Devi Sridhar

Devi Sridhar, Chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh, shares insights from her new book on extending healthspan globally. She discusses the impact of lifestyle factors on longevity, highlighting lessons from Japan's diet and the Netherlands' approach to fitness. The conversation dives into the dangers of ultra-processed foods, air pollution, and health inequities. Sridhar emphasizes the importance of community and systemic factors in achieving better healthcare access and addressing pressing global health challenges.

The Threads social media app launched on 5th July. Instagram users were able to sign up with just a few clicks. It joins a plethora of other social media apps like Snapchat, Twitter and TikTok, all of which are readily accessible on our phones. With all these apps at our fingertips, it’s never been easier for us to discover new people to follow, keep in touch with our friends and stay up to date with the latest news about our favourite celebrities. But Professor Devi Sridhar, the chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, is concerned about the harmful effect that all these apps could potentially be having on the health of young people. She talks to Marnie Chesterton about why they should be better regulated in order to protect our children. Marnie is then joined by Professor Andrew Przybylski from the University of Oxford who says that more studies need to be carried out. Next up we find out more about phages – ‘good’ viruses that infect and destroy bacteria and could hold the key to fighting disease. Tom Ireland, author of a new book, The Good Virus, tells Marnie about the history of phages and their potentially exciting future. This week the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of middle-distance runner and Olympic champion Caster Semenya in a case related to testosterone levels in female athletes. Marnie speaks to developmental biologist Dr Emma Hilton about what causes differences in sexual development and the impact they can have. We also hear from Dr Stuart Farrimond who explains how the microclimates in your garden can affect the plants you can grow. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producer: Harrison Lewis Content producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell Assistant producer: Robbie Wojciechowski Editor: Richard Collings

In this engaging discussion, Devi Sridhar, a Professor of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh and author of 'How Not to Die (Too Soon)', dives into how societal structures impact our health. She challenges the myth of personal responsibility in wellness and highlights the importance of education and community support. Sridhar shares insights from the world’s longest-lived populations and outlines necessary policy changes to tackle food deserts, promote healthy eating, and enhance urban planning for better public health.