Australian Health Journal

Online health show covering advancements in research, medicine, clinical care, policy, workforce and medical devices

[Australian Health Journal @AUHealthJournal]

HEALTH CARE BRIEF: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

With
Dr Kavipriya Soma, GP
Athena Women's Clinic,
Bentley, Western Australia

HEALTH CARE BRIEF SEGMENT
Filmed in Perth | June 2026

AN EARNED MEDIA RELEASE

Lived experience & personal management, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options

About the presenter
Dr. Kavipriya Soma is a General Practitioner and former GP Obstetrician with more than 16 years of post-fellowship experience dedicated to women’s health and maternity care. Her career began as a specialist obstetrician in India, before she completed her FRACGP in 2008. Since then, she has worked in both rural and metropolitan settings—first in Queenstown, Tasmania, followed by roles at Rockingham Hospital and Bentley Maternity Health Services in Western Australia. She now serves as the Practice Principal of Athena Women’s Clinic, which is dedicated to the health of women and children.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Soma is passionate about improving systems of care for women and families. She serves on the WA Primary Health Alliance GP Advisory Committee and the Perinatal and Infant Mortality Committee. Additionally, she has contributed to the National Maternity Workforce Strategy Project Team and the Multidisciplinary Maternity & Newborn Policy Advisory Group.

Her clinical interests span antenatal and postnatal care, menopause, pelvic floor health, ultrasound, and emerging regenerative therapies. Dr. Soma is committed to ensuring that all women, regardless of their background, receive compassionate, high-quality care, while also mentoring students and colleagues to carry this work forward.

Source: Adapted from supplied
Production support: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners @RACGP

Australian Health Journal @AUHealthJournal
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Get your interviews captured across Australia https://t.co/mlk5MPl9oY

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OP-ED: FUNDING ROADBLOCKS CREATING DIGITAL HEALTH INEQUITY Beyond just clinical: Making the case for a pivot in reimbursement by Australian Government

With
Helen Souris,
CEO and Executive Director
Cardihab @cardihab &
Board Member
Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) @MedTechAus

OP ED SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | June 2026

Helen Souris, CEO and Executive Director of Cardihab and Chair of the Digital Health Advisory Group at the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), highlights the significant gap in cardiac rehabilitation access across Australia. Despite the proven benefits of cardiac rehabilitation in improving survival, quality of life, and reducing hospital admissions, around 80% of eligible patients do not receive this care, with access rates even lower in regional and rural communities.

Cardihab was established as a digital health company originating from CSIRO research and has spent the past decade developing a digital therapeutic solution for cardiac rehabilitation.

Delivered through a clinically supervised software platform, the program enables patients to access rehabilitation remotely, removing barriers associated with travel and face-to-face attendance. The platform is registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as a Class IIa medical device, reflecting its compliance with rigorous clinical and regulatory standards.

Over ten years, Cardihab has built a substantial evidence base, including randomised controlled trials and real-world studies. Independent research has demonstrated improvements in patient outcomes, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness, with the program outperforming traditional alternatives in most evaluated scenarios. As a result, the majority of private health insurers now support access to the platform, while statewide implementation has been achieved through partnerships such as the Tasmanian Health Service.

Despite these successes, Souris identifies funding as the primary barrier to broader adoption within the public health system. She argues that Australia already possesses the technology required to support the government's digital health ambitions and that sustainable funding and reimbursement mechanisms are now needed to enable widespread access to evidence-based digital therapeutics and remote patient care solutions.

Source: Adapted from transcript
Media access credit: Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA)

Note: Op Ed segments are opinions and comments on policies. They should be watched for awareness purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect the views held by Australian Health Journal.

