World-first cancer treatment now accessible for hundreds more Aussies
A world-first cancer treatment discovered here in Australia has been added to the PBS, slashing the price by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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Latest health news top stories & analysis
This is a news collection page about health covering the latest in research, scientific discoveries, diets, obesity, cancer, medical procedures, medicine, hospitals and government health guidelines. Australians spent $180.7 billion on health in 2016-17, which is more than $7,400 per person. With an ageing population, health and the costs surrounding it will continue to be a major concern of the public. In 2018, the abuse of the elderly in aged care homes has been a significant news story and one that has become a major talking point in government after distressing videos and images emerged. The Government’s 2018-2019 Budget Long Term National Health Plan sits at $99.1 billion and focuses on aged care, guaranteeing Medicare, and improving Indigenous health.
Pharmacists could treat more conditions to ease pressure on GPs
The move would require them to undertake extra training so they can prescribe more medications.
South AustraliaWant to burn calories? Climbing stairs might be the most effective exercise for you
Climbing stairs can help you get fit faster and burn more calories, research has shown.
healthPregnant women, infants to get free 'game changer' vaccine in SA
Pregnant women and infants in South Australia will soon be able to get vaccinated for free against the potentially dangerous illness RSV.
healthAustralia's childhood asthma hotspots revealed
The chronic lung disease occurs at more than double the national average in some communities, new research found.
AustraliaVaping crackdown aims to protect kids from nicotine addiction
Raids at two northern Adelaide stores uncovered 100kg of illegal tobacco and vapes inside a washing machine, drawers and boxes.
9ExPressLife-changing cancer-treatment jab added to PBS
It will slash the cost by more than $100,000 and will allow patients to bypass lengthy infusions in a hospital chair.
nationalHundreds at risk after boy, 14, dies from Nipah virus in India
Health authorities in India's Kerala State have announced safety regulations for millions after a 14-year-old boy died from Nipah virus over the weekend.
VirusBird flu detected at residential property in ACT
It's the second site the virus has been found at in the territory.
health'You've got to scare people': Anti-vaping campaign makes no sense, says Howcroft
Marketing guru Russel Howcroft has slammed the Federal Government's new anti-vaping campaign in his latest podcast episode.
healthFire crews battle Melbourne fish and chip shop blaze
About 30 firefighters worked into the early of the morning to extinguish the blaze.
nationalAustralia's leading causes of death revealed
One single cause played a role in almost 40,000 deaths in Australia in 2022.
healthNew diabetes drug trialled in Melbourne hoped to fill Ozempic shortage
Researchers hope the new drug will help fill the gap left by a global Ozempic shortage.
VictoriaWhat you need to know about FLiRT, Australia's new COVID variants
A new family of COVID-19 strains, nicknamed "FLiRT" are spreading across the world, and have arrived in Australia. This is what you need to know about it.
healthRare blood disease linked to COVID-19 vaccine complication in new study
Australian researchers have made the discovery, which will play an important role in improving vaccine safety.
healthAussie-made drug helped change life of stroke survivor
Aaron Piper, 40, was getting his kids ready for school when a large clot lodged in his brain, causing him to have a stroke.
health'Significant link' found between regular exercise and improved physical health for women over 50
The study found the positive effect of physical activity was significant, even after socioeconomic factors and pre-existing health conditions were taken into account.
mRNA cancer vaccine shows 'promising' results, US study finds
The patients who took part in the trial lived longer than expected, however, it is too early to determine the clinical effects of the vaccine.
WorldRSV cases 'remain high' in NSW, surpassing COVID-19 and flu cases
There's been a 9 per cent increase in notifications of RSV cases over the last week, bringing the total number to 3084.
national'Hundreds of times stronger than heroin': Severe overdoses trigger warnings
Nitazenes, potent synthetic opioids, have been found in a cluster of 20 overdoses reported in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District
SydneyVaccines saved almost 20,000 lives during early Omicron wave
The study said that, without vaccines, 21,250 people aged over 50 would have died from the virus in the state over those 12 months – almost six times the actual 3495 deaths in that age group.
COVID 19New type of flu vaccine made free for vulnerable Australians
While it was approved for use in 2021, this will be the first year it will be available to eligible Australians for free.
healthVaping substantially increases heart failure risk, massive new study finds
The research is cause for concern in Australia, where 1.7 million adults now vape and the trend has grown at a remarkable speed.
