a fully accredited specialist. This delay is having a profound impact on the wellbeing of doctors and on access to specialists across Australia.

A new study shows people experiencing 'gout flares' more frequently have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease.

In the news:

• Twenty years ago, the first dose of the HPV vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer was administered. What's the impact of the research that led to this, from University of Queensland's Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer AC and his colleague Dr Jian Zhou?
• A Select Committee on Women's Health will look for the first time at post-partum care and pregnancy, amongst other issues that will support women. Submissions close on October 9.
• Genetic markers for stress have been investigated in donated brain tissue of people with schizophrenia, showing stress genes had been turned on.
• Two more people have died of measles in the United States

References

• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 2026-2030 Surgical Pathways Strategy
• Department of Health: Whole of Medical Workforce Supply and Demand Study
• Annual gout flare frequency as a marker of sustained cardiovascular risk: a clinical threshold for risk stratification
• 20 years. Millions of lives saved. One revolutionary vaccine
• Select Committee on Women's Health
• Association Between Age-Dependent DNA Methylation Changes at FKBP5 Enhancer Sites and Increased Cortical Gene Expression in Schizophrenia
• Pennsylvania Department of Health Confirms Two Measles-Associated Deaths

New clinical guidelines for early detection of prostate cancer make big changes to screening, with an end to the digital examination and more frequent PSA tests in older age groups.

A new global study suggests people over sixty may face serious health risks from heat at much lower temperatures than previously understood.

Overuse of active skincare is one of the causes of peri-orificial dermatitis. We ask a dermatologist about the best way to treat it.

References

• Guidelines for the early detection of prostate cancer
• Lancet Planet Health: Exceeding human heat tolerance in a warming, ageing world: a global projection modelling study
• ABC Health: People over 60 face heat exposure danger at lower temperatures, study suggests
• National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights
• WHO Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the Congo
• TGA flexes its muscle against illegal peptides and steroids
• Melanotan II tanning peptide products found to be inconsistently dosed

A study shows waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) should be included with BMI when assessing patients with abdominal fat for risk of cardiovascular disease.

A new rapid 'lateral flow' test is being trialled in the hope it will provide faster and more accurate results to help detect and treat iron deficiencies.

We follow up on our earlier story about the lack of access to medical abortion services for women in rural and remote areas.

Guest/s

• Dr Michael Blaha, Professor of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for Cardiovascular Disease
• Emily Eriksson, Senior Research Officer in immunology and infectious diseases, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
• Dr Rod Martin, President, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

References

• JACC: Risk Reclassification Beyond BMI by Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio Across 9 Cardiovascular Outcomes: Results From the Cross-Cohort Collaboration
• BMJ: Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021
• Nature: First poo transplant to treat food allergy in people has ‘exciting’ results
• Eli Lilly CEO still wants deal to bring Mounjaro to Australia under PBS
• Trump signs order to reduce childhood vaccines and break up MMR shots

‘Kate’ has a history of anorexia nervosa and was once hospitalised for the condition. Yet she was able to access GLP1s to control her weight via a telehealth provider, without being screened for an eating disorder.

Surveys of acute pancreatitis are currently underway around Australia, in response to an increase in cases globally. A study from South Australia shows some surprising results with an increased incidence in young people, women and those from a higher socio-economic background.

If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder:

• Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673
• National Eating Disorder Collaboration
• Lifelineon 131 114

References

• AHPRA statement on telehealth providers not screening for eating disorders
• JAMA Psychiatry: Use and Misuse of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among People With Eating Disorders
• Epidemiological time trends in acute pancreatitis – A 16-year experience from South Australia
• Rise in drug-related deaths and hospitalisations driven by stimulants, annual NDARC reports find
• Global Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol—Leveraging Estimation for Action | Cardiology | JAMA | JAMA Network
• Laureates of the 2026 L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science International Awards
• Vitamin B6: too much, too little, too late? An analysis of salestrends in Australia from 2023 to 2025

Clinicians, researchers, government and industry partners have come together in a new arrangement to trial a blood test that uses biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, in the hope it will aid diagnosis.

A new vaccine developed to treat the latest outbreak of ebolavirus is already being tested on humans. But the organisation behind it has also invested in three other vaccines, in case the trials aren't successful.

Less than one third of general practices provide medical abortion in Australia, with access and support influenced by geographic location and socio-economic status.

References

• Test that could identify signs of Alzheimer's disease 20 years earlier greenlit for trials
• Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation
• Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021
• Saliva test for endometriosis lacks real-world evidence, Australian experts say
• Vitamin K Prophylaxis in Newborns and Bleeding in Infancy
• Blood tests and ultrasounds: Korea is becoming one of the world's global healthcare hubs

A new study looks at the health benefits of holding off on a child's smartphone by one year. Is there a "best" age to let them have their own device?

Despite the lack of subsidies for CGM devices that monitor glucose levels for those with type 2 diabetes, research shows continuous glucose monitoring can be beneficial for those living with the condition.

There is now clear evidence that having high blood pressure as a child can influence health outcomes later in life. New clinical guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure twice during childhood and adolescence, beginning at age 7.

