Inside 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 tests to find out what benefits the sweaty heat could offer.
Next up, James visits The Advanced Neuropathies Centre in Cardiff to speak with Professor Liam Gray, a surgeon who is leading a pioneering treatment for Huntington’s disease.
Presenter: James Gallagher
Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell and Gerry Holt
Researcher: Tom Hunt
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Stuart Laws
This episode was produced in partnership with The Open University.

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 might not see her 18th birthday. And we hear from Dr Imogen Felton, a respiratory consultant at Royal Brompton Hospital, with expertise in cystic fibrosis, who tells us about the therapies crucial to this extended prognosis.
The EDITH trial (Early Detection using Information Technology in Health) is testing how AI can help radiologists identify breast cancer at an earlier stage, transforming the future of diagnosis. We speak to Professor Sian Taylor-Philips, Professor of Population Health at the University of Warwick and co-leader of the trial.
In 2024, participation in Run Clubs across the UK surged by 64%. But does running in a group lead to better performance? To find out, James laces up for a jog around Hyde Park with the Monday Mood Booster Run Club and speaks with Arran Davis, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, who’s exploring the links between social interaction and physical activity.
Presenter: James Gallagher
Producers: Debbie Kilbride, Minnie Harrop & Tom Bonnett
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Ishmael Soriano
This episode was produced in partnership with The Open University.

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 Geldsetzer, Assistant Prof of Medicine at Stanford University discusses his findings and the further evidence required to prove this link, along with Prof Tara Spires-Jones, Group Leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute.
The UK has begun using the world’s first gonorrhoea vaccine - though it was originally developed for meningitis. With antibiotic-resistant strains increasing, we speak to Dr Suneeta Soni about why gonorrhoea has been so hard to target with vaccines.
At the Bristol Robotics Lab, engineers are creating devices to support mobility in older age. James meets Jonathan Rossner and tries out “The Right Trousers” - an inflatable exoskeleton designed to help people walk and to strengthen their muscles.
Presenter: James Gallagher
Producers: Debbie Kilbride, Tom Bonnett & Minnie Harrop
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Ishmael Soriano
This episode was produced in partnership with The Open University.

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 neurodisability at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Vicki Beevers, chief executive of The Sleep Charity.
Also this week, resident GP Margaret McCartney on the potential promise - and peril - of doctors using AI in the NHS, and should you eat your placenta? We hear from a dietician on whether there’s any evidence it’s good for you.
Presenter: James Gallagher
Producers: Tom Bonnett, Debbie Kilbride & Gerry Holt
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Ishmael Soriano
This episode was produced in partnership with The Open University.

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 accidents.
So today on Inside Health we’re asking, what's the real story behind these numbers? Who is dying of a drug overdose and why - and how can we tackle this issue?
James Gallagher is joined by an expert panel, including:
- Professor Catriona Matheson, Professor in Substance Use at the University of Stirling and former chair of Scotland’s drug deaths taskforce
- Dr Caroline Copeland, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology and Toxicology at King’s College London and Director of the National Programme on Substance Use Mortality
- Dr Michael Blackmore, a GP in Grangemouth, central Scotland, who has a special interest in addictions and is himself a former drug addict, now 16 years in recovery
We also visit Professor Sir John Strang at the National Institute for Health and Care Research King’s Clinical Research Facility to see how he is experimenting with new ways of tackling rising deaths.
Professor Strang is based at the National Addictions Centre, King's College London, and monitors heroin users in the lab to see if this could in future bring about a wearable overdose detection device to save lives.
Presenter: James Gallagher
Producer Gerry Holt
Researcher: Minnie Harrop
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Ishmael Soriano
If you’ve been affected by addiction, details of help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
This episode was produced in partnership with The Open University.