Do you take health advice from influencers?

Do you take health advice from influencers?

Author: ABC Australia September 13, 2025 Duration: 41:32
The way we get information has changed, and when it comes to health and wellness more and more people are turning to social media.  There are pros and cons, but when it comes to something as important as birth control, there's a price to pay for taking guidance from influencers.  Also on the show, why parent-focused programs haven't been working to tackle obesity in toddlers. And a story about the benefits of withdrawing medication, rather than starting it.  References Alcohol and Cancer Risk - JAMA Insights Review of Evidence on Alcohol and Health - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine GLP-1 RAs and Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes by Body Mass Index in Type 2 Diabetes  Incidence of GLP‐1 receptor agonist use by women of reproductive age attending general practices in Australia, 2011–2022: a retrospective open cohort study Joint statement on professional responsibilities for prescribing and dispensing medicines - AHPRA Parent-focused behavioural interventions for the prevention of early childhood obesity (TOPCHILD): a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis “Do You Know What Birth Control Actually Does to Your Body?”: Assessing Contraceptive Information on TikTok Withdrawal of heart failure therapy after atrial fibrillation rhythm control with ejection fraction normalization: the WITHDRAW-AF trial

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
Mapping the environmental exposures that impact human health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:07
The human exposome is the environmental equivalent of the human genome, and there's a project in the works to map it. It's a huge project that needs to take into account our lifestyles, cultures, economics and politics.…
Harnessing the immune system to fight cancer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:15
Immunotherapy uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. In blood cancer, a revolutionary t-cell therapy has cured patients and could show promise in solid tumours. In bladder cancer, the tuberculosis vaccine is infu…
The man using AI to try treat his dog's cancer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:48
In the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, it can sometimes feel like the answer to everything is right around the corner. A dog owner is testing this with the help of super-computing, to try and find another tr…
What do hyenas have to do with human health? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:03
Hyenas and vultures play a role in driving down the risk of disease outbreaks, but their decline due to human behaviour is putting our health in danger. Also, we discuss Lifeblood's changes which bring down some of the b…
Is it too easy to get a prescription for medicinal cannabis? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:02
There are concerns people are getting their hands on medicinal cannabis to treat conditions where there's very little evidence of benefit — and the possibility of harm. Also, why weight loss drugs could improve treatment…
Exercise packs a punch in fending off cancer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:35
A structured exercise program has increased survival in people with colon cancer after they've undergone surgery and chemotherapy. Also, a common genetic variant could double the risk of dementia in men — if they receive…
Can you predict how smart a baby will be in adulthood? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:48
Our cognitive ability changes throughout our lives, but what happens when we're young can determine our intelligence in adulthood — especially if we don't do anything to bolster it. Also, NSW follows other states in allo…
Deepfake scammers have stolen Norman’s voice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:01
If you've come across ads of Norman pushing a product for you to buy — no you haven't. These ads are actually deepfake scams using an AI Norman to sell unproven supplements. Also, why a new Alzheimer's drug coming onto t…
Want to heal your gut? Here's the evidence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:16
Gut health is more complicated than social media influencers might have you believe. It can be impacted by diet, exercise, the medications you take, the colds you catch. And any one of these factors can lead to irritable…
You don’t have to snore to have sleep apnea [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:58
It's a common sleep disorder that can have knock-on effects on your cardiovascular and overall metabolic health. But sleep apnea doesn't always present how people think, especially in women. Also, we take a look at Labor…