Wait, does exercise help osteoarthritis?

Wait, does exercise help osteoarthritis?

Author: ABC Australia February 21, 2026 Duration: 41:19
A paper has suggested exercise has minimal, short-term effects on osteoarthritis. But experts are warning people with the condition that they shouldn't stop moving.  Also, school kids are being called on to help in the fight against superbugs. A new study shoots down low-dose aspirin for older people wanting to prevent cancer.  And we take a look at another form of arthritis: gout. It's under-recognised and under-treated, but what can be done about it, and why is it such a complicated story? References: Menopausal hormone therapy and long term mortality: nationwide, register based cohort study Sixth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health (AURA report) Education and Behaviour Change - The Fleming Initiative's Stance Intermittent fasting for adults with overweight or obesity Effectiveness of exercise therapy for osteoarthritis: an overview of systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials Cancer Incidence and Mortality With Aspirin in Older Adults: Follow-Up of the ASPREE Trial The effects of daily low-dose aspirin on white matter hyperintensity lesions and retinal vascular calibre in healthy older adults: the ENVIS-ion exploratory neuroimaging substudy of the ASPREE randomised clinical trial  Treat-to-Target Urate-Lowering Treatment and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Gout Arthritis Australia gout resources Gout Medcast resources

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…