Our Team

Stephen LunnSocial Affairs Editor

Stephen Lunn is The Australian’s Social Affairs Editor, covering social policy issues including ageing, population, disability, welfare, and migration. He has previously been the paper’s environment writer and Tokyo correspondent. He has also worked in public policy advocacy in the private sector, and practised as a lawyer in Australia and the UK. Stephen has a Masters degree in law from the London School of Economics.

@lunns

Latest

ExclusiveMental Health

Mixed Asian teenage boy lying on bed with smartphone, anxiety and depression in adolescence, mental health awareness month, social media addiction and cyberbullying concept

You may be handling your child’s anxiety wrongly. Here’s why

It’s time to up-end our approach to handling childhood and teenage anxiety, two clinical psychologists say. Parents and teachers can start by ‘starving it of attention’.

Stephen Lunn

NEVER TOO SOONHealth

It’s never too late to start exercising and the benefits are almost immediate. Picture: Getty Images

Purpose, love and security: the golden triangle of ageing well

Preparing yourself to have a happy, healthy life as you age requires thought, intention and preparation. Wherever you are on the health continuum, this may provide you with some food for thought.

Stephen Lunn

NAVIGATING THE MAZEHealth

Knowing your aged care options is key to staying in control as you age.

How to stay in control when it’s time for aged care

All Australians will need help as they move into older age. How will you know when it’s time for support? What are your options, and what are you entitled to?

Stephen Lunn

EXCLUSIVEHealth

2024: Beloved Australian actor Lex Marinos in August about 2 weeks before his death. PIC: Effie Alexakis

Lex Marinos chose voluntary assisted dying. His family explains why

One of Australia’s great men of the arts chose to undertake voluntary assisted dying, his final days spent at home surrounded by loved ones. His family take us through their journey.

Stephen Lunn

explainerHealth

What you should know about voluntary assisted dying

More than 3000 Australians have used voluntary assisted dying to end their lives. Is it something you or a family member need to consider? Here is the latest on this emotional issue.

Stephen Lunn

‘Blue zones’Health

Living to 100: How likely is it? Saul Newman’s scepticism over Blue Zones data.

Poor record keeping, welfare fraud: the real ‘secret’ of living to 100 uncovered

Are there parts of the world that offer lessons in how to live to 100? An Australian academic cautions us to beware.

Stephen Lunn

ExclusiveHealth

A little girl plays in her room with scales and vegetables.

If you think your baby has signs of autism or ADHD, read this

Parents beware. Standard cognitive tests can’t pick up ADHD and autism in infancy, a new study finds, despite a proliferation of early diagnosis and support programs.

Stephen Lunn

commentaryHealth

girl covers her face. The girl plays with the pop it sensory toy. Relief of stress and anxiety. Fashionable silicone game for stressed kids

ADHD kids treated as ‘poor cousins’ of those with autism

Parents of children with ADHD who have needs similar to children diagnosed with autism can feel rightly aggrieved about how the NDIS has operated to date.

Stephen Lunn

ExclusiveHealth

Baby toddler early development. Wooden stack and count rainbow colored learning game. Child learn colors and numbers

ADHD and autism overlap – so why has the NDIS favoured one over the other?

Your child’s ADHD may be just as debilitating as your neighbour’s kid’s autism. A new study finds both conditions are on the same neurodevelopmental continuum. So why have their supports been funded by NDIS and yours haven’t?

Stephen Lunn

persistence and positivityHealth

31/10/2024 84-year-old Elaine Herbert with her trainer of 20 years Dilek Ali at Fit 4 Living in Gardenvale. Aaron Francis / The Australian

It’s no big secret, but this really is how to live your best life longer

Taking that first step to doing more physical activity can put you on the path to a longer, healthier – and independent – life. But you have to keep moving.

Stephen Lunn

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/stephen-lunn/page/2