Health Check

Chhavi Sachdev, journalist covering India’s snakebite crisis and national plan. Dr Antoine Abou Fayad, Beirut-based microbiologist studying conflict-driven drug resistance. James Gallagher, BBC health correspondent explaining outbreak responses. They discuss how war fuels multidrug resistance, heavy metals causing cross-resistance, spread of pan‑resistant strains across borders, meningitis outbreak responses and vaccine safety, and India's antivenom challenges.

North Korean defectors and lifelong South Korean residents have significantly different cancer rates, despite their genetic similarities; new research finds. Presenter Laura Foster unpacks this study, explaining what it tells us about how upbringing and environment contribute to different cancer rates, and how migration can change these risks.A new study has found GLP-1s – drugs typically used to treat diabetes and obesity – could have an unexpected benefit for patients dealing with substance abuse disorders. Laura speaks with Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist and Veterans Affairs physician at Washington University in St Louis to understand what this could mean for treating drug and alcohol addictions, and what questions still need answers before this treatment can be rolled out.Last weekend, Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority rolled out new waste management rules to better dispose of products containing plastic, but the new laws are expected to increase the price of sanitary pads by 20%. Global health reporter based in Nairobi, Dorcas Wangira joins Laura to unpack what these policies mean for the accessibility of sanitary products, and what alternative solutions are needed to balance access with environmental impact. They also discuss how a drug to treat Parkinson’s disease can be made from waste plastic bottles using a pioneering method.And Jane Chambers reports from Peru about the growing prevalence of anaemia, speaking to local healthcare workers about what steps families can be taken to help their children recover.Presenter: Laura Foster Producers: Jonathan Blackwell and Georgia Christie

New research from Yale shows that aging doesn’t have to result in mental and physical decline. In fact, they found that nearly half of older adults actually improved in cognitive or physical ability over a 12-year period. Dr Graham Easton, a family doctor, discusses what this can teach us about what we can and can’t control when it comes to aging.Brain tumours can be notoriously difficult to treat because many therapeutic drugs are not allowed through the blood-brain barrier – an extremely selective system that controls access in and out of the brain. Now, researchers at the University of Southern California have shown that laser-induced tumour heating can open blood-brain barrier, improving the effectiveness of immunotherapy in brain cancer.Erica Benke reports from Finland, where the Winter Swimming World Cup is underway, looking at why winter swimming is growing in popularity and what researchers say about its real health effects and risks. A once‑rare form of organ donation is now transforming transplant care in the U.S and other countries, offering hope to thousands on waiting lists. These new techniques are allowing doctors to keep organs in good condition for longer, even after the donor’s heart has stopped beating. Plus, researchers in Hungary are training AI to better identify mosquitos by their sound, with hopes to accurately monitor populations of the deadliest animal on Earth. Presenter: Laura Foster Producer: Anna Charalambou Assistant Producer: Georgia Christie

Collagen supplements have become increasingly popular over recent years. However, a new review has revealed that although taking collagen may rejuvenate the skin, it won’t stop you from getting wrinkles. Dr Ann Robinson, a family doctor, discusses findings on what collagen is actually doing for your skin. The world is short of nearly a million midwives, a new report in Women and Birth warns. Daniela Drandić, the Head of Advocacy & Communications at the International Confederation of Midwives, is one of the authors of the study and breaks down the reason for this shortage and what could be done to increase numbers. Plus, we hear from Sarah Namyalo, a midwife in Uganda, who is doing her best to serve her community under difficult working conditions. A protein derived from a tick could lead to new therapies for conditions such as MS and certain cancers. Known as ‘evasins’, these proteins produced by parasites such as ticks block the inflammatory response and could prevent the immune system from overreacting and develop certain diseases. Gout is a common type of inflammatory arthritis that causes joint pain and swelling but often goes untreated. Journalist Tony Vinyoh was recently diagnosed and treated for gout, and reports on how the disease is managed and perceived in Cameroon. Plus, scientists have developed the first ever fart measuring underwear, revealing that we break wind almost double the amount previously estimated. Presenter: Laura Foster Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producers: Georgia Christie and Anna Charalambou