Australian Health Journal @AUHealthJournal
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CHIROPRACTORS COMMENCE SPINAL HEALTH MONTH WITH RESEARCH IN MENTAL HEALTH Promising results in clinical study integrating routine physical care with online psychological therapies

With

Dr Kim Lie Jom, Chiropractor
Chatswood, New South Wales &
Board Director
Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) @AusChiros

Alex Malley, Chief Executive Officer,
Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) @AusChiros

Dr Aimee Mason, Chiropractor
Sydney, New South Wales &
Chair, Eastern Regional Committee,
Australian Chiropractors Association

Dr David McNaughton PhD (Psychology),
Chiropractor
Chatswood, New South Wales &
Senior Lecturer, Central Queensland University @CQU

SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | June 2026

A new Australian-first clinical research study has found promising results for reducing the mental health impacts of chronic musculoskeletal pain by combining online psychological therapies with routine physical care. The research, funded by the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) and conducted through CQUniversity and Macquarie University's MindSpot programme, highlights the strong connection between chronic pain and mental wellbeing.

The findings are supported by a national survey of 1,040 Australians, which revealed that 66.4% of people experiencing back pain say it has negatively affected their mental health. The survey also found that chronic pain lasting more than three months has increased significantly, rising from 30% of Australians in 2024 to 44.1% in 2026.

Cost-of-living pressures are also affecting healthcare access, with 44% of back pain sufferers reporting they cannot afford treatment. As a result, visits to healthcare professionals have declined while reliance on over-the-counter pain medication has increased.

Back pain affects an estimated 6.1 million Australians and costs the economy approximately $55.1 billion each year. With musculoskeletal conditions projected to grow by 43% over the next two decades, the findings underscore the need for integrated approaches to physical and mental health care.

The research coincides with National Spinal Health Month in June 2026, which marks the 30th anniversary of the ACA's spinal health campaign and promotes the theme: "A healthy spine supports a healthy mind."

Source: Adapted from ACA Media Release (May 2026)

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SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN ALLIED HEALTH FUNDING FOR VETERANS THROUGH DVA New fee structure heralds largest increase in provider fees in over 20 years

With
Hon Matt Keogh MP @mattkeogh
Minister for Veterans' Affairs &
Minister for Defence Personnel
Australian Government

Scot MacDonald
General Manager, Policy and Advocacy
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) @ESSA_NEWS

Katie Lyndon,
Chief Executive Officer
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) @ESSA_NEWS

Dr Rik Dawson @dawson_rik , National President
Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) @apaphysio

Diana Poole, Chair
The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) @AOPA_News

SEGMENT
Filmed in Launceston, Canberra, Melbourne & Sydney | May 2026

The Australian Federal 2026–27 Budget included several significant announcements relating to allied health services for veterans, largely tied to the Government’s response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

A key measure was a substantial increase in funding for allied health services delivered through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) @DVAAus . The Government committed $169.7 million over five years, along with ongoing funding, to increase fees paid to allied health providers treating veterans. This was described as the largest increase to veteran allied health fees in more than two decades and applies across a broad range of professions including physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, podiatry, speech pathology, dietetics and social work.

The Budget also announced reforms aimed at reducing administrative burden for veterans and clinicians. From July 2027, the existing 12-session treatment cycle arrangements will be removed, meaning veterans will no longer need repeated GP referrals after each block of treatment in order to continue receiving allied health support.

Another major change was the introduction of a $5,000 annual cap on allied health spending for Veteran Card holders from 1 July 2027.

The Budget measures were positioned as part of broader reforms to improve veteran wellbeing, strengthen access to healthcare services, and modernise the delivery of care through the veterans’ health system.

The announcements also included changes to fee structures and billing practices of providers delivering care to veterans through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) system.

The most immediate impact will come from the increase in DVA reimbursement rates across a range of allied health disciplines. For many providers, the updated fee schedule is likely to narrow the gap between DVA-funded appointments and standard private consultation fees. In recent years, some clinicians and practices had reported that DVA rates were comparatively low relative to operating costs, wage growth and rising demand for services. The increased funding may therefore improve the financial sustainability of treating veteran patients and reduce the need for practices to limit DVA bookings due to lower margins.

Australian Health Journal spoke with the Minister’s office, and a number of allied health industry groups on the announcements.
Source: Written by publisher

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GAINING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE From the clinic into the home using an app that tracks symptoms across stages

With
Dr Nicole Avard,
Co-founder & Medical Director
Metluma

Georgie Drury,
Co-founder and CEO
Metluma

FULL CIRCLE DIGITAL HEALTH SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | May 2026

Nearly half of women seeking help for menopause symptoms are already experiencing clinically significant distress by the time they ask for support, according to a recent national benchmark report released by Metluma.

