Health Check

Explore the arrival of MPox vaccines in Africa and the hurdles in their distribution. Delve into the intriguing question of whether catching up on weekend sleep can truly benefit heart health. Discover the latest research on snakebite treatments using heparin, showcasing its promise. Hear amusing tales of snake encounters in Australia that add a lighthearted touch. Finally, weigh the balance between innovative weight loss drugs and traditional health practices in the face of evolving health challenges.

In this engaging conversation, Adam Tjolle, a brave survivor of a brain tumor, reflects on his life-changing surgery with his close friend, presenter Claudia Hammond, by his side. They revisit old recordings and discuss Adam’s journey of recovery in Malawi, where he helps with animal welfare. Adam shares insights on living with uncertainty, his evolving perspective on life, and the importance of finding joy despite health challenges. Their heartfelt dialogue underscores resilience, personal growth, and the power of friendship in tough times.

The World Health Organisation has officially declared the spread of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern. Health Check has been following the spread of the disease across the Democratic Republic of Congo and now internationally in recent weeks, and Claudia Hammond is joined by BBC health journalist Philippa Roxby to discuss the latest developments.Claudia and Philippa also look at the doctors strikes taking place across India following the rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata. Hundreds of thousands of doctors have refused to work, with hospitals and clinics turning away non-emergency patients.We also find out how prescription drugs get given their names, with Professor Caleb Alexander from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health telling us about the risks of getting it wrong.Claudia also hears how personal objects can help us form links in our brains and remember our loved ones. And the study that suggests we age dramatically in two bursts – at the ages of 44 and 60.Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Dan Welsh

More than four years after the start of the Covid pandemic, the virus is showing no signs of fading away. This week, the World Health Organisation warned, in fact, that coronavirus is making a comeback, with 84 countries reporting an increase in positive test rates.For an in-depth look at how the world is coping with the disease, Claudia Hammond speaks to immunologist Professor Danny Altmann from Imperial College London to ask what the future might hold.Claudia is also joined by global health journalist Andrew Green to discuss whether Covid conspiracy theories are leading to a rise in AIDS denialism.We hear the latest developments on the spread of the mosquito and midge-borne Oropouche virus, as cases of the disease are confirmed to have been found in Europe for the first time.And as many of Europe’s major football leagues prepare to get underway again this week, we hear about the tobacco product snus that’s proving to be particularly popular with footballers, and whether it could give them an edge or pose a health risk.Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Dan Welsh

Across the African continent cases of MPox have surged 160% this year. What is behind the spread, and what can be done to stop it? Also on the programme: the prescription of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy is increasing as more health benefits are discovered, but what does that mean for supply issues? And there is a lot of talk about lactic acid and the Olympics, but does that word mean what you think it means?(Photo: A mother checks the progress of her son after recovering from Mpox - an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 18 July, 2024. Credit: Arlette Bashizi/Reuters)

The world’s first deaths from the mosquito-borne Oropouche virus have been recorded in Brazil. Two women have died from the illness in the state of Bahia in the northeast of the country.Claudia Hammond is joined by Dr Ayan Panja to discuss the implications of outbreaks of Oropouche across South and Central America.We also hear about the latest developments with Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab as it’s rejected for use by the EU’s health regulator. The European Medicines Agency says the benefits of the drug don’t counterbalance the risk of serious side effects, despite it being approved in the US earlier this year.Claudia and Ayan also look at both the psychology of languishing and whether loneliness leads to a higher risk of having a stroke.And we look at the research suggesting cycling to work can lead to an almost 50% lower risk of dying.Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Dan Welsh

Systemic racism affects our wellbeing long before we ever see a doctor. How can the health community address it? Also on the programme, a new malaria vaccine is rolled out in the Ivory Coast, we take a closer look at the story behind it. And while we have long been cautioned against heavy exercise before sleep, it turns out that light intermittent exercise may be the secret to getting a bit more sleep.

Join psychologist Dr. Linda Blair, GP Dr. Anisha Patel, and wellbeing consultant Benjy Kusi in a lively discussion on toxic positivity. They highlight the harm of suppressing negative emotions, share personal experiences, and emphasize the importance of authentic emotional expression in navigating mental health and self-esteem challenges. Explore strategies for addressing toxic positivity in the workplace, supporting individuals in tough times, and promoting genuine emotional expression on social media.

A new medication offers a potentially revolutionary disruption in HIV transmission – just as a leading global program to fight the disease gets hit with funding cuts.Also on the program, what can the recent heat wave in India teach the rest of the world about heat adaptation, and how health care systems can deal with rising temperatures world wide.Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins

BBC health and science correspondent, James Gallagher, and Claudia Hammond discuss groundbreaking health research at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition. Topics include using UV light to target cancer cells, predicting COVID-19 severity with blood tests, immune monitoring for vaccines, and analyzing baby movements for developmental issues.