PODCAST · health
Inside Health
by BBC Radio 4
Series that demystifies health issues, separating fact from fiction and bringing clarity to conflicting health advice.
Episodes
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Can full body MRI scans be good for our health?
We investigate the growing business of full-body MRI scans. The clinics argue they can spot diseases and problems early before people feel unwell - but critics say it’s a waste of thousands of pounds and creates unnecessary anxiety about things that may never become a problem. Laura visits a…
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Is inflammation behind all chronic disease?
Right now, research is gathering pace in revolutionising our understanding of inflammation, which could transform the treatment of so many chronic diseases - cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease, depression, type 2 diabetes and many more. So, what is inflammation, how is it implicated in these...
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A new era for type 1 diabetes treatment
Insulin has been used to treat type 1 diabetes for more than a century but now there is a new treatment being rolled out on the NHS that can delay the onset of the disease for years. Alongside, screening is gathering pace, identifying those that could benefit. So, is this the beginning of a new…
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Where are we at with long Covid?
More than six years since the start of the Covid pandemic, it might feel like we're pretty over it, yet that's simply not the case for the millions of people who suffer from long Covid. But could there be hope on the horizon? A new clinical trial led by University College London and University...
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Staying fit in the heat and do we need electrolytes?
We’ve had two heatwaves already this summer with warnings that even young and healthy people should rethink their fitness routines in the heat. So how can we keep exercising when it’s so hot you barely want to move? James chats with physiologist Damian Bailey from the University of South Wales....
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Could we eliminate cervical cancer?
Earlier this summer, there was some incredible progress in cervical cancer. Women who have been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) now have an almost zero chance of dying from cervical cancer before the age of 30. But does that mean women will no longer need cervical screening? Dr…
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Could CAR-T therapy transform autoimmune disease?
An experimental treatment to “reset” the immune systems of people with autoimmune disease is showing transformative results in early trials. James visits the NIHR Clinical Research Facility in Manchester to meet Kathy. She was diagnosed with lupus just after the birth of her baby and in 2024…
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New treatment for menopausal hot flush
A new non-hormonal drug has been approved to treat menopausal hot flushes. It works by regulating the body's cooling signals and is now available on the NHS in England for those who cannot use hormone replacement therapy. Before delving into the evidence with resident GP Dr Margaret McCartney,...
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Could the Kent meningitis outbreak happen again?
Little over a week on from the first meningitis cases in Canterbury, many crucial questions remain. So this week we're taking an in-depth look at those questions and what we’ve learnt from this outbreak - and could it happen again? James also hears from author Michael Rosen whose son Eddie died...
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What's driving the outbreak of meningitis among students?
More than 30,000 people are being contacted in the Canterbury area regarding the outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Kent. Two people have died, and others are seriously ill. James Gallagher speaks with immunologist Sir Andrew Pollard about the disease, and finds out what could have caused the...
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What causes vaccine hesitancy?
There have been nearly 200 cases of measles in the UK so far this year. Measles can be prevented with vaccines - but the proportion of children being immunised is declining across the UK, particularly in parts of London. James visits Hackney, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the...
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Why are men getting penis fillers?
Penis fillers were an unexpected talking point at the recent Winter Olympics after claims that male ski jumpers were having them to improve performance. So this week we’re digging into the UK’s penis filler industry. James visits a private clinic in Manchester to hear about about the procedure,...
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Is the tide turning on ME research?
ME – also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – has long been one of medicine’s most perplexing conditions. With no definitive diagnostic test and a legacy of scepticism in parts of the medical community, patients have often struggled to be believed. But a surge of new research may finally be...
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What are the side effects of weight loss drugs?
Over 1.5million adults in the UK tried weight loss drugs in 2024-25. Many swear by them, but they have been associated with side effects including nausea and, in some cases, extremely painful gallstones. But what does the evidence actually tell us, and what is the wider impact on the way we view...
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Why is it so hard to find an NHS dentist?
Dentistry is high on the public and political agenda. There have been dozens of headlines about access to NHS dentistry, with some people having to travel huge distances to find a dentist, or being put onto long waiting lists to get an NHS appointment. In this episode of Inside Health, James...
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Unlocking the mystery of Epstein-Barr Virus
Most of us have Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) hiding in our bodies. You may know it as the cause of glandular fever or “kissing disease”. But more research is suggesting that it can turn our immune systems against us to cause autoimmune disease, such as multiple sclerosis or lupus. So, what is the…
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Should all babies have their genome sequenced at birth?
This week we’re looking at government plans to start sequencing the DNA of every newborn baby in England within the next decade. Each newborn would undergo whole genome sequencing to assess their risk of hundreds of diseases, under NHS plans. It promises a revolution in spotting disease early…
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Where does air pollution go inside our body?