The 2026 Australian Menopause Experience Report, based on insights from 1,468 women using Metluma’s UMA40 assessment tool, found 43% triggered at least one clinical red flag at baseline (referral to a doctor within 24-48 hours), with more than one in five presenting with multiple red flags linked to more complex symptom burden.

The findings paint a stark picture of menopause being recognised too late, with many women arriving already exhausted, mentally depleted and struggling to function across work, relationships and daily life.

Metluma's Chief Medical Officer Dr Nicole Avard said the report exposes how often menopause is still misunderstood, minimised or mistaken for unrelated problems.

“Too many women are being told they are stressed, burnt out, anxious or simply not coping, when menopause may be sitting at the centre of it all,” Dr Avard said.

“This is not a niche issue. It is affecting women’s health, confidence, relationships, careers and economic participation.”

The report found menopause symptoms are colliding with women’s highest-responsibility years.

Poor concentration peaked among women aged 40 to 44, often a life stage associated with career progression, leadership pressure and caregiving load. Work (30.4%) and primary relationships (31.1%) were the areas of life most commonly reported as impacted.
CEO and Co-founder of Metluma, Georgie Drury said menopause remains one of Australia’s most underestimated productivity and wellbeing issues.

“For many women, this is happening while they are leading teams, raising families, caring for others and carrying peak responsibility,” Ms Drury said.

The report also found menopause stage was a stronger predictor of symptoms than age alone, with 77.8% of symptoms varying significantly by stage, challenging simplistic age-based assumptions about when menopause starts and ends, prompting a call by experts to update guidelines to consider this crucial aspect.

Dr Avard said that whilst awareness around perimenopause and menopause had increased following the Senate inquiry last year, there are still major gaps that women are falling through as highlighted in this this year’s report.

Source: Adapted from Metluma media release May 2026

AN EARNED MEDIA RELEASE
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OBSERVATIONS IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ORAL CANCER OVER THE PAST 45 YEARS Lessons remain in identifying malignant disorders and prevention across health settings

With
Professor Peter Thomson,
Head of Dentistry and Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences
James Cook University @jcu , Cairns

SEGMENT
Filmed in the Gold Coast | May 2026

Peter Thomson is Academic Head of Dentistry and Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Sciences in the College of Medicine & Dentistry at James Cook University, Australia. A UK and Australian specialist in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Medicine, he qualified BDS from Manchester University and MBBS from Newcastle upon Tyne, gaining Fellowships in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Ireland and Glasgow and a Fellowship in Surgery from Edinburgh, specializing in Head & Neck Oncology. He completed MSc and PhD degrees in epithelial biology and cancer research at Manchester University, where he was Lecturer, before returning to Newcastle in 1996 as Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. In 2009, he was appointed Hunterian Professor at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and in 2011 King James IV Professor at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. In 2014, he gained a Manchester Higher Doctorate (DDSc) for oral oncology research, and in 2016 an MD from the University of Bath for his thesis on interventional management of potentially malignant disorders.

Developing an extensive international profile, Peter was appointed Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore in 2014 before joining the University of Queensland’s School of Dentistry as Professor of Maxillofacial Surgery & Academic Clinical Director in 2016. He was recruited to The University of Hong Kong in October 2017 to become Associate Dean at the Faculty of Dentistry and Director of the Prince Philip Dental Hospital. He has also held Academic Head and Dean of Dentistry positions at the University of Central Lancashire, UK and Griffith University in Australia. He was invited to join James Cook University as Head of Dentistry in 2021.

Author of more than 350 research papers and 2 oral cancer textbooks, Peter is an internationally recognised authority in oncology, population health and dental education. His research emphasis encompasses oral carcinogenesis, epithelial cell biology, and the early diagnosis and interventional management of cancer.

