As the United States risks prompting a bidding war for coronavirus drugs, can the world show solidarity over equitable access to medicines? And is remdesivir any use against COVID-19 anyway?
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Analysis and Comment
There are some very good reasons why some people decline coronavirus testing, which we need to address before jumping to conclusions.
Contact tracers are among the many unsung heroes of our public health efforts to control the coronavirus, in Victoria and beyond. But they need help.
Saliva testing is less sensitive than a nasal swab. But in the midst of a public health crisis, in some cases a test with slightly reduced sensitivity may be better than no test at all.
We found less than half of all eligible foods carried health star ratings, and those that did were skewed towards foods with higher ratings. It's time to make ratings mandatory.
Australia's island identity and attitude to border security was forged from handling pandemics since the time of federation. Here's what we've learned along the way.
It's excellent this virus has been found early, but there is no evidence yet of human-to-human transmission.
Either the state government's measures will wrest back control of the outbreak, or unbridled community transmission could mean infection rates get totally out of control.
The new Community Pharmacy Agreement will make it easier for Australia's pharmacists to spend time providing expert health advice to customers rather than focusing on retail revenues.
The Victorian spike serves as a reminder that we are still very much in a pandemic. We need to come to terms with the fact we will need follow the basics of infection control for some time.
Over the first year of voluntary assisted dying in Victoria, about 400 people applied to access the laws to end their lives. There are lingering issues, but the system is workable.
Tried to avoid coronavirus news in recent months? Here's what you've missed while you've been away.
From 2021, Australians will no longer be able to buy nicotine-containing e-fluids, without both a prescription and someone licensed to import it for them, raising fears many will go back to smoking.
Not all government coronavirus health advice is reaching people who speak a language other than English. That's about one in five households.
If a return to the office is on the cards, both employers and employees have a role to play in minimising the risk of COVID-19 spread.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures suggest there have been more than 800 'excess deaths' in Australia in January-March 2020, relative to the average, but only 103 confirmed COVID-19 deaths so far.
A century ago, Australians were battling another pandemic, tuberculosis, with public health measures many will find familiar today.
Our new research suggests the COVID-19 pandemic has meant people are using illicit drugs less. But decreased use can mean higher risk of overdoses.
Recent cases among school children has prompted some to wonder: should we close schools again? The short answer is: no.
Having longer top eyelashes can enhance our ability to express our feelings and communicate with others. But the most significant reason we have them is to protect our eyes.
The idea of an AusCDC has been debated for at least 30 years. Momentum is now building to finally make this a reality to be better prepared for the next pandemic.
It's much more likely your child's symptoms are caused by a common respiratory virus than COVID-19. But it's important to follow testing guidelines and keep them home if they're unwell.
Even in hospitals, where hand hygiene is vital, staff don't always remember to wash their hands. What hope is there for the rest of us? Thankfully, research on handwashing behaviours has some answers.
A major review of New Zealand's health system points to systemic racism as a reason for disparities in health outcomes for Māori. But it was split on the role a proposed new Māori agency should play.
While those of us from Australia and New Zealand might be starting to relax as restrictions ease, the pandemic is actually growing at an increasing rate worldwide.
An intriguing link could help us understand why men are at higher risk from COVID-19 than women. It also might pave the way for a potential treatment.
Over the past week, we've seen more than 100 new cases of coronavirus in Victoria. What's going on?
Since March, when Medicare-funded phone and video consultations with doctors and other health workers were made available to all Australians, millions of appointments have been delivered remotely.
From the benefits of telehealth to the importance of integrating public and private systems, the COVID-19 pandemic offers several valuable lessons for Australia's health system.
Many white health students - our future doctors, nurses and health workers - find learning about the ongoing health impacts of colonisation on Indigenous Australians confronting. But it's vital.
During a pandemic, what would MacGyver do? He'd cobble together masks and ventilators from the things around him. Now health-care workers are doing the same. But there are risks.
Reports suggest people have been visiting their GPs for a certificate clearing them of COVID-19, at the request of their employer or school. But doctors can't conclusively clear a person of the virus.
Australians choked through a smoke-ridden summer during the bushfire crisis. But many of us are unaware of the silent damage indoor wood fire heaters are doing to our health.
Preliminary results indicate dexamethasone could help treat severely ill patients in hospital with COVID-19. But it's early days yet.
Be careful when returning to the pub. Your alcohol tolerance might've changed during lockdown, meaning you could do greater harm to your body.
With so many parts of our lives turned upside down during COVID-19, hope may be in short supply. But there are things we can do to stay hopeful – and it's important we do.
Popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram fail to protect children from the marketing tactics of junk food advertisers. This needs to change.
Two new cases of COVID-19 have been announced in New Zealand, after 23 consecutive days with no new cases. But that doesn't mean that the country's elimination efforts have failed.
If you're lucky enough to be able to afford a ski trip, expect it to look different this year. Some extra planning, however, can lower the coronavirus risk to you, your loved ones and the community.
The World Trade Organisation has thrown out the final legal challenge to Australia's tobacco plain packaging laws. Now countries across the world can implement this game-changing public health policy.
Breastfeeding is important for infant and maternal health. But without national data non breastfeeding rates, we have no idea whether things are improving or getting worse.
If your immunisation record is incomplete, you might repeat a vaccination unnecessarily, or miss out on government support, child care, or work. So it pays to check.
We found babies born to mothers who used cannabis during pregnancy were likely to weigh less and be born earlier. Our study adds to a growing body of evidence on this topic.
