Health Check

AI models have helped to discover new potential antibiotics to treat drug resistant infections of gonorrhoea and MRSA. We speak to Professor Jim Collins from MIT to understand what’s next for his machine-generated medicines and the role AI could play in the future of drug discovery. A new report has found high rates of bloodstream infections and antibiotic resistance in central lines used in Indian ICUs. Family doctor Ann Robinson joins Claudia to understand the risks posed to already vulnerable patients. We consider a new review that found no evidence ketamine is effective at helping those with chronic pain, despite it being prescribed off-label for this use in some countries. Rwandan MPs have approved lowering the age adolescents can access sexual and reproductive health services without parental consent from 18 to 15. We catch up with BBC reporter Dorcas Wangira on what this could mean for the health of adolescents and the fallout of the decision in Rwanda. Finally, people with diabetes in India

As negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty are due to conclude at the United Nations, we check in on whether health is on the agenda with Dr Cressida Bowyer, Associate Professor in Arts and Sustainability from the University of Portsmouth in the UK who is at the conference. We also hear from John Chweya, a Kenyan waste picker, who has seen the impacts of plastic waste firsthand and delve into the scientific evidence about how plastic harms health with Dr Stephanie Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Toxicology at Imperial College London. 25 years on from the SuperAgers research project being established, we catch up with lead investigator Sandra Weintraub who is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Feinberg Mesulam Institute to find out what factors link these age-defying brains. Claudia and BBC Health Reporter Philippa Roxby have a go at conch blowing as there is new research saying it might help the breathing disorder obstructive sleep apnoea. Plus, research into the relationshi

UN-backed experts – the IPC - say the "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out" in Gaza and that there is mounting evidence that widespread malnutrition is driving a rapid rise in hunger-related deaths among the 2.1 million Palestinians there. Aid worker Olga Cherevko shares what she’s witnessed on the ground and Claudia is also joined by specialist Dr Marko Kerac to understand the health impacts of malnutrition and what interventions are urgently needed. In a world-first the UK have begun to rollout a vaccine for gonorrhoea, an infection that if left untreated can lead to infertility. We ask what impact this vaccine might have on a global level. The WHO has issued an urgent call for action to tackle mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus that has seen increasing cases since the beginning of the year. Professor Trudie Lang explains how the hardest hit countries are responding. Using virtual reality, scientists have discovered that our immune system kicks into action at just the sight of a sick person

Antiparasitic drug Ivermectin has been shown to reduce malaria transmission by making the blood of treated persons deadly to the mosquitoes that carry the disease. Journalist Layal Liverpool explores the impact this new approach could have.Six months on from President Trump’s dramatic cuts to US foreign aid, the HIV/AIDS relief fund PEPFAR hangs in the balance. We hear how the cuts have impacts one HIV clinic in Thailand and Devex correspondent Andrew Green unpacks the bigger picture.Could a temporary tattoo help combat drink spiking? We hear how it works and consider if anyone would actually wear one. A new neuroscience project is training non-specialists in India and Tanzania to gather brain data using portable headsets. Dr Tara Thiagarajan from Sapien Labs explains how diversifying brain data sets, which are often biased towards western populations, might improve health outcomes. How we sweat and why it matters. Layal and Claudia unpick new research that suggests sweat rises like a tide inside our skin.Pre

Penicillin is the go-to antibiotic for many common infections - but in the UK more than 1-in-15 adults have a penicillin allergy label on their medical record. New research suggests that many with these labels are not actually allergic. Professor Sue Pavitt explains how more accurate allergy labelling might help fight the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Both Burundi and Senegal announced last week that they had eliminated trachoma. Dr Graham Easton walks us through the long road to this milestone.A passionate debate has caused division in Maharashtra, India, over the possibility of homeopaths being allowed to practice and prescribe conventional medicine. Reporter Chhavi Sachdev explains why doctors on both sides are striking. In the UK, eight babies made with the combined genetic material of three people have been born without the hereditary mitochondrial disease. We explore the implications of this breakthrough. Sex at birth might not be as random as we once thought; a new study found that families with th

Lenacapavir has been incredibly promising in trials and now the World Health Organisation have officially recommended the drug for HIV prevention. Smitha Mundasad explains the difference this bi-annual injection could make in the fight against HIV.We hear how Malawi is trying to stop mpox from entering its borders. Reporter Carrim Mpaweni investigates the measures in place to keep the disease at bay.A skin swab test could detect Parkinson’s disease 7 years ahead of symptoms developing. We find out how it’s all thanks to a woman who can smell the disease.In the UK, Claudia meets the Cycling Together group which teaches women who are experiencing anxiety, depression or abusive relationships how to ride a bike. A woman in Guadeloupe went for a routine blood test and 15 years later discovers she has a unique blood type. But what does this mean for her health, and actually is a blood type anyway?Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Studio Managers: Searle Whittney and Neva Missirian

