Past Programs
Ageing - 2007
HRT warning
12/07/2007
New Australian research shows that a long delay between menopause and starting hormone replacement therapy may put women at increased risk of heart attack. The findings, by the international WISDOM study are published today in the British Medical Journal.
Australian women began to shun HRT treatment when in 2002 the American Women's Health Initiative study linked the treatment to heart disease, stroke and breast cancer. However, they began to come back to the therapy after further research found that the risk was mainly for older, first time users - something now confirmed by this new Australian research.
Professor Alastair MacLennan is head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide. He headed up the Australian arm of the new research.
Chris Smith: Alzheimer's and yawning
29/06/2007
A new class of drug designed to specifically combat Alzheimer's has entered clinical trials in the US. There are hopes that it will be widely available in the not too distant future.
With more on this story, as well as some new research into yawning, Breakfast is joined from our Cambridge studios by our science correspondent, Chris Smith.
The Zimmers
29/05/2007
The Zimmers are a 40-strong troupe led by 90-year-old lead singer Alf.
They're officially the world's oldest rock band, with a combined age of no less than 3,000 years, and were brought together by the BBC as part of a series to help disenfranchised people in society make their voices heard.
And aren't they ever!
Their cover of 'My Generation' has become a cult hit on You Tube, receiving no less than 2 million hits.
Now they are hoping to replicate that success in the charts as the single is released today.
Peter Oatley is a 79-year-old band member of The Zimmers.
He's also know as the 'Internet Grandad'.
He spoke to Fran Kelly earlier from his home in Derbyshire.
Nembutal
08/05/2007
The barbiturate Nembutal is the drug that comes closest to what the euthanasia group the Exit Foundation calls the 'peaceful pill'.
But Nembutal is unavailable to elderly or seriously ill Australians. Manufacture and use of the drug is illegal.
As revealed on the ABC's Four Corners program last night, 20 elderly Exit Foundation members have illegally made the drug in a backyard factory, an act that carries a maximum 15-year jail term.
The clandestine project started in October 2005 with an illegal backyard laboratory.
Sixty-four-year-old Bron Norman was there on the weekend, when the 20 elderly people took the first step to making Nembutal.
She joins Breakfast from her home in Queensland.
You can find out more about the Four Corners program 'Final Call' on the Four Corners website.
New retirement
22/03/2007
Most of us look forward to the day when we can put our feet up and leave the stressful working day behind. But the big question is: will we be able to afford to retire? The short answer is: probably not. Compulsory super has been a boon, but for the bulk of the baby boomer generation, it's probably come too late to make much of a difference.
Of course, we all know it's never too late to do better, but it is good to have some tips on how. Which brings us to author and personal finance commentator Annette Sampson. Annette has just written a new book called The new retirement.
Santoro fallout: Jan McLucas
21/03/2007
Despite Senator Santoro's resignation, Labor says there are still questions to be asked over the senator's allocation of 94 aged care bed licences to a Santoro friend and major Liberal Party donor, Russell Egan jnr in Queensland.
He won the licences, estimated to be worth more than $3 million, even though he was yet to begin building the facility.
The Shadow Minister for Ageing is Jan McLucas. She's already been pursing some of these questions in Senate estimates hearings.
Santoro fall out: Francis Sullivan
21/03/2007
The aged care industry has long been unhappy with the process of issuing aged care licences—often comparing it to a lottery.
It also says reputable aged care providers often miss out to untried new entrants.
Francis Sullivan is Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Health Australia.
