<description>&lt;p&gt;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 why this might be happening.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Can a negative mindset reduce the effectiveness of medical treatments? Claudia speaks with Dr Katharina Schmidt in Essen, Germany to find out about her new research on the “nocebo effect”, and learn what it means for healthcare providers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Peru has one of the highest burdens of tuberculosis in Latin America and it’s a major public health challenge. Reporter Jane Chambers meets one group of health professionals working in Carabayllo who are determined to turn that around.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Why the time of day you take your immunotherapy cancer medication might impact its success. Plus, can self-administered hypnosis describing cool, snowy mountains help soothe hot flashes associated with the menopause?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Hannah Robins
Assistant Producer: Georgia Christie&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We unpick further research on the benefits of the shingles vaccine

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 why this might be happening.Can a negative mindset reduce the effectiveness of medical treatments? Claudia speaks with Dr Katharina Schmidt in Essen, Germany to find out about her new research on the “nocebo effect”, and learn what it means for healthcare providers.Peru has one of the highest burdens of tuberculosis in Latin America and it’s a major public health challenge. Reporter Jane Chambers meets one group of health professionals working in Carabayllo who are determined to turn that around.Why the time of day you take your immunotherapy cancer medication might impact its success. Plus, can self-administered hypnosis describing cool, snowy mountains help soothe hot flashes associated with the menopause?Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Hannah Robins
Assistant Producer: Georgia Christie

Shingles vaccine slows the progression of dementia

<description>&lt;p&gt;New research shows that 20% of children under five 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 Aisha, a mother, to understand why skin lightening can seem appealing, and to dermatologist Atinuke Ajani from Ile-Ife, Nigeria, who explains the growing prevalence of this trend.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Epidemiologist Matt Fox joins Claudia to explain the latest breakthrough in HIV immunotherapy treatment and what research is still needed to find a cure. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Momentary lapses in attention when exhausted may be your brain’s way of catching up on sleep. Laura Lewis, who is associate professor of medical engineering and electrical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, explains the latest findings in sleep deprivation neuroscience.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Claudia and Matt discuss a recent finding that medical research published by women is less likely to be retracted and the simple step that airlines could take to be better prepared for the medical emergency that causes 86% of in-flight mortalities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Helena Selby and Georgia Christie&lt;/p&gt;</description>

A new study finds 20% of Nigerian under-5s have been exposed to skin-lightening products

New research shows that 20% of children under five 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 Aisha, a mother, to understand why skin lightening can seem appealing, and to dermatologist Atinuke Ajani from Ile-Ife, Nigeria, who explains the growing prevalence of this trend.Epidemiologist Matt Fox joins Claudia to explain the latest breakthrough in HIV immunotherapy treatment and what research is still needed to find a cure. Momentary lapses in attention when exhausted may be your brain’s way of catching up on sleep. Laura Lewis, who is associate professor of medical engineering and electrical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, explains the latest findings in sleep deprivation neuroscience.Claudia and Matt discuss a recent finding that medical research published by women is less likely to be retracted and the simple step that airlines could take to be better prepared for the medical emergency that causes 86% of in-flight mortalities.Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Helena Selby and Georgia Christie

The risky use of skin lightening in children

<description>&lt;p&gt;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 population health at the University of Oxford, Kazem Rahimi, explains what is driving this trend. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recent changes in hormone therapy labels in the US come after years of lobbying by physicians and activists. Presenter’s friend, Dr Ann Robinson, explains how our understanding of hormone therapy – its risks and its benefits – has changed over time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Can stress during pregnancy impact a baby’s development even after birth? Claudia speaks to associate professor Ying Meng at the University of Rochester School of Nursing in the US to find out more about the surprising impact of cortisol on baby teeth emergence.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Can weight loss drugs reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? A new study sheds light on the answer. And, Health Check hears about an artificial tongue with a taste for spice.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Helena Selby &amp;amp; Georgia Christie&lt;/p&gt;</description>

