Are we mishandling the treatment of chronic disease?

With nearly half of all adults in some countries experiencing more than one chronic disease, some people simply can’t afford the treatment or drugs they need.

Loneliness is bad for your health

Research shows that people who feel lonely and experience social isolation have more health problems, feel worse and perhaps die at an earlier age. Quality of life can be greatly enhanced by engaging people in the community.

Unbottling the drivers of family violence 

The pernicious effect of alcohol often looms large in situations of family violence, so much so that it can overshadow the presence of other contributing factors.

Why too much sugar is bad for your health

Large amounts of sugar are hidden in our foods, causing weight gain and contributing to poor health and serious diseases. Half of us are eating too much sugar, here’s why you should cut down.

1 in 20 Australian deaths are caused by alcohol and illicit drugs

Alcohol and illicit drugs are responsible for nearly 1 in every 20 deaths in Australia, according to new analysis from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Australia needs a moratorium on genetic tests for life insurance

Australian Life Insurers will no longer be able to use predictive genetic test results in underwriting, if recommendations tabled by a Parliamentary Inquiry into Life Insurance are adopted.

Why do so many Australians get skin cancer?

While many people blame holes in the ozone layer, the truth is that white people simply didn’t evolve to survive Australia’s savage sun exposure and any failure to ‘slip, slop, slap’ exposes pale skinned people to risk.

Does too much social media damage young girls?

Does your daughter spend her free time browsing social media on her phone? A British study by Dr. Cara Booker has found an association between increased time spent on social media by girls in early adolescence and reduced well-being later in life.

The deadly science behind Russian nerve agent Novichok

After Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in the UK on March 4th, the British Government accused Russia of using the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok for state sponsored assassinations of its critics. Professor George Braitberg explains how it was produced and why it’s so deadly.

The fight against TB isn’t over

While TB is often seen as a disease of the past, it is still endemic in many developing countries and is even making a return to the developed world.

Salt is one big snag to improving your diet

It may be a classic of Australian barbecues, but the humble sausage rolled in a slice of white bread with tomato sauce hides a half an adult’s suggested daily salt intake.

Pursue drug harm reduction, not a punitive response

A Melbourne roundtable organised by Australia21 argues that the social and personal toll of drug use should be tackled through harm reduction measures rather than prosecution and imprisonment.