The Scan

Psychedelic drugs, like psilocybin and MDMA, have captivated global interest for their potential in treating mental health disorders. While Australia has become the first country in the world to permit the prescription of these drugs, their efficacy is unconfirmed and access to these potentially transformative treatments is limited. Dr Dilara Bahceci is a neuroscientist who specialises in the therapeutic potential of these psychoactive drugs. In this bitesize episode of the Scan, Dilara emphasizes the pressing need to innovate mental health treatments and champions equitable access. Tune in to explore the evolving research landscape and exciting prospects ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a condition which, for many, is yet to be diagnosed. It affects one in ten people and has severe impacts on someone's quality of life. Anthony Sunjaya is a medical doctor and doctoral researcher at The George Institute for Global Health who researches this condition -- breathlessness – and is exploring innovative ways to diagnose and treat it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Managing work-life balance, family and career are key challenges that disproportionately affect women and often, and influence choices about the work they do and the path for their careers. In this episode of The Scan, researchers Ming and Viola share their experiences of life as clinicians, researchers, and mothers. They discuss the challenges of juggling different roles within their lives, as well as the joys of each and strategies for managing all three.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highlights from a special ‘Tea with Africa’ webinar, held for Word Kidney Day. The topic discussed is 'Chronic Kidney Disease in Africa: Lived experiences and opportunities for improving systems of care'. It features a first-hand account of people living with chronic kidney disease in Zimbabwe, current efforts to improve the quality of life of people living with CKD in Africa, and identifies further opportunities for improving systems of care. ‘Life as a patient with chronic kidney disease in Zimbabwe’,  Mr Sibanda, is a member of the Kidney Association of Zimbabwe and suffers from chronic kidney failure  ‘Chronic kidney disease challenges, responses and opportunities in Zimbabwe’, Dr. Rumbidzai Dahwa, Head of the Renal department at Sally Mugabe hospital and Lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences ‘CKD-Africa collaboration:  Experiences and opportunities for researching chronic kidney disease in Africa’, Dr Cindy George, Chair CKD-Africa and Senior Scientist at the South African Medical Research Council For further information and a full recording of the event click here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Scan’s World’s Collide Series, Seye and Jaime discuss what it means to ‘go viral’ and the role social media has in increasing impact of work; they talk about rejection and being brave, and explore the pros/cons of various processes for different journals. Also announcing Jaime’s new position!’About the series: The Scan ‘Worlds Collide’ feature two well-known global health researchers from different parts of the globe, Jaime Miranda, from Peru, and Seye Abimbola, from Nigeria. Each wears a variety of ‘hats’, holding a number of positions, in different countries. Featuring unstructured conversations as they reflect on daily interactions it offers illuminating insight on navigating work and cultural perspectives. It offers the audience an intimate setting as they share their experiences with each other – and us!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bitesize episode we ask how can human rights law improve women’s health? We speak health researcher and lawyer Dr Janani Shanthosh, author of a new report that looks at laws around the world and how governments can use them to improve the health of women everywhere. The report 'Redressing the balance: Using human rights law to improve health for women everywhere' was launched this week with the UN CEDAW Committee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is eating less salt important for heart health? This is probably a question many of us have asked of ourselves as we spot the amount of salt in a packaged snack or are adding salt to a meal. In this bite size episode, Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Population Salt Reduction at The George Institute, Jacqui Webster, unpacks the link between salt and heart health, and outlines steps you can take to reduce your salt consumption.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bite size episode, Dr Cheryl Carcel explains what high Blood Pressure means for your brain and outlines steps we can all take to think more about our brain health each day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a link between eating too much salt and high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the world’s biggest killer. To mark World Heart Day on September 29th, we present a deep dive episode on one of the largest dietary interventions ever conducted, exploring effects of sodium reduction on heart health. In conversation with Professor Bruce Neal, Maoyi Tan and Zeng Ge reflect on their experiences working on the China Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS) which showed significant benefit from using reduced-sodium salts to prevent adverse consequences of high blood pressure. They discuss the major challenges and opportunities to increasing the uptake and use of potassium-enriched salts in China, and its health benefits globally.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for a bite size episode from The George Institute in which Chief Scientist, Anushka Patel offers an explainer on non-communicable diseases: what they are, how they impact people globally now and in future, and how the medical and research communities are responding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.