Headlines on health

The federal government has disputed the findings of a new report warning the cost of visiting a GP is on the rise. The annual survey of health clinics found a decline in the number letting patients use Medicare to cover expenses up front. But the Health Minister says increased government funding has actually boosted bulk billing rates.

Authorities in the United States have recorded the country's first human death from bird flu. The patient, aged over 65 and with underlying medical conditions, was hospitalised with the virus on December 18. So how dangerous is the H-5-N-1 virus, and are we prepared enough here in Australia? In this episode of Weekend One on One, SBS Reporter Cameron Carr speaks to Michelle Wille, a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Pathogen Genomics at the University of Melbourne.

It's been 10 years since commercial solariums were banned in Australia. But many Australians are still tanning - and now suntan trends are garnering millions of views on social media. Skin cancer experts are also concerned with the rise of modified sunbeds called collariums, that emit ultraviolet radiation, now being promoted as a healthy alternative to solariums.

Queenslanders have been urged to overcome ‘vaccine fatigue’ and take up an offer of free vaccinations amid predictions of a severe flu season. Health Minister Tim Nicholls has announced free flu vaccinations are still available to anyone over the age of six months, after earlier saying he would halt the three-year campaign at the end of 2024.

The United States' top doctor is calling for cancer warnings to be displayed on the country's alcoholic beverages. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's newly released advisory on the causal link between cancer and alcohol says alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable cancer, after tobacco and obesity. It's now sparking questions about whether Australia should consider similar measures.

It's considered the go-to guide for diagnosing mental health conditions in Australia. But is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - the DSM - still relevant and what other alternatives exist for diagnosing mental health conditions? In the final part of this two part special, we explore the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology, or HiTOP, an alternative to the DSM and hear more from people directly affected by misdiagnosis.

It's considered the go-to guide for diagnosing mental health conditions in Australia. But is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders still relevant and what other alternatives exist for diagnosing mental health conditions? In part one of a two part special, we take a closer look at the history of the DSM and we meet people with lived experience of misdiagnosis.

Crossfit is a growing international sport, a high-intensity program designed for a wide range of fitness levels. And one entrepreneur has made it her business to get people of all abilities moving - as Small Business Secrets explains:

The spread of HIV is increasing in Fiji, with some experts calling it the 'ticking timebomb' of the Pacific. Fiji has the second fastest growing epidemic in the Asia Pacific behind the Philippines, and the government has been urged by the Fiji Medical Association to declare an HIV outbreak. It's been attributed to poor sex education, low testing, limited access to intervention and a growing rate of injectable drug use, amid concerns the island nation is becoming a hub for drug trafficking.

Back pain, mental health concerns and arthritis are just some of the chronic illnesses affecting two in every five Australian workers. A new report has found a third of those experiencing such conditions have left jobs due to stress and a lack of support. Many have also experienced discrimination because of their illness.

There is a common misconception that eating disorders only affect women and girls, despite the fact over one third of those affected are male. And for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, there are often added barriers that force people to conceal aspects of their identity when seeking help.

Endometriosis affects one in every seven women. It's a disease causing tissue similar to uterus lining to grow in other parts of the body, often resulting in symptoms like period pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, pain during sex and reduced fertility. Australian women will now have access to cheaper medicine to treat the condition, after the federal government listed a treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

More than one third of those suffering with an eating disorder are male, and yet there's a common misconception that it's a women's issue. While there are often similarities between how men and women experience eating disorders, there are also gendered aspects to unhealthy body image ideals among men. Iin this episode of Weekend One on One, Catriona Stirrat speaks with Dr Zac Seidler - clinical psychologist and Global Director of Research at Movember. Dr Seidler unpacks common types of eating disorders among men - often centring around a fixation with muscle enhancement and reducing body fat. He shares how genuine male friendships might be the answer to tackling this often silently fought mental health issue.

A new free vaccine program from the Federal Government is expected to protect pregnant women and babies from the potentially-deadly respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. Health Minister Mark Butler says it could reduce hospitalisations due to the disease by 90 per cent.

Pregnancy loss is something thousands of women have to bear leading to intense grief and isolation. Gidget Foundation Australia - an organisation that provides specialist support for new and expectant parents - says early intervention is key in the healing process. But with the stigma around pregnancy loss still prominent, especially in migrant communities, this can be a challenge.

Fatima El-Assaad lost her daughter Aya in 2021 after she was born still at 27 weeks, but felt like she wasn't given the appropriate support to navigate her grief. It wasn't until Fatima started speaking to other Muslim parents, that she began to recognise a gap in culturally safe bereavement support. In fact, Fatima's advocacy group The Still Nest, contributed one of thousands of submissions to a world-first New South Wales birth trauma inquiry earlier this year - in which the government pledged support for all 43 recommendations. I'm your host Catriona Stirrat and in this episode of 'Hysterical' Fatima shares what she believes needs to change when it comes to healthy conversations around pregnancy loss.

Children under the age of 16 are to be banned from using social media, under a government proposal that will be introduced to Parliament this year. Advocates have welcomed the move, but experts warn there could be unintended consequences and loopholes in the ban. And a warning, this story includes stories of death and eating disorders.

A review of Australia's COVID-19 response has revealed a major erosion of trust by the Australian public and health systems. It found inconsistent messaging from state and federal governments and heavy restrictions contributed to the decline. In response, the federal government has committed more than 250 million dollars to establish a national public health body, by the start of 2026.

New research has found that an enlarged prostate gland is causing serious problems for more than 2.8 million Australian men and people assigned male at birth over the age of 50. The research by YouGov for Boston Scientific found most men fail to recognise the seriousness of what is a common health condition. The problems include increased frequency to urinate, and the risk of obstruction, bladder blockage and life-threatening symptoms. One man who spoke to SBS News explained how his prostate grew to the size of a softball forcing him to have surgery.

Revised drinking water guidelines in Australia have been released for public consultation. The update includes more stringent standards on the allowable level of the so-called forever chemicals or PFAS in tap water - based on the latest scientific evidence and international guidance on human health considerations.