Source: James Cook University website
Media access credit: Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA)

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CARDINAL HEALTH'S LEADERSHIP IN DEVELOPING THE CIRCULAR HEALTHCARE ECONOMY IN AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL DEVICES

With
Neroli Manning,
Managing Director
Cardinal Health – Australia & New Zealand @cardinalhealth

PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | May 2026

Neroli Manning is the Managing Director for Cardinal Health Australia & New Zealand (ANZ). With over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Neroli is a transformative leader known for her people-first, customer-centric leadership style.

Her career spans Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia Pacific region, where she has held senior management roles in the medical device, capital equipment, and radiopharmaceutical sectors with global leaders like CR Bard, Medtronic, Philips, Abbott, and Sirtex.

Neroli’s leadership is defined by her ability to drive change, foster collaboration, and build high-performing teams. Additionally, having held a variety of senior commercial functional positions, she is able to leverage her deep experience and cross-functional insights to align teams, streamline operations, and deliver strategic outcomes. She is also passionate about mentoring emerging leaders and shaping the future of healthcare through inclusive, values-driven leadership.

As a founder of her own healthcare consulting firm, Neroli demonstrated entrepreneurial leadership, guiding global medical device companies through complex market challenges. Her legacy includes cultivating cultures of accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.

Beyond leading Cardinal Health’s operations in ANZ, Neroli also contributes to the broader industry as a company director and member of the Industry Policy Committee for the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA).

Neroli has a Master’s of Business (Marketing) degree from the University of Technology, Sydney. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, exercising, working on her farm, travelling and playing golf.

Source: Supplied

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WHY NEGATIVE RESULTS IN CLINICAL TRIALS MATTER
International Clinical Trials Day 2026, a year in review: Trial of The Year 2025

With
Professor Brett J. Manley, Consultant Neonatologist
Mercy Hospital For Women @MercyPerinatal , Melbourne & Professor of Neonatal Medicine,
Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, University of Melbourne, Australia

Kate Francis, Biostatistician (Snr Research Officer)
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute @MCRI_for_kids , Melbourne & Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne & Affiliate Biostatistician, The Royal Children’s Hospital @RCHMelbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Professor Christopher Reid, Chair
Australian Clinical Trials Alliance @ACTAcommunity @ACTA_org (ACTA) & School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University @MonashUni &
School of Population Health at Curtin University @CurtinUni, Western Australia

A BENCH SIDE STORY SYNDICATION
Filmed in Melbourne & Perth | May 2026

Negative results in a clinical trial can be extremely valuable — both scientifically and ethically. A “negative result” usually means the treatment being tested did not work better than the standard treatment, placebo, or expected outcome.

The aim of the PLUSS trial was to find out if installation of budesonide (a steroid) with surfactant to the lungs of extremely preterm babies helps to prevent lung disease, or Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

BPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterised by disordered alveolar and vascular development, most commonly affecting extremely preterm infants exposed to mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).  BPD is associated with mortality, and adverse long-term pulmonary and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Despite advances in neonatal care including antenatal corticosteroids, exogenous surfactant, and the increasing use of non-invasive respiratory support, the incidence of BPD has increased in the state of Victoria in 2005 compared with earlier eras.

Extremely preterm infants participating in the trial were monitored closely after birth and an assessment completed at 36 weeks to check for BPD. Participating infants were also followed up when they are two years old.

The trial was led by a team of researchers at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne and the Liggins Institute in Auckland, New Zealand and had 29 participating centres around the world.

In 2025 the PLUSS Trial received the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA) Trial of the Year 2025 Award as well as the ACTA STInG Excellence in Trial Statistics Award2025.

Source: Adapted from https://t.co/NoCFlVy2Mn website

As seen on Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory

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International Clinical Trials Day 2026, a year in review: Access to Trials
CLINICAL TRIALS IN REGIONAL, RURAL AND REMOTE AUSTRALIA

With
Amanda Koegelenberg @AmandaKoogs ,
CEO, Novatrials

INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL TRIALS DAY SERIES SEGMENT
Filmed in Newcastle, NSW | May 2026

To mark International Clinical Trials Day 2026, Australian Health Journal commences a 4 part special series leading up to 20th May with interviews captured across Australia. Through conversations with leading researchers, clinicians and trial organisations, the series highlights achievements in the year that was for clinical trials. The first segment is an example of how in-person clinical trial access has improved for regional, rural and remote communities.

