Individuals with co-occurring autism and psychosis are poorly supported by current psychiatric systems yet commonly present to both autism and psychosis services. Diagnostic overshadowing, fragmented pathways and unadapted interventions drive poorer outcomes. Psychosis services must embed neurodevelopmentally informed assessment, formulation, staff training and routine treatment adaptations to deliver equitable, effective care for this underserved population.

Transition-aged youth (TAY) are vulnerable to experiencing mental health disorders, yet research is scarce on treatment outcomes for TAY receiving cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), particularly for anxiety and related disorders. The present study aims to investigate whether there are differences in treatment outcomes for TAY relative to adults following completion of mixed-age disorder-specific CBT groups for social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A sample of 844 participants, including 232 TAY (aged 17–25) and 612 adults were compared on symptom specific measures (i.e. SPIN, GAD-7, Y-BOCS), group cohesion, attendance, drop-out rates, and general symptoms of low mood, stress, and anxiety (i.e. DASS-21) pre- and post-disorder specific CBT group treatment using linear mixed effects models. Although there were significant reductions in disorder-specific clinical symptoms and general symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety in both TAY and adults from pre- to post-treatment, there were no significant differences between age groups in terms of treatment response, suggesting TAY responded as effectively as adults in mixed age treatment groups. There were no significant differences in terms of drop-out or group cohesion across age groups. TAY individuals had marginally lower attendance compared with adults, although this finding was not significant. These findings suggest that treatment as usual is effective in yielding significant improvement in anxiety and related symptoms across age groups. While these findings are encouraging for TAY who seek treatment, further research evaluating whether age-specific group CBT could enhance treatment outcomes for TAY is critical.

Between 2023 and 2025, four outbreaks of zoonotic Cryptosporidium parvum infection involving 39 laboratory-confirmed cases occurred at a single animal-contact visitor attraction in South West England. A retrospective outbreak investigation, incorporating elements of a descriptive case series, was undertaken to identify factors associated with repeated transmission and to draw insights for infection prevention and control. The study integrated epidemiological, veterinary, environmental, and molecular data, including exposure questionnaires, animal faecal testing, environmental sampling, observational assessments, and genotyping of human and animal isolates. Zoonotic gp60 subtype IIaA15G2R1 predominated across outbreaks. In the fourth outbreak, identical gp60 subtypes and shared multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis alleles in lamb and human samples supported zoonotic transmission. Environmental sampling identified faecal indicator organisms and Shiga toxin-producing E.coli on high-touch surfaces. An observational assessment identified frequent opportunities for faecal–oral exposure during close contact with young ruminants. Despite compliance with industry standards, persistent environmental contamination, in-pen contact, and child behavioural factors were identified as plausible contributors to transmission. These findings highlight the challenges of preventing zoonotic infection in this setting and support refinement of existing guidance.

Currently, there is no food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that has been validated in Australia to assess both nutrient intake and food safety practices in pregnant women(1). Validation of FFQ for use in pregnant women is important given the specific nutritional requirements and increased food safety risks during pregnancy, particularly listeriosis, as compared with the general population. Additionally, many pregnancies in Australia are unplanned, and preconception nutrition is strongly linked to positive pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, the Pregnancy-Australian Eating Survey (Preg-AES) FFQ was developed to assess dietary intake and food safety practices among women of childbearing age in Australia. This study aimed to: (i) evaluate the preliminary outcomes of reproducibility and relative validity of nutrient intakes derived from the Preg-AES FFQ against 24-hour dietary recalls (24HRs) and weighed food records (WFRs) among women of childbearing age in Australia, (ii) evaluate the preliminary outcomes of reproducibility of food safety practices of the Preg-AES FFQ, and (iii) assess the feasibility and acceptability of the validation methodology. The Preg-AES FFQ was adapted from the validated AES FFQ(2), consists of 127 questions, with an additional ten questions related to dietary intakes of foods potentially harbouring Listeria monocytogenes and 27 questions on safe food handling practices. The FFQ was administered twice, three months apart to assess reproducibility, and compared with mean intakes from three-day WFR and three-day 24HR, respectively, to assess relative validity. All nutrients were adjusted using the nutrient density method. Reproducibility of nutrient intakes and food safety practices were measured using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted kappa. Relative validity was assessed using Pearson correlations and Bland-Altman plots. Feasibility was described from recruitment and follow-up data. Acceptability was analysed using frequency data, via closed- and open-ended responses at three months. At baseline, 51 participants were included (mean age 27.3 ± 6.8; 66.7% Australian-born; 33.3% university-educated). Reproducibility testing included n = 35; relative validity testing included n = 29 (WFR) and n = 36 (24HR). Preliminary reproducibility results indicated ICCs ranged from 0.133 (thiamine) to 0.725 (protein). Preliminary relative validity coefficients confirmed that the Preg-AES FFQ had moderate validity against WFR and relatively lower validity against 24HR. Preliminary acceptability findings showed 91–97% of participants were satisfied with the administration of all dietary assessment methods and in-person sessions. This pilot study may inform a larger validation study in a representative Australian sample, to enhance the accuracy of the Preg-AES FFQ as a dietary assessment tool in clinical and research settings in Australia to optimise perinatal health outcomes.

Nutrition during pregnancy and postpartum is critical in maternal and infant health, with poor dietary intake during this period contributing to adverse outcomes and long-term health risks(1). Dietary intake is influenced by behavioural, physiological, and social factors(2), and understanding the patterns, and their determinants, can inform targeted nutrition interventions. This study aimed to assess changes in diet quality and food and nutrient intakes from pregnancy to one year postpartum in Australian women and compare to national nutrition recommendations. Associations between diet quality, sociodemographic and health characteristics were also investigated. This study was an analysis of data from the ORIGINS pregnancy cohort (2017–2022). Women were included if they had complete dietary data at both timepoints, were aged ≥ 19 years, and were not pregnant one year postpartum. Dietary intake was assessed via the Australian Eating Survey food frequency questionnaire and diet quality was assessed using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). Sociodemographic data were self-reported; clinical health data were extracted from hospital medical records. Paired sample t-tests analysed changes in diet quality and intake. Linear regression estimated associations between maternal characteristics and diet quality, with adjustment for covariates. Food group and nutrient intakes were compared to recommendations in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and Nutrient Reference Values. Among 337 women (33.1 (4.5) years, 49.9% Australian-born, 51.3% university educated), mean (95% CI) diet quality was suboptimal during pregnancy and one year postpartum (ARFS 34.0 (33.0, 35.0) vs. 34.8 (33.8, 35.8) points out of 73, p = 0.038). One year postpartum, participants reported consuming more vegetables, meat, protein, and retinol equivalents, but less fruit, dairy, carbohydrate, saturated fat, iodine, and folate (p < 0.05). Across both timepoints, alignment with recommendations was poor for all food groups, macronutrients and key micronutrients. None of the women met the daily intake targets for all five food groups during pregnancy, and only one woman met the targets one year postpartum. Lower diet quality during and after pregnancy was linked to not having had a university education, and a higher pre-pregnancy BMI. Postpartum, younger age and lower income was also associated with poorer diet quality and having a BMI in the overweight category before pregnancy (p < 0.05). Findings underscore persistent nutritional inadequacies and social disparities among pregnant and postpartum women in Australia and provide evidence to support updates to national dietary guidelines and the development of targeted nutrition interventions, particularly for women experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.