Best Pocket Metal Podcasts (2025)

1
Why there's no prostate cancer screening program 12:14

5d ago12:14

12:14

Draft guidelines have been published to account for the changing world of prostate cancer screening. But a full screening program hasn't been established, because of flaws in the PSA test, and the risk of causing more harm than good. References Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia - draft guidelines…

1
Why the US measles outbreak is so concerning 10:53

5d ago10:53

10:53

As the US deals with a worsening measles outbreak, we’re also grappling with a rise in cases here. While travellers have been put on alert, not all cases are from people returning from overseas. People are contracting measles here as well. There has been a decline in the number of children getting immunised against the virus since 2020. What’s behi…

1
What is a 'mini stroke' and what are the long-term risks? 9:43

5d ago9:43

9:43

New research is revealing that what is sometimes known as a 'mini' or 'minor' stroke is not minor at all. A study has found after one of these attacks, your risk of a regular stroke and further harm is much higher. It highlights the need for more support for patients after they've had an attack, which could warn of more to come. Guest/s Professor S…

1
Ruling out metabolic changes after COVID-19 vaccination 4:57

5d ago4:57

4:57

Contracting COVID-19 can cause metabolic abnormalities, which may contribute to things like insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. So a team of researchers wanted to find out whether vaccination against COVID-19 could have the same effect. They tracked a small group of people as they received up to four vaccinations, comparing th…

1
Mailbag: Soft plaque and alpha-gal 5:42

5d ago5:42

5:42

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] References: This under-tested type of blood fat could be driving heart diseaseBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Doctors strike in NSW not just about pay 8:28

12d ago8:28

8:28

Thousands of doctors in New South Wales have gone on strike demanding better working conditions. They're demanding an end to long shifts which put patient safety at risk, and pay parity with other states. Also, the TGA updates its safety warnings for acne medication isotretinoin. However questions remain about how the changes can be implemented. Re…

1
How diet can boost your mental health 11:18

12d ago11:18

11:18

Through the gut microbiome, we're learning about how important what we eat can be for our mood and mental health. But there are many ways our diet can affect our brain, and there are still connections yet to be uncovered. A study has looked into how changing the food on your plate can even help treat depression, alongside psychotherapy and sometime…

1
Should you be worried about the metal in joint replacements? 10:23

12d ago10:23

10:23

Joint replacements are life-changing for many people who’ve been dealing with chronic pain and disability. However the materials used for these replacements are subject to wear and tear. More attention is being paid to the potential toxic effects of metal joint replacements when they start to break down. Also, Professor Smith talks about his decisi…

1
Finding out your risk of heart attack (and what to do about it) 6:57

12d ago6:57

6:57

It’s not always simple to find out your risk of cardiovascular disease. Not everyone needs to – or should – undergo tests like coronary artery calcium scoring. How do you determine what your risk is, what tests might benefit you, and importantly, when it’s best to do nothing? Guest/s Professor David Peiris, chief scientist at the George Institute f…

1
Mailbag: Vocal cords and shingles vaccination 3:14

12d ago3:14

3:14

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Antibiotic prescription is changing to fight resistance 12:49

19d ago12:49

12:49

Changes to the Therapeutic Guidelines mean the antibiotics you get prescribed might change, including for UTIs. Also, another study on the shingles vaccine driving down the risk of dementia. And a correction — and clarification — on our story about back pain and interventions to treat it. References What's New in Antibiotic - Therapeutic Guidelines…

1
Breathless? You might have vocal cord dysfunction 9:06

19d ago9:06

9:06

A new clinical toolkit has been designed to improve the management of vocal cord dysfunction. Also known as inducible laryngeal obstruction, this condition affects about up to 70 per cent of people with chronic cough, 20 per cent of people with asthma and 10 per cent of high-level athletes. It can be tough to diagnose and people can be put onto unn…

1
Quit smoking treatments don't increase risk of major birth defects 6:27

19d ago6:27

6:27

Australian researchers are a step closer to proving the safety of some medications that can help pregnant women quit smoking. They've looked back at women who used nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline and bupropion during the first trimester of pregnancy. The drugs are not associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformatio…

1
We might be underestimating the burden of diabetes 6:08

19d ago6:08

6:08

We could be underestimating the number of people living with diabetes by up to 35 per cent. For a long time we've been using data from the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) to estimate prevalence – and to make decisions about diabetes healthcare. But not everybody with diabetes signs up to this scheme. This disparity in numbers casts doubt o…

1
Mailbag: Mental health social workers 2:54

19d ago2:54

2:54

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Health promises in the 2025-26 budget 13:23

27d ago13:23

13:23

Labor has delivered its election-year budget, including a variety of health spending promises. It includes earlier promises to incentivise more bulk-billing in general practice, and rebated menopause health assessments. Meanwhile the Coalition is promising to up psychology sessions from 10 to 20 each year, something that was temporarily done at the…

1
Back pain — what works and what doesn't 8:23

26d ago8:23

8:23

Back pain is a common form of chronic pain – especially low back pain. And most of the time the cause is unclear. Surgeries and injections have been used in the past but the evidence against those interventions is mounting. So why are they still being done? And what are the evidence-based options out there for people who are struggling with back pa…

1
Maintaining sexual function after vaginal surgery 8:10

26d ago8:10

8:10

As women get older, the risk of pelvic floor prolapse increases, and it can severely impact their quality of life. A new study has looked at the clitoris following prolapse surgery, to begin to uncover what's required to maintain or restore sexual function after the procedure. Guest/s Professor Helen O'Connell, Director of Surgery and Head of Urolo…

1
What brain damage tells us about creativity 7:19

26d ago7:19

7:19

Scientists have long been aware of a paradox of neurodegenerative disease – that as the brain deteriorates, in some patients creativity flourishes. Researchers have used imaging techniques to map creativity in the brains of people with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. They’ve found that the shutting down of specific conn…

1
Mailbag: Knee replacements 2:27

26d ago2:27

2:27

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
The complicated reasons behind drug shortages 12:42

1M ago12:42

12:42

There are currently more than 200 shortages of medications, including some forms of menopause hormone therapy, ADHD medication and birth control. It's not always clear why some medications are in short supply, but sometimes the shortage can be traced all the way to a farm in China. Also, why US President Donald Trump wants to target Australia's Pha…

1
An online tool to help manage your osteoarthritis 9:29

1M ago9:29

9:29

More than 2.2 million Australians are dealing with osteoarthritis, and many struggle to access the right information about the condition. A new website has launched to connect people with the tools they need to manage osteoarthritis – and hopefully improve their quality of life. Also, could the new generation of weight loss drugs help with this man…

1
More evidence climate change is bad for our hearts 6:08

1M ago6:08

6:08

High temperatures are linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, so what does that mean for a country set to experience more extreme maximums under climate change? A new study has looked at what could happen into the 2050s, and how the impact of hot weather on cardiovascular disease can be combated. It requires policy change, and a shi…

1
A simple check in could help students with their mental health 8:45

1M ago8:45

8:45

Briefly checking in with students about their mental wellbeing throughout the school year could reduce distress. In a trial involving over 10,000 Australian students, an online screening survey led to improved outcomes. Information about their mental wellbeing was passed on to caregivers, catching kids who might otherwise fly under the radar. Guest…

1
Mailbag: Not always easy to 'see your GP' 3:08

1M ago3:08

3:08

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Five years on, have we learnt from COVID-19? 12:00

1M ago12:00

12:00

It has been five years since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. On the anniversary, the Public Health Association of Australia and Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases has warned we're unprepared for the next pandemic. Also, a projection to the year 2030 suggests our diets are only going to get worse. References Fruit, vegetables and …

1
What does endometriosis have to do with heart disease? 7:29

1M ago7:29

7:29

Endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are common conditions in women, and can be debilitating to live with. Research suggests these women might also be at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. While it’s not fully known why, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and high lipid levels might be to blame. Guest/s Dr Mathew Leon…

1
Health anxiety: when worrying about being sick makes you sick 12:49

1M ago12:49

12:49

All of us deal with a level of health anxiety at times, but for some people it devolves into full-blown hypochondria. This can be so stressful that people do get sick – experiencing symptoms that can’t be explained by tests or scans. The internet only exacerbates the issue, enabling them to Google their symptoms all hours of the day. It's a cycle t…

1
We're learning more about how cells take out the trash 9:02

1M ago9:02

9:02

Our cells are smart – they’re able to get rid of damaged parts and recycle useful parts to keep us healthy. This process seems to break down in conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, and waste accumulates. Researchers have uncovered a critical step in the recycling process, which could be used to kickstart the process when it stalls. …

1
The man with the golden arm 9:37

2M ago9:37

9:37

James Harrison died this week, but in his 88 years he saved the lives of more than two million babies through regular blood donations. He was known as 'the man with the golden arm' because his plasma contained Anti-D. Also, a look at some viruses transmitted by midges and mosquitoes that are spreading overseas and in Australia. And research into po…

1
GLP-1s and eating disorders — what are the risks? 10:46

2M ago10:46

10:46

With a new generation of weight loss drugs flooding the market, what is being done to safeguard people with eating disorders? There are concerns people of a higher weight with restrictive eating disorders could access GLP-1s if doctors aren’t screening patients appropriately. And this is partly due to the belief that people with restrictive eating …

1
Are these early warning signs for dementia? 10:34

2M ago10:34

10:34

When you have dementia, being diagnosed early can help you and your loved ones manage the condition. It could also aid in treatment. A new study has found that in some cases, weight loss and lipid changes happened up to a decade before dementia was diagnosed. These could be early indicators that signal the need for closer monitoring. Guest/s Profes…

1
Type 1 diabetes can come on later in life 9:34

2M ago9:34

9:34

You might associate type 1 diabetes with children, teenagers or young adults. However in some cases this autoimmune condition can come on later in life — and this is not latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). It can be hard to recognise, and sometimes mistaken for type 2 diabetes when there are risk factors at play like obesity. Guests Daryl …

1
Mailbag: GLP-1 weight loss drugs and surgery 3:56

2M ago3:56

3:56

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Will all your GP appointments be free? Probably not 10:03

2M ago10:03

10:03

Labor and the Coalition want to increase incentives to GPs to bulk bill, but despite this promise, it's likely not all clinics will change. Was it pre-emptive for the Government to suggest nine out of 10 GP visits will be free by the end of the decade? Also, a study tells us the bare minimum we can do to achieve better health outcomes. References M…

1
Influencers spreading misinformation online 7:38

2M ago7:38

7:38

If you’re like thousands of other Australians you’ve watched the new series on Belle Gibson, agape at the misinformation she spread on social media. Since she was exposed in 2015, platforms like Instagram have only grown, and popular users have only gained influence over their followers. A new study has looked into posts full of misleading informat…

1
Who should (and shouldn't) consider salt substitutes 7:06

2M ago7:06

7:06

Substituting your table salt for something with lower sodium could improve your heart health. Most salt substitutes are made of potassium chloride, which has recently been shown to reduce the chance of recurrent strokes. Despite this, not everyone should be reaching for potassium chloride. And not everyone can afford to. Guest/s Professor Bruce Nea…

1
Answering common questions about GLP-1s for weight loss 14:57

2M ago14:57

14:57

For many people, GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic or Wegovy have been a game-changer for weight loss. It has long been recognised in the field of obesity research that before these drugs came onto the market, there were very few interventions that worked. Things have changed fast, so what do you need to know about this new class of drugs if you’re consi…

1
Mailbag: More on breast screening 4:47

2M ago4:47

4:47

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
What four years of RFK Jr could do to our health 11:34

2M ago11:34

11:34

Robert F. Kennedy Jr has been confirmed as President Trump's secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. This is despite his contentious views on things like vaccination and anti-depressants. President Trump has already overseen major cuts to America's research sector, with concerns labs could close without appropriate funding. Refere…

1
More to the story of youth mental health 4:52

2M ago4:52

4:52

A leading youth mental health expert has pushed back at the suggestion that three quarters of adolescents in Australia have been anxious or depressed. While it's agreed rates of both conditions are rising among young people, there are ways to improve services so more people can access support. Guest/s Professor Pat McGorry, executive director of Or…

1
Why density matters when it comes to breast screening 10:49

2M ago10:49

10:49

Victoria’s breast screening service is starting to advise patients when they have dense breasts, urging them to discuss their cancer risk with their GP. Western Australia and South Australia have been doing this for some years. However there are still no national guidelines, and it’s not always clear what GPs should do with this information. Guest/…

1
Returning to First Knowledges for better health 10:49

2M ago10:49

10:49

Community control of health care has been hard fought in Indigenous communities, and it's delivering results. In their book First Knowledges Health: Spirit, Country and Culture, Shawana Andrews, Sandra Eades and Fiona Stanley map the history and importance of this movement. They also outline how returning to traditional ways of life can improve out…

1
Mailbag: Salt substitutes 3:24

2M ago3:24

3:24

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Misleading marketing of unhealthy toddler foods 10:09

2M ago10:09

10:09

A new report has exposed how some manufacturers of toddler foods use marketing to sell unhealthy foods to busy parents. Also, a convincing study on replacing salt with potassium for cardiovascular health. And a concerning study about cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia in a country where weed has been legalised. References Confectionery is bein…

1
Private hospital opening in Melbourne with no out-of-pocket costs 9:00

2M ago9:00

9:00

A private hospital will soon be accepting patients, charging no out-of-pocket costs for those insured with specific private health funds. Adeney is the the first private hospital in Australia to offer no-gap cover from the surgeon to the pharmacy. So how does a model like this make money for its doctors, and are there potential conflicts of interes…

1
More young people are getting bowel cancer 8:38

2M ago8:38

8:38

Last year the screening age for bowel cancer was lowered to 45, in response to the rising number of young adults being diagnosed. Australia is among a handful of western countries highlighted in a recent study looking into this concerning trend. So will our lowered screening age make a difference? Or do we need to focus our attention somewhere else…

1
The rise in adolescents dealing with depression or anxiety 9:31

2M ago9:31

9:31

There's been a concerning rise in depression and anxiety in adolescents, and an Australian study has reinforced the need for change. In a survey of more than 1,200 students, aged between 10 and 18, a majority reported symptoms of a common mental disorder. And girls seem particularly vulnerable. The researchers say that at this rate, there’s not eno…

1
Mailbag: Breast screening and boiled eggs 3:10

2M ago3:10

3:10

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week. You can email us at [email protected] Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Where have all the eggs gone? 9:06

3M ago9:06

9:06

While Australia has so far dodged the H5N1 strain of bird flu that's been infecting humans, we're still recuperating from an outbreak of a different strain. If you've noticed a shortage of eggs at the supermarket, farmers are warning it's likely to persist as they rush to get their chickens back up to speed. Also, an update on vaccination against C…

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