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  • Living with PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ can be distressing. Not knowing if they’re making you sick is just the start
    When we talk about the health effects of PFAS, we commonly think about any physical effects on the body. For instance, does exposure to these long-lasting, per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals increase our risk of cancer, liver disease or pregnancy complications? What’s less talked about is the psychological distress of living in a community affected by…

  • Breast Cancer and Birth Control: A Huge New Study Shows How Science Can Be Distorted
    As misinformation about women’s health spreads faster than ever, doctors say new research on the risks of hormonal birth control underscores the challenge of communicating nuance in the social media age. The massive study, which was conducted in Sweden and tracked more than 2 million teenage girls and women under age 50 for more than…

  • As people live longer and healthier, nurse training needs to respond to avoid ageist attitudes
    Life expectancy in New Zealand has increased dramatically over the past five decades. In 1970, men lived on average to 68. Today, it’s over 80. These gains reflect major advances in public health and medical technology. But living longer can mean more years with multiple chronic conditions and disabilities, because age is a significant risk…

  • How does the hair-loss drug finasteride work? Can it affect my mental health?
    For many men the gradual thinning of hair is about more than just their appearance. Finasteride, a drug widely prescribed for the treatment of male pattern baldness has been used effectively for many years for this deeply personal problem. Yet, behind its use are growing concerns about its link to the development of depression, anxiety,…

  • Some women start menopause after surgery or medical treatment. Here’s how it’s different
    For most women, menopause occurs naturally around the age of 49. In the lead up to menopause, the quality and quantity of eggs declines over time. Then the ovaries stop releasing eggs completely. At this time, the ovaries also stop producing the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone. This causes menstrual periods to end. When you…

  • Parents of neurodivergent kids need support. But those who need it most often wait longer
    Parenting any young child is full of highs and lows. In addition to these, parents and caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to face greater levels of strain and higher support needs. They are also more likely than other parents to experience poor mental…

  • Climate change is putting our water at risk
    What you need to know This summer, several states reported dangerous bacteria and algae in lakes, rivers, and coastal areas that made people and animals seriously ill. Due to climate change, warming water temperatures create an ideal environment for potentially deadly waterborne organisms to flourish.  Flesh-eating bacteria are moving into new regions  In 2023, the…

  • How to host a meal if one of your guests has an eating disorder or is anxious around food
    As the festive season approaches, perhaps you’re thinking of hosting friends and family. You know at least one person who’ll attend who becomes anxious around food and another with an eating disorder. So, how to host and make sure everyone feels comfortable and supported? Perhaps you’ve already hosted someone with food anxiety or an eating…

  • Women told they have dense breasts don’t know what to do next, new study shows
    Imagine a 57-year-old woman, let’s call her Maria, who’s just opened a letter about her mammography results. She’s had several mammograms before, but this time reads new information: “Your breasts are dense”. While the letter assures her that dense breasts are common, it also indicates it could make it harder to see breast cancer on…

  • Kratom: What to know about the loosely regulated herbal drug
    What you need to know In July, the Food and Drug Administration took the unusual step of recommending a nationwide ban on certain products made from kratom, a plant with opioid-like effects native to Southeast Asia. In the U.S., many people say it helps them manage pain, anxiety, or the difficult symptoms of opioid withdrawal….

  • Taking a drug like Ozempic? What you need to know about risks of suicidal thoughts and contraception failure
    The rise of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro has been nothing short of meteoric. Originally developed to treat diabetes, these drugs are now widely used for weight loss and have become household names. But alongside headlines of dramatic transformations are reports of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and unwanted pregnancies after contraception…

  • Why do I seem to get sick as soon as I take time off?
    You’ve been hanging out for a break, getting through the busy last weeks of work or class. You’re finally ready to relax. And then tiredness descends, you feel the tickle in your throat, and you realise you’re getting sick. Why does this always seem to happen just in time for a holiday or the weekend?…

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