A new study out in Nature has shown our immune system becomes primed when we see sick, sniffling people. 

Also, the national mental health commission puts out its latest report card, and it's not great news. 

And data out of South Australia hints at a worrying trend in secondary cancers in people with colorectal cancer. 

References

• Mental Health Commission - National Report Card 2024
• Incidence, Risk and Trends of Multiple Primary Cancers in Patients With Colorectal Cancer: Evidence From the South Australian Cancer Registry - Cancer Medicine
• Neural anticipation of virtual infection triggers an immune response | Nature Neuroscience 

When it comes to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, it’s likely the horse has bolted the gate.

Many doctors are using new tools to help out with clinical paperwork and free up their time.

But what are the benefits, and potential pitfalls, for patients? And how can they opt out?

Guest/s

• Professor Enrico Coiera, Director of the Centre for Health Informatics at Macquarie University

References

• Consultation: Clarifying and strengthening the regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) - TGA

While the prevalence of smoking has been falling in Australia, our progress has slowed since the emergence of vaping.

And in the UK new research has found that teens who currently vape are as likely to start smoking as their peers were in the 1970s.

But it’s not all bad news – there are signs that new restrictions have helped to slow the rate of young people taking up vaping in the first place.

Guest/s

• Professor Becky Freeman, member of the Prevention Research Collaboration at the University of Sydney

References

• Vaping and young people: Assessing early impacts of Australia's comprehensive approach to vaping product control
• Trends in adolescent smoking prevalence before and after the emergence of vaping in Australia: an interrupted time series analysis, 1999–2023
• Risk of adolescent cigarette use in three UK birth cohorts before and after e-cigarettes

Reminiscing about the past? Dwelling on times gone by? Or, as a new study suggests, are you simply rejuvenating your memories?

When we encode new memories, it’s only natural that we then go on to forget some of those experiences.

But there are many things we are able to recall time and time again, no matter how much time has past. Could frequent reminiscing be the reason?

Guest/s

• Professor Karl-Heinz Bäuml,  Professor of Psychology at Regensburg University

References

• Reinstating memories' temporal context at encoding causes Sisyphus-like memory rejuvenation

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.

You can email us at [email protected]

The lower risk of dementia that seems to be associated with vaccination against shingles might not have anything to do with protection from the virus.

It might be the adjuvant in the vaccine itself. 

Also, ivermectin might be useful in controlling malaria. But its effects are on the mosquitoes, not humans. 

References

• Lower risk of dementia with AS01-adjuvanted vaccination against shingles and respiratory syncytial virus infections 
• Ivermectin to Control Malaria — A Cluster-Randomized Trial | New England Journal of Medicine
• Ivermectin against Malaria — Good News in Bad Times | New England Journal of Medicine

When having a baby, there are lots of decisions to be made about maternity care, and barriers depending on your socio-economic situation.

A new study has highlighted a worrying issue – finding higher adverse health outcomes in standard public maternity care.

However there have been criticisms about how the paper compared the two sectors, and whether it’s a fair contrast.

Guest/s

• Professor Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery at Western Sydney University

References

• Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes and Health System Costs in Standard Public Maternity Care Compared to Private Obstetric-Led Care: A Population-Level Matched Cohort Study
• Is childbirth really safer for women and babies in private hospitals? - the Conversation

New research suggests young bats might be a key source of viral spillover, as the immunity from their mums wane.

Coronaviruses are common in bats, though they don’t tend to cause any issues unless they spill over into bridging animals, which might then infect humans.

This is becoming more common because of habitat destruction and environmental stressors.

Guest/s

• Dr Alison Peel, veterinarian and wildlife disease ecologist at the University of Sydney

References

• Synchronized seasonal excretion of multiple coronaviruses coincides with high rates of coinfection in immature bats

For the first time ever, there’s been an international survey on chronic conditions from the perspective of the patient.

Australia is one of 19 countries that participated in the OECD-led survey.

Insights from the survey could contribute to improving care for patients living with chronic illness – with an emphasis on continuity of care.

Guest/s

• Lesley, participant in the survey
• Associate Professor Liz Marles, Clinical Director for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care

References

• Patient-Reported Indicator Survey (PaRIS)
• PaRIS Survey - Australian National Report 2025

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.

You can email us at [email protected]