James Gallagher stands by four lanes of traffic and inhales exhaust fumes all to see if he can see air pollution in his body. He looks at an intriguing finding that an mRNA vaccine might benefit people being treated with immunotherapy for some cancers and could we be on the cusp of a holy grail…
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Can working up a sweat in a sauna improve your health?
Saunas are popping up all over the country, with many people claiming they relax muscles and help ease stress. But what does the science say? This week, James Gallagher travels to Môr A Sawna in Jackson’s Bay, Barry, where he treats himself to a sauna session and undergoes a number of physical...
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The Revolution in Cystic Fibrosis Care That is Changing Lives
In 1964, the future for children born with Cystic Fibrosis was grim - most faced a life cut tragically short. Today, the majority of people living with CF in the UK are adults, a testament to extraordinary medical progress. We meet Annabelle who lives with Cystic Fibrosis, and once believed she...
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Potential Break Through in Dementia Treatment
Dementia is now the UK’s leading cause of death - but could a vaccine one day help prevent it? New data from Wales suggests the shingles vaccine is linked to a 20% lower risk of developing dementia in later life, adding to evidence that viral infections can influence brain health. Dr. Pascal...
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Is it safe to give kids melatonin?
More and more parents are using melatonin to help their children sleep - but there is little research on the long-term effects. So, what do we know about the risks and is it ok to give it to children as an aid to help sleep? James chats to Paul Gringras, professor of children’s sleep medicine and...
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Can we reverse rising drug deaths?
Drug-related deaths are at their highest levels in England and Wales since records began 30 years ago. Scotland has had the highest number of drug deaths in Europe for at least seven years. And the UK has even seen opioid-related deaths surpass the number of people dying in road traffic…
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Exosomes: Is cosmetics' biggest trend a health risk?
Exosomes are tiny balls of fat that allow cells to communicate with each other in our bodies. They're being actively researched as an experimental new type of medicine, and they're also being used in the cosmetics industry in serums, as well as being injected into people's skin. Researchers have...
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Health risks of bin strikes, measles warning and ethics
With bin strikes in Birmingham having gone on for months, James Gallagher heads to the Small Heath area of the city to ask what the health risks could be from rubbish left on the streets. He meets campaigners Shafaq, Ashid and Danni from End the Bin Strikes who tell him what residents are worried...
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Sport and the female body
As an era-defining summer of women’s sport kicks off, Inside Health looks at the science of sport and the female body. What do we know about how female physiology affects sporting performance? James visits Manchester to meet elite athletes and the scientists who are at the forefront of...
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Can the ten-year plan save the NHS? Heart scans with AI, and who invented condoms?
The Prime Minister has launched a 'new era' for the NHS that aims to move away from reactive care in hospitals to preventing illness through community services. It's an ambitious plan and one with a lot of ambition and a lot of unknowns. James Gallagher discusses the plans with Sarah Woolnough,...
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Are we being too safe in the sun? How to balance the risks
When the sun shines, out come the warnings that we all need to be careful in the sun to avoid burning and the risk of skin cancer. There are, though, those who believe that sort of public health messaging isn't positive enough about the benefits of the sun. As James Gallagher hears on the streets...
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Can you be addicted to sugar?
What's the science behind a sweet tooth? James Gallagher explores whether sugar really can be addicted and what happens in our bodies when we want it and when we eat it. He's joined by Professor Susanne Dickson, who specialises in the neurobiology of appetite at the University of Gothenburg, and...
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Assisted Dying: What might the final moments be like?
We continue our exploration of some of the issues that could crop up if assisted dying becomes law under The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill that is currently working its way through Parliament. Today we consider what those final moments might be like and if the ideal of a peaceful death...
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Dementia: Your questions answered and lion's mane mushrooms in the lab
You sent in your questions on dementia and now we're tackling them. Professor Tara Spires-Jones, Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, joins James Gallagher to go through the [email protected] mailbag. James also visits mushroom grower the…
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Assisted dying: How can we be certain someone wants to die?
We continue our exploration of some of the issues that could crop up if assisted dying becomes law under The Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill that is currently working its way through Parliament. Today we tackle safeguarding. How can we be certain an assisted death is what the person wants?...
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Assisted dying: Who’s eligible under the proposed bill?
The Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill is working its way through Parliament. If it became law in England and Wales it would be one of those moments in history that profoundly changes society. There are similar discussions taking place in Scotland, the Isle of Man and Jersey too. To be clear...
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How did the Covid-19 pandemic change medicine?
Five years on from the first Covid lockdown in the UK, we consider how the pandemic changed medicine. We're joined by Dr Emma Wall, academic consultant in Infectious Diseases at University College London Hospital who also runs a long covid clinic, Professor Katrina Pollock, Associate Professor in...
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Why do we lose our hearing with age?
