Health Check

Could global Aids program be cut?

Sep 20, 2023

Matt Fox, professor of epidemiology at Boston University, discusses the potential threats to funding for the PEPFAR program, which has saved millions of lives. Other topics include a gene variant increasing the risk of Parkinson's disease in African populations, vaccine hesitancy among pet owners, the importance of exercise during cancer treatment, and a study on turmeric as a treatment for indigestion.

27:14

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Episode guests

Matt Fox

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Quick takeaways

The discovery of a gene variant exclusively found in people of African ancestry increases the risk of Parkinson's Disease, emphasizing the need for diversity in genetic research.

The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is under threat due to lobbying by anti-abortion groups, potentially jeopardizing HIV care and treatment services worldwide.

Deep dives

Study reveals surprise finding about Parkinson's disease in Nigeria

A team from the National Institutes of Health in the US collaborated with colleagues in Nigeria to study the genetic makeup of 1,500 people with Parkinson's disease in Nigeria. Surprisingly, they discovered a gene variant that is almost exclusively found in people of African ancestry, increasing the risk of developing Parkinson's. This finding highlights the importance of diversity in genetic research and the need to consider populations beyond Northern European ancestry to better understand and develop treatments for diseases.

Introduction

2min

The Threat to PEPFAR Funding

4min

Genetic Basis of Parkinson's in African Populations

8min

Ethical Conduct of Research and Vaccine Hesitancy

3min

The Importance of Exercise during Cancer Treatment

8min

Turmeric as a Potential Treatment for Indigestion

3min

The PEPFAR scheme was launched by George W Bush in 2003 to provide HIV and Aids relief around the world. Officials say it has since saved more than 25 million lives in 55 different countries.

Now, though, its future could be under threat.

With its funding due to expire at the end of September, some US Republicans are pushing for it not to be renewed because of alleged links to services providing abortions.

Claudia Hammond is joined by professor of epidemiology at Boston University, Matt Fox, to look at what the outcome could mean for global Aids provision.

We also hear from scientists in Nigeria and the US about the groundbreaking discovery of a gene variant in people of African ancestry that increases the risk of Parkinson’s Disease.

Claudia and Matt also look at a new study suggesting a minority of people who are sceptical of vaccines are less likely to get their dogs inoculated.

We hear from researchers in Germany looking at whether getting people to exercise while undergoing chemotherapy could improve their outcomes.

And just how good is turmeric at treating indigestion? Claudia looks at a new study into the spice from Thailand.

Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Dan Welsh

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Health Check

Could global Aids program be cut?

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Study reveals surprise finding about Parkinson's disease in Nigeria

Threat to HIV treatment funding from the US

Exercise during cancer treatment shows promise

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts