Health

Arts, Culture and Society

‘Perfect bodies and perfect lives’: how selfie-editing tools are distorting how young people see themselves

by Julia Coffey, Associate Professor in Sociology

Like many of her peers, Abigail (21) takes a lot of selfies, tweaks them with purpose-made apps, and posts them on social media. But, she says, the selfie-editing apps do more than they were designed for.

Education

Pathway to purpose

by Carmen Swadling

From limited beginnings to limitless dreams - equity in education is giving Arthur Demetriou the chance to change the face of medicine.

Health and Wellbeing

“I thought I was a bad mother”: How telehealth changed a young boy’s life and gave a family hope

by Rosemarie Milsom

“I thought I was a bad mother,” says Marlie Matthews, tearfully. “I tried everything, but Marcus was getting more and more behind. He wasn’t speaking much and when he did, I couldn’t understand him. It was very hard on all of us.”

Health and Wellbeing

Sick of eating the same things? 5 ways to boost your nutrition and keep meals interesting and healthy

by Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle

Did you start 2025 with a promise to eat better but didn’t quite get there? Or maybe you want to branch out from making the same meal every week or the same lunch for work almost every day?

Health and Wellbeing

Going to the dentist is expensive. Here are 3 things you can do to protect your oral health – and 3 things to avoid

by Dileep Sharma, Professor and Head of Discipline - Oral Health at the University of Newcastle

Around one in three Australians delayed their visit to a dentist in the last financial year – or didn’t go at all – due to cost.Given it doesn’t look like dental treatment is being added to Medicare any time soon, what can you do?

Health and Wellbeing

Air is an overlooked source of nutrients - evidence shows we can inhale some vitamins

by Flávia Fayet-Moore. Adjunct Lecturer, School of Environmental and Life Sciences (University of Newcastle) and Stephen R. Robinson, Professor in Psychology, Research (RMIT University)

You know that feeling you get when you take a breath of fresh air in nature? There may be more to it than a simple lack of pollution.

Health and Wellbeing

We knew offshore detention was bad for the mental health of people seeking asylum. Our new research shows exactly how bad

by Belinda Liddell, Daphne Keats Chair in Cross-Cultural Psychology (University of Newcastle), & Adjunct Professor, School of Psychology (UNSW), Phillipa Specker, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Refugee Trauma and Recovery Program (UNSW), and Angela Nickerson, Professor & Director, Refugee Trauma and Recovery Program (UNSW)

For more than a decade, mandatory offshore detention has been a cornerstone of Australia’s strategy to deter people who arrive by boat to seek asylum.

Health and Wellbeing

Can I trust my period-tracking app? Here’s what it can tell you – and what to watch out for

by Emmalee Ford Conjoint Associate Lecturer in Medical Biochemistry, University of Newcastle and Tessa Copp NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow in Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Sydney

As many as 50 million people now have a record of their menstrual cycle on their personal devices.

Health and Wellbeing

What is 'health at every size' lifestyle counselling? How does it compare with weight-focused treatments?

by Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, Erin Clarke Postdoctoral Researcher in Nutrition and Dietetics, Jordan Stanford, Post Doctorate Fellow in Nutrition and Dietetics, and María Gómez Martín, Dietitian and Early Career Researcher in the School of Health Sciences

Health at every size (or HAES) is a lifestyle counselling approach that promotes mindful eating and lifestyle behaviours to pursue health and wellness, without focusing on weight loss. Weight loss is seen as a beneficial side effect, rather than a goal.

Health and Wellbeing

Should school nurses weigh students? We asked 5 experts

by Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics (University of Newcastle), Fron Jackson-Webb Deputy Editor and Senior Health Editor (The Conversation), Brett Montgomery, Senior Lecturer in General Practice (The University of Western Australia), Natasha Yates, General Practitioner & PhD Candidate (Bond University), Rachael Jefferson, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Human Movement Studies (Health and PE) and Creative Arts (Charles Sturt University), and Vivienne Lewis, Assistant

One in four Australian children aged two to 17 are classified as above a healthy weight, based on their body mass index (or BMI, which is weight divided by height squared).

Health and Wellbeing

Yes, you do need to clean your tongue. Here's how and why

by Professor Dileep Sharma, Head of Discipline Oral Health at the School of Health Sciences

Has your doctor asked you to stick out your tongue and say “aaah”? While the GP assesses your throat, they’re also checking out your tongue, which can reveal a lot about your health.

Health and Wellbeing

5 foods to add to your shopping list to save money – and they’re good for you too

by Laureate Professor Clare Collins AO, Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle HMRI Food and Nutrition Research Program and NHMRC Investigator Research Fellow

Food prices are adding pressure on household budgets, especially for Australians on the lowest incomes.

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