‘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.
health
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
Beyond The Valley to host pill testing in state first
Beyond The Valley will be the first Victorian music festival to trial pill testing in an effort to curb overdoses and save lives.
Aged care revamp to shake up Australians’ golden years
Older Australians will be able to live at home for longer and receive better protections in aged care after a sector overhaul passed parliament.
Drive with care: Uber launches service for extra help
A rideshare service trialled in the United States will be launched in Australia, letting caregivers book rides for the people they help.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
‘Nightmare’: PM’s tribute after teen’s methanol death
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones following her death from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos.
‘Fix this’: torn-up contracts not in patients’ interest
A major private hospital operator and multiple insurers have been urged to negotiate as contracts are torn up, likely to result in patients paying more.
Swimming changing lives for those with cerebral palsy
A groundbreaking competitive swimming program designed for young people with severe cerebral palsy is reversing the motor decline associated with the condition.
New parents urged to ‘make the call’ on mental health
New parents are struggling with their mental health, a perinatal anxiety and depression helpline says as it records a surge in calls from Indigenous families.
Record number of GPs in training but ‘job not done’
Australia is facing a severe shortage of GPs. Though more medical students are opting to become local doctors, peak medical bodies say more must be done.
Home tests for STIs to improve access but not diagnosis
Home tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea could be available within weeks but the jury is out on how effective they will be in reducing infection rates.
Cholera blamed for beseiged Sudan town’s mystery deaths
Cholera is thought to be the cause of hundreds of deaths in a besieged town in Sudan's El Gezira state.
Mind check: should schools track kids’ mental health?
Australian schools will have access to a government-funded digital tool to support students' mental health but some question whether it will be effective.
Eight killed in second mass attack in China in a week
Police say a former student who killed eight people in a stabbing spree at a vocational college in China was angry he did not get his graduation certificate.