Health Check

BBC World Service

4.3 (108)
HEALTH & FITNESS
UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY

Health issues and medical breakthroughs from around the world.

6 DAYS AGO

Guinea eliminates sleeping sickness

As Guinea becomes the latest country to eliminate sleeping sickness, how close are we to defeating the disease completely? Also on the program, what does a massive shakeup at the US Agency for International Development mean for global health? And a new discovery is shedding a bit more light on a neural fossil in our ears. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett

26 min
30 JAN

USA issues stop-work order on global aid

What will President Trump’s order stopping work on foreign aid projects mean for global health? Also on the program, a new method for repairing heart muscles using stem cells shows promise, and do weight-loss drugs also stop the ‘food noise’ so many people hear? GP and medical journalist Graham Easton joins Claudia in studio to discuss. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett

26 min
22 JAN

A WHO without the United States

As President Trump signals his intention to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization, what could the global health ramifications be? Also, Meta moves from an independent fact-checking program to community notes - how will this affect health misinformation across the company’s platforms? A new rapid test that could help diagnose Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic fever brings hope to an oft neglected disease, and what would be the mental health effect of living in space long-term? Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett

26 min
15 JAN

The toll of wildfires on health

With extensive wildfires in Los Angeles, we look at the longer-term health impacts of wildfires and why there is still a risk to health after a fire is extinguished. A global commission has called for an overhaul of how obesity is diagnosed, suggesting more measures for practitioners to help distinguish between different types of obesity and improve individualized care for each patient. In Guatemala, reporter Jane Chambers takes us along to a local project supporting residents to transition away from ultra-processed food and towards more traditional eating habits. Also on the show, in light of 2024 surpassing global climate warming limits of 1.5°C we find out how climate change is impacting HIV prevention and care. Plus, how abortion patients in the UK demonstrate shifting contraception choices, with a rise in ‘natural’ fertility options. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett & Jack Lee

26 min
8 JAN

Should we be worried about HMPV?

With reports of rising cases of the respiratory illness HMPV in multiple countries and concern over the risk it poses, we look behind the headlines to reality check what is really going on. Also on the show, we hear from injured Ukrainians who are building drones to help with their mental and physical rehabilitation. Plus, how does elite sport impact women’s fertility? Finally, we look ahead to predict what 2025 might have in store for global health. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producers: Katie Tomsett and Jack Lee

26 min
1 JAN

A Malawi ‘Spay Day’

Claudia Hammond is in Malawi exploring the concept of One Health, where the health of humans, animals and the environment are all linked. Today we’re visiting a makeshift roadside operating theatre for dogs in the village of Kauma, just outside of Lilongwe. During the ‘Spay Day’, vets from the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals neuter local dogs for free, in an attempt to protect both dogs, and people, from rabies. We find out how this work feeds into the bigger picture of One Health in Malawi, and Claudia has a go at being a veterinary assistant… Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Sophie Ormiston

27 min
25/12/2024

One Health in Malawi

Claudia Hammond is in Malawi exploring a movement known as “One Health”: an approach that calls for collaboration between the fields of human, animal, and environmental health, for the benefit of all. And how can this help to prevent disease when people and animals live in close proximity? We hear how vets and researchers across Malawi are tackling diseases such as rabies, anthrax, and sleeping sickness – and how the sharing of expertise that One Health brings is crucial in their efforts. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Sophie Ormiston

26 min
18/12/2024

2024 in global health: a review

Claudia Hammond is joined by journalist Andrew Green to check-in on their 2024 health predictions and review just how accurate they were. Together, they explore the stories that we didn’t see coming and the game-changing medical innovations that shaped global health this year. Plus, the unusual Ig Nobel medicine prize, and a healthy dose of competition in the form of the ultimate health fact-off.

26 min

See All (234)

4.3

out of 5

108 Ratings

Brilliant

02/10/2010

Vix144

Informative and interesting, recommended!
Repeats other podcasts

24/02/2022

Tammy, UK

Too many sections taken from Inside Health. Either keep these podcasts separate or put on same feed.
Annoying presenter bit excellent research

11/09/2019

Aminha Canela

“I’m Claudia Hammond...” how many times do you need to tell us? Get we just get on with hearing about the interesting research?
Great podcast

16/07/2019

Caza slim

Relevant and very interesting