VapingIt can kill you in numerous ways. Now smoking may cause another
A new study has shed light on how sparking up a cigarette could be causing another deadly health problem.
healthGroundbreaking treatment hope for ovarian cancer
Groundbreaking work by Mater research scientists is giving new hope by targeting molecules on a key immune system trigger known as dendritic cells.
healthNew study could transform what we know about long COVID
One of Australia's leading doctors now wants everyone to stop using the term "long COVID".
healthWhy do I need to get up during the night to wee?
Waking up from sleep to urinate on a regular basis is called nocturia.
nationalClub believes innovative QR code initiative could help prevent tragic deaths on the field
The parent of a young footballer who died on the field has joined forces with a local club to try and prevent another death.
Diet soft drinks may boost risk of heart condition by 20 per cent: study
Atrial fibrillation can cause some people to experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue. But for others, it's a potentially silent killer.
healthUltraprocessed foods increase risk of heart disease by 50 per cent
Eating ultraprocessed foods raises the risk of developing or dying from dozens of adverse health conditions, according to a new Australian review of 45 meta-analyses on almost 10 million people.
healthWomen benefit more from exercise than men, study suggests
Researchers analysed exercise data and death statistics and concluded women get more bang for their buck when they do exercise.
healthUpdated sun safety advice takes into account different skin types
Experts say the new guidelines are about getting the balance right between combating skin cancer and getting the benefits of exposure.
healthQueensland on alert over 'concerning' Ross River virus numbers
Queensland's top doctor has warned residents the state is facing an increased risk of Ross River virus infections this year.
queenslandSo-called 'healthy' machines are giving Australians cancer
Experts are warning Australians against using sunbeds that are promoted as safe and legal alternatives to outlawed solariums, saying they still pose a cancer risk.
healthYou may be eating predigested food (and it's making you fatter)
Modern manufacturing processes are creating food that is irresistible, but incredibly unhealthy.
healthResearchers developing way to predict cancer treatment outcomes
The organoids are the size of grain of sand and a special robot is used to screen which treatment kills off the tumour more effectively.
nationalThis salt substitute significantly lowers blood pressure, but no one uses it
Health experts from across the globe are banding together to demand the solution be added to treatment plans globally.
nationalWhy are measles cases popping up across the United States?
The virus has also been detected in Australia, where alerts have been issued by NSW, Victorian and ACT health authorities in recent weeks.
healthChildhood obesity surged during COVID-19 lockdowns, study finds
Health professionals warn the spike in childhood obesity could cost millions in future healthcare needs.
healthSimple task reveals important information about bone strength, study finds
A patient's ability to walk just one kilometre can uncover important information about their risk of a fracture.
New South WalesResearch reveals stunning effect of cervical cancer vaccine
A groundbreaking study has found a common vaccination prevents the development of cervical cancer in young females.
healthTreatment for advanced melanoma to become cheaper under PBS
Patients living with recurrent or metastatic melanoma will no longer have to pay up to $315,000 for treatment.
nationalA glass of fruit juice a day can lead to weight gain in children: study
The study included Australian data and looked at popular types of juice, including grape, apple and orange.
healthVideo gamers may be risking hearing loss or tinnitus, study finds
Video gamers are being warned about the long-term hearing problems that arise from unsafe volumes.
healthBaby Owen's transplanted heart is growing with him in world-first
Owen Monroe was 18 days old when he made history, becoming the first person in the world to receive a partial heart transplant.
medicalVaccines to become free across all Australian community pharmacies
The federal government's National Immunisation Program (NIP) will remove all administration fees from January 1.
nationalWHO announces a new COVID-19 'variant of interest'
The World Health Organisation is warning that a new COVID-19 strain, JN.1, could rapidly spread.
COVID 19Spike in STIs in Australia has health experts alarmed
Dramatic spikes in syphilis and gonorrhoea are 'particularly concerning' as testing for STIs is decreasing.
sexually transmitted diseasesSally was being taught ultrasounds. She got more than just a lesson
She was lying on a hospital bed and scanning herself when she discovered something that was "all bumpy".
healthTwo new COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Australia
Both Pfizer and Moderna's monovalent XBB 1.5 vaccines – jabs made to offer protection against the Omicron subvariant – will be available for use after getting the green light.
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