Government accused of slow response to disease outbreak
Vaccine hesitancy, health staff shortages and overcrowding in remote communities could all be causes of a diphtheria outbreak, the federal health minister says.
health treatment
A 10-hour trip for a blood test amid rural health gaps
Rural women have revealed significant barriers to fertility treatment, including interstate trips, fragmented care and the cancellation of abortion services.
Deadly disease outbreak linked to waning vaccinations
One of Australia's worst diphtheria outbreaks has spread across the nation with fears the respiratory disease has claimed a life in an outback community.
Ebola toll to grow after virus quietly spread for weeks
Scores of people have died from Africa's Ebola outbreak and that number is expected to keep rising given how long the virus was able to circulate undetected.
Vaccine not to be sneezed at as flu season approaches
Australia's leading health practitioners have outlined how dangerous the coming winter flu season could be if vaccination rates don't improve.
‘World of hurt’: AFL great’s cancer warning for men
Carlton defender Sam Docherty was in his football prime when diagnosed with cancer. Now he's urging men to learn from his mistake.
Needle-free vaccine rolled out after record flu season
A gentle, needle-less way to protect kids from the flu will be rolled out to hundreds of thousands of children as parents' confidence in vaccines wanes.
Not a real doctor: AI struggles to treat human patients
Tasked with identifying common medical conditions and recommending treatment, artificial intelligence can deliver deadly advice.
‘Too long’: green light for more GPs to tackle ADHD
States are continuing to shake up the way a prevalent developmental disorder is treated by allowing more health professionals to diagnose the condition.
The chatbot will see you now: why AI is tackling health
After being swamped with medical questions, one AI firm is trialling a dedicated health service. Experts say more are coming and their prognosis is unclear.
ADHD treatment bottleneck as GPs race to play catch-up
Queensland leads the nation in expanding access to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder treatment, but doctors are struggling to keep up with demand.
Australia urged to step up to help fill US aid void
It's been a year since the multibillion-dollar unravelling of American aid, costing the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and shaking up the sector.
Early lung cancer checks reach 50,000 Australians
Figures have been released six months after a free lung cancer screening program was introduced, with 10 per cent of participants detected with the disease.
Puberty blocker bans slammed as harmful to trans kids
Blanket bans on puberty blockers are the biggest risk to trans children globally, an advocate says, after a second Australian jurisdiction outlawed the drugs.
‘100 out of 10 pain’: the common summer health scourge
Causing excruciating pain, kidney stones can be years in the making - but they're also more likely to hit sufferers in the warmer months.
Major cause of death reaches lowest level in 47 years
The number of Australians dying from a prevalent disease has hit an almost 50-year low while mortality rates for dementia have been steadily rising.
Mental health crisis unfolding in ED departments
Australia's public hospitals are under scrutiny as data shows rising mental health presentations are pushing the system to its limits.
Smoke shops shut down a stone’s throw from health HQ
Two stores allegedly selling illicit tobacco and vape products were operating metres from the offices of health officials attempting to curb the prolific issue.
Record-high flu season as jab rates stall, GPs warn
Stalling vaccination rates among children and seniors are exacerbating a record-breaking flu season, the peak body for general practitioners says.
Bitter pill as drug testing is outlawed
Pill testing has been banned in Queensland after strict new laws were passed in parliament by the state government.
Shift needed to help young asthmatics breathe easier
A peak body is highlighting National Asthma Awareness Week by driving a cultural shift in how asthma is treated in childhood - from relievers to preventers.
First robotic surgery gives granny ’15 minutes of fame’
A grandmother has successfully undergone Australia's first robotic shoulder replacement, saying she is enjoying her "15 minutes of fame".
Survey confirms vicious cycle of epilepsy and anxiety
Australians with epilepsy are being urged to push their GPs and specialists to seek out different therapies until a successful one is found.
Time to see a doctor? Watches to track sleep disorder
Smartwatches can detect signs of a common and potentially serious sleep disorder with the medical regulator approving software that analyses bedtime breathing.
Nurses in a pink fit, set to strike over wage offer
Industrial action from nurses and midwives could escalate if a state government and union are unable to broker a new wage deal.
Medical access to expand to remove ‘abortion deserts’
Nurses and midwives will be allowed to prescribe drugs to terminate pregnancies under changes to abortion laws aimed at improving access in regional areas.
From treated to tragic: the deterioration of a killer
A highly educated, multi-lingual man showed great prospects until a dire deterioration in his mental health put him on the path to become a mass killer.
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.
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.
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.