Everyone can help put the case for vaccination

Falling vaccination rates are causing a resurgence of serious childhood diseases, but parents as well as doctors can help reverse the trend by advocating for immunisation.

More nurse visits can help vulnerable children thrive

Increasing the number of maternal and child health nurse visits to new mothers facing adversity can significantly improve parenting and maternal wellbeing.

America’s opioid epidemic is starting to hit Australia’s shores

The stereotype of a typical drug addict is out of date. Rather than a destitute urban heroin addict, today’s drug users tend to be mainstream, suburban and regional and are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids such as OxyContin.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? Wrong

It’s no yolk, there’s nothing special about breakfast. Indeed, a new study shows that, contrary to popular belief, eating or skipping breakfast has little influence on people’s weight.

Helmet laws have halved cycling deaths

A UNSW Sydney study has shown a clear link between mandatory helmet laws and a drastic reduction in cycling fatalities, and argues that helmet laws have not cut participation as is often suggested.

Eating more fruit and vegetables is good for mental health

Many studies show that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is good for your physical health, but the latest research suggests that it might be good for your mental wellbeing too.

Australia needs stronger pharmaceutical transparency rules

Researchers warn Australian pharmaceutical companies are no longer required to publicly disclose many payments to the health sector, and advocate for US-style legislation to ensure full and long-lasting transparency.

Five warning signs of overdiagnosis

Early detection can be the key to a successful cure, but a plethora of tests can lead to overdiagnosis, where people are diagnosed with diseases that won’t harm them, and overtreatment with therapies that won’t benefit the patient and may even cause harm.

Mindfulness could help ease chronic pain

Mindfulness meditation may help ease chronic pain as it lessens sensitivity and reduces external stress, say international researchers. Their study compared mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioural therapy and found similar rates of improvement.

Do footballers return too soon after concussion?

The third season of the women’s football competition, the AFLW, kicks off this weekend and with it will come renewed debate around concussion. Thirty women suffered a concussion playing in the AFLW in the first two seasons of the competition, according to AFL statistics, forcing several players into early retirement.

Time for joint action on obesity, undernutrition and climate change

A new report from The Lancet Obesity Commission has drawn links between obesity, undernutrition and climate change and calls for strong global actions that address all three issues at once.

Tackling the myths and realities of endometriosis

Clinicians must be given the training and support they need to provide comprehensive, evidence based healthcare for women with endometriosis.