How the “superhero” immune system of newborn marsupials could help save premature babies

Understanding how marsupials can survive outside the womb at a very early stage of development could help researchers devise new ways to support premature human babies.

Steer clear of wild mushrooms this autumn

The Food Safety Information Council has warned people not to pick or eat any wild mushrooms this autumn.

Premiums up, rebates down, and a new tiered system for private health insurance

If you have private health insurance, or are considering getting it, a series of changes coming into effect on April 1 are worth knowing about.

Boosting “respect” doesn’t improve indigenous healthcare

A year-long program, designed to improve cultural respect and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal patients, has failed to either increase the rate of Indigenous health checks or improve cross-cultural behaviours, according to Australian researchers.

Data sharing by popular health apps is “routine”

Mobile health apps are a booming market targeted at both patients and health professionals. However these apps also pose unprecedented risk to consumers’ privacy given their ability to collect sensitive user data of great value to commercial interests.

Tackling the ‘toxic trio’ behind coeliac disease

The current treatment for coeliac disease is a gluten-free diet, but researchers want to ‘train’ the body to tolerate the toxic gluten protein as a new way to treat the disease.

Protecting the world from pandemics

Creating mathematical and computational models of infectious diseases such as pandemic flu gives governments and health policy-makers a toolkit to predict and respond to the threats posed by potential pandemics.

Democracy is good for your health

Living in a democracy is closely linked with better health for adults thanks to an increase in government spending, according to international researchers.

We need more than a website to cut out of pocket health expenses

Seeking and making sense of specialist fees is an unfair burden to place on vulnerable patients. A website might be helpful for some – but health professionals need to be held to higher account.

Drug companies stay coy about safety

Should new safety warnings about the potentially serious harmful effects of medicines be considered ‘confidential business information’? University of Sydney researchers make a case for stronger regulation and full ongoing public access.

It’s time for a Medicare shake-up

Over the last 35 years, Medicare has given Australians access to high-quality health care at a reasonable cost but the numbers of claims are rising, and higher spending doesn’t equate to better care.

Empowering everyone to improve their own health

Professor Charles Abraham spent many years in the UK designing and evaluating behaviour change interventions. Now, he hopes to help improve Australia’s health by continuing his work here in Australia.