Major study finds link between eating fish and getting skin cancer
A study in the US has drawn a link between eating fish regularly and getting life-threatening skin cancer.
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Latest health news top stories & analysis
This is a news collection page about health covering the latest in research, scientific discoveries, diets, obesity, cancer, medical procedures, medicine, hospitals and government health guidelines. Australians spent $180.7 billion on health in 2016-17, which is more than $7,400 per person. With an ageing population, health and the costs surrounding it will continue to be a major concern of the public. In 2018, the abuse of the elderly in aged care homes has been a significant news story and one that has become a major talking point in government after distressing videos and images emerged. The Government’s 2018-2019 Budget Long Term National Health Plan sits at $99.1 billion and focuses on aged care, guaranteeing Medicare, and improving Indigenous health.
Breakthrough compound makes malaria parasite 'self-destruct'
Scientists in Australia have developed a way to make the deadly malaria parasite an "agent of its own demise".
Disease
Could more sleep benefit teenagers? Researchers find out
The key to helping teenagers regulate their moods and perform better at school may all be down to their sleep.
health
Monkeypox likely spread by sex at two raves in Europe, expert says
A leading adviser described the unprecedented outbreak of monkeypox in developed countries as "a random event" that might be explained by sexual behaviour at two recent raves.
health
Flu strain circulating now may have very sinister origins, study suggests
Researchers discovered it could be a direct descendant of the 1918 Spanish Flu strain which killed up to 100 million people.
Influenza
Booster shots safer than initial COVID-19 vaccine doses: study
Booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine are less likely to result in serious adverse effects than the initial jabs, a peer-reviewed study has found.
vaccine
Smell test almost as effective as rapid antigens at detecting COVID-19: study
An online tool which guides people how to detect COVID-19 via a simple smell test was 79 per cent effective at identifying the disease.
COVID 19
What we know about the BA.2 'stealth' Omicron variant
In coming weeks, the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron will likely become the dominant strain of COVID-19 in New South Wales.
Coronavirus
One vaccine could end COVID-19 and common cold - but doesn't exist
A series of vaccines in development could put an end the COVID-19 pandemic entirely, with the common cold disappearing as a side-effect.
vaccine
Scientists warn to expect more concerning variants of COVID-19
Scientists have urged for higher vaccination rates as Omicron has displayed an 'edge' over other strains, signalling a concerning pattern of new variants could follow
Coronavirus
First ever pig-to-human heart transplant performed in US
In a medical first, doctors transplanted a pig heart into a patient in a last-ditch effort to save his life
health
'We're all going to get Omicron': NSW Health Minister says
New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard has said he expects everybody in the state to contract the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Omicron Variant
Trigger of rare blood clots with AstraZeneca jab found by scientists
Scientists believe they have found the trigger behind the extremely rare blood clot complications from the AstraZeneca vaccine.
vaccine
Flu season warning as international borders reopen
Australians should brace for a big jump in influenza cases over the coming months as international borders reopen, health experts warn.
Influenza
Millions of COVID-19 home testing kits made by Aussie company recalled in US
More than two million at-home COVID-19 test kits made by Australian biotech company Ellume have been recalled by US health authorities.
Coronavirus
'Cardiac arrest doesn't discriminate'
Young Melbourne man Jesse Amato was playing indoor soccer when he suddenly went blue and dropped to the ground.
health
US authorities change advice on aspirin for preventing heart attacks
Older adults without heart disease shouldn't take daily low-dose aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke, an influential health guidelines group said in preliminary updated advice
health
Doctors find 10cm cement chunk poking its way through man's heart
Doctors in the US have taken a 10cm long chunk of cement out of a 56-year-old's heart, giving a bizarre explanation as to how it got there in the first place.
Surgery
NSW Health accused of double standards over pool vaccination call
Pools will be open for lap and recreational swimming, with two-hour visit limits.
Coronavirus
How Silicon Valley messiah invented a $9b 'miracle' that never existed
COVID-19 vaccine: The time for hesitancy is over
US woman's COVID message after double tragedy in single week
Payten McCall and her family were afraid to get vaccinated, but now she's urging people not to make that mistake after losing her oldest brother and her dad to COVID-19.
Coronavirus
Children under 12 should be 'on the bottom' of the vaccine queue
Talks about vaccinating children under 12 against COVID-19 are "premature" and the group should be at the "bottom of the queue", a leading infectious disease expert says.
vaccine
New Sydney restrictions explained
Sydney and New South Wales has entered a more stringent coronavirus lockdown, with 10 new cases of community transmission reported in the 24 hours to 8pm last night and tough new restrictions imposed this afternoon.
