AGP Executive Report

Climate & Health: The UN weather agency warns El Niño is already developing and is set to strengthen into a “strong” event between July and September, raising the odds of heatwaves, drought, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather—an issue that can quickly spill into health risks like heat stress and disrupted care. Primary Care Access (Pacific): Vanuatu is rolling out a HeartCare mobile app so trained community health workers can screen for heart disease risk earlier and link people to care, targeting high rates of undiagnosed high blood pressure. Stroke Rehab Standards: An international certification program for stroke rehabilitation is being launched to improve post-hospital recovery care, with a focus on better support in lower- and middle-income countries. Older Adults Fitness: A new study in older adults suggests high-intensity interval training is the only exercise type that consistently reduces body fat while preserving lean muscle—key for reducing sarcopenia risk. Primary Healthcare Continuity (NSW): Deniliquin’s Ochre Health lease at the Deniliquin Medical Centre has been ended early by council, with services continuing while new arrangements are explored.

H5 Bird Flu Alert: NSW is responding to a suspected H5N1 case after a migratory giant petrel tested positive in preliminary checks near Hawks Nest, with samples heading to CSIRO for confirmation; authorities say the risk to humans remains low, but wildlife and poultry impacts could be severe as Australia’s “last continent free” status ends. Public Health & Safety: A norovirus outbreak has sickened more than 120 passengers and crew on the Ruby Princess during an Alaska/Canada voyage, prompting enhanced sanitation and a full clean before the next trip. Health System Performance (SA): Central Adelaide ramping hours fell sharply after a 2025 Safe and Connected model, with Royal Adelaide and Queen Elizabeth hospitals reporting major reductions in time spent waiting for care. Kids’ Cancer Advocacy: Australia’s advertising industry backed the Children’s Cancer Foundation with $2m+ in pro bono media support for “Don’t Treat Kids Like Adults,” calling for child-specific cancer treatments. Policy & Regulation (Social Media): The Coalition has blocked reforms to Australia’s under-16 social media ban, delaying higher fines and document handovers to the eSafety watchdog, drawing criticism from Health Minister Mark Butler. Aged Care Economics: A new sector financial report shows residential aged care operating profit per resident per day fell in 2024-25, despite a net profit before tax improvement. Wellness Travel: Sri Lanka topped a 2026 wellness retreat interest ranking, signalling growing demand for heritage-led, holistic experiences.

Nurse Prescribing Reform: Parliament has passed a landmark change allowing registered nurses to prescribe PBS medicines for the first time, a major shift for access and care delivery. Sepsis Care Update: An Australian-led randomized trial found early vasopressor therapy with restricted fluids did not improve survival or time out of hospital for septic shock patients, challenging a common ED approach. Emerging Virus Treatment: Researchers report a two-antibody cocktail targeting both Nipah and Hendra viruses, aiming to tackle the lack of approved treatments for these high-fatality pathogens. Under-16 Social Media Crackdown: Australia is tightening its under-16 social media ban with higher penalties for tech firms, as enforcement concerns continue to surface. Community Wellbeing in Focus: Australia Post’s People of Post grants are funding local mental health first aid training and other grassroots support across Victoria. Health Tech Expansion: Butterfly Network says its handheld ultrasound devices are now commercially available in Brazil, aiming to expand point-of-care imaging capacity. Heat & Skin Safety: New guidance and debate around sunscreens in heatwaves continues, including discussion of a newly approved US active ingredient.

Under-16 Social Media Ban: Australia’s long-awaited crackdown is here, with renewed debate over whether it will protect kids’ wellbeing and schoolwork after concerns about addictive algorithms and harmful content. Aged Care Algorithm Backlash: Parliament moves to restore human override for aged care needs assessments, responding to anger that an automated tool can’t handle complex cases. Pharmacist Prescribing Warning: The AMA says a proposal to let pharmacists prescribe scheduled and controlled medicines could raise patient-safety risks due to limited training and clinical experience. Drug Overdose Alert: Victoria issues an urgent warning after heroin contamination linked to one death and three hospitalisations, with heroin found alongside cocaine and methamphetamine. Bird Flu Watch: H5N1 detections in wild seabirds prompt calls to report sick or dead wildlife and avoid handling. Cardiovascular & Obesity Research: A new study suggests cholesterol and blood pressure differences between obese and healthy-weight adults may narrow with age, partly due to wider use of medications. Health Tech Trial: A major AI-led ICU trial is funded to help clinicians individualise oxygen delivery for patients on life support. Cancer & Biotech Updates: Vertex wins expanded US FDA approval for CASGEVY for sickle cell and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia from age 2; Telix advances ProstACT Phase 3 in metastatic prostate cancer.

