Health Check

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.

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 RobinsImage: 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

In this insightful discussion, health journalist Layal Liverpool shares crucial findings from the Lancet report, detailing the dire health impacts of surpassing 1.5°C in global warming. Professor Lance Price uncovers a study linking contaminated meat to urinary tract infections, highlighting grocery contamination and its socioeconomic links. James Gallagher contextualizes a large analysis of antidepressants, aiming to tailor treatments by evaluating their side effects. They also explore how walking patterns can significantly affect heart health, emphasizing the benefits of longer, continuous walks.

Join Ayan Panja, a family doctor; Eileen Morrow, a doctoral research fellow at Oxford; and Kasum Kayantayo, an epidemiologist from Bamako, as they dive into pressing health topics. They discuss Japan's flu surge and its implications for the Northern Hemisphere, the rising issue of human and bot imposters in medical research, and the challenges of recruiting pregnant women for malaria trials in West Africa. Plus, learn about a new needle-free nasal adrenaline spray and the surprising metabolic limits of endurance athletes.

Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN OCHA in Gaza, provides crucial insights on how humanitarian aid is being distributed amid the ongoing crisis. She highlights the 60-day plan prioritizing food, water, and support for vulnerable groups. Andrew Green, a global health journalist, reports from the World Health Summit, discussing the alarming rise of non-communicable diseases and the implications of California's ban on ultra-processed foods in schools. They also explore innovative solutions like permethrin-treated baby wraps for malaria prevention.

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

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