Until now there has been no approved treatment for malaria in newborns and infants weighing less than 4.5kg. We hear from families and clinicians firsthand what this new formulation, due to be approved across eight African countries, means for them.We are joined by Professor Damian Bailey as we become pickle juice detectives to find out why it is becoming more common for athletes to drink the briny solution in a bid to tackle cramps.Gastric cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer have predicted that the bacteria Helicobacter pylori may be responsible for over 11 million future gastric cancer cases in people born between 2008 and 2017. How can we prepare for a future where socially assistive robots are integrated into healthcare and the home? Professor Helen Meese joins us to explain some of the practical and ethical concerns that accompany the rise of helpful robots in clinical and home settings.Presenter: Claudia H

Phages are viruses that only infect bacteria. How might they help us tackle antimicrobial resistance? Franklin Nobrega and Esme Brinsden from the University of Southampton explain how their citizen science project that collects samples from around the globe is building a library of these bacteria-fighting viruses. How can ultrasound find new targets to treat apathy in Parkinson’s disease? Tom Gilbertson and Isla Barnard from the University of Dundee explain all. Also on the show, EntangleCam is using quantum physics to improve what we can see inside the human body and how breast cancer is diagnosed. Plus, surgical gloves with special sensors that improve precision and sensitivity in obstetrics and surgery. Carmen Fernadez fills us in on the engineering behind them and Dawn Parris tells us about her research into their use in practice. Join us for a special episode of Health Check from The Royal Society’s annual Summer Science Exhibition in London. Claudia Hammond is joined by BBC health and science correspond

There has been immense progress on childhood vaccination since 1974, with over four billion children vaccinated worldwide. So why now are we seeing vaccination rates stall, and decline? We look at what is driving this stagnation that is putting millions of children at risk. The psychological impacts of war can persist for long after the events themselves. Reporter Stephanie Tam talks to the therapists aiming to break cycles of intergenerational trauma in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Being diagnosed with ME, or chronic fatigue syndrome, can be a long process that requires ruling out other conditions first, we discover how researchers are working towards identifying blood biomarkers of chronic fatigue syndrome. Also, on the show we hear from Dr Adele Goman who has unexpectedly found hearing interventions reduce the risk of falling. Finally, Dr Phil Silva the founder of the Dunedin Study has died. We take a look at some of the key achievements of this landmark study that has been running for half a century. It

Thinking about the future comes so naturally to most people that we do not realise what a complicated and essential skill it is. Claudia Hammond and an expert panel of psychologists look into our ability to mentally travel to the future. Catherine Loveday, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Westminster, explains how our ability to mentally time travel into the future is useful for everyday tasks as well as fundamental to shaping our identity. Daryl O’Connor, professor of psychology at the University of Leeds, discusses how thinking about the future motivates us in the present. And Peter Olusoga, senior lecturer in psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, describes how professional sportspeople use visualisation and future thinking to improve sporting success.Together they discuss how we hold ideas of the future in mind, whether unbounded optimism is the best way ahead – or not, and how to science-proof our goal setting and future planning. If you are suffering distress or despair and

As mpox cases rise in Sierra Leone, we check-in with Professor Trudie Lang to understand the implications of the continuing spread of the disease and what progress is being made in responding to the outbreak. In a breakthrough for HIV research, scientists have used mRNA to reveal the virus hiding in white blood cells. For now, it is only in a laboratory setting, but they hope this could lead to future treatment pathways that clear HIV from the body. Also on the show we take a look at healthy ageing; from the role of power in living longer, to reducing the risk of dementia in younger generations, and even the influence of daily cups of coffee on our health as we get older. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producers: Katie Tomsett and Louise Orchard Studio Managers: Dyfan Rose and Sue Maillot

A new immunotherapy regime has shown significant improvements in treatment for head and neck cancer. Meanwhile, exercise is boosting outcomes for colon cancer patients. BBC journalist Philippa Roxby explains what?s been shown in these studies.Aflatoxins are a toxin produced by a fungi which can be found in crops. They?re having a severe impact on harvests and health including immune suppression, growth stunting and damage to the liver. The BBC?s Sophie Ormiston reports on what?s being done to tackle the problem.Ultra-processed foods are increasingly seen as bad for us and self-reporting our diets can be very inaccurate. But now, a new urine test has found a way to accurately show how much of these kinds of foods we consume. Finally, can an e-tattoo placed on the forehead effectively monitor stress and concentration? And how might such a device be used?Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins and Louise Orchard

Women with dense breasts are four times more likely to develop breast cancer than women with low breast density and it’s also harder for cancer to be detected with existing screening methods. But now, the findings in a new study could dramatically improve the chances of having the disease spotted early on. We speak to the study’s lead author is Professor Fiona Gilbert to find out more.The 2025 World Health Assembly has just concluded, Devex Correspondent Andrew Green was there and tells us what the main takeaways were.Dr Cecilia Kanyama and Professor Thomas Harrison share their decades-long effort to improve treatment options for cryptococcal meningitis. The refined treatment regimen, discovered alongside Joe Jarvis and their team, gives hope to the hundreds of thousands of HIV-positive patients who are diagnosed with this fungal infection each year.Finally, researchers have developed contact lenses that enable to wearer to see near-infrared light. How do they work and what could they be useful for?Presenter:

A new anti-malarial compound has been designed to target disease-causing parasites responsible for up to 90% of malaria cases in humans. Stephanie Tam reports on a new online training programme designed to help address the mental health care gap in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq that is heavily impacted by conflict. Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at lowering the price the US pays for medicines. We look at what is included in the order, why drug prices vary around the world, and what impact this motion could have on US and global prices paid for medicines. Dr Cecilia Kanyama and Professor Thomas Harrison share their decades-long effort to improve treatment options for cryptococcal meningitis. The refined treatment regimen, discovered alongside Joe Jarvis and their team, gives hope to the hundreds of thousands of HIV-positive patients who are diagnosed with this fungal infection each year.Finally, ‘scorpionism’ - or the medical condition caused by a scorpion sting, is rapidly on the rise i

Claudia is joined by Caroline Williams to learn about the cutting-edge science of interoception – that’s how the brain interprets signals that come from inside our body. We find out how honing this skill can sometimes be helpful and why at other times it can have a negative impact on us. Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide but in Malawi a stage 3 trial is under way to develop a new vaccine. Our reporter Carrim Mpaweni checks-in on the trial’s progress. Also on the show, Claudia speaks to psychotherapist Sophie Scott about how to persuade a loved one to get professional help when they don't want to.Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producers: Katie Tomsett & Helena Selby Studio Manager: Giles Aspen

Receiving a specific type of shingles vaccine may provide a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events like stroke or heart failure for up to 8 years. With reports of other shingles vaccines protecting against the risk of dementia, scientists are trying to understand the mechanism underlying these unintended benefits.The WHO aim to eliminate the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis from endemic countries by 2030, we investigate what might be standing in the way of this goal. After 18 years and over 200 snake bites, key protective compounds have been identified in Tim Friede’s blood with the potential to make a snake antivenom with “unparalleled” protection. Also on the show, a trial led by Professors Adalsteinn Gunnlaugsson and Per Nilsson has shown that a prostate cancer treatment regimen that takes two-and-a-half weeks is as safe and effective as longer 8-week courses, ten years on from treatment. Plus, if you have celiac disease should you be worried about kissing someone who has just eaten gluten? A ne

Amidst conflict in Sudan, the world-leading Mycetoma Research Centre in Khartoum has been destroyed. We talk to the centre’s founder to find out what this means for research into the neglected disease and the struggle to proving ongoing support for patients. As the Pan American Health Organization put into action lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic they share with us new telehealth services designed to reach the most remote communities across the Americas. Also on the show, a reversible and non-hormonal male contraception implant has proven effective in trials lasting two years. Plus, how does the body respond when switching from a Tanzanian heritage diet to a more processed diet? And can gradual exposure to peanuts desensitize adults with severe peanut allergies? Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett Studio Managers: Emma Harth and Dyfan Rose

After 3 years of discussions, 194 member countries of the World Health Organisation have agreed to the text of a pandemic treaty designed to make the world safer from a future pandemic – but what could it mean in practice and how are countries held to account? Also on the show, how treating high blood pressure can reduce the risk of dementia. Researchers have suggested it takes more than just medication; lifestyle changes are also key to lowering the risk. We learn how Oropouche is underdiagnosed across the Americas and the impact climate has on the spread of this insect-borne virus. Plus, a new weight loss pill has been found to reduce weight and blood sugar levels in its latest trial. Has an anecdote you read online or heard from a friend ever changed how you feel about the medical choices you make? We hear about the power of anecdotes, especially negative ones, when making a decision for your own health. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producers: Katie Tomsett & Hannah Robins Studio Manager: Emma Har

Has the long-standing mystery of which wild animals form a reservoir of mpox in the wild finally been solved? Some scientists think they have cracked the case, pinpointing the fire-footed rope squirrel as the culprit, but questions remain before we can definitively say this species is to blame. Reporter Chhavi Sachdev in Mumbai has some good news – an indigenous antibiotic breakthrough has been found to be effective at treating antibiotic resistant pneumonia. We hear what it takes to develop a new antibiotic and what makes Nafithromycin such a ground-breaking discovery. Also on the show, the biological mechanism that drives apathy and lack of motivation in late-stage cancer patients and how nature-based interventions, such as agroforestry, have unintended health benefits.Plus, have you ever wondered why humans can’t regenerate our teeth? We hear how some scientists are growing teeth in a lab to transform dental regeneration in the future.Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett Studio Managers: Sear

What would you do if you have always considered yourself healthy and one day you find out that not only is this not the case, but you in fact need a new organ? We follow BBC journalist Mike Powell on his journey to receive a life-changing kidney transplant and talk to his donor who made it all possible.With a growing global need for kidneys, we hear from others around the world that are on long transplant waiting lists and from Professor Elmi Muller who shares what we can do to reduce the wait time. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett Studio Managers: Jackie Margerum and Gwynfor Jones