Opioid Treatment Access: Australia is set to lose the “life-saving” opioid dependence injection Sublocade from 31 December, after Indivior stops supplying it—clinicians warn this could signal broader global pricing and supply shifts that affect access beyond the US. Privacy & Health Advertising: The OAIC has ruled tracking pixels used by health providers (including Medmate Australia and Monash IVF) to target ads via social platforms can breach the Privacy Act, requiring consent when sensitive information is collected. Kids’ Screen Health: New figures show Australian children are spending over four hours a day on screens, with teens reporting up to 11 hours—RACGP warns this is driving meltdowns and developmental delays. Digital Platform Regulation: WHO DG Tedros and France’s Macron call for stronger rules on digital platforms to protect children’s health, including transparency and safer generative AI approaches. Bird Flu Watch: H5N1 in wild birds is raising egg-price fears if it reaches commercial poultry flocks, with industry urging government support planning.

NDIS Reform Fight: Independents Helen Haines and Monique Ryan have tabled amendments to Labor’s NDIS bill, warning the current design could undermine the scheme’s core purpose and cut supports for people with disability, including in regional areas. Aged Care Research Push: Monash University and Silverchain are surveying Australians to set research priorities for in-home aged care, aiming to make future studies useful for people receiving, funding and delivering care. Bowel Screening Access (NZ): New Zealand is rolling out a home test for bowel cancer symptoms to speed assessment and help free up colonoscopy capacity as screening ages drop. Chronic Pain Breakthrough: University of Sydney research suggests melatonin may safely reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain, potentially lowering reliance on higher-risk pain medicines. Hospital Pharmacy Overhaul (SA): Pharmacy services are being brought in-house at hospitals across northeastern South Australia under SA Pharmacy, with a transition period and staff offered roles. Workforce Wellbeing: Aon’s Philippines study flags AI adoption momentum but a talent gap, while Australia’s shift-work data finds hospitality workers among the happiest. Social Media & Kids: Australia’s under-16 social media ban is being tightened with age verification rules, but early impacts appear limited as teens find workarounds.

Avian Flu Update: Australia has confirmed a fifth mainland H5N1 case after testing found the virus in a migratory giant petrel on WA’s south coast, with officials stressing there’s no evidence of spread to resident populations and that human risk remains low. Under-16 Social Media Push: Australia’s under-16 social media ban is back in the spotlight as lawmakers and researchers debate how well it’s working, with calls to tighten enforcement and reduce harmful features. Hospital Safety After Discharge: A major study links new sedative prescriptions right after hospital discharge to a higher risk of falls and other serious outcomes in older adults, highlighting how vulnerable the first days at home can be. Plastic Pollution & Health: Teal MPs are urging a shift to producer-funded packaging rules, arguing Australia’s current system is failing and that microplastics add to a growing health and environmental burden. Sun Safety Research: QIMR Berghofer research challenges the idea that early morning or late afternoon sun is “safer,” finding even low-dose UV can drive early skin damage. Remote Health Logistics (PNG): Australia and Adventist Aviation Services are partnering to improve flights and supply delivery for remote Papua New Guinea communities, supporting medical evacuations and essential services.

Avian Flu Watch: Australia confirms a 5th H5 bird flu case in a migratory seabird (giant petrel) off WA near Esperance, with no evidence of spread to poultry and low human health risk, as surveillance ramps up. Kids’ Social Media Crackdown: A new BMJ study on Australia’s under-16 social media ban finds little immediate impact—most teens still access restricted platforms via workarounds—prompting calls to pair restrictions with better offline supports. Workplace Safety Update: NSW and other jurisdictions are tightening WHS rules to treat psychosocial hazards (like poor support and harmful behaviour) as risks that must be actively managed, not just guidance. Newborn Brain Injury Research: Monash-linked Hudson Institute is recruiting for a cord-blood stem cell trial aiming to protect preterm babies’ brains from injury. Clinical/Health Tech Signals: Imugene reports an early complete response in a Phase 1b azer-cel cohort using concurrent BTK inhibitor dosing in hard-to-treat B-cell cancers. Community Health & Access: ACT prepares a new Kids Hub as mental health services scale, while rural after-hours care access remains a political flashpoint.

