There's been talk of changing the packet size of paracetamol tablets, to reduce the self-harm of overdose—but it would be better to investigate and remedy why this harm occurs.

The idea that society—as well as an individual—is responsible for this 'health literacy' is central to a new World Health Organisation report.

Results of a randomised trial in people with low back pain who used a spinal cord stimulator were published recently, and the researchers are surprised by what they found.

Hosts: Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor

14 November: Paracetamol overdoses | Health literacy is a societal responsibility | Can spine stimulators treat back pain?

Specialist and mainstream audiences alike rely on the Health Report to bring clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.

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Health & Fitness

The top five things you can do to keep your mental health in check, plus an update on the virus everyone is talking about: bird flu.

Maintaining your mental fitness – and a new culprit for Alzheimer's disease?

Correcting the record on fructose, and new research offers some clues about whose allergies might desist as they grow up. 

Also, new insights from a vaccine complication, and the risk of catching a common virus during pregnancy.

The 'sweet poison' fructose myth, and outgrowing childhood allergies

How bird flu has (probably) gone from cows to humans, as well as the latest on psychedelics for depression and psychotropics in healthcare.

How much time you should spend sitting, standing, moving and sleeping for the optimal 24 hours. 

How sexuality might shorten your lifespan. And why the health effects of nanoplastics are so difficult to uncover.

Are cows giving us bird flu? And everything we (don't) know about nanoplastics

Researchers have found a possible link between iron and long-COVID

Each year the flu vaccine is reformulated to target the current strains of influenza A and B that are circulating globally — but what if it didn't need to be?

A new review of Health at Every Size shows that, at least when it comes to measures like cholesterol and blood pressure, it's not enough on its own.

One of the most common interventions for IBS is an elimination diet to try to identify a trigger. But that diet might carry its own risk – of triggering disordered eating – a new study warns.

While grief effects everyone differently, a small group of people can find themselves 'stuck' in intense grief – it's not depression, it's prolonged grief disorder, and it can be treated.

The Health Report mailbag features "stoolgazing" and when to collect your own samples… or not.

You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au

Iron for long-COVID, 'holy grail' flu shots, and prolonged grief disorder

Avian influenza particles have been detected in US milk supplies, just how concerning is that?

Why are COVID treatment recommendations different depending on what country you're in?

And how much does the average Australian know about preventing dementia?

The latest research on bras and knees. You might not think they have much to do with each other, but it turns out that wearing the right bra might actually reduce a woman's risk of a serious knee injury.

Pregnancy has been linked to accelerated biological ageing — in simple terms, how old your cells are.

And why being released from prison is a health risk.

14 November: Paracetamol overdoses | Health literacy is a societal responsibility | Can spine stimulators treat back pain?

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