Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
Imagine a single daily pill that could dramatically cut your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Sounds almost too good to be true, right? Well, scientists from University College London (UCL) believe this vision could soon be a reality. The breakthrough "polypill" combines a statin and three blood pressure-lowering medications, promising to transform how we prevent cardiovascular diseases, one of the UK’s biggest health challenges.
A revolutionary approach to heart disease prevention
Heart disease and strokes are silent killers, claiming thousands of lives each year. The current NHS Health Check programme helps identify at-risk individuals, but the system isn’t reaching nearly enough people. Fewer than half of those eligible even attend their appointments. This means that countless lives could be saved if more people were offered preventive treatment.
That’s where the polypill comes in. Rather than relying on complex risk assessments, UCL experts suggest a much simpler approach: offering the polypill to everyone aged 50 and over. No lengthy health checks, just the pill. This could make it a revolutionary tool in preventing heart attacks and strokes on a massive scale.
What exactly is the polypill?
The polypill is a combination of four well-established drugs: a statin to lower cholesterol and three different blood pressure-lowering medications. The idea of combining these drugs isn’t new; it dates back to a 2003 study that suggested a polypill could prevent up to 80% of heart attacks and strokes in people over 55. Since then, various trials have backed up these claims.
Professor Aroon Hingorani, a leading UCL researcher, explains that most heart attacks and strokes happen in people with “average” risk levels, which means the current system of identifying high-risk individuals often misses the mark. Offering the polypill to everyone over 50 could potentially save far more lives.
A simple, life-saving solution
One of the biggest advantages of the polypill is its simplicity. There’s no need for complicated medical assessments, just a few basic questions to check for side effects. Once that’s done, eligible people can start taking the pill, drastically reducing their risk of heart-related problems.
UCL researchers estimate that even if only 8% of people over 50 take up the offer, the health benefits would far exceed what’s currently achieved through the NHS Health Check. This new approach could make life-saving medication accessible to millions in the same way that vaccines or folic acid fortification do.
Professor Sir Nicholas Wald, another UCL co-author, compares the polypill approach to other public health programmes designed to prevent illness before it happens. “This isn’t about medicalising half the population,” Wald points out. “It’s about making sure people don’t become patients in the first place.”
Affordable, proven, and effective
The polypill is not only effective but also affordable. The medications it contains are all off-patent, meaning they’re inexpensive to produce. Despite the low cost, these drugs have a long-standing track record of success with minimal side effects. In particular, combining three blood pressure drugs at low doses reduces the risk of side effects even further while maximising the benefits.
In 2019, a landmark study in rural Iran showed that taking the polypill for five years reduced heart attacks and strokes by a third. This dramatic finding demonstrates the real-world potential of the polypill to change the game not just in the UK but globally.
What’s next for the polypill?
With such compelling evidence, the next step is figuring out how to introduce the polypill programme nationwide. UCL researchers have proposed a pilot project to evaluate how best to roll it out, looking at factors such as cost, uptake, and long-term effectiveness.
However, for this plan to become a reality, it would require policy changes. Currently, local authorities are required to offer NHS Health Checks, and a polypill programme would need to replace or supplement this. But the UCL team is confident this shift is necessary, calling the current situation “untenable.”
With over seven million people in the UK affected by cardiovascular disease, and more than 200,000 heart attacks and strokes every year, it’s clear that a new approach is desperately needed. The polypill could be that solution: a simple, affordable, and effective way to prevent countless deaths and reduce the burden on the NHS.
A new era in prevention
The polypill isn’t just another medical treatment; it could be the key to unlocking a future with fewer heart attacks and strokes. By offering this life-saving pill to everyone over 50, we could see a drastic reduction in cardiovascular diseases. The scientific evidence is strong, the potential impact is huge, and the time to act is now.
As we wait for further studies and potential rollouts, one thing is certain: prevention is always better than cure, and the polypill could very well be the future of heart disease prevention.
The Department of Health said the rollout would reduce missed days at nursery and school, cut time parents take off work, and save the NHS about £15 million a year. (Representational image: iStock)
CHILDREN in England will be offered a free chickenpox vaccine for the first time from January 2026, the government has announced.
GP practices will give eligible children a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. Around half a million children each year are expected to be protected.
The Department of Health said the rollout would reduce missed days at nursery and school, cut time parents take off work, and save the NHS about £15 million a year. Research estimates chickenpox in childhood leads to £24 million in lost income and productivity annually.
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said: “We’re giving parents the power to protect their children from chickenpox and its serious complications, while keeping them in nursery or the classroom where they belong and preventing parents from scrambling for childcare or having to miss work. This vaccine puts children’s health first and gives working families the support they deserve. As part of our Plan for Change, we want to give every child the best possible start in life, and this rollout will help to do exactly that.”