Novatrials is helping transform access to clinical trials for people living in regional, rural and remote communities across the Hunter New England region and beyond. Based in Newcastle, New South Wales, the organisation was founded with a vision to bring innovative medical treatments closer to communities that have traditionally faced significant travel barriers to access state-of-the-art healthcare.

With the first purpose-built Phase 1 clinical trial facility outside of an Australian capital city, Novatrials is expanding opportunities for participants across Newcastle, the wider Hunter region and regional New South Wales to take part in world-class research closer to home. By conducting Phase 1 through to Phase 4 studies across a range of therapeutic areas, the organisation is helping bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world patient care.

According to CEO Amanda Koegelenberg, the investment in the facility illustrates Novatrials’ commitment to ensuring people in regional and remote areas no longer need to travel vast distances to participate in clinical trials, while also bringing more research investment, innovation and healthcare opportunities into the Hunter New England region.

The segment highlights how Novatrials is working collaboratively with partners including the University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute and Hunter New England Local Health District to strengthen the region’s research ecosystem and improve access to emerging treatments for local communities.

Source: Adapted from transcript using AI

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NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF A WOUNDS SPECIALIST Reflections from the unstoppable giant in wound care

With
Professor Dr. Geoff Sussman
OAM JP Ph.D. FPS FACP FAIPM FAWMA FRVAHJ FCWCP
Adjunct Professor of Wound Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University @MonashUni & Clinical Lecturer Medical Education,
University of Melbourne & Wound Consultant,
Austin Hospital Heidelberg (@Austin_Health), Victoria &
Past President, Asia Pacific Association for Diabetic Limb Problems

PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | May 2026

Professor Dr.Geoff Sussman holds a position in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University, and is the Adjunct Professor of Wound Care He is a wound consultant at the Wound Clinic Austin Hospital.

He has been a faculty member at St Anne’s College Oxford University and the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Auckland University. He has been involved in wound management for over 40 years in clinical research and clinical practice and teaching and has over 200 publications including 48 book chapters.

He was Chairman of Wounds Australia @WoundsAus , is an Executive Board Member of The International Wound Infection Institute, is the Past President of The Asia Pacific Association for Diabetic Limb Problems. He is an associate editor of the International Wound Journal, a member of the editorial board of Wound Practice and Research, Chronic Wound Care Management and Research journal and is a member of the advisory committee for Post Graduate Wound Care education at Monash University. He was awarded an OAM in the Queens birthday Honours in 2006 for his work in wound care as a researcher, educator and clinician. In 2021 he was a State finalist for Senior Australian of the Year.

He has been involved in sport for many years in Gymnastics, Swimming and Diving. He was the President of Gymnastics Victoria for 20 years and was the chairman of the Gymnastics Foundation, also Chairman Australian Diving Association for ten years He was also the elite team manager of the Australian diving team for 4 years taking them to the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 .

He had been in Australian Teams at 3 Commonwealth games and was the Team attaché for Mauritius at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

A member of Sports Medicine Australia @SMA_News for more than 30 years and has a wide experience in Pharmacology and drugs in sport He has been a member of the oping Advisory Control Panel for Swimming Australia from 1988 to 2005. And is a member of the International Powerlifting TUE committee He was a delegate to both the Victorian Olympic council and the Victorian Commonwealth Games Association, He served for four years as an executive board member of the Victorian Olympic Council.

Source: Supplied

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CLOSING THE DIAGNOSTIC GAP IN OVARIAN CANCER DETECTION

With
Associate Professor Michelle Hill
Founder and CEO
ProSeek bio

PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Brisbane & Sydney | May 2026

After 15 years in academia, Associate Professor Michelle Hill founded ProSeek bio to address one of the most urgent challenges in women’s health: closing the diagnostic gap in ovarian cancer.

For too long, women suspected of ovarian cancer have faced an impossible choice — undergo invasive surgery for diagnosis, only for up to 80% of those procedures to reveal no cancer, or delay intervention and risk diagnosis at a later stage when treatment options are fewer and survival outcomes are significantly worse.

