Did you know that drowning is a leading causes of death among children aged 1-4 years globally and that someone loses their life to drowning every two minutes? Please watch Science in 5 with our expert Dr Caroline Lukaszyk as we discuss this most under-recognized public health threat.
Aug 04, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 142
Did you know that the air you breathe can harm your brain, and increase your risk for dementia, anxiety and depression ? Nine out of 10 people around the world breathe air that does not meet WHO’s recommended air quality standards. Air pollution kills 7 million people every year. What are cities like London, Bogotá and Beijing doing to clean their air? Dr Maria Neira explains in Science in 5.
Jul 02, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 141
Did you know that you can save three lives in just ten minutes with the gift of your blood? What do countries need to do to have safe blood donation systems ? WHO’s Dr Yuyun Maryuningsih explains all you need to know to donate blood in Science in 5.
Jun 13, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 140
The tobacco industry continues to sell death and destruction by using flavors, packaging and advertising. Is there any “safe” product or consumption method? How does tobacco use harm your body? Join us today in conversation with Simone St. Claire on Science in 5.
May 29, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 139
Are vaccines safe? What’s actually in them? In this 2-part episode of Science in 5, WHO’s Dr. Kate O’Brien breaks down how vaccines are tested, approved, and monitored even after they reach the public. She also explains what happens if a safety concern is flagged.
May 01, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Should kids just “get the disease” instead of being vaccinated? Can vaccines really overwhelm a child’s immune system? Who decides what vaccines we get—and why? If you’re a new parent with questions about vaccines, you’re not alone. In this 2-part episode of Science in 5, WHO’s Dr. Kate O’Brien breaks down the science behind childhood vaccinations, the importance of the schedule, and the truth behind common concerns.
Apr 24, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 137
What does a mother need to know to ensure that she has a safe pregnancy and delivery? What are some warning signs to watch for? And what are a woman’s rights while going through a pregnancy and delivery? Join our maternal health expert Dr Femi Oladapo on Science in 5.
Apr 07, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 136
Severe resource shortages are threatening the global response to end tuberculosis. Is the world on the brink of a global TB crisis? A quarter of the world’s population could be infected with TB and not even know it. Is there a cure? What is the treatment? How do we diagnose TB? Listen in to Dr Tereza Kasaeva on Science in 5 today.
Mar 21, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 135
Did you know that diseases are being eliminated by countries all over the world. In the last five years alone, 44 eliminations have been confirmed by WHO. What does it take to eliminate a disease? What needs to happen before WHO can certify an elimination? Once eliminated, can these diseases come back? Dr Jérôme Salomon explains on Science in 5.
Mar 04, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 134
Did you know that if a child with measles walks into a classroom, every unvaccinated child will most certainly get it? Why are measles cases increasing worldwide? Why should you be concerned about it? And is the measles vaccine safe and effective? Dr Natash Crowcroft explains on Science in 5.
Jan 23, 2025•4 min•Season 1Ep. 133
Did you know that WHO receives over a 100,000 signals every month? What are these health signals or threats? How do scientists and WHO decide which one of these signals could be a potential outbreak or disease? Tune in to Science in 5 with Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu to learn how WHO protects your health every day.
Jan 10, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 132
How do we track the Influenza virus every season to decide what strains of the virus to include in a vaccine? Is the vaccine safe and when should you get vaccinated? Shoshanna Goldin explains in Science in 5.
Dec 13, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 131
Why are syphilis cases rising? Who is at risk and how does it spread? Learn about prevention of syphilis from Dr Teodora Elvira Wi in Science in 5.
Dec 05, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 130
If you are experiencing breathlessness and fatigue and are exposed to polluted air you could have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Dr Sarah Rylance explains the symptoms, treatment and prevention of COPD. Find out if you are more susceptible to COPD in Science in 5.
