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Health Check: 24/08/2009

24/08/2009

BBC World Service - Health Check, 24/08/2009

British Versus US healthcare debate. Why optimism is good for your health. Space medicine.

Why the US and UK are at war over each other’s healthcare systems. Are optimists healthier then pessimists? Space medicine - do you need to be super-human to go into space.

The US Versus the UK – which country’s health system is better? Claudia Hammond hears from both sides of the Atlantic about the dramatic war of words that has erupted over President Obama’s plans to reform the US health system.  Would a system like Britain’s National Health Service work in the USA?

Claudia hears from Professor Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology, why being optimistic makes you healthier and even live longer.
Space Medicine – as China prepares to launch its manned space programme do astronauts need to be super-human?  Dr Kevin Fong tells Claudia about the health requirements for going into space.

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