ProSeek bio is developing a non-invasive blood test designed to help clinicians determine whether surgery is truly necessary. Using advanced glycoproteomics to detect ovarian cancer biomarkers in blood, the technology is being developed to deliver more precise diagnostic insights through blood sample processed in existing pathology laboratories.

The goal is clear: enable earlier diagnosis, reduce unnecessary surgeries, lower healthcare costs and improve survival outcomes for women.

Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal women’s cancer because symptoms are often vague, common and easily overlooked. Bloating, pelvic pain and unexplained weight changes are frequently dismissed, contributing to delayed diagnosis in more than 70% of cases. Yet when ovarian cancer is detected early, more than 90% of women survive at least five years. When diagnosed late, survival drops dramatically.

ProSeek bio was founded to change that reality.

Built on more than a decade of biomarker research, the company is translating academic discovery into a clinical diagnostic tool with the potential to transform how ovarian cancer is detected and managed.

By giving clinicians a faster, safer and less invasive way to assess risk, Assoc Prof Hilll talks about how ProSeek bio is working to change the diagnostic pathway for ovarian cancer — reducing harm, improving decision-making and helping save women’s lives.

Source: Adapted from transcript

Event Credit: Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) @MedTechAus
Ovarian cancer statistics credit: Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF)

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EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGISTS FLEX AND GROW AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ADELAIDE ESSA calls out growing GST anomaly in Allied Health impacting community and sector

With
Katie Lyndon,
Accredited Exercise Physiologist & CEO
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) @ESSA_NEWS

Jackson Howie @JacksonHowie14 ,
Activate Conference Speaker & PhD Candidate,
Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, Adelaide University

SEGMENT
Filmed in Adelaide | May 2026

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) @ESSA_NEWS this week in Adelaide convened the Activate Conference billed as “where science meets inspiration”, bringing together the latest research, breakthrough ideas and real-world applications from across exercise and sports science.

As a PhD Candidate and Activate Conference speaker, Jackson Howie spoke to Australian Health Journal to share his experience following Day 2 talking about Accuracy of Pacemaker-Detected Physical Activity: Correlation to Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing.

Australian Health Journal also spoke with Katie Lyndon, Accredited Exercise Physiologist & CEO Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) about some key messages being communicated in the recently launched Axe The Tax campaign.

When GST was introduced in 2000, healthcare was made tax-free. Exercise physiology was left off the list because it was an emerging field.

Under current legislation, exercise physiology is still subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST). That means Australians pay an extra 10% every time they see an exercise physiologist, even though its recognised by Medicare, the DVA, NDIS, and private health insurers.

Lyndon talks about what this means in higher costs for patients managing chronic illness and injury, keeping in place barriers to access for vulnerable communities and being a disincentive to use effective, preventive care for the community.

The petition can be found here https://t.co/ajQ2ZnzysK

Source: Adapted from social media posts and transcript

Credit: Instagram clips from Longevity Exercise Physiology, Exercise Healthcare Australia & Mitchell Vautin, Clinical Accredited Exercise Physiologist

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AGE-SPECIFIC CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR EARLY-ONSET BOWEL CANCER To be developed by Bowel Cancer Australia in collaboration with the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration (ALEC)

With
Dr Prasad Cooray @cooray_prasad , Medical Oncologist,
Yarra Oncology &
Clinical Researcher & Lecturer,
The University of Melbourne &
Spokesperson, Bowel Cancer Australia @BowelCancerAust

SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | April 2026

Each year almost 1,900 Australians are diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer (under age 50), and they are currently managed according to clinical practice guidelines that are not age specific.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) @nhmrc has agreed to consider for approval the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Early Diagnosis and Management of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer (EOCRC), to be developed by Bowel Cancer Australia in collaboration with the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration (ALEC) @evidence_aus , and funded by Bowel Cancer Australia. ALEC is led by Cochrane Australia and based in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University @MonashUni.

“Development of co-designed age-appropriate guidelines is essential given the rising rates of bowel cancer among Australians under 50 to ensure they reflect the unique clinical challenges younger people encounter,” Bowel Cancer Australia CEO Julien Wiggins said.

