A study looking at step intensity and step count provides helpful advice for those who are limited in their time and ability to increase the number of steps and their pace.

The pharmaceutical company closest to getting a drug to market to reduce Lipoprotein (a) levels announced that while it reduces levels of these molecules, that didn’t translate into fewer cardiovascular events. 

A gene study provides further evidence that cerebral palsy may be a collection of symptoms, rather than a disease and indicates doing a genetic panel early on could improve treatment of affected children.

References

• Combinations of stepping intensity and daily step counts against all-cause and cardiovascular diseasemortality: insights from a device-based prospective study
• Novartis announces Lp(a)HORIZON Phase III topline results for pelacarsen in patients with elevated Lp(a) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD)
• A phenotypic paradigm for cerebral palsy genetics
• Salpingectomy for the Prevention of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
• Ovarian cancer doesn't start in the ovaries
• Study on degenerative brain disease finds CTE in 31 former rugby league players
• BMJ: Prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at death in National Football League players: retrospective population based cohort study, 2008-21
• Brisbane Coroner's Court: Non inquest findings into the death of Conor Dean

An international study of the genes of 2.5 million people confirms fibromyalgia as a nervous system disorder. A rheumatologist explains the relationship to other disorders including CFS/ME and long COVID.

Women of reproductive age are getting iron infusions at an increasingly high rate. What’s causing the numbers to rise so sharply and who is missing out?

Cuts to USAID are having big impacts on spread of HIV in Africa, according to a leading South African expert. What can we learn from their experience about how to manage the growing spread of the disease in Fiji and elsewhere in our region?

References

• Nature Medicine: The genetic architecture of fibromyalgia across 2.5 million individuals
• Increasing utilisation of intravenous iron among Australian women of reproductive age, 2013–2024: an Australian population-based study
• Pacific Beat: Australia boosts Fiji's HIV crisis response with new $8 million funding
• Maternal RSVpreF Vaccine Effectiveness Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Hospitalized Infants
• New England Journal of Medicine: Atorvastatin, Cardiovascular Events, and Disability-free Survival in Older Adults
• The BMJ: Measles: CDC refuses to record Pennsylvania fatalities in “measles associated deaths” row

It's become harder for medical students to qualify as a fully accredited specialist. This delay is having a profound impact on the wellbeing of doctors and on access to specialists across Australia. 

A new study shows people experiencing 'gout flares' more frequently have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease.

In the news:

• Twenty years ago, the first dose of the HPV vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer was administered. What's the impact of the research that led to this, from University of Queensland's Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer AC and his colleague Dr Jian Zhou?
• A Select Committee on Women's Health will look for the first time at post-partum care and pregnancy, amongst other issues that will support women. Submissions close on October 9.
• Genetic markers for stress have been investigated in donated brain tissue of people with schizophrenia, showing stress genes had been turned on.
• Two more people have died of measles in the United States 

References

• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 2026-2030 Surgical Pathways Strategy
• Department of Health: Whole of Medical Workforce Supply and Demand Study
• Annual gout flare frequency as a marker of sustained cardiovascular risk: a clinical threshold for risk stratification
• 20 years. Millions of lives saved. One revolutionary vaccine
• Select Committee on Women's Health
• Association Between Age-Dependent DNA Methylation Changes at FKBP5 Enhancer Sites and Increased Cortical Gene Expression in Schizophrenia
• Pennsylvania Department of Health Confirms Two Measles-Associated Deaths

New clinical guidelines for early detection of prostate cancer make big changes to screening, with an end to the digital examination and more frequent PSA tests in older age groups.

A new global study suggests people over sixty may face serious health risks from heat at much lower temperatures than previously understood.

Overuse of active skincare is one of the causes of peri-orificial dermatitis. We ask a dermatologist about the best way to treat it.

References

• Guidelines for the early detection of prostate cancer
• Lancet Planet Health: Exceeding human heat tolerance in a warming, ageing world: a global projection modelling study
• ABC Health: People over 60 face heat exposure danger at lower temperatures, study suggests
• National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights
• WHO Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the Congo
• TGA flexes its muscle against illegal peptides and steroids
• Melanotan II tanning peptide products found to be inconsistently dosed

A study shows waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) should be included with BMI when assessing patients with abdominal fat for risk of cardiovascular disease.

A new rapid 'lateral flow' test is being trialled in the hope it will provide faster and more accurate results to help detect and treat iron deficiencies.

We follow up on our earlier story about the lack of access to medical abortion services for women in rural and remote areas.

Guest/s

• Dr Michael Blaha, Professor of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for Cardiovascular Disease
• Emily Eriksson, Senior Research Officer in immunology and infectious diseases, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
• Dr Rod Martin, President, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

References

• JACC: Risk Reclassification Beyond BMI by Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio Across 9 Cardiovascular Outcomes: Results From the Cross-Cohort Collaboration
• BMJ: Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021
• Nature: First poo transplant to treat food allergy in people has ‘exciting’ results
• Eli Lilly CEO still wants deal to bring Mounjaro to Australia under PBS
• Trump signs order to reduce childhood vaccines and break up MMR shots

‘Kate’ has a history of anorexia nervosa and was once hospitalised for the condition. Yet she was able to access GLP1s to control her weight via a telehealth provider, without being screened for an eating disorder. 

