‘Regardless of postcode’: abortion access laws debated
A bill to improve access to abortions in regional areas has triggered passionate reactions from conservative politicians and is expected to split major parties.
health
Helping Indigenous families navigate genomic health
A suite of resources about genetic conditions, testing and genomics research aims to fulfil a need for culturally grounded information for families.
Family fury at ‘dangerous’ youth hormone therapy ban
Rebecca's son knew he was transgender at age 12, but his long and difficult journey to transitioning was abruptly halted when a state government intervened.
Bindi Irwin on the mend after emergency surgery
Conservationist Bindi Irwin has had her appendix and lesions removed in emergency surgery after being rushed to hospital in New York.
Decolonising health to provide better care for patients
A decolonised, holistic approach to health, led by First Nations people will mean a "safer journey" for Indigenous people accessing care, researchers say.
Healing art: medical scans get a cultural makeover
A new CT scanner at an Indigenous-owned medical imaging service has become a symbol of hope, healing and culture for one regional community.
Landmark hormone service call sparks legal challenge
A mother has launched legal action against a state government after her child and other minors were denied gender-affirming hormone treatments.
New tool to improve diagnosis of lifelong condition
Researchers hope diagnostic guidelines will help to reduce stigma and improve diagnosis and services for people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Serious concern at high diabetes rate among Indigenous
Early intervention is key to tackling higher rates of diabetes among Indigenous people, say health organisations as data shows one in six with the condition.
Spike in flu cases sparks plea over ‘dire’ rate of jabs
An unusual spike in cases has sparked a warning for Australians to get a flu jab and lift poor vaccination rates as winter looms.
Tunnel diggers are facing a ‘full-blown disease crisis’
Cancer-causing silica dust from major tunnelling projects are a hazard construction workers cannot avoid simply by wearing a mask, an inquiry has been told.
Children bearing the brunt of ADHD medicine shortage
Unable to access their usual doses of ADHD medication due to an international shortage, Australian children and teenagers face increasing risks of side effects.
Undeliverable: hospital expansion plan on life support
A damning review into a state's hospital expansion plan has found that projects are "undeliverable" in their current form after a rushed procurement process.
Easter break not all peace as Labor lob eggs over wages
Australians hopeful of a cordial Easter break have been denied a reprieve in the final stretch of an election as the clock ticks to flip undecided voters.
Climate change demands more blood, prevents collection
Extreme weather events caused by climate change are seeing a rising need for blood donations but also making it more difficult than ever to collect them.
Hospital probe backs up calls by grieving parents
Pressure is mounting on a state government to take further action at a privately-owned public hospital after the deaths of two children.
Serious flaws at hospital where kids died after waiting
A scathing report accuses the operator of a controversial hospital where two children died of inaction and failing to meet healthcare standards.
AI and 3D technology weaponised in fight against cancer
Medical researchers will use cutting-edge technology to 'print' cancer cells and test treatments on them rather than patients following a $2 million grant.
Dose of cultural medicine to ‘decolonise healthcare’
Most Indigenous people would like to access cultural medicine, but many have difficulty doing so, with the practices largely left out of medical policy.
Global pact to shore up world’s future pandemic defence
A global supply chain and logistic network features in a proposed pact to fight future pandemics that has been agreed by World Health Organisation members.
Greens MP turns to OnlyFans to promote sexual health
A Greens MP has joined a subscription-based platform used by adult content creators in an effort to reach voters and promote the minor party's health policies.
Pop-up squash to help staff bounce back into city life
A temporary court has been set up in the heart of Australia's biggest city in the hope of enticing CBD workers with an opportunity for quick fun and exercise.
Backyard orchard bearing fruit for remote residents
A backyard orchard is proving wrong the myth that remote regions are barren, sparking a mission to bring productive gardens to communities across Australia.
Tobacco war could put pressure on emergency departments
Violence linked to the illegal tobacco trade could lead to serious injuries and more work for busy emergency departments, doctors warn.
Spotlight on IVF regulation over embryo mix-up
The parents impacted by a mix-up at a leading IVF clinic will be entitled to compensation and a leading legal expert believes the birth family will get custody.
Loo breaks a luxury for swamped regional doctors
Some doctors are too busy to go to the toilet during long shifts and warn a "vicious cycle of burnout" means worse patient care, as they fight for better pay.
Multibillion-dollar benefit of reproductive leave
Giving workers one day of leave a month to care for reproductive needs would help reduce the $21.3 billion cost of absent employees, a report has found.
Health giant wants to check out of ‘great hospital’
A major public hospital's deal with a troubled private operator could come to an end after a two-year-old's death prompted a ban on future partnerships.
Woman gives birth to stranger’s baby after IVF bungle
A mistake at a fertility care clinic has resulted in a woman unknowingly giving birth to another patient's baby after their embryos were mixed up.
Young survivors say cancer does not end with remission
More than 30,000 Australians are young cancer survivors but little is known about how the disease affects patients later in life.
Legal ‘nightmare’ after woman births stranger’s baby
An IVF mix up that led to a woman giving birth to someone else's baby could wade into uncharted legal territory and highlighted concerns with the industry.