Daylight saving: Can changing clocks harm your health?

Daylight saving: Can changing clocks harm your health?

Author: ABC Australia October 4, 2025 Duration: 40:44
Daylight saving time kicks in this weekend for New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. Time shifts can be controversial, and in recent years there's been research into the effects on our health. One study has looked into the incidence of strokes and obesity.  Also, why experts want to change the name of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and we take a tour of the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.  References: Draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy - NHMRC Safety concerns over imported melatonin products - TGA Retraction: Apple cider vinegar for weight management in lebanese adolescents and young adults with overweight and obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Circadian-informed modeling predicts regional variation in obesity and stroke outcomes under different permanent US time policies Polycystic ovary syndrome perspectives from patients and health professionals on clinical features, current name, and renaming: a longitudinal international online survey - the Lancet Inside the Australian lab where scientists study bird flu and other emerging disease threats - ABC News Dynamic Balnce for Life A Judo-Based Exercise Program to Reduce Falls and Frailty Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Feasibility Study

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: 100

Health Report
Podcast Episodes
Left or right arm? The site of your booster vaccine matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:45
The immune system seems to respond faster, and better, when you get a booster vaccine in the same arm as your initial vaccine. Also, your GP might miss something going wrong with your liver because of the way pathology l…
Would you trust AI to make a life or death decision? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:26
When you can't make medical decisions for yourself, it's often the responsibility of a loved one, or sometimes a doctor who doesn't know you at all. Some researchers are suggesting artificial intelligence could be traine…
Is misinformation fuelling our measles outbreaks? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:55
In Australia, we've already seen more cases of measles this year than we saw during the whole of 2024. It's believed misinformation is to blame, leading to vaccine hesitancy and exposing the community to a highly infecti…
Using food to help treat depression [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:36
Australia has been at the forefront of research into how what we eat affects our mental health. What do we know so far, and what are some small changes you can make to see improvements? Also, the doctors strike in NSW co…
Helping pregnant women stop smoking — safely [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:33
Quitting smoking can be tough, and for many women who've fallen pregnant their only option has been to go cold turkey. Researchers are trying to figure out whether medications to help are safe for mum and bub. Also, a co…
The key to creativity? You might be overthinking it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:05
A study of people with neurodegenerative disease has discovered that bursts of creativity can happen when the brain is shutting down. Also, there's a lot of misinformation out there about back pain and how to treat it. H…
Why there's no quick fix for osteoarthritis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:24
A new resource has launched to provide information to the millions of Australians living with osteoarthritis. It pushes back against the idea that an injection or surgery will fix all your woes when it comes to this dege…
Dr Google could be making your health anxiety worse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:49
What used to be called hypochondria is now health anxiety — an excessive worry about developing a serious illness. While experiences of health anxiety vary, for some people it can take over their lives and even lead to p…
Early dementia signs from the body not the brain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:28
When you have dementia, being diagnosed early can help you and your loved ones manage the condition. It could also aid in treatment. A new study has found that in some cases, weight loss and lipid changes happened up to…
Listening to influencers could give you an incidentaloma [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:41
On social media, an influencer's job is to influence you — to get you to strive for a particular lifestyle or buy a specific product. In some cases they're pushing medical tests, telling people to take charge of their he…