‘Urban myth’ that lesbian women don’t need pap smears is a health risk – study
University of Sydney study finds that lesbian women are being tested less for virus that can cause cervical cancer and sexually transmitted disease in general
Australia failing to adequately investigate stillbirths, researcher finds
Global study also reveals women from disadvantaged parts of the country are at twice the risk of having a stillborn baby than those from wealthier areas
I donated a kidney to my son. Don’t tell me not to make it ‘political’
If I made the Christmas period unpleasantly ‘political’ for some people, it’s because the public health system has kept my son alive for eight years. And that system exists because people cared enough to make politics personal
This is what it feels like to have brain surgery at 23
I have a big, sausage-like cyst squished firmly on my spinal cord and I’m about to have surgery to remove it. It really puts life in perspective, writes Jessica Warriner
Sussan Ley lists 23 Medicare items for review as funding overhaul begins
Health minister says 5,700 items on the medical benefits schedule will be reviewed but Australian Medical Association warns patients’ costs could rise
Australia, your middle-age bulge is officially a worry
The good news from the latest health data is that Australians are giving up smoking. The bad news is our rates of exercise and consumption of fruit and veg are woefully inadequate
Call to allow MPs to breastfeed and bottle-feed in House of Representatives
Standing orders bans ‘visitors’ so committee moves to change definition of ‘visitor’ to exclude babies who require the care of a sitting member
Australia’s first female genital mutilation trial: how a bright young girl convinced a jury
Three people have been convicted of FGM in a landmark trial in Australia. It was a complex case in which medical evidence was inconclusive, which meant the outcome turning on phone tapping – and also the testimony of two young girls
Baby formula makers ramp up production as Australian shops run low
Manufacturers confirm shortage in Australian supermarkets because Chinese buyers create unprecedented demand after product recalls in China
Outdated abortion laws create ‘medical tourism’ for interstate procedures
Lack of legislative uniformity may be forcing some women to travel interstate, says Medical Journal of Australia, as tests for foetal abnormalities improve