The spread of HIV is increasing in Fiji, with some experts calling it the 'ticking timebomb' of the Pacific. Fiji has the second fastest growing epidemic in the Asia Pacific behind the Philippines, and the government has been urged by the Fiji Medical Association to declare an HIV outbreak. It's been attributed to poor sex education, low testing, limited access to intervention and a growing rate of injectable drug use, amid concerns the island nation is becoming a hub for drug trafficking.

Back pain, mental health concerns and arthritis are just some of the chronic illnesses affecting two in every five Australian workers. A new report has found a third of those experiencing such conditions have left jobs due to stress and a lack of support. Many have also experienced discrimination because of their illness.

There is a common misconception that eating disorders only affect women and girls, despite the fact over one third of those affected are male. And for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, there are often added barriers that force people to conceal aspects of their identity when seeking help.

Endometriosis affects one in every seven women. It's a disease causing tissue similar to uterus lining to grow in other parts of the body, often resulting in symptoms like period pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, pain during sex and reduced fertility. Australian women will now have access to cheaper medicine to treat the condition, after the federal government listed a treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

More than one third of those suffering with an eating disorder are male, and yet there's a common misconception that it's a women's issue. While there are often similarities between how men and women experience eating disorders, there are also gendered aspects to unhealthy body image ideals among men. Iin this episode of Weekend One on One, Catriona Stirrat speaks with Dr Zac Seidler - clinical psychologist and Global Director of Research at Movember. Dr Seidler unpacks common types of eating disorders among men - often centring around a fixation with muscle enhancement and reducing body fat. He shares how genuine male friendships might be the answer to tackling this often silently fought mental health issue.

A new free vaccine program from the Federal Government is expected to protect pregnant women and babies from the potentially-deadly respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. Health Minister Mark Butler says it could reduce hospitalisations due to the disease by 90 per cent.

Pregnancy loss is something thousands of women have to bear leading to intense grief and isolation. Gidget Foundation Australia - an organisation that provides specialist support for new and expectant parents - says early intervention is key in the healing process. But with the stigma around pregnancy loss still prominent, especially in migrant communities, this can be a challenge.

Fatima El-Assaad lost her daughter Aya in 2021 after she was born still at 27 weeks, but felt like she wasn't given the appropriate support to navigate her grief. It wasn't until Fatima started speaking to other Muslim parents, that she began to recognise a gap in culturally safe bereavement support. In fact, Fatima's advocacy group The Still Nest, contributed one of thousands of submissions to a world-first New South Wales birth trauma inquiry earlier this year - in which the government pledged support for all 43 recommendations. I'm your host Catriona Stirrat and in this episode of 'Hysterical' Fatima shares what she believes needs to change when it comes to healthy conversations around pregnancy loss.

Children under the age of 16 are to be banned from using social media, under a government proposal that will be introduced to Parliament this year. Advocates have welcomed the move, but experts warn there could be unintended consequences and loopholes in the ban. And a warning, this story includes stories of death and eating disorders.

A review of Australia's COVID-19 response has revealed a major erosion of trust by the Australian public and health systems. It found inconsistent messaging from state and federal governments and heavy restrictions contributed to the decline. In response, the federal government has committed more than 250 million dollars to establish a national public health body, by the start of 2026.