Health Check

BBC World Service

4.7 (79)
HEALTH & FITNESS
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Health issues and medical breakthroughs from around the world.

4D AGO

Canada loses measles elimination status

This week it was declared that Canada is no longer measles free and as a result The Americas have lost their measles elimination status. Claudia is joined by Vanessa Apea to understand why this vaccine-preventable disease is continuing to spread in North America. COP30 is underway in Belém, Brazil, and ahead of the conference’s Health Day we hear from BBC’s Climate and Science reporter Esme Stallard what global health is on the agenda. Reporter Dorcas Wangira is in Nairobi investigating a crackdown on helmet safety for motorcycle taxi riders. Plus, can speaking more than one language slow down the rate at which you age? And why politicians in France are suggesting doctors prescribe working from home instead of signing people off sick. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett Image: People stand near healthy awareness posters related to the measles outbreak during a public health awareness campaign, at the Taber Health Centre, in the largely Mennonite community of Taber, Alberta, Canada, October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot/File Photo

26 min
NOV 5

Cloud seeding to cut air pollution in Delhi

Last week attempts at cloud seeding to reduce pollution in Delhi failed to produce any rain. We catch up with reporter Chhavi Sachdev to find out more about official’s latest and controversial attempt at tacking hazardous levels of air pollution in the city. The Maldives have become the first country to ban smoking for younger generations with no one born on or after 1 January 2007 being able to buy tobacco products. Journalist Philippa Roxby comments on what this means for health. What do the public know about the cancer risks of alcohol? Dr Sanjay Shete, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, explains his research comparing the real risks to public awareness. A Finnish study has found that voting behaviours in elections are strongly linked to health, suggesting it may even be a stronger determinant than education. Plus, how walking over 5,000 steps a day may slow the cognitive decline in those with preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett & Hannah Robins Image: A commuter walks near India Gate amid heavy smog pollution on October 29, 2025 in New Delhi, India. Delhi is once again blanketed by hazardous smog following the Diwali festival, as pollution levels spike to the "very poor" and "severe" categories, with air quality indexes far exceeding safe limits. The crisis, which is driven by firecracker use, emissions, and seasonal crop residue burning has prompted emergency measures like cloud seeding. Image Credit: Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images

26 min
OCT 29

What surpassing 1.5°C means for global health

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that global warming will ‘inevitably’ surpass 1.5 degrees. What does this mean for global health? The ninth annual Lancet report on health and climate could hold some answers. Also on the program, could contaminated meat be a source for some urinary tract infections? Professor Lance Price speaks about his new study finding a link between the two. Also on the program, could how we walk affect our health more than the distance we’ve travelled? Health journalist Layal Liverpool joins Claudia Hammond to discuss these stories and more. Presenter: Claudia Hammond with Layal Liverpool Producer: Hannah Robbins and Margaret Sessa-Hawkins with Alice McKee

26 min
OCT 22

How impostors distort medical research

As Japan declares a flu epidemic we find out more about what’s going on in the country, and the potential implications for the flu season ahead in the Northern Hemisphere. Human and bot imposters are rising in medical research, and they risk undermining results, but why do they do it? Eileen Morrow from the University of Oxford explains the tricky balance of safeguarding against them whilst not excluding real participants. A new adrenaline nasal spray has been licenced for those with severe allergies. Family Doctor Ayan Panja explains what a difference this might make for patients. The first patient has been recruited in a phase III trial investigating malaria treatments in early pregnancy. We speak to her and the researchers who are hoping to recruit further participants in Mali, Burkina Faso and Kenya. Plus, how far can you really push yourself? Researchers think they’ve found the ‘metabolic ceiling’ for endurance athletes. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producers: Katie Tomsett and Hannah Robins