A COVID-19-type pandemic had long been predicted, but our warnings weren't heeded. We need to start rethinking our approach to health now – even in countries like New Zealand.
Masks protect you from infection and protect others from getting sick. But authorities are leaving it up to individuals to decide if they want to wear masks on the bus or train. Here's how to decide.
OM85 harnesses molecules extracted from bacteria, and has shown promise in preventing severe respiratory infections. It seems to work by training the immune system.
Some experts are concerned about the rise in surgery to treat the common condition known as tongue-tie, when the tissue under the tongue is short, thick or tight. Here's a guide to your options.
Keen to get back to the gym? Be careful. It's easy to get injured if you've been inactive.
Now the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has been scrapped, there's a real chance for health to remain on the national agenda. But let's not repeat mistakes of the past.
Australia has managed to house the homeless in hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic. We now have an opportunity to be thinking about longer-term solutions.
Our experts look at why people of colour are being hit harder by COVID-19, New Zealand's success in eliminating the virus, and the latest on drug trials.
The percentage of women receiving the recommended perinatal mental health screening has tripled since 2000 – but one in five women are still missing out.
Boogers, snot, bogeys and boogies are the common names for mucus that's dried in your nose. Mucus is very important as it protects the body from getting sick.
While coronavirus restrictions are easing, you may still be feeling a strain on your relationship. This crisis has thrown a variety of challenges at couples.
There's now a 95% chance COVID-19 has been eliminated in NZ, according to our modelling. But as NZ prepares to remove limits on large gatherings, it increases the risk of a very large new outbreak.
Burping is a normal way for the body to release swallowed air, and often happens after eating or drinking fizzy drinks!
If you're itching to get back to the gym when it re-opens, here's what you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Australia has suffered far less death and disease from COVID-19 than other similar countries. But given the hesitant start and the Ruby Princess debacle, we could have done even better.
People taking hydroxychloroquine for coronavirus may be more likely to die, according to new research. But that doesn't mean the drug is killing them.
Australia is performing better than many other countries with comparable populations and geographies, a new COVID-19 data visualisation reveals.
Early clinical trials into ginseng, rhubarb and rice paved the way for testing coronavirus treatments today.
Listening with the volume too high or for too long can cause permanent hearing loss, but there are ways we can minimise the risks.
COVID-19 coronavirus
Tried to avoid coronavirus news in recent months? Here's what you've missed while you've been away.
During the last six months, news reports have mentioned dozens of drugs that may be effective against the new coronavirus. Here we lay out the evidence and reveal which ones are proven to work. Or not.
In this week’s round-up of coronavirus articles by scholars around the globe, we explore the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 and the latest on drug trials.
Superbugs spread through the environment – and it needs urgent attention.
Our experts look at why people of colour are being hit harder by COVID-19, New Zealand's success in eliminating the virus, and the latest on drug trials.
Our experts look at recovery efforts, how different the post-pandemic world will be, the hunt for a cure for COVID-19, and why we need to mind our mental health.
Sexually active men should consider wearing condoms during the pandemic.
This week, our experts are looking at the major trends in post-crisis globalisation.
Over-active immune response might be behind higher rates of life-threatening COVID-19 infections in patients with obesity.
Our experts mull what it will take to keep people healthy, whether there should be optimism for a vaccine and how to fight lockdown fatigue.
Health Checks
Many of us cover our faces with foundation and other beauty products every day. Here's what we know about whether they are doing us damage.
Research into our brain, gut and childhood memories tells us why we reach for macaroni cheese rather than salad in winter.
If you're tossing and turning in the middle of the night, these techniques may help you to nod off.
Many people complain their aches and pains get worse in the cold, but there are a number of ways to reduce that discomfort in the winter months.
Academic articles on Covid-19
Dr Shaun Murphy, Dr House, Dr Virginia Dixon are all great characters. But their reality doesn't always chime with my own.
Having longer top eyelashes can enhance our ability to express our feelings and communicate with others. But the most significant reason we have them is to protect our eyes.
Millions of Australians far from the bushfires' direct path have been affected by smoke haze. Here's everything we know about the effects of bushfire smoke on our health.
From the archives
Tularemia is an animal disease that can be transmitted to humans. While it can be fatal, it is rare in Australia and can be treated with antibiotics.
Children have largely escaped the serious health effects of coronavirus, but the UK is warning about serious illness in kids. Here's what we know.
If you've read the headlines about poor standards in Australia's nursing homes, it's only natural to be concerned about your own family or friends in residential aged care.
Whether our brain decides to wake us or let us keep sleeping depends on the loudness and type of sound, our depth of sleep and sensitivity to noise.
Kim Kardashian West suffers from psoriatic arthritis. About 1% of people have the autoimmune condition which primarily affects the skin and joints.
If you're scheduled for surgery in a private hospital, the hospital or surgeon will contact you. Public hospital patients shouldn't expect to hear from the hospital until we hear more from the states.
Measure your blood pressure at home, check in with your GP, and keep an eye on your diet and exercise.
A recent study suggested the coronavirus could spread up to four metres. But the evidence isn't strong enough to suggest we should change social distancing advice from 1.5 metres.
Without doing more exercise or cutting down on food, most women will gain weight as they go through menopause. But it's not inevitable.
As many as 80% of those infected with coronavirus don't show symptoms. The reasons why are likely to come down to how your immune system responds to the virus.
If you still have most of your teeth and they're tightly jammed together, flossing is important. But for some people, simply flossing might not be enough.
You might feel nervous asking someone you care about if they're suicidal on the phone or online. But a person who is struggling may actually find it easier to communicate this way than face-to-face.
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