Health Check

We are often told exercise is good for boosting your mood, but a new Cochrane review has looked at what the evidence says about how much difference exercise can really make when treating depression.Many patients with chronic conditions fail to take medications as prescribed. We discuss a novel pill casing that can send a signal once it has been broken down in the stomach. Prof Giovanni Traverso, gastroenterologist and director of the Laboratory for Translational Engineering at MIT, explains how it works.A year on from the USAID freeze, global health journalist Andrew Green unpicks America’s radically different influence on world health today. In Malawi’s townships, many families can no longer afford charcoal or gas. Instead, they turn to burning plastic waste as cooking fuel. This keeps food on the table but fills kitchens and markets with toxic smoke, contributing to respiratory illness, pregnancy complications, and environmental damage. We hear from our reporter, Carrim Mpaweni.And we look at auto-brewery syndrome as researchers search for why some people’s gut microbes produce high alcohol levels.Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant producers: Jonathan Blackwell and Anna Charalambou

Dorcas Wangira, a global health reporter, discusses China's drastic new tax on contraceptives aimed at boosting its birth rate, highlighting public skepticism and health risks. Bart Lambrecht, a pulmonary medicine professor, shares insights on how RSV vaccination could potentially lower childhood asthma rates, backed by compelling research. They also cover the success of school-based HPV programs in achieving herd immunity, and the fascinating benefits of Finnish sauna culture on health and wellness.

In the past decade there has been little progress in lowering malaria cases, with over half a million people still dying from the mosquito-borne disease every year. We look at the big ideas and innovations of the future that could help us eliminate malaria once and for all. What would happen if we got rid of the insect responsible for spreading the malaria parasite? Claudia heads to Imperial College London where she is joined by Dr Federica Bernardini and their 120 colonies of mosquitos to find out how revolutionary genetic technologies are aiming to do just that.Picking up on Imperial’s work in the field is Principal Investigator at Target Malaria in Uganda, Dr Jonathan Kayondo. His job is to understand what it would mean to release these modified mosquitos into the wild.Looking at the existing tools that need levelling up is Dr Rob Moon, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Dr James Tibenderana, Chief Executive at the Malaria Consortium. Alongside Claudia they look at the next generation of vaccines and the importance of accessible rapid diagnostic tests.But is all this going to be enough to eliminate malaria? Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett

In this insightful discussion, James Tibenderana, Chief Executive at the Malaria Consortium, shares vital advancements in malaria control for 2025, including breakthroughs in vaccine rollout and new treatment strategies. Abdoulaye Djimdé, Professor of Parasitology, details the clinical success of a new drug, Ganaplacide-lumefantrine, and its unique mechanism against resistance. Ellie Sherrard-Smith explains the innovative passive spatial emanators designed for indoor mosquito control, highlighting their role in reducing malaria transmission. The stakes are high amid funding cuts affecting global health initiatives.

James Gallagher, a renowned BBC health correspondent, discusses the revolutionary gene therapy that may slow Huntington’s disease by 75%. He also reveals a case of a Danish donor whose sperm linked to a cancer gene has led to nearly 200 children. Mary Roach, popular science author, dives into the emotional dilemma surrounding amputation versus prosthetics and the advances in limb technology. Mohsen Rajabi sheds light on how teachers in Iran are crucial in providing mental health support for refugee children facing numerous challenges.

In this engaging episode, BBC journalist Laura Foster, known for her insightful medical reporting, discusses groundbreaking research linking the shingles vaccine to slower dementia progression. Alongside her, Dr. Katharina Schmidt, a neuroscientist specializing in placebo and nocebo effects, reveals how negative expectations can actually worsen treatment outcomes. The conversation also dives into how timing of immunotherapy might influence effectiveness and innovative approaches to manage menopause symptoms with hypnosis, showcasing intriguing intersections of health and psychology.

In this insightful discussion, guests delve into the alarming prevalence of skin lightening products among Nigerian children, with dermatologist Atinuke Ajani highlighting health and psychological risks. Aisha, a concerned mother, shares the societal pressures driving this trend. Matt Fox brings attention to the latest breakthroughs in HIV immunotherapy, shedding light on treatment hope and necessary future research. Meanwhile, Laura Lewis discusses fascinating findings on brain activity during sleep deprivation, suggesting our minds may seek 'catch-up' sleep even while awake.

Dr. Anne Robinson, a family physician, dives into rising childhood hypertension rates, highlighting obesity as a key factor. She urges regular blood pressure checks to combat this silent health threat. The conversation shifts to hormone therapy, with Anne explaining recent changes in its labeling and the evolving understanding of its risks and benefits. They also touch on prenatal stress's surprising link to early teething and discuss trials of weight-loss drugs for Alzheimer's, revealing intriguing yet mixed results. Plus, an artificial tongue that measures spiciness makes a fascinating appearance!

In this discussion, global health journalist Andrew Green dives into the repercussions of US funding cuts on HIV services in Botswana, highlighting urgent negotiations for healthcare support. Meanwhile, Professor Steven Cohen reveals how botulinum toxin injections are alleviating phantom limb pain in Ukrainian war amputees, significantly enhancing their recovery. The conversation also touches on concerning trends of rising unhappiness among young people compared to middle-aged adults, sparking intriguing insights into societal changes.

Vanessa Apea, a consultant in genitourinary health with experience at Barts Health NHS Trust, joins to explore critical health topics. She discusses the alarming rise of measles cases in Canada and its repercussions for public health across the Americas. The conversation shifts to fascinating research on how speaking multiple languages could slow cognitive aging, tying multilingualism to increased cognitive reserve. Additionally, Vanessa weighs in on France's innovative proposal for doctors to recommend working from home as a health strategy.