Brad McKay is a New Zealand-born Australian doctor, science communicator and author. He is best known for his television series Embarrassing Bodies Down Under, which was broadcast in 2013. He is also a regular guest on numerous Australian television and radio programs including Today.
He is a practicing General Practitioner in the inner Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst.
Early life and education McKay was born and grew up in Lower Hutt, New Zealand.Hutt doctor joins reality TV show - Stuff.co.nz - published 27 May 2013 He moved to Australia as a teen, and studied at Monash UniversityEmbarrassing Bodies Australian Edition with Dr Christian Jessen - Josies Juice - published 17 May 2013
Career After graduating from university, McKay began work at a clinic in Melbourne. He has worked with remote Aboriginal communities in New South Wales.East Sydney Doctors In 2014, he began working at East Sydney Doctors in Sydney.
McKay's first television role was as a commentator on The Project. He then started making regular appearances on Today and Today Extra.
In 2013, he hosted Embarrassing Bodies Down UnderAussie doctors join Embarrassing Bodies Down Under - TV Tonight - published 27 May 2013 on Lifestyle You,Dr Brad Mckay - Lifestyle You a factual television program that explores embarrassing medical issues. The series was an Australian version of the UK show, Embarrassing Bodies. The show was also hosted by Christian Jessen who hosts the UK version of the program, Ginni Mansberg, and Sam Hay. In 2015 the show was broadcast on the Nine Network.What's new on TV this week? - News.com.au - published 14 August 2015
In 2015, McKay started regular radio segments on ABC Radio Sydney, ABC Radio Hobart, Nightlife, 2UE, and 3AW Melbourne.We've got a special Christmas episode for you tonight on @936hobart with @MelanieTaitEmbarrassing Bodies with Dr Brad Mckay - ABC Nightlife - published 22 December 2014Lyme Disease with Dr Brad McKay - ABC Nightlife - published 18 January 2016
In 2016, McKay began writing regularly for News.com.au.The great Australian lyme conspiracy - News.com.au - published 16 March 2016A doctor busts the big myths about your period and the pill - News.com.au - published 4 April 2016How my patients changed my mind about abortion - News.com.au - published 13 May 2016Are vitamins doing you more harm than good? - News.com.au - published 18 May 2016
In addition to his regular commitments, Dr Brad has appeared as health expert on many Australian radio and television programmes including Studio 10, Nine News, Triple J, Sky News Australia, 10 News First, and ABC News.Lateline, When drug and sex addictions collide, with sometimes devastating effects, ABCThe Bolt Report, Dr Brad McKay and Andrew Bolt, Sky News AustraliaThe Hook Up with Hannah Reilly, Triple J
Personal life Growing up in New Zealand, McKay was raised by religious parents who taught to never question a doctor's opinion and frequently used prayer when dealing with medical issues.
He is openly gay and lives with his partner in Sydney.My Nana died waiting for an answer I couldn’t give her - News.com.au - published 3 March 2017 He is an atheist and humanist. He has spoken in the past about the fact that he grew up in a very religious household.
McKay is a committee member of the Australian SkepticsTV Doctor joins ASI Committee - Australian Skeptics - published 10 December 2015 and has said he is committed to keeping evidence based science in medicine. He caused a minor controversy in his home country of New Zealand when he publicly denounced former All Black Sonny Bill Williams for his use of hijama cupping.Sonny Bill Williams undergoes hijama cupping therapy - Stuff.co.nz - published 26 November 2015Football player tweets photo of his blood-sucking cup therapy - Mashable - published 26 November 2015
Books
An article written in Skeptical Inquirer, Susan Gerbic reviews McKay's book Fake Medicine: Exposing the Wellness Crazes, Cons and Quacks Costing Us Our Health. During his teenage years, McKay had a medical condition which hurt his backside, causing him to go to the doctor, then a physiotherapist and an osteopath. Then McKay's parents decided to invoke the help of God when surgery time came. After this, we follow McKay through many doctors trying to diagnose a medical mystery which is revealed in the end. Throughout the book, McKay discusses the phenomenon of Dr. Google, which he says has positives and negatives with patients trying to diagnose themselves, and a variety of alternative treatments including vitamins, cupping therapy, and naturopathy. McKay uses real-life experiences adding a touch of personal history to lead readers along the diagnoses ending with the problems science communicators face with such as media pushing a false balance.
References
External links Dr Brad McKay | Official Website | Australian TV Doctor Dr Brad McKay biography Meet the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors - Lifestyle You