Podcast · Tech & Science

Science in 5

by WHO - World Health Organization · English · Tech & Science

Science in 5 is WHO's conversations in science. Listen to WHO experts explaining science related to COVID-19.

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 5 min
Latest: 16 Jan 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

16 Jan 2026 · 6 min

Polio: 99.9% Defeated. What Will It Take to End It for Good?

Polio once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children every year, striking fear into families across the world. Thanks to global vaccination efforts, cases have fallen by 99.9% since 1988. But polio is not gone yet. In this episode of Science in 5 , we speak with Dr. Jamal Ahmad about why polio eradication still matters, how close the world truly is to ending this disease forever, and what's at stake if we don't finish the job. Polio spreads easily, respects no borders, and remains a threat as long as it exists anywhere. With only a few cases left in two countries, the tools, knowledge, and…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E145 · 24 Oct 2025 · 5 min
Pig Tapeworm – from gut to brain
A worm that can cause epilepsy ? Meet Taenia solium — the pig tapeworm that travels from gut to brain, causing seizures and preventable epilepsy in millions. In this episode of Science in 5, Dr Bernadette Abela explains how this parasite spreads when pigs eat human feces and humans consume contaminated food or water — and what we can do to stop it. Learn how cooking meat properly, improving hygiene, and vaccinating pigs can break the cycle.
S1 · E144 · 25 Sep 2025 · 4 min
Little lungs, big risks: The RSV threat to infants
Did you know that RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations worldwide? Each year it claims over 100 000 young lives. In this Science in 5 episode, WHO's Dr Daniel Feikin shares how new immunization options can protect your baby.
S1 · E143 · 10 Sep 2025 · 6 min
The Race to Stop Cholera Before It's Too Late
Did you know cholera still kills thousands every year — and outbreaks are rising, even in countries that hadn't seen it in decades? Dr. Kate Alberti is here to tell us how this deadly disease can be preventable and treatable. Learn what you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your community.
S1 · E142 · 4 Aug 2025 · 6 min
Drowning: A silent public health threat
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.
S1 · E141 · 2 Jul 2025 · 6 min
Air pollution damages young brains
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.
S1 · E140 · 13 Jun 2025 · 5 min
The Gift of Blood -- Why It Matters
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.
S1 · E139 · 29 May 2025 · 5 min
The tobacco trap – hooked by lies
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.
S1 · E139 · 29 May 2025 · 5 min
The tobacco trap – hooked by lies
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.
S1 · E138 · 1 May 2025 · 6 min
Vaccine safety explained: What the science actually says
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.
S1 · E137 · 24 Apr 2025 · 5 min
Vaccines: Science vs. scare
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.
S1 · E136 · 7 Apr 2025 · 5 min
Healthy births, saving mothers
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.
S1 · E135 · 21 Mar 2025 · 5 min
Facing the TB crisis
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.
S1 · E134 · 4 Mar 2025 · 5 min
Disease be gone!
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.
S1 · E133 · 23 Jan 2025 · 4 min
Measles: A growing threat
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.
S1 · E132 · 10 Jan 2025 · 5 min
From Alerts to action - How WHO protects your health
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.
S1 · E131 · 13 Dec 2024 · 6 min
Flu season is here – are you ready? How flu vaccines are made?
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 .
S1 · E130 · 5 Dec 2024 · 6 min
Syphilis: Protect yourself and others Silent symptoms, serious risks: Syphilis explained
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 .
S1 · E129 · 21 Nov 2024 · 5 min
Is COPD making you breathless and tired?
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.
S1 · E128 · 24 Oct 2024 · 5 min
Concussion – symptoms and prevention
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.
S1 · E127 · 8 Oct 2024 · 6 min
Breast Cancer – know your risk
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.
S1 · E126 · 27 Sep 2024 · 5 min
Rabies: Protect yourself and your pets
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.
S1 · E125 · 20 Sep 2024 · 6 min
Snakebites: Life saving facts
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
S1 · E124 · 2 Sep 2024 · 5 min
mpox - what you need to know
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.
S1 · E123 · 2 Aug 2024 · 6 min
Asthma and you
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.
S1 · E122 · 18 Jul 2024 · 5 min
Dementia
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.
S1 · E121 · 5 Jul 2024 · 4 min
Hypertension
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.
S1 · E120 · 21 Jun 2024 · 5 min
Social Isolation
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.
S1 · E119 · 7 Jun 2024 · 5 min
UV Radiation
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.
S1 · E118 · 13 May 2024 · 5 min
Avian Influenza
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.

About Science in 5

Science in 5 is WHO's conversations in science. Listen to WHO experts explaining science related to COVID-19.

Science in 5 is a English tech & science podcast from WHO - World Health Organization. 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: WHO - World Health Organization
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 5 min
Latest episode: 16 Jan 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1529614992
Rights: 2026

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