Nov 21, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 129
If you have children who play sports or if you play sports, you need to know about concussion. What is it? How will you know if you have a concussion? What can you do to prevent it? Dr Tarun Dua explains in Science in 5 today.
Oct 24, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Did you know that both men and women can get breast cancer? It is the most common type of cancer amongst women, and most breast cancers are self-detected. Our expert Dr Mary Nyangasi explains in Science in 5 today.
Oct 08, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 127
What is rabies? How serious is it? How can you prevent rabies? Dr Bernadette Abela explains this and what you can do immediately after a bite in Science in 5 today.
Sep 27, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 126
Did you know that one person dies every four minutes from snakebite? What should you do if you get bitten? Dr David Williams talks about prevention and treatment in Science in 5
Sep 20, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 125
WHO has declared the current mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. How is this outbreak different from previous ones and why did it trigger a Public Health Emergency? What does that mean for countries and for you? Who is at risk? And what about vaccines? Our expert today is Dr Abdou Salam Gueye, from WHO Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo.
Sep 02, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 124
Millions of people live with asthma and yet many of them don’t know it. It is one of the most common conditions amongst children. Unfortunately it is also often undiagnosed and under-treated. How would you know if you have asthma? What are the treatments? What are some of the triggers and how can you manage your asthma? Here to help us know more about this chronic condition is Dr Sarah Rylance.
Aug 02, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Is Dementia a normal part of ageing? Someone suffers from dementia every three seconds. What are the causes? Can we prevent it? Is there a cure? Dr Katrin Seeher explains in Science in 5.
Jul 18, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Why is hypertension called a silent killer ? What happens in your body when your blood pressure is high? Learn about the 4 “S”s to protect yourself from hypertension. Dr Taskeen Khan explains today in Science in 5.
Jul 05, 2024•4 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Did you know that social isolation or loneliness could increase your risk of early death by up to 32%? How would you know if you are socially isolated and how does it impact your health? Alana Officer explains and gives tips to overcome social isolation in Science in 5 this week.
Jun 21, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Did you know that putting on your sunglasses is one of the ways to protect your eyes from cataract ? Learn about ways to protect yourself from UV radiation from Dr Cornelia Baldermann, Scientific Senior Consultant, at the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection. Dr Baldermann explains where UV radiation comes from and how it impact our health in Science in 5.
Jun 07, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Why is WHO concerned about Avian Influenza or Bird Flu? Who is at risk? How can you protect yourself and which foods are safe to eat during an outbreak ? Dr Wenqing Zhang explains in Science in 5.
May 13, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Did you know that chronic low back pain is a major cause of disability across the world impacting people’s physical capabilities, sleep, participation in work, school and relationships? What kind of treatment should you ask for? Which treatments do not work? Learn to manage your low back pain from Dr Yuka Sumi in Science in 5
Apr 29, 2024•4 min•Season 1Ep. 117
In this WHO Science in 5-episode Dr Etienne Krug, Director of Social Determinants of Health, shares examples of cities that are taking action on greener more sustainable transport that can also help keep people healthier and safe. For example, Mexico City, Mexico has increased cycling lanes while making roads safer Cali, Colombia has sent out bike doctors to help repair bikes and Lusaka, Zambia created safer routes for children to get to school.
Apr 15, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Why is Dengue fever spreading to places it did not exist before? What are the symptoms and treatments? What about vaccines? Dr Raman Velayudhan explains in Science in 5.
Mar 28, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Disease X How are scientists working to prevent the next pandemic? What do countries need to do to prepare? Dr Ana Maria Henao-Restrepo outlines the R&D needs that the world needs to invest in to prevent and prepare for the next pandemic.
Mar 15, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 114
WHO's Science in 5 / Episode# 113 -- Did you know that where you live, the food systems around you and your opportunities to be active increase your risk of developing obesity? How big is this issue? How can you reduce your risk and protect yourself? WHO’s Dr Francesco Branca explains in Science in 5.
Mar 01, 2024•5 min