Health Check

Claudia Hammond is in Malawi exploring the concept of One Health, where the health of humans, animals and the environment are all linked. Today we’re visiting a makeshift roadside operating theatre for dogs in the village of Kauma, just outside of Lilongwe. During the ‘Spay Day’, vets from the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals neuter local dogs for free, in an attempt to protect both dogs, and people, from rabies. We find out how this work feeds into the bigger picture of One Health in Malawi, and Claudia has a go at being a veterinary assistant… Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Sophie Ormiston

Claudia Hammond is in Malawi exploring a movement known as “One Health”: an approach that calls for collaboration between the fields of human, animal, and environmental health, for the benefit of all. And how can this help to prevent disease when people and animals live in close proximity? We hear how vets and researchers across Malawi are tackling diseases such as rabies, anthrax, and sleeping sickness – and how the sharing of expertise that One Health brings is crucial in their efforts. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Sophie Ormiston

Andrew Green, a global health journalist, joins Claudia Hammond to review health trends and predictions for 2024. They unveil unexpected stories that shaped the year and discuss game-changing innovations like malaria vaccines and CAR-XT for schizophrenia. The pair also tackle the rise of MPOX and the implications of climate change on health. Additionally, they humorously explore the Ig Nobel Prizes and the challenges of human reproduction on Mars, blending profound insights with lighthearted trivia.

Researchers have trailed a revolutionary malaria vaccine that uses the entire malaria parasite and is delivered via the bite of a mosquito, offering a novel way to boost immunity. The next step involves developing an injectable version for broader use. Also on the program: a mystery illness in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kwango Province; doctors in Brazil raise concerns over dengue spreading through contaminated blood transfusions; and an innovative temporary tattoo that can measure brain activity through hair.Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett and Jack Lee

Ayan Panja, a family doctor specializing in treatments for dementia and type 2 diabetes, teams up with Raj Swaroop Lavadi, a neurosurgery research fellow focused on concussion risks. They delve into a new study linking genetic factors to early onset type 2 diabetes in South Asians. The conversation also touches on revolutionary asthma treatments and the alarming rise of slap fighting, spotlighting the serious concussion risks associated with this controversial sport. Their insights blend health, genetics, and safety in a captivating dialogue.

As the war in Sudan leads to multiple health crises in the country, we look at what can be done to improve the situation. Also on the show, is climate change helping disease-carrying ticks to spread beyond their usual range by an unusual method – migrating birds? And hot chocolate: it’s delicious, but in certain circumstances, could it also help to improve your vascular health? Claudia Hammond is joined by health reporter Laura Foster to explore these topics and more.Image: WFP trucks carry aid to Darfur and other famine-stricken parts through the Adre Border crossing Image Credit: Abubakar Garelnabei/ReutersPresenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett and Margaret Sessa-Hawkins

Some Ugandan children with complicated malaria have shown partial resistance to leading anti-malarial drug artemisinin. What challenge does this pose to treatment efficacy and raising concerns about the potential spread of drug-resistant strains. We speak with Dr. Audrey Blewer, an epidemiologist and assistant professor in the School of Medicine at Duke University, about how 911 dispatchers providing CPR instructions can significantly improve bystander intervention rates, highlighting the critical role of telecommunicators in emergency response. Additionally, does working from home increase the amount of sleep and exercise you can get? We discuss the impact of remote working on health and productivity. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins and Katie Tomsett

As Trump is elected to a second term in office, what will his policies mean for U.S. and global health funding, vaccine distribution and international health strategies? Also on the program, have you ever wondered what health issues we should worry about if humans settle in space? Claudia speaks with the Wienersmiths, a husband-and-wife team who authored a book exploring the possibility of space colonies, sharing insights on the scientific and logistical challenges of sustaining life beyond Earth. And we hear the latest on Pakistan’s smog crisis, examining its persistent impact on communities and its place within the global issue of air pollution. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins and Jack Lee(Image: President-Elect Donald Trump Meets With Biden, Congressional Leaders In Washington. Credit: Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images)

A new global report has found that tuberculosis is once again the leading infectious disease causing mortality around the globe, as covid cases recede. We find out what can be done to tackle the issue, and what lessons have been learned in the fight against this pernicious, but largely curable, illness. Also on the show, are we seeing the first cases of locally transmitted Mpox outside of the African continent? And FND, or functional neurologic disorder – the most common disorder you’ve probably never heard of.Image Credit: KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Claire Wilson, a science writer, discusses the global implications of egg donation, shedding light on diverse regulations and practices worldwide. Katie Palmer, a health technology correspondent, investigates the telehealth boom and its role in online prescriptions for weight-loss drugs, raising concerns about patient safety. Miranda Walpert, Director of Mental Health at the Wellcome Trust, reveals the promising outcomes of avatar therapy for psychosis, highlighting how personalized avatars help patients confront intrusive voices and improve their mental health.