Health Report - Separate stories podcast

In the news:
An increase in hospitalisations and overdose deaths is being driven by use of methamphetamine, cocaine and stimulant medications, particularly in men.
A study looking at the global burden of disease from Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol shows the impact of LDL is falling in rich countries but going up in poorer countries.
Pioneer of nutritional psychiatry, Professor Felice Jacka has been awarded a prestigious prize for her work.
Vitamin B6 supplements are still being widely purchased, despite warnings of potential side effects. Does the TGA need to be acting more quickly to crack down on manufacturers?
Guest/s
Deakin Distinguished Professor Felice Jacka OAM, Director, Food & Mood Centre, Deakin University
References
Rise in drug-related deaths and hospitalisations driven by stimulants, annual NDARC reports find
Global Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol—Leveraging Estimation for Action | Cardiology | JAMA | JAMA Network
Laureates of the 2026 L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science International Awards
Vitamin B6: too much, too little, too late? An analysis of salestrends in Australia from 2023 to 2025

‘Kate’ has a history of anorexia nervosa and was once hospitalised for the condition. Yet she was able to access GLP1s to control her weight via a telehealth provider, without being screened for an eating disorder. 
She says it was “criminally easy” and is speaking out to protect others. 
While Australian data on this issue is not yet published, a study from the United States shows a person with an eating disorder is twice as likely as someone without one, to access GLP1s for weight loss. According to their data, one in five people with eating disorders in the study were currently using them. 
An Australian clinical psychologist and expert says awareness of the need for eating disorder screening amongst general practitioners is patchy and that more needs to be done to educate about the risks of prescribing weight loss injections to patients.
If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder: 
Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673
National Eating Disorder Collaboration
Lifeline on 131 114  
Guest/s
‘Kate’ person with lived experience of anorexia nervosa  
Dr Cheri Levinson, Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville and Director of the Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT) lab
Dr Nicholas Peiper, Professor, Epidemiology & Population Health, and  Chief Scientist, Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT) Laboratory, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Louisville
Dr Sarah Trobe, clinical psychologist and National Director of the National Eating Disorder Collaboration (NEDC)  
References
AHPRA statement on telehealth providers not screening for eating disorders
JAMA Psychiatry: Use and Misuse of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among People With Eating Disorders

Surveys of acute pancreatitis are currently underway around Australia, in response to an increase in cases globally. 
A study from South Australia shows some surprising results with an increased incidence in young people, women and those from a higher socio-economic background.
Guest/s
George Baretto, Professor of Surgery, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University 
References
Epidemiological time trends in acute pancreatitis – A 16-year experience from South Australia

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.
You can email us at healthreport@abc.net.au

In the news:
Getting an endometriosis diagnosis is difficult in more ways than one. A new saliva test developed overseas is being trialled as a way to help those living with the condition. If it works in real world trials, it will indicate the probability of endometriosis, to detect whether or not more invasive testing is needed.
Misinformation about Vitamin K injections for newborn babies is rife on social media. We look at the evidence.
People are travelling to South Korea to get a full medical work-up including scans, blood tests and endoscopies. The trip might be fun, but is all that testing really necessary?
References
Saliva test for endometriosis lacks real-world evidence, Australian experts say
Vitamin K Prophylaxis in Newborns and Bleeding in Infancy
Blood tests and ultrasounds: Korea is becoming one of the world's global healthcare hubs