Latest health news
Turnbull introduces 'co-payment by stealth': doctors
Julia Medew 4:45 AM Many Australians will face a new "co-payment by stealth" for pathology and diagnostic imaging tests because the Turnbull government is slashing its health budget by more than $650 million, doctors say.
Want to know if you'll live to be 100? The answer may be in your genes
Marlene Cimons 8:15 PM Scientists say exceptional longevity probably has a genetic component - but a healthy lifestyle helps.
Leading a country takes years off your life, study suggests
7:26 PM Leading a country comes with extraordinary privileges but also, apparently, a price: new research suggests heads of state age faster.
Calvary failed to disclose cost information to patients
Alexandra Back 1:46 PM Calvary Private Hospital failed to give patients sufficient information, leading some to experience "bill shock".
Doctors use Star Wars to detect disturbances in the bowel
Craig Butt 1:03 PM A short time ago, in a hospital not too far away from Melbourne, a group of doctors found they were better at picking up on the signs of bowel cancer while they were listening to music from Star Wars.
The frightening epidemic affecting one in three Australians
Julia Medew For years, John Hatty was a senior businessman travelling the world. The former scientist's job with a mining company took him to many fine restaurants where he would consume what he now calls his 'three enemies' - sugar, salt and fat.
Senate urged to probe hospital food for people with allergies
Julia Medew The death of a 13-year-old boy with food allergies at a Melbourne hospital has caught the attention of Health Minister Sussan Ley who has backed calls for a Senate inquiry into how safely hospitals prepare food.
Why you're not going to die of a broken heart
Harriet Alexander Research investigated the conventional wisdom that happier people lived longer, and found there was much more to the story.
The SPF 50+ sunscreens on shelves that failed tests
Esther Han The weather is hot, the beach is beckoning, and thoughts are turning to sun protection. But tests have found popular sunscreens are failing to live up to their SPF claims.
'You never knew when he was going to cry'
Emma Partridge When her father called himself a "weak man," Pru Goward felt overwhelmed.
'Nobody would wish to emulate it'
Harriet Alexander ObamaCare architect Ezekiel Emanuel says Australia's health system is heading for a showdown.
Guinea pig nuclear scientist reveals stone age
Bridie Smith Little was known about kidney stones until a Sydney scientist was struck with the painful condition and decided to experiment on himself.
Our six deadly sins: now sleeping in could send you to an early grave
Marcus Strom A surprise finding from a University of Sydney study has linked increased mortality to longer sleeping times.
Next-gen water condom 'like human skin'
Bridie Smith Researchers are using brain scanning technology to test the "pleasure" attributes of the next generation of condoms.
ACT scores well on preventable admissions to hospital
Alexandra Back The ACT boasts one of the lowest rates of preventable hospitalisations in the country, according to new figures released on Thursday.
Vaccinations could have saved thousands from hospitalisation
Craig Butt More than 30,000 people ended up in hospital last year for conditions that could have been prevented had they been vaccinated, a new report has found.
New gene sparks fears of a post-antibiotic era
SAMUEL ROBERTS A new gene in bacteria could render some infections incurable, after it was found to resist antibiotics by Chinese scientists in November.
Five ways to help Australians lose weight
Julia Medew New research shows how government could help us lighten up.
Doctor earned $500,000 in overtime
Harriet Alexander An Auditor-General's report on NSW hospitals shows that ambulance times have slowed.
ACT has lowest smoking rates
Craig Butt, Alexandra Back But don't get too smug. We're still fat and unhealthy, according to a new ABS survey.
Alzheimer's may exact its revenge on those who hold negative beliefs about old people
Melissa Healy People inclined to believe older people are slower, unhappier and less sharp are more likely - when they become older themselves - to exhibit the effects of Alzheimer's disease.
Tougher regulations likely for cosmetic surgeries
Harriet Alexander Tougher regulations may be forced on the cosmetic surgery industry after several patients were hospitalised and clinics investigated.
Australians are fat and unfit but at least we are drinking and smoking less
Craig Butt The good news is that Australians are smoking and drinking less than we used to.
How a woman who never felt pain may have helped find the 'secret ingredient' to painlessness
Sarah Kaplan She is one of a handful of people with this genetic disorder. Researchers hope the breakthrough could provide relief to the millions of people who suffer from debilitating chronic pain.
Insurance deal could see high risk patients shunned by private hopsitals
Julia Medew Smokers and diabetics may find themselves getting pushed out of private hospitals that have done controversial performance-based deals with Medibank Private, doctors say.
How to avoid the dentist's drill
Julie Power Patients scared of going to the dentist may never need to face the drill, says a new study.
Fast and loose days of sperm donation
Harriet Alexander It used to be easy to find men willing to donate their sperm to infertile couples.
No day off for paramedics to receive bravery award
Harriet Alexander NSW Ambulance will not give time off to paramedics who have been cited for bravery over the Lindt cafe siege to be presented with their awards.
Paramedics targeted for criticising ambulance service
Harriet Alexander The NSW ambulance service is targeting employees who have accused it of harbouring a culture of bullying on a closed Facebook group.
Hurting all the time - unravelling Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
John Elder For 16 years Kerry Whyman ``secretly" thought she had bone cancer and was dying -- secretly because she'd stopped telling doctors how much pain she was in.
