Can AI chatbots be good therapists?

Can AI chatbots be good therapists?

Author: ABC Australia February 28, 2026 Duration: 45:14
We know many people are turning to generative AI for health advice, including tips on how to manage stress, anxiety and low mood.  When is it safe to turn to a chatbot, and when do you need to see a real human being? And what if you can't afford it? Also, a home review program that aims to get people off drugs they don't need to be on that might be negatively impacting their lives.  And good news when it comes to Australia's goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035.  References: Uptake and performance of self-collection offered through primary care to all eligible participants in a national cervical screening programme in Australia: a retrospective cohort study Extended follow-up of invasive cervical cancer risk after quadrivalent HPV vaccination: nationwide, register based study Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Cancer Mortality Among Cancer Survivors Informed use of AI technologies for mental health AI and mental health in Australia: what needs to happen next - Black Dog Institute Pharmacists call for medicine review program to be expanded - ABC News The effect of deprescribing interventions on mortality and health outcomes in older people: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Tune in to Health Report for a clear-eyed look at the medical news that actually impacts your life. Hosted by Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander, this ABC podcast cuts through the noise of health headlines, offering grounded analysis and practical context. Each episode is a conversation that breaks down complex research, emerging health threats, and wellness trends, separating evidence from hype. You’ll hear them dissect new studies, interview experts, and answer the questions that arise from weekly health scares and breakthroughs. It’s for anyone who wants to move beyond soundbites and understand the science behind their wellbeing, from nutrition and exercise to major public health policies. This isn't just about information; it's about building a deeper, more useful understanding of how to navigate the ever-changing world of health. Join Norman and Preeya for thoughtful discussions that make sense of it all, ensuring you’re equipped with knowledge that makes a tangible difference.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Health Report
Podcast Episodes
Could a sleep supplement help reduce chronic pain? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:19
While looking for ways to treat pain in those with musculoskeletal disorders, researchers examined studies in which sleep supplement melatonin had been used. A study into the behaviour of immune cells in coeliac disease…
Should we ban the use of controversial herbicide, paraquat? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:25
A movement disorder specialist says the APVMA decision on the use of herbicide paraquat ignores evidence of the link with cases of Parkinson's disease. Analysis of patient data shows less than twenty percent of people at…
Bird flu has reached Australia. Now what? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:12
The first cases of H5N1 bird flu have been confirmed following the discovery and rescue of a sick bird on a remote beach in Western Australia. Since then more sick birds have been reported, with authorities stressing the…
Good and bad news on alcohol and disease risk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:11
A new review brings together data from studies worldwide and shows that the impact of alcohol has been underestimated, but that changing drinking habits can reverse and slow down damage. Should gyms turn the volume down…
A crackdown on unregulated peptides [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:58
Genomic testing is cheaper than ever and can pick up a risk of disease in people with no family history. Should we expand it nation-wide? IUDs are a highly effective form of contraception, but some women are concerned ab…
Does exercise lower your biological age? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:35
Australia's specialist medical college for obstetrics and gynaecology is raising the alarm over proposed changes to abortion access in three Australian states. How physical activity influences your 'biological clock' - a…
The habits that protect your mental health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:37
This week, an update on the diphtheria outbreak across multiple Australian states. What's changed to allow the spread to occur? How to build healthier housing for remote communities - and it starts with maintenance. A ne…
Peptides: who's using them and what's in them? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:52
The popularity of peptides appears to be growing in Australia - what do we know about who is using them, what's in them and the risks? A large study of Australians with Parkinson's disease finds links to certain pesticid…
Ebola outbreak: how it spreads and prospects for a vaccine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern over an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. How does the disease spread, how can it be treated a…
Do you need surgery after an ACL tear? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:21
ACL injuries are very common in Australia - and the common thinking has been that if you tear your ACL, you'll need surgery. Researchers are arguing the best evidence says we should be looking to rehab first, and that fo…