References

• Smartphone Acquisition and Use at Age 13 Years and Health Outcomes at Age 14 Years
• Continuous glucose monitoring versus self-monitoring of blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, multicentre, open-label, superiority trial
• Diabetes Australia statement
• Australian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents
• Update on access to goserelin 3.6 mg implant
• Cost of accessing mental health services for young people
• New England Journal of Medicine: Meningococcal B Vaccine to Prevent Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection
• More than 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases reported in 41 states: CDC

There's a race going on in Silicon Valley to find ways to slow down ageing and monetise longevity. Some of the tools used to measure this are biological age tests that give various health readings. Can you biohack your way to reverse ageing?

Parents and caregivers of adolescents can worry about the side effects of taking oral medications for acne. A new study into the use of isotretinoin found no association with reduced adult height.

A newly updated human-infective RNA virus dataset may be used to find patterns that help predict what a future virus, or ‘disease x’ might look like.

References

• Four Corners: The Race to Reverse Aging
• Isotretinoin Treatment in Adolescence and Adult Height
• A complete catalogue of human-infective RNA viruses
• UK begins trials of Ebola vaccine developed in just eight weeks
• Future pharmacy: A better deal for patients and taxpayers
• Pete Hegseth announces plan to test US troops for low testosterone

A review of the evidence for community pharmacist prescribing has reopened the debate about who should be able to prescribe, and a legislative change means some registered nurses with special training will soon be authorised to prescribe a number of medicines on the PBS too.

Australia's Health 2026 report shows that dementia has overtaken coronary heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia, and rising obesity rates are a contributor.

A new study assessed three parameters in the diets of Swedish participants who were at risk of dementia. Can the quality of your diet really make a difference?

A follow up of patients admitted to intensive care units around Australia with sepsis and septic shock, looked at the longer term effects of this life threatening condition.

References

• Community pharmacist prescribing outcomes in Australia and beyond
• Pharmacist prescribing: without evidence, it's the patient who pays
• RACGP-commissioned review confirms pharmacist prescribing improves access to care
• New law gives registered nurses PBS prescribing rights for the first time
• Sexual orientation and gender identity based disparities in colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening in the United States
• US study on cancer screening access and what it means for AustraliaUSyd CEC response
• Australian cancer trials are getting worse at reporting sex differences - putting patients at risk
• Australia's health 2026 (AIHW)
• Diet Quality and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With Alzheimer Pathology
• Long-term survival in patients discharged alive from hospital following an intensive care unit admission with sepsis or septic shock in Australia and New Zealand: an observational cohort study

While looking for ways to treat pain in those with musculoskeletal disorders, researchers examined studies in which sleep supplement melatonin had been used.

A study into the behaviour of immune cells in coeliac disease patients showed surprising results. Instead of being overactive, T cells in coeliac disease were subdued, and didn't survive as long as T cells from healthy people.

Spinal stimulators have been in use for many years, but the evidence for their benefit, or otherwise has been unclear until now.

References

• Efficacy and effectiveness of melatonin for the management of musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo and active controlled trials
• Functional immune profiling reveals CD4+ T cell dysregulation in coeliac disease (Immunology and Cell Biology, 2026)
• Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation plus locomotor training versus sham-stimulation plus locomotor training in chronic spinal cord injury (eWALK): a multicentre, triple-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial
• The little-known cause of heart attack in young women
• Worsening Asthma Outcomes in Australian Adults: A Comparison of Stratified Sample Surveys in 2012 and 2021
• Most Australians unaware of 'black triangle' medicine side effects reporting scheme: study
• New pneumococcal vaccine for adults on the NIP
• Statement from Invidior on removal of Sublocade from Australian market

A movement disorder specialist says the APVMA decision on the use of herbicide paraquat ignores evidence of the link with cases of Parkinson's disease.

Analysis of patient data shows less than twenty percent of people attend a cardiac rehabilitation program after their hospital stay, despite the fact that it can make a huge difference to health outcomes.

There's been a substantial increase in vaccine concerns from parents, with changes to messaging on vaccines in the USA filtering through to Australia. A childhood immunisation expert outlines an approach to help turn this around.

And a study shows most IVF add-on treatments do not result in more pregnancies.

References:

• Statement from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
• Chemical regulator approves restricted use of herbicide paraquat previously linked to Parkinson's disease
• Mapping patient outcomes associated with cardiac rehabilitation
• Childhood vaccine hesitancy, The New England Journal of Medicine
• Safety and effectiveness of ten common in-vitro fertilisation add-ons
• No evidence most IVF add-on treatments improve fertility
• Concerns regarding the public health risks associated with unapproved peptide products
• WA Health provides public health update following avian influenza detection in wild bird

The first cases of H5N1 bird flu have been confirmed following the discovery and rescue of a sick bird on a remote beach in Western Australia.

Since then more sick birds have been reported, with authorities stressing the safest approach is to take a photo and notify them.

While the risk of bird to human transmission is low, there have been almost one thousand cases of H5N1 bird flu in humans since 2003.

So what happens now?

Further information:

• Bird flu (avian influenza) CDC
• Human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza
• An overview of influenza H5 vaccines
• Science Show: Preparing for the next pandemic
• Vet chanced upon sick bird that turned out to be first H5 bird flu case