Health Report

What are the benefits of having a dry January?

If you're having a month off the beers to kick off the year, do you know what a short stretch of sobriety could achieve?Some companies in the United States are even pushing people to trade their alcohol for THC, for "high" January. Also, there hasn't been a big COVID spike over the holidays, but the flu has been going around. People aren't accessing palliative care early enough to reap the benefits, but are there enough services to go around?And a study finds women notified of their breast density are often confused and anxious about what to do next. References:NSW respiratory surveillanceSenior CDC official: Loss of measles elimination status in U.S. would be ‘cost of doing business’Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysisAlcohol consumption and mortality from four alcohol-related cancers in Australia 1950-2018: a time series analysisEarly Palliative Care and Quality of End-of-Life Care for People With Terminal Cancer, Victoria, 2018–2023: A Retrospective, Population-Based Cohort StudyImpact of population based breast density notification: multisite parallel arm randomised controlled trial in BreastScreen

Can AI make personalised medicine accessible?

How far would you go to save your dog? One owner has used ChatGPT and other AI models to find a treatment for his pup's cancer. Also, we could be missing cases of liver disease because of differences between pathology centres. The final instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process. And a look back at the year: does artificial intelligence have a place in your local doctors' office?ReferencesWhat AI scribes can (and can't) do for healthcare - the Health ReportPaul is using AI to fight his dog's incurable cancer - UNSW

Walking the Camino with knee osteoarthritis

People with osteoarthritis used to be told to take it easy and avoid overdoing exercise. But the advice has changed drastically. Also, should everyone going onto GLP-1 medications for weight loss be screened and monitored for eating disorders? Another instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process. And a look back at the year: Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his hyperfixation on autism as an epidemic. ReferencesTrump links paracetamol to autism, urges parents to delay vaccinesThe EPIPHA-KNEE trial: Explaining Pain to target unhelpful pain beliefs to Increase PHysical Activity in KNEE osteoarthritis – a protocol for a multicentre, randomised controlled trial with clinical- and cost-effectiveness analysisManagement of eating disorders for people with higher weight: clinical practice guidelineEating disorder resources:The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 or webchat.Eating Disorders Foundation VictoriaEating Disorders Families Australia — 1300 195 626Professionals Credentialed in Eating DisordersLifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

Is Dr Google fuelling your hypochondria?

Anxiety can manifest in an excessive worry about your health, and it can be debilitating. But there are effective treatments. Also, antidepressants can be difficult to come off because of the withdrawal symptoms. An expert highlights the need to better educate patients and doctors on deprescribing. Another instalment of Stroke of Luck, a series on the experience of having a stroke and the recovery process. And a look back at the year: infectious diseases. ReferencesWhy the US measles outbreak is so concerningHow Australia's measles vaccine coverage compares to the USAntidepressant prescribing in Australian primary care: time to reevaluateRELEASE information and resourcesHealth anxiety information and workbookHealth anxiety in Australia: prevalence, comorbidity, disability and service use | The British Journal of PsychiatryThe global economic burden of health anxiety/hypochondriasis- a systematic reviewIncrease in the prevalence of health anxiety in medical clinics: Possible cyberchondriaCognitive behavior therapy for health anxiety: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and health economic outcomesA clinician’s quick guide to evidence-based approaches: health anxiety

Uncovering the brain circuit for creativity

There's a paradox in neurodegenerative disease  – sometimes as the brain deteriorates, creativity flourishes.Researchers have used imaging techniques to map creativity in the brains of people with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.Also, the exercise program that could change the game for colorectal cancer survivors. And a look back at the year: GLP-1 medications for weight loss. ReferencesAnswering common questions about GLP-1s for weight lossWeight loss drugs could help people with schizophreniaGLP-1s and eating disorders — what are the risks?Structured Exercise after Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer - NEJM Mapping Neuroimaging Findings of Creativity and Brain Disease Onto a Common Brain Circuit