Olivia Willis
Olivia Willis is a health reporter for ABC Science and the host of Patient Zero on ABC Radio National. She has worked as a journalist and producer for the ABC since 2014, including for RN Breakfast, All In The Mind, and Ladies We Need to Talk. Olivia's work has appeared in The Best Australian Science Writing, and in 2019, she was the recipient of a Logan Science Journalism Fellowship in the United States. In 2021, Olivia and the Patient Zero team were awarded the highly prestigious Eureka Prize for Science Journalism. She tweets at @liv_willis
Latest by Olivia Willis
Bringing birth forward: What's driving Australia's rising induction rate?
Rates of labour induction have increased substantially in recent years. Is it making childbirth safer — or have the scales tipped too far?
'There's so much I wish I had known': Women speak out about inadequate preparation for giving birth
Gaps in high-quality, comprehensive antenatal education are contributing to life-long injuries and birth trauma, maternity experts and parents say.
'I feel complicit in care that harms women': Midwives reveal crisis inside Australia's maternity wards
Midwives across the country say workforce shortages are taking a heavy toll on maternity staff and the families they care for.
Giles was prescribed opioids for his back pain. A new study suggests the drugs were pointless
Australian researchers call for an end to the use of opioids to treat acute back and neck pain after finding they are no more effective than a placebo.
These women struggled to get pregnant after having children. The reason why took them by surprise
These women had never heard of Asherman's syndrome before they were diagnosed with it. They're calling for greater awareness of the rare condition that can affect fertility.
More Australians eligible for subsidised COVID-19 antivirals as government expands access
An additional 160,000 Australians are now able to access subsidised COVID-19 antiviral treatments after the federal government expanded eligibility criteria under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Calls to prioritise women's mental health with more targeted funding and treatment
Australia's mental health services and treatments are largely "gender blind". Is it time for a new approach?
Junior doctors say they're burnt out and underpaid. Now they're taking legal action
A string of class actions against health services in Victoria, NSW and the ACT is underway over the alleged underpayment of junior doctors.
New study reveals why ovarian cancer treatment stops working in some people
A team of international researchers, led by Australian scientists, has identified why some ovarian cancers become resistant to treatment.
There's a new COVID booster rolling out next month. Here's what you need to know
All Australian adults who haven't had a COVID-19 booster or a confirmed case in the past six months are now eligible for an additional shot.
Mpox vaccination encouraged ahead of WorldPride as Sydney prepares to welcome thousands of visitors
Australians heading to Sydney WorldPride who are eligible for mpox (previously monkeypox) vaccination are being encouraged to roll up their sleeves and get a jab ahead of the global LGBTIQ+ festival later this month.
Overworked, bullied, burnt out: One in five trainee doctors are considering leaving medicine
The latest annual survey of Australia's doctors in training reveals an increase in trainee workloads, and a rise in the number of trainees considering a future outside of medicine.
Omicron has splintered, amounting to a 'variant soup' — and it's making COVID harder to predict
It’s been three long years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global health emergency. So what can we expect the virus to do next?
There are many ways to give birth in Australia — but one number influences your options
Australia is among the safest places in the world to give birth. But the care you get largely depends on where you live, how much money you have, and how good you are at navigating the system.
Kirsty is set to become one of the first people in Australia to receive a uterus transplant
A NSW woman is set to become one of the first people in Australia to receive a uterus transplant as part of a landmark research project at Sydney's Royal Hospital for Women.
Brian is being up front about his monkeypox in a bid to fight ignorance and stigma
The latest monkeypox outbreak is being seized upon by anti-vaccine and hate groups, but experts say public health authorities must focus on inclusive and destigmatising messaging.
Debilitating impacts of birth trauma revealed in new Australian survey
When Amy Mageropoulos was pregnant with her first son Bobby, she dreamt about the time they'd spend together when he was born. But the reality of new motherhood is far from what she had imagined.
Moderna's COVID-19 jab has been approved for young kids. So, when can my child get vaccinated?
Australian children aged six months to five years could soon be rolling up their sleeves for a COVID-19 jab. Here's what parents need to know.
Australians living longer but with more chronic disease, COVID 'excess deaths' jump
With a population living longer, the nation is experiencing higher rates of chronic and aging-related conditions like dementia, the latest snapshot from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says.
As flu cases surge, vaccination is being encouraged. So, just how effective is this year's jab?
As Australians head into winter with little natural immunity from the flu, and facing the potential risk of a co-infection with COVID-19, experts say getting a flu shot is more important than ever.
Monkeypox has spread to Europe, the US and Australia. Here's what we know about the outbreak so far
An unusual outbreak of monkeypox has now spread to at least 15 countries. Here's what we know about the disease, which is rarely seen outside of Africa.
Some of us are more vulnerable to mould allergies than others. Here's what symptoms to look out for
After months of heavy rainfall and increased humidity along Australia's east coast, many people are now dealing with an unwelcome and often stubborn house guest: mould.
Mystery hepatitis is spreading around the world. Will it reach Australia?
An outbreak of severe and unexplained hepatitis in children has now spread to at least 20 countries. Here's what we know so far.
At risk of severe COVID-19? These medicines can 'save lives' — and they're available through your GP
For Australians at high risk of developing severe COVID-19, getting access to potentially lifesaving treatments recently became easier — but experts say some people are still having trouble obtaining them.
How soon after catching COVID-19 can you get it again?
While the case of a healthcare worker testing positive for two different variants of COVID 20 days apart might be rare, COVID-19 reinfections are increasingly common. So, what are the odds of getting sick a second time?