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Health Report - Separate stories podcast

ABC Australia
Australia
Obesity
Mental Health
Dementia
Heart Disease
Depression
Eating Disorders
Asthma
Vitamin B6
Breast Cancer
Childhood Obesity
Chronic Pain
Food Allergies
Women's Health
Endometriosis
Ultra-Processed Foods
Pain Management
Stroke
My Health Record
Cancer

Covering the health stories that make a difference. Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander dissect the latest and breaking news in the medical world.

PublishesDailyEpisodes807Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MedicineHealth & Fitness

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Latest Episodes

In the news this week:

* Researchers at a diabetes conference ejected after handing out editorial criticising US President Donald Trump.

* Fewer egg allergies in Australia after a shift in guidelines.

* The TGA says it's cracking down on unregu... more

For many years it's been expensive and challenging to do genetic testing that works out if you're at greater risk of something like a heart attack or a specific type of cancer.

That's meant testing is limited to those who already have a condition or... more

IUDs -- intrauterine devices -- are a highly effective form of long-acting reversible contraception. But Australia lags behind other comparable countries when it comes to their uptake.

One barrier to greater use is concerns over the pain of having a... more

Australian researchers have published an editorial in Science critiquing the state of our peer review for scientific grants.

They say the current state of affairs is 'farcical', with the removal of panel reviews limiting opportunities for true revie... more

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Recent Guests

Jane Tiller
Ethical, Legal and Social Advisor in Public Health Genomics at Monash University in Melbourne
Monash University
Episode: Could we screen genes for disease risk nation-wide?
Massimo Hilliard
Professor from the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research, University of Queensland
University of Queensland
Episode: Researchers criticise peer review for scientific grants
Steve Wesselingh
Chief Executive Officer of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
NHMRC
Episode: Researchers criticise peer review for scientific grants
Dr Nisha Khot
President, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Episode: Concerns over proposed changes to abortion access in multiple states
Andrea Maier
Professor, National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
Episode: What's the link between physical activity and 'biological age'?
Paul Torzillo
Professor of Respiratory Medicine, University of Sydney; Medical Director of Nganampa Health Council
Nganampa Health Council; University of Sydney
Episode: Bulk billing changes and Aboriginal community-controlled healthcare
Dr Stephanie Williams
Subject matter expert from the Australian Centre for Disease Control (ACDC)
Australian Centre for Disease Control
Episode: What's behind the diphtheria outbreak in Australia?
Dave Donald
Architect and director of Healthabitat (housing for health)
Healthabitat
Episode: Housing and health: it's about maintenance ... and climate change
Matt Mason
Dr. Matt Mason, University of Sunshine Coast
University of Sunshine Coast
Episode: How did the diphtheria outbreak happen?

Hosts

Preeya Alexander
Co-host of Health Report and medical expert, frequently guiding discussions and translating health news for listeners.
Norman Swan
Host of Health Report, providing clinical context and policy implications across topics.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 204 ratings
  • Don’t need the separate stories

    The Health Report gets eleven out of ten. The separate stories are a waste of time but I don’t seem to be able to get rid of them

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    DamemegL
    Australia2 months ago
  • Separate stories MIA

    Great podcast but what is this 38min episode doing in my Separate Stories podcast?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    77susbeans
    Australia6 months ago
  • Missing episodes

    I never miss an episode of this interesting and informative show. It’s a 5 star listen that is only being awarded 3 stars because the ABC hasn’t posted the latest 2 episodes of the show to podcast subscribers.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    77susbeans
    Australia4 years ago
  • Love Norman Swan's work

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Schnitzel Fritz
    6 years ago
  • Biased toward broken convention in nutrition

    Dr. Swan has a fine voice for radio. Almost trustworthy. I listen to hear how out of date Dr. Swan is when it comes to nutritional health science. Eat less, move more and the Mediterranean diet is so 20th century anchored and may only benefit a small segment of the unhealthy community. Whereas current researchers are resolving type 2 diabetes, for example, with creative application of the findings from the last decade of studies.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Frank O'Bear
    Australia7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value grounding health news in evidence and policy context, with praise for depth and practicality.
Some episodes draw criticism for pacing and segment balance, especially when conversations run long or when “separate stories” feel intrusive.
Audience appreciates clear explanations of complex topics and real-world health system implications.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Researchers criticise peer review for scientific grants
Q: What is NHMRC's response to the critique about lack of transparency and accountability?
Steve responds that transparency has improved with the new system since reviewers see each other's identities and scores, and there are opportunities to adjust scores if a strong comment reveals a fatal flaw in a proposal.
Researchers criticise peer review for scientific grants
Q: Norman asks how the anonymous, desk-based review affects the ability to debate a grant and ensure fairness.
Massimo explains that the previous panel system allowed direct interaction and debate, but the current model aims to reduce bias and administrative costs; however, the five allocated reviewers can now see each other's comments and identities, enabling accountability and the potential for score adjustments based on robust discussion.
Could we screen genes for disease risk nation-wide?
Q: Jane, at the moment in Australia, can you just talk us through who is eligible for this kind of genomic testing?
Currently, testing is focused on diagnostic and treatment-guiding contexts within the public system, with some access for early-onset disease in family history. The preventive, population-wide approach is not routine yet, and eligibility would expand as models of care evolve to support screening.
Mailbag: diphtheria
Q: Deb says, on the program last week, you were explaining that proposed changes in bulk billing in some situations, for instance, nursing homes could potentially be so burdensome that doctors may choose to privately bill rather than chasing a signature for bulk billing permission. Can doctors choose to privately bill the same amount as the relevant Medicare rebate for any service provided without obtaining a patient's permission?
The discussion clarifies that while doctors can bill privately in some contexts, there are practical and regulatory constraints, including patient consent, potential incentives to bulk bill, and the need for patients to claim Medicare rebates; it's not simply a straightforward equivalence to the rebate and varies by service and setting.
Concerns over proposed changes to abortion access in multiple states
Q: So Nisha, can you just talk us through, before we go through any of these changes that are happening potentially in South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, what kinds of barriers do women already face when it comes to abortion services?
The main barriers are geographic in nature—rural and regional areas lack providers for both medical and surgical abortion—and the logistical and financial hurdles of accessing surgical care, including theatre availability and specialist support, which are compounded by high out-of-pocket costs for many women.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Report

What is Health Report about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A health-focused show that combines clinical context with health policy and public health updates. Across recent episodes, topics span the renaming of a common condition and its diagnostic implications, exposure to plastics and chemical pollutants, rehabilitation versus surgical choices for ACL injuries, digital interventions for eating disorders, urgent-care funding and GP access, vaccine policy and infectious disease milestones, and professional perspectives on phage therapy, IBS biomarkers, and bowel cancer pathways. Narrated by two seasoned clinicians, the program often bridges patient experience, research evidence, and health-system logistics, offering practical takeaways for families, clinicians, and policymakers. A standout trait is ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Health Report?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Health Report:

1. Health Report
2. What's That Rash?
3. All In The Mind
4. The Science Show
5. Life Matters - Full program podcast

How many episodes of Health Report are there?

Health Report launched 17 years ago and published 807 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Health Report?

Recent guests on Health Report include:

1. Jane Tiller
2. Massimo Hilliard
3. Steve Wesselingh
4. Dr Nisha Khot
5. Andrea Maier
6. Paul Torzillo
7. Dr Stephanie Williams
8. Dave Donald

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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