PBS update: Neffy, the adrenaline nasal spray for anaphylaxis, has been added to Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, giving about 150,000 people access with a $25 dose price—while advocates warn the wider PBS pipeline is still too slow for some patients. Connected care readiness: A new Black Book Market Research report says 99% of providers support connected-care benefits for 1 July 2026 My Health Record share-by-default, but 92% flag practical gaps in workflow, auditability and vendor accountability. Mental health & psychedelics: Optimi Health says it has completed another commercial export of 5mg psilocybin capsules to Australia for treatment-resistant depression, marking its third shipment since launch. First aid & prevention: Mount Gambier councils are urging residents to report thefts of public AED defibrillators after multiple devices were stolen, threatening emergency response in cardiac arrests. Men’s health support: South Australia’s Skylight and local partners are running “Coffee and Chat” sessions for men to encourage connection and discuss wellbeing issues. Bird flu watch: Authorities confirm additional H5 avian flu cases in Australia, with wildlife monitoring ramped up.

ADHD Access Boost: NSW has announced $11.7m to expand ADHD assessments and care via GP training, specialist support, and help covering patient support costs—RACGP calls it a win for health equity. Respiratory Imaging Upgrade: 4DMedical says its non-contrast CT:VQ™ ventilation-perfusion imaging has TGA approval, aiming to widen access to functional lung diagnostics using existing CT infrastructure. Newborn Protection: A reminder that Group B strep is a major cause of severe newborn illness, with Australia’s late-pregnancy screening and intrapartum antibiotics highlighted as key prevention. War Trauma Aid: Orthocell’s Remplir™ nerve repair device is being shipped to Ukraine after Australian donors agreed to buy devices at humanitarian pricing. Bird Flu Watch: Australia’s H5 bird flu response continues after new detections in wild migratory seabirds, with officials stressing low human risk and urging people not to touch sick or dead animals. Water Quality Prevention: ACT launches a 10-year plan to stop blue-green algae by cutting nutrient pollution upstream, backed by $2.7m. Aged Care Wellbeing: Olive Express virtual travel is bringing immersive experiences to thousands of residents across Australian aged care homes. Health Tech Funding: Lumos Diagnostics received a $709,837 R&D tax refund to support its point-of-care diagnostic platform development. Sports & Health: AFLW captain Chelsea Randall announces retirement due to ongoing concussion issues.

NSW ADHD Access: NSW will fund 2,500 free GP assessments for children and adults aged 6+ from early 2027, aiming to cut costs and speed up diagnosis and treatment. Social Media Regulation: New research says Australia’s under-16 social media ban has had limited early impact, with about 85% of teens still accessing platforms via workarounds like fake accounts. First Nations Vaccination Focus: Coverage highlights why access to healthcare is key for getting First Nations children vaccinated in early childhood. Cancer Leadership: Professor Richard Scolyer will receive a state memorial at the Sydney Opera House on 13 July, following his death after a long battle with brain cancer. Hearing for Twins: In a first-of-its-kind Australian operation, twins born profoundly deaf had cochlear implants done on the same day so they could hear their mother’s voice together. Shingles & Dementia: Growing research suggests the shingles vaccine may help protect older adults against dementia, with one study estimating a preventable share of cases. Global Health Emergency: Venezuela earthquake rescue efforts continue as the death toll tops 1,400 and tens of thousands are still missing.

Youth Digital Safety Crackdown: Australia will double maximum penalties for tech firms that fail to comply with the under-16 social media ban, lifting the cap to A$99m, while eSafety’s powers will expand so the regulator can compel platforms to hand over details on how they’re stopping underage accounts. Global Policy Context: The move comes as other countries tighten youth access rules, with the Philippines Pediatric Society urging supervised, comanaged accounts for children 16 and under, and Indonesia’s PP Tunas requiring age checks and extra duties for higher-risk platforms. Perinatal Mental Health: New parents in Australia are being urged to seek free support after reports of perinatal anxiety and depression, with services including PANDA, Gidget and COPE highlighted for help in the year after birth. Public Health & Lifestyle: Vegemite launches “Vegemite Kids” with 50% less sodium, reigniting debate about whether lowering salt intake meaningfully improves children’s health. Health System & Care: A review of IVF add-ons finds many are common but show little proof of benefit, adding pressure on patients to understand what’s worth paying for. Community Wellbeing Through Movement: Coastrek South Coast NSW debuts the Munjip Trail charity walk with Beyond Blue as partner, linking physical activity, nature and mental health.

