A brain training trial finds a reduction in dementia diagnoses after 20 years -- but for a very specific kind of training.

New research into oral GLP-1 medications for diabetes and -- perhaps further down the track -- weight loss.

And risk factors for developing an allergy. Some well known, others more peculiar.

References

• Impact of cognitive training on claims-based diagnosed dementia over 20 years: evidence from the ACTIVE study
• Efficacy and safety of once-daily oral orforglipron compared with oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes (ACHIEVE-3)
• Risk factors for the development of food allergy in infants and children

Most Australian children are eating too much salt, according to new research.

The study found Victorian school children were getting too much sodium, but not enough potassium.

A high salt intake can lead to high blood pressure, which in children can be an early warning sign for cardiovascular disease later in life.

Guest

• Dr Carley Grimes, Senior Lecturer in Population Nutrition, Deakin University

References

• Sodium, potassium and blood pressure in Australian schoolchildren: exploring differences by sex and weight status — a cross-sectional study

Currently, breast screening is recommended for women aged 50 to 74. Women over 40 can also have a free mammogram every two years.

But researchers have looked at what happens when the type of screening is adjusted depending on your risk.

High-risk women would undergo more intense screening, while screening for low-risk women wouldn’t happen at all until they reach 50.

Guest/s

• Professor Dorothy Keefe, CEO, Cancer Australia

References

• Risk-Based vs Annual Breast Cancer Screening: The WISDOM Randomized Clinical Trial

The diagnosis and management of endometriosis can be complex and difficult to navigate.

What are the different ways in which the condition can be diagnosed? When is a laparoscopy called for and when don't you need one? And how do you seek a second opinion?

Guest/s

• Dr Nyash Gwata, Gynaecologist, Obstetrician and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon in Melbourne

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

You can email us at [email protected]

A study has found self-collection swabs are enabling more women to be screened for HPV, which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. 

Vaccination against HPV has also been shown not to wane in a long-term follow up of more than 300,000 girls and women. 

And another win for exercise — moderate to vigorous physical activity has been associated with a lower risk of death among survivors of bladder, endometrial, lung, rectal and ovarian cancers. 

References

• Uptake and performance of self-collection offered through primary care to all eligible participants in a national cervical screening programme in Australia: a retrospective cohort study
• Extended follow-up of invasive cervical cancer risk after quadrivalent HPV vaccination: nationwide, register based study
• Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Cancer Mortality Among Cancer Survivors

There have been some cases where chats between vulnerable people and AI bots have gone horribly wrong.

But it shows that people are turning to generative AI when they’re in need of support – whether that’s for general life advice or actual therapy.

Given psychologists can be expensive and difficult to access, how can a person seek support from AI without it going off the rails?

Guest/s

• Professor Jill Newby, clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute 
• Dani Zetzer
• Lauren OLoughlin

References

• Informed use of AI technologies for mental health
• AI and mental health in Australia: what needs to happen next - Black Dog Institute

When you think of a pharmacist, you probably think of someone giving you medication to take.

But for some, their whole job is to deprescribe – assess what drugs you’re on now, and which ones are no longer necessary.

Research shows that for a portion of older adults, deprescribing drugs can even extend their life.

Guest/s

• Deborah Hawthorne, consultant pharmacist in rural Victoria 

References

• Pharmacists call for medicine review program to be expanded - ABC News
• The effect of deprescribing interventions on mortality and health outcomes in older people: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

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

You can email us at [email protected]

A report from the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has raised concerns, after finding a steep increase in antibiotic resistance. 

An initiative in the UK is trying to tackle the issue of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites becoming resistant to treatments — starting in schools. 

Also, unpacking the results of a study that found menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is not linked to increased risk of death. 

And a major review finds intermittent fasting made little to no difference in weight loss or quality of life in overweight or obese adults compared to regular dietary advice.

Guest/s

• Professor Alison Holmes, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Imperial College London

References

• Menopausal hormone therapy and long term mortality: nationwide, register based cohort study
• Sixth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health (AURA report)
• Education and Behaviour Change - The Fleming Initiative's Stance
• Intermittent fasting for adults with overweight or obesity