Health Report

What should be done about e-scooters and e-bikes?

Health Report

Show Notes

The first national report on e-scooters and e-devices from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare quantifies the impact of these devices on our community. So what should be done to prevent injuries and deaths? A new study shows people who survive cancer have a build up of plaque in their arteries, and a higher risk of heart disease. But are they being monitored for these risks? In hospital regular medications are sometimes paused while the patient recovers from other illnesses and procedures, but that can mean people are missing these vital medications for much longer than they should. References

E-scooter and e-bike injuries and deaths in Australia: national trends and data limitations Coronary Plaque Burden and Plaque Composition in Long-Term Cancer Survivors: A Comparative CCTA Study Hospitalisation Is a Strong Risk Factor for Discontinuation of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors for Type 2 Diabetes The Lancet: 21st century global threats to health are not what you think TGA: MS-2 Step (mifepristone and misoprostol) Testosterone Screening Thresholds in Active-Duty US Male Service Members

More from Health Report

Oct 16, 2026

New guidelines for clinicians will clarify when to use menopausal hormone therapy over other medicines, and what options are available for those with a history of breast cancer. The author of a study investigating what goes on in the gut microbiome of people who have and are being treated for cancer, says there are some surprising results. Research shows pre-teens who began using a smart phone at age 12 showed a greater risk of eating disorder symptoms at age 14. If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder: Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673 National Eating Disorder Collaboration Lifeline on 131 114 References RANZCOG Management of vasomotor and genitourinary symptoms of menopause clinical guideline Cell: Microbiome signatures linked to cancer and treatment adverse events in a real-world cohort JAMA Network Open: Smartphone Ownership and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Early Adolescence Health Report: What age is best for a child's first smartphone? Journal of the Royal Society Interface: Quantifying the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 vaccination: evidence from Victoria, Australia AIHW: Health Expenditure Australia 2024-2025 Australian College of Emergency Medicine: State of Emergency JAMA Neurology: Global Incidence of All-Cause Dementia, A Meta-Analysis

Oct 9, 2026

Broadening the definition of clinical obesity has lowered its prevalence in children but increased it in mid-life. Researchers hope this will assist clinicians with individualised care and advice for people in larger bodies. If you have polyps removed during a colonoscopy, you may be asked to come back in 3-5 years time for another procedure. But does that timing decrease your risk of cancer? A new study shows fear related harms like post traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder are the most frequent symptoms experienced by survivors of intimate partner violence involving guns and other weapons. Family and domestic violence support services: If you need help immediately, call emergency services on Triple Zero. Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732 Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491 The Kids Helpline: 24-hour support on 1800 55 1800 Lifeline: 131 114 References The Lancet commission definition of clinical obesity: a multi-cohort cross-sectional analysis from early childhood to older age in seven high-income countries Colonoscopy Intervals and Colorectal Cancer Incidence after Adenoma Removal Gun and Other Weapon–Involved Intimate Partner Violence and Psychiatric Symptoms AIHW: Polypharmacy in Australia in 2025 BMJ: Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination before pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes: nationwide, populationbased case-control study ABC News: Russia rails against online 'plague' claims, but few in Irkutsk trust authorities

Oct 2, 2026

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition that mostly affects people over 65 years of age but can happen earlier. Learn what to look out for and when you should get it checked out. A health law expert talks through the regulations that may apply to the LillyDirect platform, which now facilitates dispensing of the pharmaceutical company's own GLP1 medicine in Australia. The Fijian government recently declared a national emergency in response to the rising number of HIV cases in the country. How will that help residents who already have HIV to stay healthy, and prevent further transmission? References Weight loss drug will be easier to access as Eli Lilly disrupts the pharmacy model ABC News: Doctors condemn Eli Lilly move to dispense GLP-1 medication Mounjaro direct to door Lilly Australia told ABC News that LillyDirect operates within existing regulatory frameworks and that the service would improve affordability and convenience for Australians. A spokesperson said: "Australian doctors prescribe the medicine, Australian pharmacists review and dispense prescriptions, and Australian healthcare, pharmacy, privacy and regulatory requirements apply at every stage."

Sep 25, 2026

After failing to negotiate a way for their weight loss medicine to be listed on the PBS, Eli Lilly has launched an online platform to "facilitate dispensing and delivery of medicines to consumers". It provides a pathway via third party providers that people can use to get prescriptions filled and even home delivery. While diagnoses for adult ADHD are on the rise, we look at medications and other treatments for ADHD in children. Emergency room visits and unplanned hospitalisations occur more often for those being cared for in privately run aged care homes. A study investigating the potential link between the use of hormonal contraceptives and colorectal cancer finds using these medications does not affect your chance of getting this type of cancer, nor does it provide protection against the disease. References Lilly Direct consumer press release A Randomised Open-Label Comparison of Dexamphetamine and Methylphenidate in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Symptom Response, Adherence and Weight Impact Over 12 Months Association of long-term care facility ownership and location on residents’ mortality and hospitalisations: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Australia Contemporary hormonal contraception and colorectal cancer in premenopausal women: nationwide cohort study Fijian government declares national HIV emergency as cases soar WHO continues to support Fiji as it declares HIV a national emergency Keeping HIV under control is increasingly challenging Andrographis removed from listed medicines framework because of allergy risk

Sep 18, 2026

Rachel has lived experience of an eating disorder and came across ads for a telehealth weight loss company on a podcast. The ads continue in their podcast feed, more than a year after they lodged a formal complaint with AHPRA. Rachel hasn't been updated on the status of the complaint. Disrupted sleep during pregnancy and the post partum period can increase the risk of cardiovascular events for mothers, and it's now understood these risks can be transferred to the baby as well. PBS listings for medications for three separate conditions have run up against President Trump’s most favoured nation pricing policy this year. New research on this policy and its impact shows there will likely be more of these disruptions to come. References Why is it so easy to get weight loss injections, if they could cause you harm? GLP-1 drug prescribed to woman with eating disorder via telehealth sparks calls for regulation The implications of maternal sleep disruption on cardiovascular adaptations and cardiometabolic outcomes Most-favoured-nation pricing for prescription drugs in US Medicare: a cohort study Better transparency and choice in health care Medical Costs Finder Blood test to detect Alzheimer's disease will be trialled in Australia Social Media Claims About Blood Tests for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Content Analysis

See all episodes →