A universal nasal spray vaccine that could block nearly all viruses, and possibly also bacteria and allergens has been successful at early stages of research. By leaving immune cells ‘on alert’, they become ready to jump into action no matter what infection tries to get into the body. Dr Matthew Fox, Professor in the Departments of Epidemiology and Global Health at Boston University, explains what this could mean for the future of disease prevention.Four years into the Ukraine war, the founder of global initiative ‘Think Equal’ Leslee Udwin explains the programmes currently in place to help children to grow through their traumatic experiences. Plus, a teacher in Kharkiv, Violetta Kaleda, as well as some of the children within the programmes, describe the impact of bringing social and emotional learning into education. Prevention campaigns are resuming after the cholera outbreak in Mozambique has now been declared an epidemic by the country’s national director of public health. Reporter Jose Tembe give the latest on the outbreak after the years-long shortage of cholera vaccines begins to rebound.As commercial spaceflight grows and human fertility in space becomes a more pressing concern, embryologist Giles Palmer explains the current understanding of the effects of spaceflight on human reproductive systems. Plus, a new study on ultra-endurance marathon running shows it may accelerate aging and the breakdown of red blood cells. Presenter: Laura Foster Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producers: Georgia Christie and Anna Charalambou

Dr Ankit Bharat, pioneering thoracic surgeon who used an artificial total lung to keep a patient alive for 48 hours. Vanessa Apea, genitourinary consultant explaining uterus transposition to preserve fertility during radiotherapy. Rogelio Navarro, field reporter covering a major measles outbreak in Guadalajara. They discuss artificial lungs and transplant timing. Moving the uterus to avoid radiation. Rising measles cases and vaccination gaps.

Statins are one of the most prescribed drugs in the world as they are highly effective at reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol that causes cardiovascular disease. A new review in the Lancet has found there are far fewer side effects associated with their use than previously thought. New Nipah cases have been reported in India and Bangladesh. Trudie Lang Professor of Global Health Research at the University of Oxford explains the significance and how worried we should be.A team in Cardiff, Wales have designed a reusable sanitary pad that cleans in sunlight. As a trial of the product begins in Nepal, we find out what the participants think of the idea and how it works.What does air pollution do to our bodies? James Gallagher reports. Plus, does pink noise actually help us sleep?Presenter: Laura Foster Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producers: Jonathan Blackwell, Anna Charalambou

Dr Sarah Barrett, a clinical psychologist who treats hoarding, and Catherine Loveday, a cognitive neuroscience professor, join the conversation. They explore why people cling to possessions and how therapy and memory links shape hoarding. They also discuss mood’s surprising effects on vaccine response, menopause and brain changes, and cognitive perks of active grandparenting.

Pumza Fihlani, BBC Southern Africa correspondent reporting from Johannesburg on risky male initiation circumcisions. Eamonn Ferguson, Professor of Health Psychology studying motivations and incentive models for blood donation. Graham Easton, Professor of Clinical Communication Skills exploring hair-growth mechanics and clinicians using emojis. They discuss dangerous initiation rituals, regulation and medical shifts; blood-donor incentives; new hair research and communication quirks.

Joined by BBC Brazil reporter Camilla Mota, presenter Claudia Hammond discusses new research from the U.S. that has found that people who have had a vaccine against shingles seem to be aging more slowly.We hear from James Tibenderana, Chief Executive of Malaria Consortium about research from Brazil that shows that as deforestation expands, mosquitoes are increasingly using humans as a blood source instead of wildlife. What does this mean for the spread of mosquito-borne diseases?Plus, why does Brazil have a particularly high number of supercentenarians? And could swearing make you stronger?Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producers: Jonathan Blackwell and Anna Charalambou