Your risk of Motor Neurone Disease where you live: "Australians would be shocked".

New research in Australia has identified geographic clusters of Motor Neurone Disease (MND), prompting calls for policy changes. The disease, which has no known cause or cure, is seeing an increasing death rate in the region.
Why it matters
Identifying disease clusters is a critical step in epidemiological research that could eventually lead to understanding environmental or genetic triggers for MND.
06:08 Headlines on health Follow and Subscribe Follow and Subscribe
Apple Podcasts Spotify Download (5.61MB) Download the SBS Audio app Available on iOS and Android People wear a birthday hat as part of the Jai Arrow's Birthday Bash, a fundraiser for motor neurone disease Source: AAP / MARK EVANS Which disease has an annual death rate that is two thirds of the nation's road toll - and is getting worse? The same condition has numerous, hugely famous patients and patrons at home and around the world - yet we don't know why most cases occur. Now, research into Motor Neurone Disease has identified clusters around Australia - pushing one state to make a world first move. Follow and Subscribe Apple Podcasts Spotify Download (5.61MB) Download the SBS Audio app Available on iOS and Android Published 31 August 2026 12:58pm
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