26 min
OCT 15

How to prioritise aid in Gaza

As the fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza, we hear about the health impacts and realities of the aid being let into the territory from Olga Cherevko – spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Gaza. The first ever evidence-based and outcome-specific dietary guidelines to treat chronic constipation in adults has been published. Could kiwi fruit hold the answer? We found out what’s in the new recommendations from Dr Eirini Dimidi. The World Health Summit concluded this week, journalist Andrew Green was there and reports on the highlights from reshaping the global aid landscape to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. As California bans ultra-processed food in schools, we find out what changes pupils will see on their plates. And treating baby wraps with Permethrin may hold promise for malaria prevention in newborns. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins and Katie Tomsett Image: Trucks carrying aid wait at the border crossing for entry into the Gaza Strip on October 12, 2025 in Rafah, Egypt. This week's ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has brought an end to the two years of war that followed the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, allowing aid groups to increase delivery of humanitarian relief. Image Credit: Ali Moustafa/Getty Images

26 min
OCT 8

Immune system researchers win Nobel Prize

This year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded for discoveries that explain how the immune system attacks hostile infections, but not the body's own cells. We explain the science that won Japan's Shimon Sakaguchi and US researchers Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell the prestigious award. How robots can help children with reading anxiety. Lauren Wright from the University of Chicago who led this research explains. A new targeted antibiotic has been found that treats Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Dr Graham Easton who is Professor of Clinical Communication Skills at Queen Mary University of London describes how it works. Missing your first mammogram appointment has as much impact on breast cancer outcomes than an inherited genetic risk according to new research. Ziyan Ma from the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Karolinska Institute tells us more. And should we reconsider how we treat blood pressure? Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett

27 min
OCT 1

Creating human eggs from skin cells

Functional human eggs have been generated using human skin cells in a breakthrough study. What impact could this have on couples with fertility issues? BBC Health Correspondent James Gallagher explains. How long covid is affecting menstrual cycles. Dr Jackie Maybin, Reader and Consultant Gynaecologist at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian explains her findings. With a rising trend of parents using unprescribed melatonin to help their children sleep, we examine the risks. G6PD deficiency affects more than 400 million people worldwide, but new research led by the University of Exeter in the UK reveals that it distorts the standard diagnostic test for diabetes. As a result, potential cases are missed. We ask what can be done to address this issue. And a new eye drop that’s been improving presbyopia, an ocular condition that often occurs as we age, causing long-sightedness. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producer: Alice McKee

26 min
SEP 24

Trump’s unproven claims on autism and paracetamol

President Trump has claimed that consuming Tylenol, or paracetamol, whilst pregnant can increase the risk of autism in children; Claudia is joined by Professor of Clinical Epidemiology Laurie Tomlinson to fact-check this unproven statement. Also on the show, BBC’s Philippa Roxby joins Claudia to share a breakthrough in treating Huntington’s disease. In a medical first doctors have used gene therapy to slow the progression of this fatal genetic disorder where a patient’s movement, thinking, and mood deteriorates over time. Reporter Carrim Mpaweni explores how Malawi is currently dealing with Cholera, and the role climate change is playing in exacerbating outbreaks of the disease. Plus, how South Korean researchers are exploring the use of glue guns as a way to repair broken bones. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett Image Credit: Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images

26 min

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4.7

out of 5

79 Ratings

Great show

04/13/2018

incognito82

I love it
The world's health briefing

07/10/2017

dettifoss

The podcast is very professionally presented, with reports on issues in world health - literally tackling issues and bringing news from every corner of the globe - followed by a studio discussion with a healthcare professional (usually a doctor, but occasionally a journalist specializing in health). Note: this is serious journalism, not faddy health infotainment. I am a better person for listening to Health Check: more knowledgeable and more thoughtful.
Highly recommended

03/31/2013

minarcik

Claudia Hammond, you rock! Thank you for the awesome podcast :)
Outstanding Presentation of a Fascinating Case

09/04/2010

Professor 134

Everyone who studies psychology learns about H.M.--the man who lost his memory. This presentation explains the whole amazing case in considerable detail--but as a very interesting story. And not only do you learn all about H.M.--you hear him too. A real nice guy. An outstanding presentation.