Best Defect Tracking Podcasts (2025)

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Training GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD 13:33

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3 days ago13:33

13:33

GPs in NSW will soon be able to undertake further training to diagnose and treat kids and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Western Australia and Queensland have already implemented similar reforms to address the barriers to seeing a paediatrician or a psychiatrist. Also, fears the collapse of Australia's second-largest p…

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Your cognitive skills at age two might predict your ability in adulthood 8:42

3 days ago8:42

8:42

We’ve known for some time that the first few years of childhood are critical when it comes to development. But a new study has highlighted just how critical the early years are for cognitive ability. It found cognitive ability at age 29 can be predicted by the genetic and environmental influences on you at age two, and even more so at age seven. Gu…

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An update on osteoporosis care 9:55

3 days ago9:55

9:55

Many people don’t find out they have osteoporosis until they suffer a fracture from a small fall. However of those aged 50 years and over, 66 per cent do have osteopenia or osteoporosis, where bones become less dense and more fragile. An updated guideline has been published, including new information about drugs used to treat the condition. Guest/s…

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Scanxiety: Could scans in cancer remission do more harm than good? 5:44

3 days ago5:44

5:44

People who are in remission from cancer have regular scans and tests as part of surveillance. It’s a period of huge anxiety for many – but is surveillance overdone and does it make a difference to how well you fare? Guest/s Professor Katy Bell, clinical epidemiologist in the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health References Routine Surveill…

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Mailbag: More complexity in prostate cancer testing 4:44

3 days ago4:44

4:44

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.auBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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Donanemab approved to treat Alzheimer's disease 8:26

10 days ago8:26

8:26

The TGA has approved a drug — donanemab — to treat Alzheimer's disease in its early stages. The drug has a small effect in slowing cognitive decline, however it isn't a cure and can have significant side effects. Also, the World Health Assembly adopts historic Pandemic Agreement with zero objections.…

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Real Norman vs deepfake Norman 3:24

10 days ago3:24

3:24

For months, the Health Report has been getting emails about ads where 'Norman' was promoting unproven supplements. Scammers have been using Norman's voice and face to create AI videos to sell hundreds of dollars worth of supplements to trusting listeners. References The growing impact of deepfake health scams | 7.30 Deepfake videos of Norman Swan a…

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Why wasn't Joe Biden's aggressive prostate cancer detected? 6:39

10 days ago6:39

6:39

Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer. It follows the diagnosis of one of our own prominent politicians, Barnaby Joyce. There’s been a lot of changes lately in the guidelines for detecting and treating prostate cancer, but gaps remain. Guest/s Associate Professor Jeremy Grummet, director of ur…

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There's been a big CRISPR breakthrough. What does the future hold? 12:23

10 days ago12:23

12:23

In a world first, a baby has been treated with a personalised gene-editing technique. KJ’s parents were given the choice of a liver transplant or a CRISPR therapy that nobody had ever received. The journey isn’t over, but KJ has improved. So what’s on the horizon for CRISPR therapies – will we continue to see personalised applications? Guest/s Prof…

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How much does sleep duration really matter? 7:14

10 days ago7:14

7:14

The amount of sleep people get varies across cultures, but does that mean their health differs too? Researchers looked at countries with shorter average sleep durations to find out whether they suffered negative health outcomes – but they didn’t. Instead, people who stuck closer to their cultural norms around sleep – independent of sleep duration –…

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Mailbag: Getting enough iron 3:44

10 days ago3:44

3:44

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.auBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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OCD genes uncovered — what does it change? 12:10

17 days ago12:10

12:10

Australian researchers say they've identified about 250 genes linked to OCD, including 25 they believe to be causal. We take a look at how this study was conducted, and whether it means anything in the short-term for sufferers. Also, two new papers published in time for a major obesity conference. But can we trust the results?…

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The mystery surrounding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 9:47

17 days ago9:47

9:47

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) might affect up to 30 per cent of Australians. But it’s unlikely IBS is one condition with a single cause. In some cases the strong gut-brain connection might be the culprit. One researcher has been on a mission to find out more about what causes IBS, and what can be done about it. Guest/s Distinguished Laureate Profe…

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What a tick, a meat allergy and heart disease have in common 8:22

17 days ago8:22

8:22

Imagine waking up one day and being allergic to meat. That’s a reality for some people who are unlucky enough to get bitten by a particular tick. Alpha-gal syndrome, otherwise known as a mammalian meat allergy, is not well known. However as research advances, a tricky connection between this allergy and heart disease is starting to emerge. Guest/s …

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Taking iron deficiency seriously 7:34

17 days ago7:34

7:34

Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, dizziness, headaches and difficulty concentrating. But despite these worrying symptoms, it’s common for young menstruating women to be iron deficient. There are treatments available to fill back up iron stores, however they can be expensive and therefore inaccessible to those who need them most. Guest/s Professor …

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Mailbag: So ... which arm?! 2:34

17 days ago2:34

2:34

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.auBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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A deep dive on Labor's health promises 11:38

24 days ago11:38

11:38

With Labor winning another term — and a larger majority — their health promises have gone from election pledges to government mandate. They've promised big boosts to Medicare and to cut costs for certain treatments and medications. But not everyone is happy with what has been promised — because of what wasn't given a spotlight during the campaign.…

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The difficulty of deprescribing antidepressants 9:32

24 days ago9:32

9:32

About one in seven Australians take an antidepressant, and many people are taking them long-term. However there isn’t much evidence for the effectiveness of antidepressants long-term. But getting off these drugs can be tough, because withdrawal symptoms can be severe and can mimic a relapse. Guest/s Professor Katharine Wallis, lead of the RELEASE (…

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New national guidelines for miscarriage 11:29

24 days ago11:29

11:29

Early pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, is widespread. Up to one in five women will have a miscarriage before 20 weeks. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has put out clinical guidelines for the treatment of miscarriage. Advocates are hoping to improves care for women, and draws attention to an imp…

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What women should know about sleep apnea 8:05

24 days ago8:05

8:05

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects your breathing when you sleep, and can have serious consequences. There are some hallmark symptoms like snoring, but that’s not always how it presents – particularly in women. Sleep apnea is also linked to a host of metabolic conditions, like insulin resistance, diabetes and fatty liver disease. Guest/s Dr Pe…

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Mailbag: Knees and ALTs 2:49

24 days ago2:49

2:49

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.auBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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24/7 healthcare hotline to bolster triage 7:26

about a year ago7:26

7:26

Services are already available intended to triage patients dealing with health complaints, to avoid clogging up emergency rooms. An expansion of Healthdirect is on the cards, but what impact would it have? Also, an ongoing outbreak of melioidosis in northern Australia linked to wet weather and floods.…

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Should we be paying more attention to this marker of liver function? 13:13

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about a year ago13:13

13:13

Liver disease is becoming more common, in particular fatty liver disease. It affects up to 1 in 3 Australian adults. A common test – ALT or alanine transaminase – is used as a measure of liver health. However there’s huge variation in what different labs considered concerning, meaning some people are being missed. Guest/s Professor Simone Strasser,…

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This could change the arm you get vaccinated 9:11

about a year ago9:11

9:11

When going to get vaccinated, you're often asked which arm you'd prefer to be jabbed. Most people pick their least dominant arm so the pain from the injection site bothers them less. A new finding from a study on the immune system suggests that might give you a faster, and better, immune response. Guest/s Professor Tri Phan, the Garvan Institute of…

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Using metformin to treat knee osteoarthritis 7:20

about a year ago7:20

7:20

It has been a struggle to find drugs that slow the progression of osteoarthritis, rather than just manage the symptoms. But a common drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, metformin, is showing promise, not just in pain reduction but in improving knee cartilage. Guest/s Professor Flavia Cicuttini, Head of Rheumatology at Alfred Hospital and Musculoske…

