Health challenges after Venezuela earthquakes

On June 24th, twin earthquakes hit Venezuela, and in the weeks since the healthcare system has been overwhelmed with need. Claudia Hammond speaks with International Red Cross representative Paolo Cravero to learn more about the latest health updates on the ground in Caracas, and what is being done to fill the growing gaps in care.

Claudia is joined by Graham Easton, Professor of Clinical Communication Skills at Queen Mary University of London, who brings us the latest on a Swedish study which suggests a prostate cancer blood test could detect 50 percent more cases, helping significantly reduce needless treatments.

Graham and Claudia also discuss the growing threat of fungal infections and antifungal resistance - the WHO has released a “blueprint” to help countries respond - whilst the USA has published a surveillance report noting the doubling of Candida auris cases between 2022 and 2024 in the country, one of the fungal pathogens the WHO is most concerned about.

Also, while rates of obesity and overweight have continued to rise globally over the last 30 years, a new study has found that the associated cardiac risks of high blood pressure and cholesterol have instead plateaued. Claudia speaks with Paul Franks, professor of genetic epidemiology at Lund University in Sweden, and of translational precision medicine at Queen Mary University, to understand what this trend really means.

Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producers: Georgia Christie & Jonathan Blackwell

Image: A general view of a camp where people visit for health aid after the earthquakes that struck Venezuela and other regions in the Caribbean, on July 1, 2026 in La Guaira, Venezuela Image Credit: Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images