In the news:

• Despite the reduction in daily smoking rates, 'poly-use' of nicotine, is a concern in some groups
• The WHO reports the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest ever seen in that country
• The TGA has a big job on its hands cracking down on influencers and companies flouting regulations around peptides

References

• 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

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.

Will it help men feel less concerned about that doctor’s visit and help with early detection?

Guest/s

• Professor Declan Murphy, consultant urologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 

References

• Guidelines for the early detection of prostate cancer

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

Researchers says more preparation is necessary to remediate the health impacts of a warming climate, and offers advice on what can help.

Guest/s

• Dr Qinqin Kong, Postdoctoral Scholar in the Departments of Medicine and Health Policy, Stanford University 

References

• 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

Peri-orificial dermatitis is a rash with little raised bumps that can appear around your mouth, nose and eyes. 

A dermatologist explains the cause and why using steroid cream is the worst thing you can do for it.

Guest/s

• Dr Anes Yang, dermatologist  

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

You can email us at [email protected]

In the news:

• In a small study, participants with a peanut allergy swallowed capsules containing treated faecal matter, and tried a dose of peanut four months later. Some were able to tolerate the peanut without a reaction.
• CEO of Eli Lilly discusses barriers to getting their GLP-1 agonist medication listed on the PBS, and questions the veracity of the process for getting the most up to date medications to Australian patients.
• The President of the United States signed an executive order changing the childhood vaccine schedule, making a link to autism, despite evidence to the contrary.

References

• 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

It’s been known for some time that the body mass index (BMI) has some limitations.

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

Guest/s

• Dr Michael Blaha, Professor of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for Cardiovascular Disease

References

• JACC: Risk Reclassification Beyond BMI by Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio Across 9 Cardiovascular Outcomes: Results From the Cross-Cohort Collaboration

Iron deficiency is one of the world’s most common nutritional disorders, affecting millions of women and children globally. The way we test for it now is time consuming, expensive and inaccessible for many.

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 deficiencies.

Guest/s

• Emily Eriksson, Senior Research Officer in immunology and infectious diseases, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute 

References

• Rapid test breakthrough could transform iron treatment worldwide

A recent study shows a lack of access to medical abortion care for women living in rural and remote areas, as discussed in our earlier story, Access to medical abortion still lacking.

We followed up with the college that upholds best practice in rural and remote care, to see how this is being addressed.

Guest/s

• Dr Rod Martin, President, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

References

• BMJ: Longitudinal trends and characteristics of medication abortion provision in Australian general practice: a national open-cohort study using Medicine Insight, 2014 to 2021

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

You can email us at [email protected]

• Pregnancy choices Tasmania