Health Check Podcast
1) China’s latest bid to boost its birth rate
China has just brought in taxes on contraception including condoms in a bid to increase the nation’s birth rate. What impact could this have when considered alongside other “fertility-friendly” polici...Show More
2) How can we eliminate malaria?
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 innova...Show More
3) 2025: A big year for tackling malaria
Malaria is still the third biggest killer on the planet and despite decades of serious investment it’s a disease that is still very much with us. But that investment is starting to pay off - 2025 has ...Show More
4) Behind the Huntington’s disease breakthrough
James Gallagher joins Claudia Hammond to share his pick for health breakthrough of 2025 – the world's first gene therapy to treat Huntington’s disease.Popular science author Mary Roach joins Claudia t...Show More
5) Shingles vaccine slows the progression of dementia
We already knew that the shingles vaccine reduces the risk of developing dementia, but new research has shown that it also slows the progression of the disease. BBC journalist Laura Foster discusses w...Show More
6) The risky use of skin lightening in children
New research shows that 20% of children under 5 years old in Nigeria have been exposed to skin lightening products; even by parents who know the risks associated with the products. Claudia speaks to A...Show More
7) Childhood hypertension becomes more common
A recent meta-analysis finds that childhood hypertension rates (commonly known as high blood pressure) are increasing significantly around the world. Professor of cardiovascular medicine and populatio...Show More
8) The disappearing mid-life crisis
Global health journalist Andrew Green has been looking at the impact of US funding cuts on the global HIV response, and reports his findings from Botswana about the impact is it having on HIV and AIDS...Show More
9) Canada loses measles elimination status
This week it was declared that Canada is no longer measles free and as a result The Americas have lost their measles elimination status. Claudia is joined by Vanessa Apea to understand why this vaccin...Show More
10) Cloud seeding to cut air pollution in Delhi
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...Show More