BBC News

BBC News - Health

'My baby scratches and scratches': Families say their homes are making their children sick

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:35:10 GMT

A cross-party report has called for safer conditions for the record number of families living in temporary accommodation.

'I'm the lucky one' - more than one in three young men now live with their parents

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 23:16:33 GMT

Last year, the highest proportion of men aged 20-34 were still living at home since at least 2007 as the rising cost of living takes hold.

Breast cancer type study 'critically under-funded'

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:48:08 GMT

Two women from Barnard Castle and Guisborough say lobular breast cancer needs further research.

Inside Health

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

James Gallagher finds out how a hot flush feels - and delves into a new treatment.

Senior Lucy Letby hospital boss arrested

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:22:18 GMT

The arrest was made as part of a wider investigation into leadership at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Sleep, exercise, hydrate - do we really need to stick to recommended daily doses?

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:08:06 GMT

As a study casts doubt on the daily steps maxim, we take a look at some other health benchmarks we’re often told to strive for.

UK Biobank health data listed for sale in China, government confirms

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:45:41 GMT

The government said medical data of 500,000 people was affected but no personally identifiable information had been made available.

Rollout of Covid vaccines extraordinary feat - inquiry report

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:39:07 GMT

Covid vaccines saved hundreds of thousands of lives, but a small minority harmed need better support, says report.

Asbestos toy warnings

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:16:30 GMT

Asbestos toy warnings

'I used delivery apps to hide the shame of alcoholism'

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:57:13 GMT

Hattie Underwood is a recovered alcoholic and she told 5 Live’s Naga Munchetty how she used delivery apps to "anonymise" her alcohol consumption.

Hay fever misery does last longer - here is how to cope

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:41:51 GMT

Symptoms are lasting for up to two weeks longer than in the 1990s, according to a major report - so what can you do about the pollen bomb?

Breakthrough £90,000 Alzheimer's drugs unlikely to benefit patients, report suggests

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:01:52 GMT

A major review has provoked a backlash after concluding the medicines provide too little benefit to be noticed.

'My lonely start to adulthood with endometriosis'

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:05:53 GMT

Evie Solomon has started a support group for women due to her experience while being diagnosed.

Bird flu vaccine trial against potential pandemic strain begins

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:00:08 GMT

The jab targets the H5N1 flu strain which has caused devastating infections in bird populations worldwide, but has yet to spread between humans.

Inside Health

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James Gallagher examines the outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Kent.

Lawmakers clash with RFK Jr as he shifts focus away from vaccines

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:55:15 GMT

During a three-hour hearing, the US health secretary tried to focus on chronic disease while being pressed on vaccines.

'Month of worry' over doctor strike surgery delay

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:32:52 GMT

The strike further delays Tom Lawson's gastric bypass surgery after a more than three-year wait.

Hospitals coping well with doctors' strike so far - NHS boss

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:56:27 GMT

Resident doctors in England – the new name for junior doctors – are taking part in their 15th walkout in a long-running pay dispute.

Redesigned ball could reduce heading impact - scientists

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:29:27 GMT

Scientists believe footballs could be designed to reduce the impact of heading after new research discovered the action caused a previously unreported pressure wave energy transfer to the brain.

Could weight-loss jabs be behind rising gallbladder removals?

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:03:39 GMT

Last year, there was a 15% annual increase in the operations and surgeons want more research.

Pupil art sessions 'bring joy' to hospice

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 16:06:55 GMT

The Hospice in the Weald in Pembury runs the sessions for people with life-limiting conditions.

Hundreds contact BBC about mystery skin condition 'hell' - but doctors can't agree it exists

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:41:47 GMT

Some think it's a severe case of eczema. Others say it's a condition called TSW. But doctors are stuck in a dilemma.

What is the UK Covid inquiry and how does it work?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:20:11 GMT

The fourth report from the inquiry into the pandemic said the vaccine roll-out was an "extraordinary feat".

Girl, 6, has sight restored through gene therapy

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:53:39 GMT

Saffie's mum says Luxturna therapy at Great Ormond Street has been like "someone waved a magic wand".

'Doctors strikes' and 'paw prints in space'

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:12:09 GMT

A round-up of stories from local newspapers and the BBC from the past week in the West of England.

Three young people contract meningitis in Weymouth

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:48:19 GMT

Young people are to be offered the MenB vaccine after three cases of meningitis were confirmed.

Mental health support to be offered to people with diabetes in UK first

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:47:31 GMT

People with diabetes are twice as likely to have depression, a charity backing tailored support says.

High Street mini-marts selling cocaine, cannabis and prescription drugs, BBC secret filming reveals

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:59:56 GMT

Across the UK, shopfronts are being exploited by criminal gangs pushing illegal drugs, experts say.

Your pint could come with a surprising health benefit

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:08:36 GMT

Beer provides "substantial levels" of vitamin B6 into your diet, according to new research.

'Why is the NHS funding students if it can't give them jobs?' Anger over recruitment freeze

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:17:51 GMT

Dozens of midwifery, physiotherapy and nursing students contact BBC over fears they won't get jobs.

Men's group hopes to ease strain on NHS services

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:25:00 GMT

"I want to tackle loneliness and we feel like this group can do that," the organisation's founder says.

Why can't newly qualified midwives get jobs?

