$136 billion goes ‘up in smoke’ every year

Fewer Australians are smoking, but the habit still costs the community at least $136.9 billion a year, according to a research report released by the National Drug Research Institute.

The business reality of baby dreams

The best way to decommodify the booming trade in human eggs would be social policy that encourages women who want children to conceive before their fertility declines.

Smoking is so yesterday

Women face a number of additional medical issues if they smoke, and quitting is by far the single most effective step anyone can take to improve their health.

Mind your micro-nutrients

Environmental and health concerns mean that many people are switching to a plant-based diet, but they can risk missing out on some key micronutrients.

Women still face a glass ceiling in medicine

There are now more female medical graduates than men, but women are still under-represented in senior medical roles in this country.

Meat-free meals load up on salt

They might be plant-based, gluten-free, organic and vegan, but many meat-free alternative products are highly processed and packed with salt, which can cause health problems.

It’s time to tackle our opioid problem

The abuse of opioids, both legal and illegal, has been a problem in Australia for decades, but the rise of drugs such as fentanyl means they must be tackled with renewed urgency.

Opioids – where to from here?

Opioids are among the most powerful analgesics available to medicine, but they have huge capacity to cause harm. In trying to solve one problem, is a bigger one being created?

Is the war against type 2 diabetes being won?

Prevention strategies could be contributing to a recent fall in the number of people developing type 2 diabetes in some high income countries.

From Townsville to Tuvalu

Most people accept that climate change is transforming the global atmosphere and environment, but far fewer people understand the significant effects that climate change and environmental change are already having on human health. 

Vaccines: Fact vs fiction

Despite the ill-informed controversies and internet misinformation, vaccination remains one of the most important and safest ways to protect yourself and your children from a range of dangerous diseases.

Smartphones can help tackle Australia’s mental health crisis

With smartphones and smart devices now ubiquitous in most Australian homes, a review by the Black Dog Institute has identified how these technologies can be used to identify, prevent and help treat mental illness.