Health Report - Separate stories podcast

The government has announced it will establish a database that provides a complete picture of a patient's medicines history. 
At the moment, this information is only available for high-risk medications. 
Also good news in the first year of the Shingrix vaccine rollout to protect against the painful shingles virus. 
And a Cochrane review casts doubt on the use of medicinal cannabis for chronic nerve pain. 
References
First step towards a national medicines record
National medicines database promised after telehealth 'doctor-shopping' leads to overdose
Uptake of Shingrix vaccine in its first year on the National Immunisation Program: an analysis of Australian Immunisation Register data
Cannabis‐based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults

ChatGPT is about to open up its dedicated health AI bot, and it has people wondering about the safety of relying on Big Tech for this advice. 
Many people already turn to AI for health tips, and help in decoding dense medical language. 
While there can be positives, experts are concerned about the speed at which these platforms are moving — as regulation struggles to keep pace. 
Guest/s
Professor Enrico Coiera, Director for the Centre of Health Informatics and Macquarie University

There are many reasons someone might need to terminate a pregnancy.
At the moment women should be able to access medications up to nine weeks.
But in some locations and some clinics there are barriers that can significantly delay care.
How can access be improved, and why aren’t medical abortions offered beyond nine weeks?
Guest/s
Professor Danielle Mazza, head of the department of general practice at Monash University and director of the SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence
References
Safety and efficacy of early medical abortion at home between 10+0 and 11+6 weeks' gestation: a retrospective review

Fat has gotten a bad wrap, but one expert is determined to educate people on its importance.
Fat cells are responsible for storing energy, insulating, protecting delicate tissues and producing the appetite hormone leptin.
Professor Stephen O’Rahilly argues the fat cell is not to blame for the harms of obesity. Instead, the harms come when the fat cell becomes overwhelmed.
Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly delivered the Charles Perkins Centre capstone the Nicholas Catchlove Lecture 2025.
Guest/s
Sir Stephen O'Rahilly, professor of clinical biochemistry and medicine at the University of Cambridge

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.
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