Surveys of acute pancreatitis are currently underway around Australia, in response to an increase in cases globally. A study from South Australia shows some surprising results with an increased incidence in young people, women and those from a higher socio-economic background.

If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder: 

• Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673
• National Eating Disorder Collaboration
• Lifeline on 131 114  

References

• AHPRA statement on telehealth providers not screening for eating disorders
• JAMA Psychiatry: Use and Misuse of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among People With Eating Disorders
• Epidemiological time trends in acute pancreatitis – A 16-year experience from South Australia
• Rise in drug-related deaths and hospitalisations driven by stimulants, annual NDARC reports find
• Global Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol—Leveraging Estimation for Action | Cardiology | JAMA | JAMA Network
• Laureates of the 2026 L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science International Awards
• Vitamin B6: too much, too little, too late? An analysis of salestrends in Australia from 2023 to 2025

Clinicians, researchers, government and industry partners have come together in a new arrangement to trial a blood test that uses biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, in the hope it will aid diagnosis.

A new vaccine developed to treat the latest outbreak of ebolavirus is already being tested on humans. But the organisation behind it has also invested in three other vaccines, in case the trials aren't successful. 

Less than one third of general practices provide medical abortion in Australia, with access and support influenced by geographic location and socio-economic status.

References

• Test that could identify signs of Alzheimer's disease 20 years earlier greenlit for trials
• Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation
• Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021
• Saliva test for endometriosis lacks real-world evidence, Australian experts say
• Vitamin K Prophylaxis in Newborns and Bleeding in Infancy
• Blood tests and ultrasounds: Korea is becoming one of the world's global healthcare hubs

A new study looks at the health benefits of holding off on a child's smartphone by one year. Is there a "best" age to let them have their own device?

Despite the lack of subsidies for CGM devices that monitor glucose levels for those with type 2 diabetes,  research shows continuous glucose monitoring can be beneficial for those living with the condition.

There is now clear evidence that having high blood pressure as a child can influence health outcomes later in life. New clinical guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure twice during childhood and adolescence, beginning at age 7.

References

• Smartphone Acquisition and Use at Age 13 Years and Health Outcomes at Age 14 Years
• Continuous glucose monitoring versus self-monitoring of blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, multicentre, open-label, superiority trial
• Diabetes Australia statement
• Australian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents
• Update on access to goserelin 3.6 mg implant
• Cost of accessing mental health services for young people
• New England Journal of Medicine: Meningococcal B Vaccine to Prevent Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection
• More than 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases reported in 41 states: CDC

There's a race going on in Silicon Valley to find ways to slow down ageing and monetise longevity. Some of the tools used to measure this are biological age tests that give various health readings. Can you biohack your way to reverse ageing? 

Parents and caregivers of adolescents can worry about the side effects of taking oral medications for acne. A new study into the use of isotretinoin found no association with reduced adult height. 

A newly updated human-infective RNA virus dataset may be used to find patterns that help predict what a future virus, or ‘disease x’ might look like. 

References

• Four Corners: The Race to Reverse Aging
• Isotretinoin Treatment in Adolescence and Adult Height
• A complete catalogue of human-infective RNA viruses
• UK begins trials of Ebola vaccine developed in just eight weeks
• Future pharmacy: A better deal for patients and taxpayers
• Pete Hegseth announces plan to test US troops for low testosterone

A review of the evidence for community pharmacist prescribing has reopened the debate about who should be able to prescribe, and a legislative change means some registered nurses with special training will soon be authorised to prescribe a number of medicines on the PBS too.

Australia's Health 2026 report shows that dementia has overtaken coronary heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia,  and rising obesity rates are a contributor.

A new study assessed three parameters in the diets of Swedish participants who were at risk of dementia. Can the quality of your diet really make a difference?

A follow up of patients admitted to intensive care units around Australia with sepsis and septic shock, looked at the longer term effects of this life threatening condition.

References

• Community pharmacist prescribing outcomes in Australia and beyond
• Pharmacist prescribing: without evidence, it's the patient who pays
• RACGP-commissioned review confirms pharmacist prescribing improves access to care
• New law gives registered nurses PBS prescribing rights for the first time
• Sexual orientation and gender identity based disparities in colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening in the United States
• US study on cancer screening access and what it means for AustraliaUSyd CEC response
• Australian cancer trials are getting worse at reporting sex differences - putting patients at risk
• Australia's health 2026 (AIHW)
• Diet Quality and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With Alzheimer Pathology
• Long-term survival in patients discharged alive from hospital following an intensive care unit admission with sepsis or septic shock in Australia and New Zealand: an observational cohort study