John is registered blind, and relies on his hearing to get around in his everyday life. But as he has got older, he’s started to notice his hearing deteriorate. He wants to know – is there anything available in between the initial solution of wax removal, and the final destination of hearing…
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Will wearables revolutionise healthcare? Cardiff Science Festival special
Fitness trackers at the ready! Join James Gallagher at Cardiff Science Festival as he runs through the ways wearable tech is making an impact on health and how it might shape the future of medicines and care. With him are Dr Sanne Lugthart, Haematology consultant at the University Hospital of...
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Allergies: How to support young people as they grow up
When we hit our teens it's often a time when everything starts to change. We meet new friends through work or studies, we start going out more at night and we're often in new situations independent from our parents. For people with severe allergies it can be a risky time because they have all…
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How shoes affect our bodies and a focus on genital herpes
Has James been buying shoes that are bad his feet? He meets podiatrist Dao Tunprasert to find out how healthy his shoes are. Also, returning to our theme of health conditions you find embarrassing, we get the lowdown on genital herpes from Dr Vanessa Apea. She's consultant physician in...
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Bird flu update after UK farm worker infected and your questions on urinary problems
James Gallagher discusses the risk from H5N1 bird flu in the UK as a poultry worker in the West Midlands is infected and looks to the US where the disease is spreading in cattle. He's joined by virologist Dr Ed Hutchinson from the University of Glasgow to discuss how the virus is evolving…
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Raw milk: What are the risks and why are people talking about it?
Pasteurising milk makes it safer, but are there any benefits to drinking it “raw”? James heads to a dairy farm to investigate the evidence and see if anything is lost in pasteurising milk. Guests: Professor Marion Nestle, food policy expert, New York University Dr Ellen Evans, food safety expert…
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Can you really boost your immune system?
From kombucha to cold water swims, sleep to supplements, so many things are claimed to help enhance your immune system. We investigate the evidence, and ask if it's possible to avoid catching a virus this winter (and still leave the house). Plus, James braves 3.9 degree water to see for himself…
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Mould and Indoor Air Pollution: How Concerned Should You Be?
It has been a cold start to the year and for many that means the heating's on, windows are shut and we're drying clothes inside the house. For many people, mould becomes a major concern in winter and the health problems mould can cause have been under more scrutiny since the death of two-year-old...
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Can supervised toothbrushing fix the children's dental crisis?
In the UK, around a third of British children have tooth decay. Just among the under-fives, it's a quarter - a figure that rises significantly in the most deprived areas. Tooth decay can cause speech development issues, embarrassment for children and in 2023, 15 million school days were missed…
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Olympian Sir Chris Hoy wants more tests for prostate cancer - should it happen?
Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy is calling for more prostate cancer testing after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Prostate cancer can often present without symptoms, and for people like Sir Chris, this can mean it isn't diagnosed until it has spread and become incurable. Unlike breast…
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What next for Alzheimer's treatment?
The first drugs to slow Alzheimer's progression have been making headlines around the world. For researchers in the field, the arrival of these two therapies called Lecanemab and Donanemab is testament to decades of advancements in the field of Alzheimer's research because for the first time they...
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Focus on the breath
Have you ever thought about how you breathe? For many of us, the 20,000+ breaths we take each day go underneath our conscious awareness. But every now and then, a short-lived spout or a chronic case of breathlessness can remind us just how vital good breathing is for our health. But can we all...
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How does embarrassment affect your health?
There are so many campaigns now to stop stigma and embarrassment - from Davina McCall talking about the menopause to Idris Elba campaigning for black men to get their prostate checked. And when we asked for your stories of how embarrassment impacts your health, our inbox was flooded with stories…
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Changing the lives of children with rare genetic diseases
If you have a rare genetic disorder, new technology that allows your genetic code to be analysed means you could have a diagnosis within weeks. Before, people with rare diseases would often go their entire lives without a diagnosis. It's a revolutionary advancement but does it change how patients...
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Cancer vaccine trials and planning for cyber attacks
Trials of a cancer 'vaccine' have begun and presenter James meets Steve, one of the first patients to trial the new treatment, Steve remembers his shock at being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in his 40s and tells the story of how he became involved in this pioneering research into tackling...
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Mpox, your statins questions and tick-borne meat allergies
Mpox is spreading and it’s been classified a public health emergency by the World Health Organization. Presenter James Gallagher meets Professor Trudie Lang from the University of Oxford who has been working in the areas affected to discuss what it means for people in the countries it’s already...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Inside Health have?
Inside Health currently has 384 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Inside Health about?
Series that demystifies health issues, separating fact from fiction and bringing clarity to conflicting health advice.
How often does Inside Health release new episodes?
Inside Health publishes regularly with 384 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Inside Health?
You can listen to Inside Health on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Inside Health?
Inside Health is created and hosted by BBC Radio 4.
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