Scientists and health authorities are on alert for signs that bird flu is adapting to spread more easily among humans. It comes after the World Health Organization said a man's death in Mexico was caused by a new strain of bird flu that has never before been found in a human.

There are promising developments in the fight against melanoma with new treatment options offering fresh hope for patients. Research involving Australian scientists has made a breakthrough - it's found a powerful combination of immunotherapy drugs, given before cancer removal, can drastically improve survival rates.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the international community agreed it needed new systems to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response. But the World Health Organisation meeting in Geneva remains at odds this week over a new landmark pandemic treaty. Having failed to agree a finalised draft ahead of the meeting, it appears now that agreement on a new timeline cannot be reached. And scientists are warning the next pandemic is "just around the corner."

A New South Wales birth trauma inquiry has been released, making 43 recommendations to the New South Wales government. These include implementing trauma-informed care, reviewing laws around informed consent and improving mental health support and postpartum services.

New data from the Leukemia Foundation reveals that eight per cent of Australians will be diagnosed with a form of Blood Cancer in their lifetime. The foundation says it's critical for Australians to know about the condition that can impact anyone.

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is reportedly withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine worldwide. The vaccine was discontinued by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Authority in April 2023 after findings of adverse side effects.

Hand-sanitising prayer beads have been launched to help curb the spread of germs among Muslim pilgrims at this year's Hajj. The prayer beads (or Tasbih) are coated in tea tree oil and uniquely designed to preserve spiritual practices. They're being distributed to pilgrims on Saudia airlines flights, as well as in Mecca itself.

About one-in-ten people across Australia provide unpaid care for a loved one with a disability or an older person and roughly 304,500 of them receive the government carer payment. The Albanese government has unveiled changes to the support payment to allow them greater flexibility in the hours they can work.

Fewer people follow a formal religion, according to the latest Census. In fact, almost 40 per cent of people in Australia now identify as ‘no religion’. However, in times of crisis many still reach out for support. And that’s where non-religious spiritual carers step in.

New research shows that some people living with HIV are choosing cheaper and suboptimal antiretroviral treatment out of fear that their applications for permanent residency will be rejected. Applicants must show that their medical spending will not exceed more than $51,000 over 10 years — a requirement, known as the Significant Cost Threshold. Experts say these rules for migrants are unfair and can compromise Australia’s goal to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.