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Mailbag: AI diagnoses 2:05

about a year ago2:05

2:05

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.auBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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PMDD AWARENESS MONTH SPECIAL: Your Questions Answered with Mandy Rother, RD 1:09:14

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about a year ago1:09:14

1:09:14

Hey friends, welcome back to the Flow State Podcast! This episode is a special one, not just because it’s PMDD Awareness Month, but because we’re joined again by someone you’ve probably heard and loved before: functional dietitian and PMDD advocate, Mandy Rother. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a mountain of supplements, wondering why noth…

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White House website pushes lab leak COVID theory 5:46

about a year ago5:46

5:46

The Trump administration has published the 'true origins' of COVID-19 on a government website, pushing an unproven theory on how the pandemic started. That's despite there being no conclusive evidence that the coronavirus emerged from a lab in Wuhan — it is a theory, but it remains a theory. References White House website on COVID-19…

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How Australia's measles vaccine coverage compares to the US 7:16

about a year ago7:16

7:16

To avoid measles outbreaks, it's recommended 95 per cent of the population is vaccinated against the highly infectious disease. But it can be difficult to reach and maintain such a high number, and since the COVID-19 pandemic rates have been falling. Guest/s Professor Peter McIntyre, former director of National Centre of Immunisation Research and S…

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Tracking the long-term effects of cancer treatment 8:27

about a year ago8:27

8:27

As we get better at treating certain cancers, attention turns to survivorship and the ongoing support a person might need. In Hodgkin Lymphoma, over 80 per cent of patients are declared cured after treatment. But this doesn’t mean they’re out of the wood, because they’re at a higher risk of long-term side effects because of the toxicity of treatmen…

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How AI could predict your preferences at the end of life 14:31

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about a year ago14:31

14:31

Only about 14 per cent of older Australians have an Advance Care Directive, which outlines their wishes for the end of life. In most cases these decisions come down to a family member, or sometimes a doctor needs to make a quick call in the emergency room. Some experts are exploring whether artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to make those d…

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Mailbag: PSA testing 4:19

about a year ago4:19

4:19

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.auBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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Why there's no prostate cancer screening program 12:14

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about a year ago12:14

12:14

Draft guidelines have been published to account for the changing world of prostate cancer screening. But a full screening program hasn't been established, because of flaws in the PSA test, and the risk of causing more harm than good. References Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia - draft guidelines…

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Why the US measles outbreak is so concerning 10:53

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about a year ago10:53

10:53

As the US deals with a worsening measles outbreak, we’re also grappling with a rise in cases here. While travellers have been put on alert, not all cases are from people returning from overseas. People are contracting measles here as well. There has been a decline in the number of children getting immunised against the virus since 2020. What’s behi…

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What is a 'mini stroke' and what are the long-term risks? 9:43

about a year ago9:43

9:43

New research is revealing that what is sometimes known as a 'mini' or 'minor' stroke is not minor at all. A study has found after one of these attacks, your risk of a regular stroke and further harm is much higher. It highlights the need for more support for patients after they've had an attack, which could warn of more to come. Guest/s Professor S…

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Ruling out metabolic changes after COVID-19 vaccination 4:57

about a year ago4:57

4:57

Contracting COVID-19 can cause metabolic abnormalities, which may contribute to things like insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. So a team of researchers wanted to find out whether vaccination against COVID-19 could have the same effect. They tracked a small group of people as they received up to four vaccinations, comparing th…

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Mailbag: Soft plaque and alpha-gal 5:42

about a year ago5:42

5:42

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au References: This under-tested type of blood fat could be driving heart diseaseBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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Doctors strike in NSW not just about pay 8:28

about a year ago8:28

8:28

Thousands of doctors in New South Wales have gone on strike demanding better working conditions. They're demanding an end to long shifts which put patient safety at risk, and pay parity with other states. Also, the TGA updates its safety warnings for acne medication isotretinoin. However questions remain about how the changes can be implemented. Re…