Coronavirus
Cocaine laced with opioids leaves two Sydneysiders dead
Recreational drug users are being warned of a cocaine supply circulating Sydney streets that is laced with potentially deadly levels of opioid.
cocaine
The rare condition which sees people speak with a foreign accent
Bathroom cupboard item could help fight superbugs
For the first time, a team of scientists at Flinders University say a common fish oil supplement taken with antibiotics could be the saviour in a global fight against superbugs.
antibiotics
They recovered from COVID, only to die of 'black fungus'
In early May, doctors in India began raising the alarm about a rise in mucormycosis - a rare and potentially deadly infection also known as black fungus.
Coronavirus
'No safe level' for alcohol consumption, study claims
There is no such thing as a "safe" level of drinking, with increased consumption of alcohol associated with poorer brain health, according to a new study.
alcohol
Condition 'that doesn't exist' affecting almost half world's population
As David Klyne stares into the camera he rocks forward on his feet eagerly gesturing with his hands.
pain
Former AMA head calls for vaccine confidence after 'concerning' clots
The most recent blood clotting cases linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine includes the first victim over 50 – but Dr Tony Bartone has called for confidence.
vaccine
Adelaide woman fighting for life after contracting meningococcal
A 21-year-old Adelaide woman is in a critical condition in hospital with an invasive case of meningococcal.
health
Melbourne company developing COVID-19 'breath test'
Melbourne company GreyScan is developing a much less invasive coronavirus test which has been likened to a 'roadside breath test'.
Coronavirus
Scientist believes COVID-19 started in China weeks before December 2019
An Australian scientist involved in the inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 says he believes the virus started in China.
COVID 19
Moderna says vaccine will protect against powerful new virus strain
Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine protects against worrisome emerging variants of the coronavirus but it is taking the precaution of testing a possible booster dose against the strain discovered in South Africa.
Coronavirus
Study reveals way to reverse type 2 diabetes
A new study suggests that type 2 diabetes can be reversed through a short-term low carbohydrate diet.
Diabetes
Signs of 'long covid' found in virus patients six months on
The largest study into the long-term effects of coronavirus has found that most patients show signs of "long covid" months after leaving hospital.
Coronavirus
Queensland now cut off from WA
Western Australia has reinstated its hard border controls with Queensland after the recent case of the mutant COVID-19 strain reported in Brisbane.
Coronavirus
New skin gel 'proven' to heal chronic pain
A breakthrough skin-gel is showing promising signs in Australian trials, with the ability to halt chronic pain, halve healing time and turn back the clock on ageing skin.
health
Australia 'ahead of schedule' for vaccine roll out
Mr Hunt today announced the government has finalised its contract with Novavax which will secure more than 40 million doses of the vaccine.
Coronavirus
UK approves COVID-19 'vaccine for the world'
Britain authorised an easy-to-handle coronavirus vaccine Wednesday and decided to stretch out the time between doses to allow more people to get some level of protection faster as infections surge.
Coronavirus
China approves Sinopharm vaccine
China has given conditional approval to a coronavirus vaccine developed by state-owned Sinopharm.
vaccine
Vaccine distribution will be 'giant logistical operation'
Health Minister Greg Hunt has described the rollout of coronavirus vaccines across Australia as one of the biggest logistical exercises in national history.
Coronavirus
New test could change how breast cancer is diagnosed
A new test could revolutionise the way women are screened for breast cancer, and be able to detect the disease before it develops.
Breast Cancer
Toddler's eye 'burnt off' by common household item
A three-year-old boy's eye was "completely burnt off" after he received chemical burns while using a hand sanitiser foot pedal dispenser at a New Zealand restaurant.
World
World's most powerful prostate laser to treat common condition
Men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), also called prostate enlargement, have a new treatment option available to them.
health
UQ vaccine termination won't stop Australians getting jabbed next year
The government has ditched its 50 million-dose order of the University of Queensland vaccine, but it is still likely every Australian who wants a jab will get one next year.
vaccine
Russians warned to avoid alcohol after receiving coronavirus vaccine
Health officials are warning anyone who receives Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to stop drinking alcohol for two months over fears it could compromise its effectiveness.
Coronavirus
Sniffer dogs trained to detect COVID-19 in humans
Dogs can be trained to detect Covid-19 by sniffing human sweat, according to a proof-of-concept study published yesterday.
Coronavirus
Research sheds new light on hay fever in young Australians
Young Australians with hay fever are suffering through seasonal sneezes and nose irritations unnecessarily, according to new research from Sydney's Woolcock Institute of Medical Research.
health