Youth Social Media Crackdown: Australia will double the maximum penalty for tech firms that don’t comply with the under-16s social media ban, lifting it to A$99m, and expand the eSafety Commissioner’s powers to demand documents and information from platforms (including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok) and third parties like age-assurance or app-store providers. Global Health Policy Watch: The European Commission approved Maviret (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) for acute hepatitis C in adults and children aged 3+ with compensated liver disease, enabling earlier treatment after confirmation. Pharmacy Role Spotlight: A Sri Lanka “One Health, One Pharmacy” event highlighted how pharmacists are shifting from dispensing to prevention, medication safety, counselling and public health. Wellness & Caregiving (PNG): Male advocates in Papua New Guinea received further training support through an Australia-funded program to promote gender equity and shared caregiving responsibilities. Infectious Disease Alert (Australia): Authorities confirmed more H5 bird flu detections, keeping surveillance and response efforts in focus.

Avian Influenza Watch: Australia confirms H5 bird flu in a giant petrel in WA, with no evidence yet of spread to poultry or mass die-offs; health risk to people is said to be low, but authorities urge reporting sick/dead birds via the emergency hotline. Travel Health: Australia’s health department flags measles and other infectious disease risks for summer travellers, urging vaccination checks and hygiene precautions before trips. Kidney–Heart Link: Two Australians with severe kidney disease share “no idea” experiences of heart attacks, highlighting the need to recognise kidney disease as a heart-failure risk. Rural Care Boost (PNG): Pomio District Hospital performs a first emergency caesarean, showing how strengthening district hospitals can save mothers and babies without long referrals. Heart Disease Access (PNG): Air Niugini renews support for Operation Open Heart, continuing flights for children needing specialist cardiac surgery. Brain Health: ECU researchers report a gene variant that may explain why poor sleep harms some brains more than others. Social Media & Kids: Australia considers tougher enforcement of the under-16 social media ban after research suggests limited early impact. Workforce & Care: A Canberra “third places” push targets loneliness by building low-cost community spaces beyond home and work. Cancer & Recovery: Mel McLaughlin shares her return to the World Cup after stage-two lung cancer surgery.

Teen Social Media Ban Under Fire: Australia’s under-16 social media ban is being toughened after new research found little early impact, with most teens still accessing platforms despite age checks—prompting calls to strengthen enforcement powers for the eSafety Commission. Medicare Access Alarm: Controversial Medicare changes that would require a physical or electronic signature for every claim have been delayed after warnings they could block vulnerable patients, including people in dementia care. Obesity Trend Watch: New research highlights obesity rising fastest among younger adults and widening inequalities, with experts urging prevention beyond relying on long-term weight-loss drugs. Cancer Risk Signal: A large analysis links very low testosterone with higher risk of dying from cancer (noting it’s a marker, not a reason to self-treat). Heat & Health: European cities are sharing practical heat-safety approaches, including official check-in systems for older people. Flu Vaccine Competition: The EU opens an antitrust probe into Sanofi’s flu vaccine marketing, with potential implications for competition in the market. Pet Cancer Breakthrough: Anivive Lifesciences wins full FDA approval for an at-home oral treatment for canine lymphoma, expanding options for vets and pet owners.

Sexual Health Alert: Sunshine Coast Health says syphilis cases have surged, with 95 reported last year versus 38 in 2022, urging regular testing even without symptoms and noting antibiotics are effective. Women’s Health Push: Victoria has launched the “Let’s Get Better” campaign to tackle gender bias in care, backed by the Bridging the Pain Gap inquiry, and expanding women’s health clinics and telehealth options. Menopause Access: From 1 July, all 33 Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain clinics will offer menopause and perimenopause care, including coordinated allied health support. Teen Online Safety: Australia’s under-16 social media ban is being “stress-tested” for strength after new research found limited early impact on teen use, with the eSafety Commission set to face legal scrutiny. Food Safety Recall: New Zealand Food Safety has recalled NZ Muscle and No Brand creatine products due to an undeclared milk allergen; small amounts may have reached Australia via personal imports. Clinical Trial in Regional WA: WA Country Health Service has started a commercially sponsored Phase 2 trial aiming to reduce chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. Carer Support Research: Flinders University researchers outline priorities to better recognise and support unpaid carers, including earlier identification and access to services. Bird Flu Watch: The NT is preparing after H5 bird flu was confirmed in WA and South Australia, with low human risk but calls to report sick birds.