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.

The new exercise trend that’s good for everyone

Bringing the science of high intensity interval training (HIIT) into everyday life could be the key to helping unfit, overweight people get more of the exercise they need to improve their health, according to an international research team.

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.

Morning exercise improves brain health in overweight older adults

A morning bout of exercise can reduce the detrimental impact on brain blood flow caused by prolonged sitting in older adults who are overweight or obese.

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.