More to do on Medicare and bulk-billing, Labor says
The federal government has unfinished business with Medicare, signalling its ambitions to further bolster the GP workforce and boost bulk-billing.
health
Summer’s first case of mosquito-borne virus detected
Japanese encephalitis, a potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus, has likely been detected in a resident in regional Victoria.
Festival drug arrests as pill testing trial starts
One person has suffered a drug overdose at a festival hosting the start of a pill testing trial, while two men have been charged for trafficking.
Measles, polio detected as authorities urge caution
Health authorities are urging people to monitor for measles symptoms after an infectious case was detected while polio was also found in wastewater.
Israeli parliament extends state of emergency
The Israeli parliament has extended the country's state of emergency until the end of 2025.
King Charles to deliver Xmas speech from ex-hospital
King Charles will break with tradition and deliver his Christmas Day message from a former hospital chapel.
Flesh-eating ulcer becomes ‘endemic’ in another state
Researchers picking apart a marsupial's faeces have warned a bacterium causing a flesh-eating ulcer is present "beyond doubt" in a popular coastal town.
A dream inspired by home realised for Indigenous doctor
Driven to practice medicine after witnessing disadvantage in his community, Torres Strait Islander doctor T'kido Titasey hopes to inspire others.
Fake paramedic convicted as warning to others
A man who falsely passed himself off as a paramedic at several motocross events, including two where children were injured, has been convicted but not jailed.
‘A game changer’: help on way for rural women with endo
Rural women who live with the agony of endometriosis say a scholarship program to train nurses will help improve their quality of life and access to care.
Premier gags any bills or changes to abortion laws
No bill or amendments to abortion legislation will be allowed under a surprise motion put forward by a premier that blindsided MPs on all sides of the chamber.
Five ways to make your daily walks even more beneficial
Physical activity doesn’t need to be complicated. Even just a brisk, ten-minute daily walk can deliver a host of health benefits – lowering the risk of several diseases, including heart disease, stroke and several cancers.
Women’s despair after losing contraception class action
More than 1000 women who suffered chronic pain and bleeding have lost their class action against pharmaceutical giant Bayer over a contraceptive device.
Infectious virus samples missing after state lab bungle
An investigation has been launched after a laboratory lost hundreds of infectious virus samples, but a state government has played down the public health risk.
Insurers ‘price gouging’ with secret premium hikes
Millions of Australians are being overcharged by health insurers using a loophole to dodge the rules against raising premiums.
Indigenous psychiatrist’s passion to reshape care
An Indigenous psychiatrist is hoping to transform Australia's mental health response, advocating for community-based crisis care.
WHO sends experts to DR Congo over mystery disease
The World Health Organisation is sending experts to the Democratic Republic of Congo to support local authorities in investigating an apparently new disease.
Environment agency heads deny blame for chemical spread
The NSW authority responsible for water pollution has been grilled about the spread of cancer-linked chemicals throughout water supplies in a fiery exchange.
DR Congo probes mysterious deadly flu-like disease
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo say 71 people, including many children, have died from a mysterious flu-like disease.
National body to head clean-up of ‘forever chemicals’
Eighteen recommendations from a review of contamination from "forever chemicals" near three defence bases have been agreed to by the federal government.
High rates of hearing loss among Indigenous people
Indigenous children, especially in remote areas are being impacted by high rates of severe middle ear infections, which can cause hearing loss a report says.
Drug forum ends on sour note as diversity challenged
Accusations of diversity issues and "sanitised" recommendations have marred the end of a nation-leading forum centred on reducing community drug harms.
‘Tyranny of distance’ still plaguing remote health care
Thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live more than one hour's drive from basic health care services.
Breaking down period stigma in remote communities
As menstrual health can impact educational outcomes and quality of life, researchers have developed a teaching guide hoping to break down stigma around periods.
Drug decriminalisation push nipped in the bud, for now
A broad consensus for treating drug use and possession outside the justice system in a government-run drug summit butts up against current policies.
‘Russian roulette’: deadly drug alert as imports surge
Federal police are warning commonplace drugs like cocaine and MDMA are increasingly laced with a powerful type of synthetic opioid.
Injecting room boss ‘ready to quit’ over drug inaction
Nearly 5000 places hand out free syringes but only two take the next step and supervise drug users, which must change soon, say key reform advocates.
Residents demand health inquiry into ‘waste odour’
A massive fine for a waste operator has sparked calls by frustrated residents for an investigation into the health impact of "rotten egg" and "chemical" odours.
‘Significant’ jump in COVID-19 cases ahead of Christmas
A surge in COVID-19 cases has hit ahead of the festive season with health authorities warning those at risk to take precautions to avoid getting sick.
Chronic conditions on the rise among Indigenous people
The number of Indigenous people smoking daily has dropped, while mental health conditions have risen, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.
Baby dies amid unprecedented whooping cough outbreak
A newborn baby is dead and infections are surging as health authorities scramble to contain a worsening national whooping cough epidemic.