New study finds the prevalence of high blood pressure in childhood has doubled since 2000

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 population health at the University of Oxford, Kazem Rahimi, explains what is driving this trend. Recent changes in hormone therapy labels in the US come after years of lobbying by physicians and activists. Presenter’s friend, Dr Ann Robinson, explains how our understanding of hormone therapy – its risks and its benefits – has changed over time.Can stress during pregnancy impact a baby’s development even after birth? Claudia speaks to associate professor Ying Meng at the University of Rochester School of Nursing in the US to find out more about the surprising impact of cortisol on baby teeth emergence.Can weight loss drugs reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? A new study sheds light on the answer. And, Health Check hears about an artificial tongue with a taste for spice.Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Helena Selby &amp; Georgia Christie

Childhood hypertension becomes more common

<description>&lt;p&gt;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 services there, and what new agreements may be reached on healthcare funding.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;New research shows that the trend in human happiness is changing, with young people now experiencing more unhappiness than those in middle-age. Claudia speaks to Alex Bryson, Professor of Quantitative Social Sciences at University College London, to find out what is driving this change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;How can we reduce phantom limb pain in war amputations? Professor of anaesthesiology and pain medicine at Northwestern University, Doctor Steven Cohen, explains how Botox injections are helping Ukrainian patients recover post-amputation and improving their quality of life. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A new law in Karnataka, India will allow women a day of paid menstrual leave each month – but how is it being received? Plus, the remarkable HPV vaccination success story, and what that means for global cervical cancer rates.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Helena Selby &amp;amp; Georgia Christie&lt;/p&gt;</description>

The trend in wellbeing over our lifespans is changing, driven by unhappier young people

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 services there, and what new agreements may be reached on healthcare funding.New research shows that the trend in human happiness is changing, with young people now experiencing more unhappiness than those in middle-age. Claudia speaks to Alex Bryson, Professor of Quantitative Social Sciences at University College London, to find out what is driving this change.How can we reduce phantom limb pain in war amputations? Professor of anaesthesiology and pain medicine at Northwestern University, Doctor Steven Cohen, explains how Botox injections are helping Ukrainian patients recover post-amputation and improving their quality of life. A new law in Karnataka, India will allow women a day of paid menstrual leave each month – but how is it being received? Plus, the remarkable HPV vaccination success story, and what that means for global cervical cancer rates.Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Helena Selby &amp; Georgia Christie

The disappearing mid-life crisis

<description>&lt;p&gt;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 vaccine-preventable disease is continuing to spread in North America.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;COP30 is underway in Belém, Brazil, and ahead of the conference’s Health Day we hear from BBC’s Climate and Science reporter Esme Stallard what global health is on the agenda. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Reporter Dorcas Wangira is in Nairobi investigating a crackdown on helmet safety for motorcycle taxi riders. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus, can speaking more than one language slow down the rate at which you age? And why politicians in France are suggesting doctors prescribe working from home instead of signing people off sick. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Hannah Robins
Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Image: People stand near healthy awareness posters related to the measles outbreak during a public health awareness campaign, at the Taber Health Centre, in the largely Mennonite community of Taber, Alberta, Canada, October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot/File Photo&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Why are measles cases continuing to spread in North America and beyond?

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 vaccine-preventable disease is continuing to spread in North America.COP30 is underway in Belém, Brazil, and ahead of the conference’s Health Day we hear from BBC’s Climate and Science reporter Esme Stallard what global health is on the agenda. Reporter Dorcas Wangira is in Nairobi investigating a crackdown on helmet safety for motorcycle taxi riders. Plus, can speaking more than one language slow down the rate at which you age? And why politicians in France are suggesting doctors prescribe working from home instead of signing people off sick. Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Hannah Robins
Assistant Producer: Katie TomsettImage: People stand near healthy awareness posters related to the measles outbreak during a public health awareness campaign, at the Taber Health Centre, in the largely Mennonite community of Taber, Alberta, Canada, October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot/File Photo

Canada loses measles elimination status

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