Economist Podcasts

So the Tory goes: Britain’s Conservatives meet

Oct 5, 2023

Matthew Holhouse, The Economist's Britain desk correspondent, provides a deep dive into the turmoil within the Conservative Party, highlighting internal divisions exacerbated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's recent policies. Tamara Gilkes-Bohr, the U.S. policy correspondent, discusses groundbreaking research on medications for alcohol use disorder, particularly the potential of weight-loss drugs in treatment. The conversation also touches upon global sleep patterns, revealing surprising insights about which countries enjoy the best rest.

24:57

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Episode guests

Tamara Gilkes Borr

Matthew Holhouse

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Prescription rates for medications used to combat alcohol addiction are low due to lack of awareness and training among medical professionals, limiting access to effective treatment options for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.

Sleep patterns vary across countries, with northern European countries and Australia/New Zealand having the best sleep patterns, while Asian countries like Japan and South Korea have lower quality sleep, influenced by cultural practices, work hours, and societal factors.

Deep dives

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction: New Discoveries and Medication

Despite the prevalence of alcohol addiction and the negative impact it has on people's lives, few medications are prescribed to fight alcohol addiction. However, recent research has uncovered the potential of some existing treatments in combating alcohol addiction. While medications such as disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate have been available for a while, they are rarely prescribed. This lack of prescription stems from a lack of awareness and training among medical professionals. As a result, only a small percentage of individuals with alcohol addiction have access to these drugs. Nonetheless, researchers are hopeful that new medications, such as semaglutide, may offer effective treatment options in the future, leading to improved outcomes for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.

Intro

2min

Challenges Within the Conservative Party

11min

Addressing Alcohol Use Disorder and Subscription Updates

2min

Unlocking Alcohol Treatment: Medication Challenges and Innovations

6min

Global Sleep Patterns: Insights from Innovative Research

2min

Cultural Influences on Global Sleep Patterns

2min

Divisions within the ruling party are on full display this week, and the provocative policies Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced are unlikely to help the Conservatives’ woeful polling numbers. Early results suggest that new drugs initially prescribed for weight loss may be a powerful treatment for alcohol-use disorder (13:06). And a data dive reveals which countries get the most sleep (20:05)

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Economist Podcasts

So the Tory goes: Britain’s Conservatives meet

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction: New Discoveries and Medication

National Sleep Patterns: Variations and Factors

Challenges and Strategies for the Conservative Party

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts