• Would you want to know you’ll get dementia?

    Open Forum     |      September 29, 2023

    A simple, cheap and non-invasive blood test could help predict a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease up to 20 years before symptoms show, although the blight that might cast over their lives means it might not be news people want to know.

  • Higher fees could reduce tobacco outlets

    Open Forum     |      September 28, 2023

    Significantly increasing the licensing fees for tobacco retailers is an effective way to reduce the number of shops selling tobacco and should be considered again, according to Australian researchers.

  • Quacks, cures and curiousities

    Alan Stevenson     |      September 17, 2023

    Throughout human history, various methods have been used to determine the health of an individual and cure them of ills, and even the invention of modern evidence based medicine hasn’t affected the popularity of some ‘alternative’ treatments.

  • Australia’s dead beat diet

    Open Forum     |      September 13, 2023

    Although Australia is ripe with golden soil and premium produce the nation is failing to embrace a balanced diet, with the national diet score falling well below a healthy level.

  • Understanding MyMedicare

    Anthony Scott     |      September 10, 2023

    MyMedicare is a new voluntary scheme that allows patients to register with their usual GP, in an attempt to improve continuity of care and health outcomes.

  • Tackling regional nurse shortages

    Open Forum     |      September 6, 2023

    A University of South Australia study has shortlisted a range of strategies to tackle the chronic shortage of nurses in Australia’s regions.

  • Facing up to fentanyl

    Suzanne Nielsen     |      September 4, 2023

    Opioid addition remains a major health crisis in the USA, and Australia should guard against a similar disaster happening here.

  • Love your heart

    Open Forum     |      August 29, 2023

    International research suggests that half of all heart conditions are caused or exacerbated by five lifestyle risk factors – such as smoking or being overweight – which people can tackle to improve their health.

  • Healthier together

    Caitlin Reader     |      August 21, 2023

    Paying attention to the ‘social determinants of health’ as well as individual responsibility can reduce inequities in health outcomes, but many Australian state and federal social policies neglect them.

  • A sting in the tale

    Damon Whittock     |      August 17, 2023

    The anatomy of bee stingers could help lead to advancements in the emerging field of micro medical devices.

  • Mind over matter

    Alan Stevenson     |      August 1, 2023

    Research suggests our brain can control many facets of our daily physical lives in ways which were once thought impossible.

  • Dark winter

    Andrew Robinson     |      July 29, 2023

    In her new book Professor Raina MacIntyre proposes that we are entirely too complacent about the risks of pandemics, even after the global experience of COVID 19.