Towns deserted as locals seek relief from roasting heat
As parts of Australia bake under a relentless heatwave, locals have backup plans to keep cool as temperatures nudge record levels.
health
Former politicians prosper in Australia Day honours
For their service to educational equity, economic development and public health, ex-politicians have been bestowed some of the nation's highest honours.
Olympic legend, top silks score highest honours
Olympic legend Cathy Freeman is one of 10 people to receive the top honour at the annual Order of Australia awards.
computing and information technology
health
health treatment
healthcare policy
litigation and regulation
regulatory policy and organisation
science and technology
software
technology (general)
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.
‘Selfless, remarkable’: pioneer and ex-governor dies
Dame Marie Bashir, the country-born daughter of immigrant doctors who rose to become one of NSW's longest serving and most revered governors, has died aged 95.
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.
Hearing checks urged before children return to school
Hearing problems can affect a child's ability to listen, learn and build important skills at school, and Indigenous children are at higher risk of ear issues.
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.
Surgeons ‘took bribes’ for $2.8 million hospital sales
Two surgeons were allegedly offered secret 20 per cent commissions from a company to choose its medical implants when performing surgery at public hospitals.
consumer confidence
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
health
health and beauty product
recalls (products)
safety of citizens
Urgent recall for hand sanitiser given to resort guests
A hand sanitiser gifted to hotel customers for over five years has been found to be contaminated with a toxic ingredient and has been urgently recalled.
Aussie spider venom spawns heart attack and stroke drug
Venom from a spider found on K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, has been used to develop a drug that prevents damage during heart attacks and strokes.
breaking_news
emergency incident
emergency planning
fire
forecast
health
warning
weather
weather news
Damaging winds warning as cold front brings heat relief
A gusty southerly change is bringing the first relief to heatwave-affected areas, but communities are warned about the threat of damaging winds and lightning.
Extreme hot and cold driving inland health emergencies
As Australia swelters through a heatwave, research suggests inland populations can expect hot days to become a bigger cause of health stress in the future.
Bushfire menace mounts as thousands brace for disaster
Residents are being urged to flee their homes ahead of a catastrophic fire day expected to bring "unsurvivable" conditions not seen in six years.
Australians feel the heat as bushfire threat flares up
Authorities are warning people to be on high alert as several states prepare for intense heatwave conditions not seen since the Black Summer bushfires.
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.
Paramedics spat on, punched in festive abuse spike
Paramedics are breaking their silence after a festive season riddled with reports of verbal intimidation, sexual and physical assault by members of the public.
Big wet to follow swelter, says weatherman
The heatwave impacting Australia's southeast is set to continue across the weekend, but thunderstorms are also on the way.
Wearing the ‘many hats’ of a remote health worker
In a remote community of 150 people health workers wear 'many hats' but one of the clinic's four staff wouldn't have it any other way.
‘Very sticky’: summer heatwave to give way to storms
Inland Australians are tipped to swelter through another day of 40C heat as tropical humidity in the nation's north draws storms south.
Native foods heroed in fight against chronic disease
Concerned about rates of chronic diseases, Indigenous communities and researchers have worked together to develop a lower sugar alternative to soft drink.
Diabetic driver’s bid for silence in five-death inquest
A man previously charged over a crash that killed five people has legally challenged being called as a witness in an inquest into their deaths.
History-making miracle premmie continues to defy odds
Tiny Charlie Jones has made history as one of the smallest premature babies in the country - tipping the scales at just 360 grams.
‘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.
One mum’s baby bundles become life-changing charity
A pack of newborn clothes posted online and a conversation with a social worker were the beginnings of a charity focused on Indigenous mums and their babies.
Funding deal rejected as elderly languish in hospital
State and territory health ministers have rejected a Commonwealth public hospital funding offer, as an ageing population stretches the system beyond capacity.
Barriers hinder Indigenous dementia support on Country
Indigenous people are at higher risk of developing dementia, but getting a diagnosis and support can be fraught with barriers, especially in remote regions.
Scramble to play down fears of aged care worker crisis
Department officials have defended not telling the aged care minister about potentially massive worker shortages because their model couldn't be verified.
From footy to fatigue: battle to live full life with MS
Living with sensory issues and constant fatigue is difficult, but one man wants support to keep other with his incurable disease working to be front of mind.
Fresh alert for potentially lethal mosquito-borne virus
Japanese encephalitis, a potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus, has been detected in regional Victoria, sparking a health warning.
AI could improve Indigenous lives, but comes with risks
In community hands, AI has the power to improve lives and move the dial on some closing the gap targets, but there are some dangers to the technology.