‘Friendship benches’, a mental health intervention first piloted in Zimbabwe, are now being handed over to the government in that country. It is hoped that this will allow the program to become more widespread.Also on the show, a new device can convert brain signals to speach in nearly real time for those who have been paralysed, a medicine for rare genetic disorders could also make human blood deadly to mosquitos, and the US Food and Drug administration has approved a new first-in-class antibiotic for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins and Katie Tomsett

What does it feel like to be part of a study which might have its funding cut? Marty Reiswig has a rare genetic mutation that means he will get Alzheimer’s disease in his forties or fifties. For fifteen years he’s been part of medical studies into his condition, but now, with the NIH announcing funding cuts, he’s worried the studies will stop. Also on the program, would you do CPR on another bystander? A new study finds that speed of response – not how trained you are – is what’s important. So how can we get more people doing this live-saving measure? And MRI imaging indicates that babies might actually be encoding memories. So why can’t we remember what it was like to be that young? Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins

A federal judge has said the shuttering of USAID is ‘likely unconstitutional’, while the Trump administration has been ordered to pay back bills for USAID. But what difference is this making on the ground? Global health journalist Andrew Green is in Uganda finding out. Also on the show, a new safety trial shows yearly injections of the drug lenacapivir may be able to prevent HIV transmission, and PCOS and endometriosis are two fairly common gynecological issues, but could they also lead to cardiovascular issues?Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins and Katie Tomsett

Patricia Pestana Garces, a neuroscience lecturer at King's College London, discusses alarming trends in public health. She highlights the resurgence of measles in the Americas, driven by falling vaccination rates. The conversation also touches on the ten-year retrospective of the Zika virus epidemic, focusing on increased birth defects and ongoing research challenges. Additionally, the potential inaccuracies of continuous glucose monitors in measuring blood sugar are explored, revealing discrepancies that could impact health management.

Dorcas Wangira, a BBC Africa health correspondent, and Brooke Nicholl, a Senior research fellow at the University of Sydney, delve into urgent global health issues amidst significant USAID funding cuts. They discuss the grim implications for AIDS and polio programs in Africa, as well as the pressing need for sustainable health strategies. The duo also tackles the challenges of MPox in the Democratic Republic of Congo and highlights an innovative initiative empowering women's mental health in Guatemala through supportive community circles.

Encephalitis can be a debilitating condition, but many people have never even heard of it. A new global report looks at how we can improve diagnosis and treatment.Also on the program, new research seems to indicate that antidepressents might speed cognitive decline in dementia patients, but do they really? We take a closer look at some of the caveats. And a gene therapy for toddlers who have gone blind is showing some promise, we’ll look into what this could mean for future treatments. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett and Margaret Sessa-Hawkins

The global need for medical oxygen is high, but there are huge gaps in safe and affordable access. The first report of its kind identifies not only who is most vulnerable, but how the world can strengthen the supply of medical oxygen to improve public health and pandemic preparedness. We hear first-hand the impact of the USAID freeze on health clinicians in practice. And we learn how health systems are rebuilt after conflict, integrating resilience to protect them against future shocks.Also on the show, can weight-loss drugs curb alcohol addiction? Plus, scientists discover it is not just your tongue that can taste sweetness - sweet taste receptors have been found on the heart, and they could play a role in heartbeat regulation. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett(Photo: A woman uses an oxygen mask at a medical health centre in Omdurman, Sudan, 3 September, 2023. El Tayeb Siddig/Reuters)

Agnes Arnold Forster, historian and author of "Nostalgia: A History of a Dangerous Emotion," dives into the complex nature of nostalgia—once feared as a disease, now celebrated for its emotional depth. She discusses how nostalgia shapes our identities and fosters connections, even influencing political sentiments. Joined by expert psychologists, they unveil nostalgia's healing powers, from enhancing relationships to aiding those with dementia. Together, they explore how reflecting on the past can bring comfort and joy in the present.

Matt Fox, a Professor of Global Health at Boston University, Andrew Green, a global health journalist, and Dr. Wilfried Mutumbo-Kalungi, head of clinical operations at the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, discuss the significant elimination of sleeping sickness in Guinea. They dive into the strategies that made this progress possible, like mass screening and vector control. The conversation also sheds light on the implications of recent shifts in US foreign aid policies on vital global health initiatives and highlights the ongoing challenges in regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Graham Easton, a Professor of Clinical Communication Skills at Queen Mary University, delves into the implications of the U.S. government's stop-work order on foreign aid projects. He discusses the potential setbacks for HIV treatment and malaria interventions. Andrew Green, a global health journalist, highlights the historical context of U.S. foreign aid and its critical role in global health initiatives. Patty Skooster, a researcher specializing in reproductive health law, explains the global gag rule's effects on health funding and free speech concerns, showcasing its dire implications on reproductive services.