Podcast · Health

People Fixing The World

by BBC World Service · English · Health

Discover the people and the projects trying to make the world a better place. A weekly programme looking at common challenges around the world and the creative ways people are trying to tackle them. Presenter Myra Anubi speaks to reporters, experts and innovators to investigate how effective diffe

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 23 min
Latest: 13 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026 · 25 minNew

The everyday tech helping to prevent disasters

For International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (October 13th), we're finding out how technology can help prevent disasters, save lives and help rescuers. In Argentina, we’ll meet Franco Rodríguez Viau whose family friends lost their home in a fire, inspiring him to find a way of tracking wildfires. He was just a teenager when he began developing an app that combines NASA satellite imagery with other data sources to identify and intercept fires before they become unmanageable. Meanwhile in Colombia, podcasters and sound engineers tell us about using their specialist recording equipment and…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

6 Oct 2026 · 24 min
The joy of walking
How something as simple as a walk can improve our wellbeing, sharpen our thinking and bring communities closer together. We try out an innovative walking map of the UK on a journey through London, then head to the United States and Hungary, where doctors are leading walks to build stronger relationships with their patients. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email [email protected]…
29 Sep 2026 · 23 min
Bringing Kashmir’s lakes back to life
Wular and Dal lakes are among Kashmir's most famous natural treasures, but decades of pollution, encroachment and neglect have taken their toll. Chhavi Sachdev follows conservationists, farmers and local communities as they attempt an ambitious restoration effort. Along the way, she discovers migratory birds returning, lotus flowers reappearing, and a circular economy transforming ecological waste into a valuable resource. (Photo: Local weed collectors in Dal Lake, Kashmir. They are sitting in their long, low wooden boats chatting. Credit: Adil Abbas) People Fixing The World from the BBC is…
22 Sep 2026 · 24 min
Clever ways to cut waste
We look at three solutions connected to the “three Rs” – reduce, reuse and recycle. The city of Brussels in Belgium is in the process of moving all 40 municipal nurseries over to reusable nappies – and have managed to do it without their staff kicking up a stink! Also energy companies around the world have found ways to encourage customers to reduce their consumption by making it fun, and lastly we meet Makafui Awuku in Ghana - a man on a mission to turn used plastic into school desks. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to…
14 Sep 2026 · 24 min
The pictures that help and heal
Myra Anubi looks at two solutions that harness the power of pictures to help disabled people. Books Beyond Words is a UK charity that publishes books with no words, just big pictures on every page. They are made for people with learning disabilities, who come together to read them in book clubs. Myra also hears about TapSOS, the only smartphone app to be approved by the UK’s emergency services, which is aimed at people who struggle to speak on the phone. We hear from one user who believes it saved his life. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's…
8 Sep 2026 · 24 min
Getting the homeless homed
We visit two projects exploring practical responses to homelessness and housing insecurity. Presenter Myra Anubi travels to Edinburgh to see the work of Social Bite, a charity creating small communities of prefabricated homes on unused land, offering people a stable place to live and rebuild their lives. Meanwhile, in Nantes, western France, we meet the team behind Bureaux du Cœur, which partners with businesses to open up unused office space as safe overnight accommodation for people in need. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd…
1 Sep 2026 · 23 min
Saving mothers and babies
In 2017, Spanish engineer Pablo Bergasa began an unusual hobby: to design a new incubator for use in African hospitals. Eight years on, he has sent 200 of his machines around the world, and he estimates they have saved the lives of 5,000 babies. Pablo’s incubator costs just a small proportion of the price of a regular machine and can run on a battery and a bottle of water. Plus Myra Anubi hears about how a simple but ingenious plastic sheet is saving women from dying after giving birth. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We release a…
25 Aug 2026 · 23 min
How to have better sex
Sex is one of the few things in life that is available to everyone and is free. But achieving enjoyable sex is not possible for many. Some people are held back by fear, ignorance or culture - others don’t know or understand their rights around sex. For years public health campaigns focused on warning people about the downsides of sex - danger, disease and death - but increasingly the work is focused on the reasons people have sex. We're in Brazil where we meet Ana Autoestima. She’s a ‘virtual friend’ who provides positive advice about sex to women living some of the poorest neighbourhoods in…
18 Aug 2026 · 23 min
The preschool in a retirement home
A unique community in Chester in northern England, brings multiple generations together to encourage learning and connection. We explore how young children in the onsite nursery benefit from the time, attention and vocabulary skills offered by the older adults. Meanwhile the retirement home residents can benefit from increased social activity and a sense of purpose. We also speak to an intergenerational expert in Spain about the growing evidence that backs this new societal approach. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We release a new…
11 Aug 2026 · 23 min
The world's largest wildlife crossing
When it opens in December, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will be the largest in the world. Stretched over a 10-lane freeway, it is intended to help save California's mountain lion population, which has become fragmented by the highway. It could also serve as a model for other projects, as crossings of this kind have often been viewed as too large to be effective. But will the crossing work? We examine the construction and the existing scientific data to find out. Image: Still picture from May 2026 drone footage of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing under construction (Credit:…
11 Aug 2026 · 23 min
The cows fighting wildfires
Another summer brings more deadly and disruptive wildfires in Europe. As the earth warms up, they’re becoming increasingly common and harder to deal with. We hear about a special herd of cows which could help to keep some of the flames under control in future. And we find out how cutting edge space technology could be used to quickly detect forest fires when they break out. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44…
4 Aug 2026 · 23 min
Stop being a terrible tourist
We live in an age of global mass tourism. Last year, the UN estimated 1.5 billion people travelled to another country. While many places depend on tourism for income and employment, it can come at a significant environmental and social cost. We take a tour of Dubrovnik in Croatia, which has the highest tourists-to-locals ratio in Europe. The city is using perks and penalties to keep both local people and visitors happy. Also we paddle and cycle around Copenhagen in Denmark. They are rewarding eco-friendly actions to encourage better tourist behaviour. People Fixing The World from the BBC is…
28 Jul 2026 · 23 min
Who does the housework?
How much work do you do to keep your household running smoothly? Figures suggest domestic work still falls mostly to women - leading to resentment and burnout. This week we’re hearing from Indonesia and Croatia about projects helping change that. In rural Indonesia we visit the island of Rote - and hear how men there are overturning centuries-long attitudes to male and female roles and learning how to cook for their children and look after their homes. In Croatia we meet the men taking part in the ‘Superdads’ programme where they discover that cleaning and doing chores brings them closer to…
21 Jul 2026 · 30 min
How to make cities better for everyone
A special edition of People Fixing The World recorded in front of a live audience at the University of Nairobi as part of the BBC’s Future of Journalism Festival. Cities around the world are growing fast - they are the most efficient way of supporting large numbers of people. But many of them suffer chronic problems. There is often a shortage of decent housing. Getting around can be impossible with polluting cars creating gridlock on the streets. And the amount of waste we create is piling up on the streets and in landfill. Myra Anubi meets the people who are making city life better for…
13 Jul 2026 · 23 min
How to reuse and repair
Across the world, everyday products — from kitchen appliances to electronics — are often thrown away rather than repaired. The latest UN estimates suggest people generate around 2 billion tonnes of household and everyday waste each year. This week we travel to Argentina to meet people finding new ways to keep old things in use. We visit Club de Reparadores, where people are learning how to fix everything from toasters to microwaves, meet the women behind Lindor who transform old blankets into coats, and join the group Cybercirujas as they find new uses for discarded computers. People Fixing…
7 Jul 2026 · 23 min
Finding hidden entrepreneurs
At least once in a lifetime, everyone has a great business idea. They often come when life events force us to experience things from a different angle. This year, the city of Liverpool in north England set about finding these “hidden entrepreneurs” with the help of an organisation called Public Life. The entrepreneurs come from all walks of life and have been offered a year’s wage to develop their idea, alongside expert help and mentoring. From the hairdresser who is building a salon-on-wheels for her best friend to the travel agent who is making a "Trip Advisor for the senses", Myra Anubi…
30 Jun 2026 · 26 min
Living longer, living better
In Bergen, Norway, a two-day ageing festival is testing out new ways to build an age-friendly society—through culture, conversation and shared experiences. Myra Anubi joins in, meeting the people finding creative answers to loneliness, mental health, care and belonging, and hearing hopes for a future where generations mix rather than separate. From masterclasses to inspiring collective events, the festival’s aim is to make ageing something we can all become more comfortable with and even celebrate. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We…
23 Jun 2026 · 23 min
Freeing modern slaves
People trafficking is a crime that often takes place in plain sight - victims are often exploited and controlled in everyday situations. It’s also a crime that touches all of us - the food we eat, the phones we use, the clothes we wear, may all have been produced using slave labour. We’ll hear about ways to break the cycle of trafficking. In the US we take a ride with Truckers Against Trafficking, an NGO that trains truck drivers to look out for vulnerable people who may be being trafficked for forced labour, including sex work. And in Nepal we meet SASANE, the organisation training…
16 Jun 2026 · 23 min
Snakebite solutions
Snakebite kills tens of thousands of people every year, many of them in rural communities where treatment can be delayed, expensive or difficult to reach. In southern Nepal, reporter Craig Langran joins a community organiser responding to snake rescue calls and teaching villagers what to do when snakes appear near their homes. And in a laboratory at Monash University in Malaysia, researchers are working on broader antivenoms that could reduce the guesswork doctors face when a patient arrives after a bite. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's…
9 Jun 2026 · 23 min
Ending violence against women
Sexual and gender-based violence remains a reality for many women. In this programme we go to Rwanda to meet survivors who are beginning to find their voice after years of silence. We follow projects led by the development charity Tearfund and meet Sabine Nkusi, the organisation's lead on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence. They are projects that create safe spaces for women who have experienced SGBV, while also engaging men and religious leaders in challenging ingrained beliefs. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We…
2 Jun 2026 · 23 min
Slow down!
Is our modern obsession with speed damaging us? This week we explore the slow movement - a philosophy that challenges our fixation with productivity and suggests slowing down could offer a more meaningful way to live. Joined by Dr Joanne Lee from the University of Warwick, we visit a school garden and restaurant in Malawi to see how Slow Food is influencing how people grow and consume food. And presenter Myra Anubi takes part in an immersive Slow Art experience in London. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We release a new edition every…
26 May 2026 · 24 min
The dogs that bring hope
Rescued street dogs in Uganda help survivors find comfort, healing and renewed hope. Northern Uganda was torn apart by a violent insurgency led by the Lords Resistance Army some twenty years ago. Kidnapping, rape and mutilation were commonplace. Many thousands of people were left with physical and emotional scars as a result. But one organisation is helping to bring comfort to those who have suffered using the healing power of dogs. Myra Anubi visits the Comfort Dog project where street dogs are retrained to become companions to those who have suffered terrible trauma. It’s led by…
19 May 2026 · 23 min
How to thrive with ADHD
People with ADHD can face many challenges including struggles with attention, impulsivity and time management. In this programme we go to global creative company DRPG’s offices in the UK where they are doing things differently to support their ADHD colleagues. We also hear about the work of Unlocking ADHD, a charity set up by Singapore based Moonlake Lee who believes that the key to navigating life with ADHD is rooted in the creation of community spaces. And finally we go to Australia to hear how homes are being redesigned to cater to people with the condition. People Fixing The World from…
12 May 2026 · 23 min
Saving Chile's urban wetlands
We visit the communities in Chile restoring vital wetlands in cities and towns. Chile’s urban wetlands are under pressure from rapid development, pollution and neglect, yet they play a crucial role in storing rainwater, supporting wildlife and reducing floods. We visit the southern city of Valdivia where local communities have restored damaged wetlands by clearing rubbish, replanting native species and designing parks that work with nature rather than against it. Their efforts have transformed unsafe dumping grounds into thriving public spaces. And in the major city of Concepción, residents…
2 May 2026 · 23 min
The SafeBox
The group carrying on investigations when journalists are silenced. Over the last five years, almost 200 journalists have been killed outside conflict zones, with reporters being murdered while investigating corruption, organised crime and environmental destruction. For World Press Freedom Day, People Fixing the World looks at the work of a pioneering organisation that is trying to help. Forbidden Stories, based in France, pledges to continue the work of journalists who have been killed, imprisoned or forced into exile. To help them do this, they encourage the use of a digital “safe box”,…
28 Apr 2026 · 24 min
The secrets of greywater
Greywater is the relatively clean waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers. It’s not drinkable but there’s still loads you can do with it. This week we’re finding out how greywater could help tackle water scarcity. We’re meeting communities in the dry north east of Brazil who have installed simple systems to filter the water they use in their kitchen, showers or laundry so that they can reuse it to water crops, fruit trees and provide food for animals like cows, goats and sheep, helping them to make a livelihood. In Germany we meet the company using bacteria to help…
21 Apr 2026 · 23 min
Arrows of hope
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally. The earlier it is diagnosed the higher the chance of survival. Treatment, even when successful, can lead to arm swelling, muscle weakness and low mood. But archery is helping women in Spain overcome both the physical and mental challenges of breast cancer treatment. We visit one group and find out how the sport has increased their strength and confidence and even drained painful swellings. We also visit a breast cancer survivor in Uganda, who has set up a business making local and affordable prostheses for women who face stigma after…
14 Apr 2026 · 23 min
Back from the brink: Uganda’s gentle giants
The eco-tourism that is helping to protect mountain gorillas in Uganda. Myra Anubi is in Uganda visiting the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It’s one of the few places that gorillas still exist in the wild, and even better, in recent years their numbers have actually been rising and they are no longer considered critically endangered. This is partly down to the hard work of Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka and the Conservation Through Public Health organisation. They engage with communities living close to the gorillas, who were often poaching them and destroying their habitat, to help them better…
7 Apr 2026 · 24 min
Fashion without barriers
Exploring style and beauty for people with disabilities. What we wear helps us express ourselves and communicate to others in the most immediate way. But the tools we frequently use to do that, such as clothing and haircare are not available to everyone equally. One in six of us has a disability of some sort - according to the World Health Organisation - but most clothing and beauty brands don’t take account of that. From making shops accessible to catering for differences in design and size, few companies address these particular needs. This week on People Fixing The World we’re talking to…
31 Mar 2026 · 23 min
Empowering the LGBT community
**This episode contains one instance of offensive language How two projects in Kenya and Spain are helping LGBT communities. Setting up a business can be tricky. There can be many hurdles including lack of access to capital and other unexpected costs. The challenges are particularly acute for LGBT entrepreneurs in Kenya who can be denied bank loans and face possible extortion. We meet a group of LGBT entrepreneurs who have created a dedicated fund for the community to help get businesses off the ground. We also visit the site of a new retirement home for LGBT people funded by Madrid’s…

About People Fixing The World

People Fixing The World is a English health podcast from BBC World Service. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: BBC World Service
Language: English
Category: Health
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 23 min
Latest episode: 13 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1177590377
Rights: (C) BBC 2026

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