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How diet can boost your mental health 11:18

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about a year ago11:18

11:18

Through the gut microbiome, we're learning about how important what we eat can be for our mood and mental health. But there are many ways our diet can affect our brain, and there are still connections yet to be uncovered. A study has looked into how changing the food on your plate can even help treat depression, alongside psychotherapy and sometime…

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Should you be worried about the metal in joint replacements? 10:23

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about a year ago10:23

10:23

Joint replacements are life-changing for many people who’ve been dealing with chronic pain and disability. However the materials used for these replacements are subject to wear and tear. More attention is being paid to the potential toxic effects of metal joint replacements when they start to break down. Also, Professor Smith talks about his decisi…

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Finding out your risk of heart attack (and what to do about it) 6:57

about a year ago6:57

6:57

It’s not always simple to find out your risk of cardiovascular disease. Not everyone needs to – or should – undergo tests like coronary artery calcium scoring. How do you determine what your risk is, what tests might benefit you, and importantly, when it’s best to do nothing? Guest/s Professor David Peiris, chief scientist at the George Institute f…

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Mailbag: Vocal cords and shingles vaccination 3:14

about a year ago3:14

3:14

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.auBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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Antibiotic prescription is changing to fight resistance 12:49

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about a year ago12:49

12:49

Changes to the Therapeutic Guidelines mean the antibiotics you get prescribed might change, including for UTIs. Also, another study on the shingles vaccine driving down the risk of dementia. And a correction — and clarification — on our story about back pain and interventions to treat it. References What's New in Antibiotic - Therapeutic Guidelines…

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Breathless? You might have vocal cord dysfunction 9:06

about a year ago9:06

9:06

A new clinical toolkit has been designed to improve the management of vocal cord dysfunction. Also known as inducible laryngeal obstruction, this condition affects about up to 70 per cent of people with chronic cough, 20 per cent of people with asthma and 10 per cent of high-level athletes. It can be tough to diagnose and people can be put onto unn…

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Quit smoking treatments don't increase risk of major birth defects 6:27

about a year ago6:27

6:27

Australian researchers are a step closer to proving the safety of some medications that can help pregnant women quit smoking. They've looked back at women who used nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline and bupropion during the first trimester of pregnancy. The drugs are not associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformatio…

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We might be underestimating the burden of diabetes 6:08

about a year ago6:08

6:08

We could be underestimating the number of people living with diabetes by up to 35 per cent. For a long time we've been using data from the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) to estimate prevalence – and to make decisions about diabetes healthcare. But not everybody with diabetes signs up to this scheme. This disparity in numbers casts doubt o…

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Mailbag: Mental health social workers 2:54

about a year ago2:54

2:54

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.auBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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Health promises in the 2025-26 budget 13:23

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about a year ago13:23

13:23

Labor has delivered its election-year budget, including a variety of health spending promises. It includes earlier promises to incentivise more bulk-billing in general practice, and rebated menopause health assessments. Meanwhile the Coalition is promising to up psychology sessions from 10 to 20 each year, something that was temporarily done at the…

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Back pain — what works and what doesn't 8:23

about a year ago8:23

8:23

Back pain is a common form of chronic pain – especially low back pain. And most of the time the cause is unclear. Surgeries and injections have been used in the past but the evidence against those interventions is mounting. So why are they still being done? And what are the evidence-based options out there for people who are struggling with back pa…

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Maintaining sexual function after vaginal surgery 8:10

about a year ago8:10

8:10

As women get older, the risk of pelvic floor prolapse increases, and it can severely impact their quality of life. A new study has looked at the clitoris following prolapse surgery, to begin to uncover what's required to maintain or restore sexual function after the procedure. Guest/s Professor Helen O'Connell, Director of Surgery and Head of Urolo…