Rachel Carbonell

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Rachel Carbonell |Alison Branley

The number of older Australians presenting to emergency departments is steadily increasing, according to the Australian Medical Association. And data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows they also account for almost half of all public hospital bed days nationally. It's one of the biggest challenges facing Australia's health system.

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Rachel Carbonell |Loretta Florance |Jackson Worthington

When five-year-old Queensland twins Louis and Theo started school this year, they had an unusual boast: They were allowed to drink as much water as they liked. It's something most kids take for granted, but throughout their young lives, the Gold Coast boys had strictly limited their intake of water because they were born with kidney disease. "It's so difficult to stick to that — you're watching things like when you're doing your teeth, have I taken an extra sip?" the boys' mother Kath said.

Jan 19, 2025 | abc.net.au | Rachel Carbonell

New research has found nearly four in five Australian women aged between 18 and 44 say they've had 'problematic periods' in the last five years. Almost half of them reported missing days of work or study. The study estimates the economic burden of debilitating menstrual symptoms to be more than 14 billion dollars a year in Australia.

Jan 19, 2025 | abc.net.au | Rachel Carbonell |Gemma Breen

Four in five Australian women have experienced problematic periods in the last five years, according to a new study. The resulting economic burden is estimated to be about $14 billion a year. Jean Hailes for Women's Health has recommended a review of the economic impact to develop an evidence informed equitable workplace policy in Australia. Periods can be difficult and painful for many but fresh data shows a substantial number of women experience debilitating menstrual symptoms.

Jan 5, 2025 | abc.net.au | Gemma Breen |Rachel Carbonell

ARFID is a newly recognised eating disorder, which became an official diagnosis for adults and children in 2013. For 12-year-old Alex*, the diagnosis came as a relief after years bouncing around the medical system.