Global Handwashing Day!; Sex and Health; More Prisoners: More TB; How to Survive Cancer

Val Curtis

Global Handwashing Day is October 15th, 2008: an opportunity to remind everybody that millions of lives, especially children’s lives, can be saved by avoiding diarrhoea and other diseases spread when mothers, fathers, family members and friends fail to wash their hands with both soap and water. Derek Thorne hears from Val Curtis and Robert Aunger at the London School who are spearheading initiatives all over the world to reduce this loss of life by persuading people to get into the habit of washing their hands after using the toilet.

Peter Goodwin learns from Kaye Wellings of the School about the latest phase of her massive study of sexual attitudes, behaviour and health which for the first time is looking at over 60s, and also at positive, as well as negative sexual health outcomes. Also: Martin McKee talks about the way TB has spread in the community at large as prison populations have increased in countries of the former Soviet Union. And Michel Coleman discusses with Peter Goodwin (during the NCRI Cancer Conference in Birmingham) his data showing that organisation and resources in cancer care are more significant determinants of survival than specific drugs used on patients.

Robert Aunger

Kaye Wellings

Martin McKee

Michel Coleman