“The guidelines will use an established ‘living’ approach to generate up-to-date, evidence-based guidance to support clinical decision-making. As soon as new research becomes available, it can be incorporated into the guidelines and translated into clinical practice in near real-time.”

“Young Australians diagnosed with bowel cancer face a very different disease trajectory compared to older patients, yet they are managed under the same clinical framework,” Medical Oncologist and Bowel Cancer Australia spokesperson Dr Prasad Cooray, said to Australian Health Journal @AUHealthJournal

“That gap has real consequences, contributing to delayed diagnosis, more advanced stage at presentation, poorer survival outcomes, and long-term impacts on fertility, survivorship, and quality of life.
Young women are a particular concern because fertility and pregnancy can be impacted by treatment while postpartum changes can hide or confuse symptoms.

Source: Adapted from Bowel Cancer Australia media release (February 2026)

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SPACE HEALTH & MEDICINE ON AUSTRALIA'S CLINICAL LAUNCHPAD
With
Professor Tracy Smart AO, Air Vice-Marshal (Ret’d) 
BMBS, MPH, MA, Dip AvMed, FRACMA, FACAsM, FAsMA, FCDSS, FACHSM (Hon)  &
Professor, Military and Aerospace Medicine
The Australian National University @anumedia

HEALTH EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS SEGMENT
Filmed in Canberra | April 2026

Professor Smart is a veteran, medical doctor, health leader, aerospace medicine specialist, and retired Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) @AusAirForce senior officer. She is currently at the Professor, Military and Aerospace Medicine at the Australian National University (ANU), and serves as the Interim Director of the ANU Defence Institute, and as a Mission Specialist at the ANU Institute for Space. She previously served as the University’s COVID-19 Public Health Lead from 2020 to 2022.

Prof Smart’s 35-year RAAF career included several operational deployments, and leadership and command positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of Defence. Her career culminated in the roles of Surgeon General of the ADF and Commander Joint Health. In these roles she drove substantial reform in the delivery of policy, programs, and treatment in the military Mental Health space, and in the health aspects of transition from Defence. She transferred to the RAAF Specialist Reserve in early 2020 and continues to take a strong interest in Defence and Veterans’ health.

Apart from her ANU roles, Prof Smart is a non-executive Director of Goodwin Aged Care Services and the International Academy of Air and Space Medicine; Chair of the ANZAC Research Institute and the Australian Football League @AFL Industry Mental Health Steering Group; and Co-Chair of the Australian War Memorial Gallery Development Project Veterans’ Advisory Group. She is a member of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, an Honorary (Professorial Fellow) in the Psychiatry Department, University of Melbourne, a frequent keynote speaker, and undertakes various consulting and advisory roles in aerospace medicine and military and veterans’ health.

Source: Supplied

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[Australian Health Journal @AUHealthJournal]

HEALTH CARE BRIEF: Anaphylaxis
Incidence rates, risks, causes, management, population trends & research

With
Professor Connie Katelaris AM, Consultant Physician
Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Westmead Hospital @WestSydHealth &
Professor of Immunology and Allergy,
Western Sydney University @westernsydneyu &
National Allergy Centre of Excellence @NACEresearch

HEALTH CARE BRIEF
Filmed in Sydney | April 2026

Australian Health Journal @AUHealthJournal
Produced & published by AUDIENCED
Get your interviews captured across Australia @WestSydHealth

[Australian Health Journal @AUHealthJournal]

SMARTER INVESTMENT IN THE RESEARCH LONG GAME Government support for health and medical researchers and innovators needing investment cycle review

With
Nadia Levin, CEO @nlsydney
Research Australia @ResAustralia

OP-ED SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | April 2026

In this Op-Ed, Nadia Levin, CEO of Research Australia, spoke with the Australian Health Journal @AUHealthJournal about the need for smarter and more strategic investment in Australia’s health and medical research sector.

Levin argued that Australia’s approach to health and medical research has been shaped too heavily by short-term political cycles rather than a long-term national vision. She emphasised that meaningful progress in science, innovation, and healthcare requires sustained investment over many years.

