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In the news this week:  How aggressively should cholesterol be managed when someone's at risk of heart disease?A new review finding no relationship between fluoride consumption and IQ.Concerns over cold and flu products that use the herbal ingredient androphagis.Drugs that clear amyloid from the brain no help in preventing dementia.References Intensive LDL Cholesterol Targeting in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular DiseaseMunicipal water fluoridation, adolescent IQ, and cognition across the life courseAndrographis paniculata (Andrographis) and anaphylaxis - updated safety review and supplementary reportAmyloid‐beta‐targeting monoclonal antibodies for people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease

In a medical emergency, how good is ChatGPT at guiding you towards the right treatment (whether that's the emergency department or the GP?). A new trial out of the United States finds mixed results. It can sometimes work well, but often its recommendations did not match those of a panel of human doctors -- especially when it mattered most. Guest Dr Ashwin Ramaswamy, Instructor of Urology, Mount Sinai HospitalReferences ChatGPT Health performance in a structured test of triage recommendations

We know that growth in the use of GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight loss has been dramatic over the past few years. But it's hard to tell exactly how sizeable that rise has been because much of the prescribing for these drugs happens outside of the PBS, where public medication prescriptions are tracked. That's until now. New data from across New South Wales reveals how high the uptake has been, and who is using these drugs. Guest Professor Louisa Jorm, Director of the Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South WalesReferences Initiators of Semaglutide in General Practice in New South Wales, 2020–2023: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Australia's first clinical guidelines for preventing suicide and treating suicidal ideation or self-harm in young people have been released. What are the lessons for doctors, parents and families? Guest Sydney Stevens, Senior Project Officer, Royal Children’s Hospital; Research Associate, Murdoch Children’s Research InstituteReferences Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Children and AdolescentsSuicide and intentional self-harm hospitalisations among young peopleGenerational effects in self-reported age of onset for youth suicidal ideation, self-harm and attempted suicide: A retrospective analysis using data from the Australian National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020–2022

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected]

New data on GLP-1 use for people with diabetes and its impact, if any, on mental health. The Lancet retracts a decades-old commentary on talcum powder. And if you're struck with appendicitis, should you have the appendix out or manage with medicine? References Association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and worsening mental illness in people with depression and anxiety in Sweden: a national cohort studyRetraction: Cosmetic talc powderOncologic Risk of Missed Appendiceal Tumors in Acute Appendicitis

‌A large study following more than 6,000 Australian kids finds four distinct trajectories when it comes to their mental health. What are the predictors of declining mental health, and what do we do about it? The findings suggest we start with school connection - and with sleep. Guest Clinical Psychologist and Professor Aliza Werner-Seidler, Black Dog Institute, UNSWReferences Future Proofing Study - Research Insights 2026

It's common for someone to visit the doctor with a shoulder injury - often suspected to be to the rotator cuff. You might be tempted to ask for imaging tests ... but that might be more trouble than it's worth, especially if you are over 40. Guest Dr Thomas Ibounig, Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon at Helsinki University Hospital, Researcher at the Finnish Center for Evidence-Based OrthopaedicsReferences Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

In January, four astronauts were pulled early from the International Space Station after a medical emergency in orbit. As future missions plan for longer periods spent even further from Earth, what can crews do treat a medical emergency in orbit - and why is research in Antarctica helpful for our understanding of staying healthy in space? Guests Dr John Cherry, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Australian Antarctic DivisionDr Kirsty Lindsay, Aerospace Physiologist, Northumbria University

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week, including snoring and toenail fungus. You can email us at [email protected]

A new Australian review finds vapes with nicotine are likely to cause lung and oral cancers. Treatment pathways for peanut allergy in kids and their cost-effectiveness. And concerning declines in vaccine coverage in Australia, still markedly below pre-pandemic benchmarks. References The carcinogenicity of e-cigarettes: a qualitative risk assessmentCost-Effectiveness of Oral Immunotherapy Treatments vs No Treatment for Peanut Allergy in ChildrenAnnual Immunisation Coverage Report 2025Vaping likely to cause cancer, new Australian review of evidence finds (ABC News)

It's already that time of the year when we need to think about getting our flu vaccine - but there are some changes to the rollout this year. The changes affect options for how the vaccine is delivered. Plus, which of the strains circulating should we worry about? Guest Professor Patrick Reading, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza at the Doherty Institute. References Influenza (flu) vaccine - Department of HealthInfluenza immunisation resources - National Centre for Immunisation Research and SurveillanceHistoric 1994 influenza vaccine cohorts define breadth of antibody and B cell responses toward future influenza A and B virusesLab Notes: Super-K flu is here … but it's not our biggest problem

Could a saline nasal spray stop kids with sleep apnoea from having unnecessary surgery?It’s low-cost and simple to try – so how often does it work and who should be using it? Guest Adjunct Clinical Professor Gillian Nixon, Paediatric Sleep and Respiratory Specialist, Monash Children’s Hospital. References Intranasal Treatments for Children With Sleep-Disordered Breathing: The MIST+ Randomized Clinical Trial

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an enlargement of the prostate that can cause urinary problems - feeling like you need to pee often, waking up to go to the toilet in the night or weak flow. Traditionally it's been treated with surgery, but a suite of studies over almost a decade finds a treatment called 'prostate artery embolisation' can achieve comparable outcomes and fewer side effects. Guest Nick Brown, Associate Professor at the University of Queensland; Clinical Director of Radiology with I-MED at Wesley Hospital; Interventional RadiologistReferences Prostate artery Embolisation Assessment of Safety and feasibilitY (P-EASY): a potential alternative to long-term medical therapy for benign prostate hyperplasiaThe ‘Prostate Embolisation AS first-line therapY compAred to meDication in treatment naïVe men with prostAte eNlargement, a randomised ControllEd trial’ (P-EASY ADVANCE): a randomised controlled trial of prostate embolisation vs medication for BPHProstate artery EmbolisAtion Safety and efficacY: Preliminary and foLlow-Up urodynamic Studies (P-EASY PLUS)

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected]