Podcast: Child COVID condition, health inequalities, and a healthy planet

In this edition: A COVID-linked condition in children, how AI could magnify health inequities, and 9 things you can do for your health and the planet.

News: What nuclear war would look like and new European grants – We learn what one of our experts said about the realities of nuclear war, and find out what new science the European Research Council is funding at Imperial, from drones to lasers.

AI and health inequalities – AI is increasingly being used in healthcare, for example to analyse images like X-rays, but biases mean they may not benefit everyone equally, and may actually perpetuate minority ethnic inequalities. We meet the researchers highlighting this issue and suggesting ways it can be tackled.

Child COVID condition – We meet Dr Liz Whittaker, a paediatric researcher who was part of a group that recognised and characterised Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS) – an inflammatory condition in children linked to COVID-19. She tells us how it was first discovered, and what we’ve learned since.

9 things you can do for your health and the planet – We explore the link between the health of people and the planet, and what people can actually do to improve both at the same time – from buying less ‘stuff’ to encouraging changes that make cities easier to walk and cycle.

Download the complete podcast (mp3)

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The podcast is presented by Gareth Mitchell, a lecturer on Imperial's MSc Science Communication course and the presenter of Digital Planet on the BBC World Service, with contributions from our roving reporters in the Communications and Public Affairs Division.