Drug use has been increasing, whether it be cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, or ketamine. That includes recreational use and substance abuse.

So it begs the question: Has criminalising drugs ever worked? And what needs to be done to drive down the harms associated with this increasing drug use?

If you're in need of support, you can contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015, or contact Counselling Online.

Where does Australia stand on drug decriminalisation?

Specialist and mainstream audiences alike rely on the Health Report to bring clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.

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Health & Fitness

Avian influenza particles have been detected in US milk supplies, just how concerning is that?

Why are COVID treatment recommendations different depending on what country you're in?

And how much does the average Australian know about preventing dementia?

The latest research on bras and knees. You might not think they have much to do with each other, but it turns out that wearing the right bra might actually reduce a woman's risk of a serious knee injury.

Pregnancy has been linked to accelerated biological ageing — in simple terms, how old your cells are.

And why being released from prison is a health risk.

Sports bras support knees, bird flu in milk, and health after prison release

Research into the influence of gender on autism spectrum disorder diagnoses.

Calculating how many lives were saved by Australia's Covid-19 vaccine roll-out, and how to spot a fake Dr Karl, or Dr Swan, in the wilds of social media marketing.

A review into how cognitive behavioural therapy can help young people who've experienced trauma.

Recently updated WHO guidelines say babies as young as six months can start drinking cow's milk rather than infant formula, but that contradicts Australia's national guidelines.

And the Federal Government has recently released more funds to build the local bone marrow donor system… but is it enough?

Cow's milk for babies, therapy for trauma, and lives saved by COVID vaccines

In light of the Bondi Junction attack, there's been a lot of commentary about mental illness - including schizophrenia.

So what is schizophrenia? While the exact cause isn't known, it's a serious mental illness that can affect how a person behaves. 

It might also surprise you to learn that someone with a diagnosis is more likely to be harmed, than to harm others.

On this special episode of Health Report, Dr Norman Swan talks about the medical facts about the disorder, how common it is and some of the successful treatments.

Norman Swan on what is schizophrenia?

Is a simpler solution to recurrent UTIs on the way? Plus when should you exercise to get the most benefit?

A deep dive into the UK's reviews of gender affirming treatment, and how Australia's system differs. 

Researchers say there's more PFAS in our water than previously thought, but how much do we know about the health harms?

And a new way to deliver immunotherapy straight to the source in bladder cancer.

Treating UTIs (without cranberry juice) and re-examining gender care

In health news this week it's cows with bird flu, vaccines for human flu, and GLP-1s for Parkinson's and possibly bowel cancer prevention.

When your private health insurer won't pay, have you read the fine print on your policy lately?

A look at health literacy barriers, when it's not the apple a day keeping some people away from the doctors' office.

How mRNA technology developed during COVID is now being used to target the proteins that cause Alzheimer's and dementia.

And new technology allowing researchers to look beyond standard autopsy results to investigate possible causes of some cases of SIDS.

Where does Australia stand on drug decriminalisation?

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