PodcastsGovernmentPrevention is the New Cure

Prevention is the New Cure

Steve Brine & James Bethell
Prevention is the New Cure
Latest episode

99 episodes

  • Prevention is the New Cure

    97. Who is the Health Secretary?

    14/05/2026 | 55 mins.
    Chaos in Westminster. As rumors of a Labour leadership challenge swirl, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell break down a week of political explosions and landmark policy shifts.

    In this episode, we dive into:
    The "Christmas Tree" Bill: Why the new NHS Modernisation Bill could be a gamble for the government.
    Single Patient Records: Is mandating data sharing the key to saving the NHS, or a privacy nightmare?
    Hantavirus on Cruise Ships: How worried should we really be about the latest outbreak?
    The "Beach Body" Pressure: Lord Bethell gets honest about the struggle of health, booze, and cortisol.
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  • Prevention is the New Cure

    96. American special - the AI crash and what happens next

    07/05/2026 | 45 mins.
    James joins from the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills this week and the guys unpack five "states of mind" currently dominating the global health and politics landscape. From China’s surging dominance in biopharma innovation to the sobering reality of the failed resource shift toward prevention, this episode is a wake-up call for Western policy makers.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    The China Reckoning: How Jiangsu Hengrui overtook AstraZeneca and what it means for UK/US national security.
    The AI "Crash": Why 90% of AI startups may fail and what the "Middle of AI" looks like.
    The MHRA’s New Vision: Insights from Lawrence Tallon on digital technology and international reciprocity.
    US Politics & Health: Will Dr. Oz replace RFK Jr. in the American health landscape?
    The "Pre-loading" Debate: Should airport alcohol sales be banned?

    Connect with us:

    📧 Email: [email protected]
    📱 WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507
    🎧 Subscribe for weekly insights into the heart of government decision-making

    This episode is produced by Calum Macdonald and is part of the Shortbread Media family.
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    Email: [email protected]
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  • Prevention is the New Cure

    95. Jonathan Ashworth on his stroke - and lego

    30/04/2026 | 43 mins.
    Former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell return with a thought-provoking episode - featuring former Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth on his shock stroke at 47, and the unexpected role of Lego in his recovery.

    This week, they ask a hard question: If someone who understands the system can miss the warning signs, how are the public meant to spot them?

    In this episode:
    Jonathan Ashworth on his Stroke: A candid account of the moment everything changed - and what it reveals about “silent” risk.
    Recovery, Lego & Neuroplasticity: How rebuilding with Lego, learning piano, and even reciting Shakespeare are helping retrain the brain after stroke.
    Prevention vs Reality: From missed health checks to lifestyle risks, why do individuals - and governments - struggle to act before it’s too late?
    The Biobank Breach: A major data security scare raises urgent questions about trust in the UK’s most valuable health research resource.
    Britain’s Health Decline: New data shows we’re falling behind on healthy life expectancy - posing not just a health crisis, but an economic one.
    The Culture Problem: From alcohol to everyday habits, are we too comfortable with the behaviours making us ill?

    Plus, a “brain-boosting beer” claim under the microscope—science or spin?

    Prevention may be the cure—but only if we take it seriously.

    *********

    Subscribe for weekly insights into the future of health!

    WhatsApp us: 0333 404 6507

    Email: [email protected]

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more
    --
    WhatsApp us: 0333 404 6507
    Email: [email protected]
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Prevention is the New Cure

    94. Vaccines... and underpants

    23/04/2026 | 55 mins.
    Former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell return for a deep dive into the intersection of health and politics.
    This week, they tackle the "Golden Child" of the pandemic, the vaccine rollout, and ask a piercing question: Why can the UK system innovate in a crisis but remain "analogue" for chronic disease?

    In this episode:
    The Allergy Boom: Lord Bethell shares his personal battle with hay fever and discusses the launch of the new UK Allergy Strategy.
    Mandelson & Geopolitics: A frank discussion on Lord Mandelson’s appointment, Chinese influence in UK Life Sciences, and the "distractions" slowing down government.
    The Vaccine Wrap: Analysis of the COVID Inquiry’s praise for the rollout, the decline in childhood MMR uptake, and the breakthrough RSV jab for pregnant women.
    RFK Jr & MAGA Health: James previews his upcoming trip to the US to investigate the "Make America Healthy Again" movement.
    The NHS Model Debate: Seb Rees from the IPPR joins the show to discuss whether switching to a European-style insurance system would actually fix the NHS.
    Plus, did School PE ruin exercise for a generation?

    Subscribe for weekly insights into the future of health!
    WhatsApp us: 0333 404 6507
    Email: [email protected]
    --
    WhatsApp us: 0333 404 6507
    Email: [email protected]
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Prevention is the New Cure

    93. Prostate cancer’s moment of truth

    16/04/2026 | 55 mins.
    Former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell dive into the "nihilism" of modern health politics. Is the current strategy just about keeping the NHS out of the headlines, or are we actually making the nation healthier?
    In this episode:

    The School Food Revolution: Why Jamie Oliver and Henry Dimbleby might be skeptical of the government's latest "ban" on nuggets.
    Prostate Cancer Screening: Oliver Kemp (Prostate Cancer Research) explains why the UK is lagging behind Europe and how we can flip the "red to green" on the screening model.
    The GP Debate: Do GPs need to stop being "country doctors" and start being "risk managers"?

    Plus, Charlotte Refsum reports from The Academy of Medical Sciences and we hear from:
    Sir Harpal Kumar, Chief Scientific Officer & President International at GRAIL.
    Emma Greenwood, AMS Policy Director.

    --
    WhatsApp us: 0333 404 6507
    Email: [email protected]
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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About Prevention is the New Cure
Former Health Ministers, Steve Brine and James Bethell, come together to discuss all things health and politics.Twitter:@PreventionPodcEmail:[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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