Headlines on health

From measuring a woman's health based on her attractiveness, to studies showing women have to prove themselves to be sicker than a man to receive treatment. In this bonus episode of 'Hysterical', Cattriona Stirrat speaks with Dr Lea Merone, a researcher in women's health. She breaks down concepts such as Yentl syndrome and the 'beauty myth', but also shares her own story of confronting the very issues she studies.

Not having enough money to buy period products is a major problem for women and girls around the world. The Kenyan government is considered a global leader in access to sanitary products repealing added taxes on pads and tampons in 2004, and passing a law in 2017 to make period products free for school girls. And one charity is helping disabled women in the coastal city of Mombasa earn a living by making reusable period pads.

Public health experts are calling on the government to make good on its election promise to institute a permanent centre for disease control to ensure we're prepared for the next pandemic. While the final report from an independent inquiry into Australia's pandemic response has been delayed, health professionals say the government needs to act with urgency to ensure a coordinated prevention effort can keep Australians safe

One in five Australian children suffer from chronic pain. But new research shows the problem is often ignored, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. That can affect their physical and mental development.

A free community laundry service has seen encouraging results in reducing the prevalence of skin infections and scabies in remote Northern Territory communities. Untreated scabies infestations can lead to dangerous secondary infections, which can then be a factor in causing rheumatic heart disease.