National Palliative Care Week is in its 30th year, with this year's theme: 'What's your plan?, aiming to encourage conversations around end of life care.Part of this could include discussing and implementing culturally appropriate customs and traditions related to death and dying for residents and their families, an issue being addressed through a new online course.

One in five people in Australia and New Zealand will experience chronic pain at some stage in their lives; and it's recognised as a major global health issue. Unrelieved pain can affect every area of a person's life with major social, financial and emotional consequences. Researchers at the University of New South Wales and Neuroscience Research Australia have done a randomised trial focusing on the experiences of people with chronic pain - and the role emotional processing plays in managing chronic pain conditions. Professor Lorimer Moseley is a professor of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of South Australia and the Chair of PainAdelaide. In this episode of Weekend One on One, he spoke with Peggy Giakoumelos on the role of psychology in chronic pain management.

Heavy menstrual bleeding affects a quarter of women, but is often excluded from discussions around women's health.While the government's $793 million women's health investment has been celebrated, there are concerns around a lack of specific reference to this condition.This comes amid calls for a change in terminology to challenge taboos.

After a record number of flu cases last year in Australia, experts are warning all Australians of the need to get the latest updated annual vaccine - as well as adopt other hygiene measures to reduce their risk. So far this year, 63,000 cases of influenza have been recorded nationally, and experts say it's already a relatively high number for this time of year - the start of the flu season. But whether this year will be a severe flu season depends on a number of factors.

Researchers are warning extreme heat is a threat to mental health. Doctors have long warned of the dangers of heat related stress and now a study suggests rising temperatures could increase the burden of mental and behavioural disorders by almost 50 per cent by 2050.

A global study conducted on osteoarthritis has revealed hundreds of genetic links to the disease. This comes as the group of international researchers have identified potential new drug targets that could fast track the development of more effective treatments.

Almost two decades after it entered the market, commercial genetic testing provider 23andMe filed for bankruptcy, earlier this year. Its demise has revived debate about genetic testing, which in its early days promised a revolution in medical treatment. Has that really happened?

A study of 5,000 Australian teenagers has found that almost one in two of those surveyed live with chronic diseases or developmental conditions. The research observed a link to unhealthy habits and poor mental health. But independent experts are emphasising that the study was observational, and that it's important these factors are not interpreted as the cause but rather elements that can exacerbate such conditions.

An Indigenous-led program that’s already helping hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people quit smoking and vaping is about to go national, thanks to a new $4.7 million grant. Which Way? Quit Pack has been developed by a team at the University of Newcastle, led by Wiradjuri woman Associate Professor Michelle Kennedy.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners says racism is affecting how people use healthcare services. As we mark the International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the nation's doctors want government support to measure how big the problem could be.