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:45:37 GMT

Some midwives are working as receptionists but the government says it has invested in maternity jobs.

Bird flu vaccine trial against potential pandemic strain begins

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:00:08 GMT

The jab targets the H5N1 flu strain which has caused devastating infections in bird populations worldwide, but has yet to spread between humans.

Why did resident doctors go on strike and how much are they paid?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:04:33 GMT

Resident doctors in England have returned to work after the 15th walkout in a long-running dispute.

Doctors' strikes can have surprising benefits - but are they sustainable?

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:06:45 GMT

Some hospital trusts tell the BBC previous action has seen shorter waits, faster decisions and calmer corridors.

'Adenomyosis ruined my life'

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:07:44 GMT

Rachel Moore is raising awareness for adenomyosis a womb disease which she said has ruined her life.

What NHS challenges does the election winner face?

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:13:24 GMT

There are currently 687,958 people waiting for any type of NHS treatment in Wales.

Assisted dying bill runs out of time but supporters vow to try again

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:29:30 GMT

The proposed legislation was supported by MPs but has not cleared its stages in the Lords.

What NHS challenges does the election winner face?

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:13:24 GMT

There are currently 687,958 people waiting for any type of NHS treatment in Wales.

What to do if you think someone has heat exhaustion or heatstroke

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:59:20 GMT

Know the signs and what to do if someone is unwell in hot weather.

Inside Health

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James visits Hackney, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country.

Rogue sperm donor who says he's fathered 180 children won't be on child's birth certificate

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:14:32 GMT

The child's mother and her partner say they never wanted Robert Albon to play any part in the child's life.

Should you really trust health advice from an AI chatbot?

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 23:04:43 GMT

Abi has had very mixed results when asking a chatbot for guidance about her health issues.

Vaccines a huge success, but public trust must be earned - key findings from Covid report

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:02:12 GMT

Immunisation saved hundreds of thousands of UK lives, but vaccine hesitancy remains an issue.

Caffeine pouch craze: A teenage trend troubling some experts

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:06:06 GMT

Some social media influencers are pushing products to young gym-goers and students, health experts warn.

Smoking ban for people born after 2008 in the UK agreed

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:39:52 GMT

The "landmark" legislation aims to stop anyone born after 1 January 2009 from taking up smoking to create a smoke-free generation.

What are the symptoms of meningitis and how is it spread?

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:22:02 GMT

Two people have died following an "unpredecented" outbreak of meningitis in Kent.

Senior midwife appointed to maternity inquiry

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:03:52 GMT

Senior midwife Donna Ockenden will review maternity services in Sussex after a campaign by families.

The surprising health benefit that could be in your pint

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:38:28 GMT

Drinking the odd pint of beer can provide "substantial levels" of an essential brain-boosting vitamin in your diet, according to new research in a respected journal.

I'm on six different NHS waiting lists - it's taking over my life

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:52:58 GMT

Amy-Jane Davies is one of 687,958 waiting for any type of NHS treatment in Wales.

Wellbeing garden opens to combat isolation

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:07:31 GMT

The outdoor area at Yarm Wellness will officially open to the public on Saturday.

What is vegan collagen?

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:22:54 GMT

What's the latest on Collagen?

Should you really trust health advice from an AI chatbot?

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 23:04:43 GMT

Abi has had very mixed results when asking a chatbot for guidance about her health issues.

'Toxic culture' at NHS trust left staff suicidal

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:03:18 GMT

A&E manager Sam Carter was under investigation by the Portsmouth trust when she took her own life.

Trump administration reclassifies cannabis as less dangerous

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:32:04 GMT

Medical marijuana was moved into a lower category of drugs in order to increase research and access.

What is chickenpox and who can get an NHS vaccine?

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:31:12 GMT

The standard NHS childhood vaccination programme will include chickenpox from 2 January 2026.

Biobank: UK health data of 500,000 people for sale in China

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:57:59 GMT

The data of hundreds of thousands of people who participated in the UK's health data project was for sale on the website Alibaba.

I'm on six different NHS waiting lists - it's taking over my life

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:52:58 GMT

Amy-Jane Davies is one of 687,958 waiting for any type of NHS treatment in Wales.

Inside Health

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James Gallagher is joined by experts to answer key questions on the meningitis outbreak.

What is the UK Covid inquiry and how does it work?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:20:11 GMT

The fourth report from the inquiry into the pandemic said the vaccine roll-out was an "extraordinary feat".

Maternity boss 'confident' as unit reopens

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:18:38 GMT

Staff say they have addressed concerns over staffing, equipment and learning from serious incidents.

Researchers look into island's health benefits

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:11:23 GMT

The team aims to find out what it is about the Isle of Wight that makes people feel better.

Stay at home advice questioned and rules too tough - key findings from Covid report

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:00:23 GMT

An NHS close to collapse, patients failed and NHS staff put at risk - what you need to know.

What does hot weather do to the body?

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:46:50 GMT

Hot weather during the summer can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm.

'I gave up my job due to the stress of my child's food allergies'

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:05:11 GMT

The former lawyer says she "didn't trust anyone" with her five-year-old's allergies so gave up work.

Why did resident doctors go on strike and how much are they paid?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:04:33 GMT

Resident doctors in England have returned to work after the 15th walkout in a long-running dispute.