English

Health at BBC

Wednesday, Mar 18

18

Why has this meningitis outbreak spread so fast?

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There have been 20 cases since the weekend in one small area of Kent - but this isn't the normal pattern, so what could have happened?

14

People don't need to buy a meningitis vaccine, Streeting says

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Vaccines are being offered to 5,000 students at the University of Kent, where there is a outbreak, from Wednesday.

13

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

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

Inside Health

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James Gallagher examines the outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Kent.

09

Watch: Mother 'absolutely shocked' to find daughter had meningitis

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Khali Goodwin's daughter Keeleigh is recovering after being admitted to hospital with meningitis.

01

Scotland's assisted dying bill rejected after emotional debate

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Scotland would have become the first part of the UK to legalise the process had MSPs backed the proposals.

Tuesday, Mar 17

22

Tech Life

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The effect of screen time on young children. Plus a listener tells us his AI voice story.

18

Judge blocks RFK Jr's changes to US childhood vaccine schedule

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Kennedy had slashed the number of recommended vaccines from 17 to 11, sparking a backlash from health experts.

14

Parents of teen who died in 2025 call for more government support

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Helen and Lee Draper lost their daughter Megan to meningitis in October 2025.

Why is MenB vaccine not given to teenagers and should they be offered it?

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Students and older teens have not been vaccinated against the strain that has caused the outbreak of cases in Kent.

12

Scotland is about to vote on assisted dying. How would it work?

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The Scottish Parliament will soon decide whether to allow terminally-ill adults to end their lives.

Inside Health

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James Gallagher examines the outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Kent.

Monday, Mar 16

19

What are the signs of meningitis, and how does it spread?

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BBC Health Correspondent Dominic Hughes explains the signs to look out for.

09

Inside the Rage Machine

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The inside story of how social media algorithms sow division with real-world consequences.

08

Women with endometriosis face 'systemic misogyny'

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Women share their experiences of living with endometriosis so the condition can be better understood.

03

One-off £2,000 grant gives care leavers head start, study finds

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Participants were less likely to become homeless or spend time in hospital or prison, researchers say.

02

Fears of two-tier health system as more turn to private care, says watchdog

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The patient watchdog warns of two-tier service as polling shows numbers paying for care is on the rise.

Sunday, Mar 15

23

Two people die, including university student, in Kent meningitis outbreak

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Eleven people in the Canterbury area are also seriously ill in hospital, the BBC understands.

15

'I have four months left to preserve my fertility'

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Iona Hall is freezing her eggs after surgery for endometriosis left her reserves "critically low".

02

Sculpting jaws, giving scores: Inside the world of looksmaxxing

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Growing numbers of young men are going to great lengths to achieve what they see as the perfect face.

Saturday, Mar 14

04

'Like a trap you can't escape': The women who regret being mothers

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From mourning the life they no longer have to feeling never-ending pressure, women tell the BBC why they regret becoming mothers.

Friday, Mar 13

12

'My hotel bill is £12,000': British holidaymakers stranded by Iran war

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Flights are restricted due to the conflict leaving people stuck running up bills for rooms and food.

11

AI toys for children misread emotions and respond inappropriately, researchers warn

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In first study of its kind, Cambridge researchers found AI toys could misread some children's emotions.

09

Woman with rare blood feels 'honoured' to donate

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A woman whose blood is so rare that it is frozen for up to three decades feels "very special".

Woman found out she had terminal brain cancer after suitcase fell on her head

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Lauren Macpherson was travelling home from a festival in London when her life changed forever.

Thursday, Mar 12

19

GPs tell BBC they've NEVER refused sick note for mental health

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BBC News sent a questionnaire to more than 5,000 GPs in England.

12

The family donating kidneys to their siblings

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"When people say to you, 'what have you done in your life?' I can say I've saved someone's life."

Police probe breast cancer treatment allegations

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The inquiry is being held over concerns of poor care at the County Durham and Darlington trust.

11

Hundreds of GPs tell BBC they have never refused a fit note for mental health concerns

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The number of fit notes issued has been rising, with more than 11.2m approved in England last year.

Wednesday, Mar 11

20

Proton beam hope for asbestos cancer patients

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Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer linked to asbestos, but a trial hopes to prolong patient lives.