According to Levin, health and medical research should not be viewed simply as a social good, but as a major driver of economic growth, productivity, and national resilience. She highlighted that every preventable hospital admission, faster diagnosis, or locally developed medical product contributes to economic performance.

Research Australia estimates that for every dollar invested in health and medical research, the Australian economy receives around four dollars in return.

Levin pointed to Australia’s past achievements, including the development of IVF, the cochlear implant, the HPV vaccine, and ultrasound imaging, as examples of how research can improve lives while creating industries and export opportunities.

A major focus in the need to strengthen the entire research pipeline, from early-stage discovery through to clinical translation, commercialisation, and integration into healthcare systems. Research Australia in a media release March 2026, noted that while the Medical Research Future Fund was created to distribute around $1 billion annually, it is currently providing only about $650 million each year despite holding approximately $24.5 billion.

Levin referenced costings from the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), commissioned by Dr Monique Ryan MP, showing the fund could distribute up to $1.4 billion annually without reducing its capital base, arguing that the money, demand, and need already exist, but stronger government commitment is required.

Source: Adapted from Research Australia media release March 2026

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[Australian Health Journal @AUHealthJournal]

SIGNIFICANT FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR NSW RESEARCHERS Garvan, UNSW Sydney, University of Sydney researchers receive 8 year Snow Foundation Fellowships

SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | April 2026

The Snow Medical Research Foundation (Snow Medical @SnowMedical ) has announced a new $24 million investment in three outstanding Australian biomedical researchers through its prestigious Snow Fellowships.

The fellowships will support Dr Deborah Burnett from UNSW @UNSW @UNSWScience, Associate Professor Sudarshini Ramanathan @darshi_r from the University of Sydney @Sydney_Uni , and Dr Ira Deveson from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research @GarvanInstitute.

These Fellows will tackle major global health challenges spanning autoimmune disease, neurological disorders, and genetic disease. Their work addresses conditions that disproportionately affect vulnerable and underserved populations, including First Nations communities, while advancing precision medicine and translational care. Collectively, their research aims to deliver safer vaccines, better diagnostics, and more equitable genomic and neurological healthcare.

The investment further strengthens New South Wales as a global hub for biomedical research, bringing Snow Medical’s total investment in the state to $128 million, with $89.5 million committed in the past year alone.

Each Snow Medical Fellowship provides $8 million over eight years, enabling exceptional scientists to pursue ambitious long-term research programs, build world-class teams, and tackle complex scientific challenges.

Chair of Snow Medical Research Foundation, Tom Snow, said the fellowships reflect the Snow family’s commitment to backing bold scientific ideas and supporting outstanding young researchers and clinicians.

Snow Fellows receive active scientific and leadership mentoring during their fellowship, including executive and team coaching and a strategic development program. The program builds Fellows’ management and leadership skills and instils a strategic and entrepreneurial mindset.

BACKGROUNDS TO THE THREE SNOW FELLOWS FOR 2026

Dr Deborah Burnett – UNSW
-Dr Deborah Burnett is an immunology researcher working to improve vaccine effectiveness against infections that can trigger autoimmune disease.

Associate Professor Sudarshini Ramanathan – University of Sydney
- Associate Professor Sudarshini Ramanathan is a neurologist and clinician scientist whose work focuses on autoimmune neurological disorders. Her research has helped identify new neurological syndromes and improve diagnostic tools and treatments for patients with autoimmune diseases affecting the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves. Her work aims to reverse disabilities in these patients through the use of targeted therapies.

Dr Ira Deveson – Garvan Institute of Medical Research
- Dr Ira Deveson is a genomics researcher whose work focuses on developing and applying advanced genomic sequencing technologies to better understand human genetic diversity and improve diagnosis and treatment of inherited disease. His program is helping unravel the genetic diversity of Australia’s Indigenous populations to ensure equity in genomic medicine.
Source: Adapted from Snow Medical Research Foundation news story

Australian Health Journal @AUHealthJournal
Produced & published by AUDIENCED
Get your interviews captured across Australia https://t.co/mlk5MPl9oY