Generation vape

Vaping was initially toted as a safer alternative – and route out of – smoking tobacco, but has become a major health threat in its own right.

A tan to die for

Collarium sunbeds are being marketed for commercial use in parts of Australia, despite sunbeds or tanning beds being banned for commercial use in Australia for nearly 10 years due to the risk of skin cancer.

Identifying risky drugs for older people

Australian researchers have developed a list of 16 potentially dangerous medications used in healthcare for older people and suggested a range of safer alternatives.

Modernising Medicare

As Medicare turns 40 years old this month, it’s important to reflect on its achievements, and also what needs to be done to remodel it.

Their foot’s in the door

While The Last of Us remains a work of fiction, real-life scientists are worried about rising rates and severity of fungal infections worldwide.

Walk hard

The ability to walk a kilometre or not can help predict fracture risk for older adults, say researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Sydney.

Green mental health

Getting out into nature helps people improve their mental health – and bringing nature back into our cities can reduce crime.

Best foot forward

A randomised control trial has found that “gamified” step exercises at home helped prevent falls for people over 65 by over a quarter, compared to a control group.

The return of COVID

COVID is now seen as a minor inconvenience, rather than a global health threat, but a new variant is surging across the world and only 20% of older Australians are up to date with their booster shots.

Eight weeks to less stress

A little compassion can go a long way in life, and just eight weeks of a new compassion and mindfulness-based program has made a world of difference to those with post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Gene genies

The UK and US have both approved a gene editing therapy to overcome the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease, heralding a new age of gene editing to treat congenital genetic conditions.

What ails Australia?

Mental health and substance use disorders are now the second largest group of diseases causing illness and premature death in Australia, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.