Headlines on health

A 30-year study has revealed the long-term impacts of domestic and family violence and a higher prevalence of Endometriosis than first thought.

For centuries, studies of human health have focused predominantly on men. Momentum for change began in the 1970s and 80s, through the women's health movement in Australia. It led to the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, which has been ongoing for 30 years, and is unique internationally. In the three decades of the study, it has revealed the long-term the impacts of domestic violence on women’s health, and has changed our understanding of the prevalence of Endometriosis on women's health.

In this episode:

• The rise of Australia's women's health movement and the birth of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health.
• The immediate and long-term consequences of family, domestic and sexual violence on women’s physical and mental health.
• The push for earlier Endometriosis diagnosis and intervention.
• Why the study wants to attract a more diverse survey participant base.

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Health Experts say dangerous, yet highly preventable diseases are persistently present in many remote communities in Australia. Rheumatic Heart Disease is one such disease that's largely eradicated in the developed world, but Australia still has some of the highest rates globally, and it's disproportionately impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors and health workers say it's continued prevalence is a sign of a failing system.

More than 30 medical research institutes have joined forces for Australia’s first Medical Research Giving Day, amid warnings about the financial sustainability of the sector. Researchers say funding shortfalls could slow the search for new treatments, earlier diagnoses and better care for patients and families across Australia.

Which disease has an annual death rate that is two thirds of the nation's road toll - and is getting worse? The same condition has numerous, hugely famous patients and patrons at home and around the world - yet we don't know why most cases occur. Now, research into Motor Neurone Disease has identified clusters around Australia - pushing one state to make a world first move.

A widespread cyclosporiasis outbreak - which causes explosive diarrhoea - has grown into the largest on record in the United States and this week caused its first known deaths. Medical experts are warning that recent regulatory rollbacks have contributed to the infection's historic scale. The outbreak—now spanning at least nine states—has been sourced to iceberg lettuce from privately held Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico and served at Taco Bell restaurants. Cyclosporiasis, caused by an intestinal parasite, is generally not life-threatening, and the people who died had significant underlying health conditions that were exacerbated by severe dehydration. Gastroenterologist Dr Rabia De Latour is from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine and spoke to the Associated Press

The flu season is upon us. So if we think we might have come down with some kind of respiratory virus, what should we do? For the best advice, SBS reporter Cameron Carr spoke to Professor Paul Griffin from the University of Queensland School of Medicine

Here in Australia, while we may not like them, we are, at least, used to wildfires. They are part of our environment. But people in the northern hemisphere are finding it hard to come to terms with the massive fires blazing across Europe and North America. And while an advancing wildfire is a terrifying sight as it consumes everything in its path, scientists are warning that it's the smoke from wildfires that can also be a serious threat to health.

A blood test may predict the start of Alzheimer's symptoms years in advance and doctors say it could become a game changer. The study shows a blood test can help identify healthy people at high risk for Alzheimer's disease and how far their disease has progressed.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released its 2026 health report, revealing the key drivers of health outcomes across the country, and where targeted attention is most needed. Researchers say Australians born today are expected to live longer than previous generations, cancer survival rates are improving, and coronary heart disease deaths are decreasing. But head of the Institute's Flagship Reporting Unit Melanie Dunford says the findings also show Australia is facing some significant health challenges and persistent inequalities

Australia is losing one person to a drug overdose every three and a half hours. New figures from the Penington Institute show more than 2,500 Australians died from drug-induced causes in a single year, the deadliest year on record. CEO John Ryan says the toll is now almost double the national road toll, and frontline workers warn the illicit drug market is becoming more unpredictable, with addiction affecting people from all walks of life.