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Most parents probably consider chickenpox to be a common and mild illness, but for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and tragically, while rare, it can be fatal. It is excellent news that from next January we will be introducing a vaccine to protect against chickenpox into the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme – helping prevent what is for most a nasty illness and for those who develop severe symptoms, it could be a life saver.”
Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said: “This is a hugely positive moment for families as the NHS gets ready to roll out a vaccine to protect children against chickenpox for the first time, adding to the arsenal of other routine jabs that safeguard against serious illness.”
The eligibility criteria will be set out in clinical guidance, and parents will be contacted by their GP surgery if their child is eligible.
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WHEN broadcaster and journalist Naga Munchetty began speaking openly about her experiences with adenomyosis and debilitating menstrual pain, the response was overwhelming.
Emails and messages poured in from women who had endured years of dismissal, silence and shame when it came to their health. That outpouring became the driving force behind her new book, It’s Probably Nothing, which calls for women to be heard and to advocate for themselves in a medical system that has too often ignored them.
“For so long, so many women haven’t been listened to by the world of medicine,” Munchetty said. “I knew this from my own experience of not being given adequate pain relief, or waiting years for a diagnosis. My motivation was to help women and people who love women to advocate better for women’s health.”
The book blends Munchetty’s personal journey with the voices of other women who have faced similar struggles, alongside expert insights from medical professionals. Its purpose, she said, is clear: to empower people to fight for their health.
“We need to be unafraid of saying how we have been weakened by our symptoms,” the BBC presenter said.
“Too often, we try to keep afloat, keep our head above water, but we don’t want to seem weak. That needs to change.”
Munchetty’s candour is striking. She describes the shame of being told her excruciating periods were “just normal,” leaving her to feel weak and whiny for struggling.
“You might as well have told me people have heart attacks while I’m having a heart attack,” she said. “Debilitating pain is serious — it may not be lifelimiting, but it is life-impacting.”
Her determination to challenge that culture led to her giving evidence in parliament, contributing to what became a Women and Equalities Committee report, published in December 2024.
The report made headlines for its stark conclusion: medical misogyny exists.
For Munchetty, seeing that phrase in black and white was transformative. “It was almost self-affirming,” she said. “We now know it’s there, so we can challenge it. Women can say: I know my body, I know there’s not enough research, and I am entitled to push for answers.”
The parliamentary report went further than acknowledgement. It called for ring-fenced funding for women’s health hubs, better training for GPs, and greater investment in research into reproductive conditions like adenomyosis and endometriosis.
It highlighted how symptoms are routinely dismissed as “normal,” delaying diagnosis and disrupting women’s careers, education and daily lives. Munchetty wrote in her book — referencing the report — that medical misogyny is not about blaming individual doctors, but about challenging a system built on insufficient research into women’s bodies.
“It gives women the language and the confidence to not just be heard, but to insist on being taken seriously,” she wrote.
Her book also tackles the additional barriers faced by women from minority communities, who may be discouraged by stigma or embarrassment from speaking about menstruation or menopause. To them, Munchetty has a clear message: “You are so much more valuable than you realise. If you don’t prioritise your health, you are lessening your ability to hold up everyone around you.”
Those featured in the book are friends, colleagues, charities and everyday women who contributed their stories, many for the first time. “I was surprised at how many friends are in that book with such powerful experiences,” Munchetty said.
“It told me all the more that we’re not speaking about it, and that it is sadly so very common.”
At a launch event for the book, contributors, family and experts filled the room with what Munchetty describes as an “electric and inspiring atmosphere.”
She said, “It was full of joy, of women who felt safe to speak up and be heard. This is not a whiny book — it’s a positive book. People felt they were part of making things better, part of this women’s health revolution.”
For Munchetty, writing the book was exhausting, but transformative, she said.
“I never thought I’d be an author. I’m a journalist. But this is journalism — facilitating people’s stories to be told powerfully and truthfully. People trusted me, and I’m proud of that.”
And Munchetty’s aim is for the book to be a tool for change: arming women with the language, confidence and strategies to advocate for their health.
“It’s not easy to admit you need help, and it’s not instinctive for women to prioritise themselves,” she said. “But this book will help you do that. It’s the silent friend who has your back and gives you strength.”
It’s Probably Nothing - Critical Conversations on the Women’s Health Crisis is now available in all good bookshops
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Williams explained that her weight challenges began after the birth of her first daughter
Serena Williams reveals she has lost more than 31lbs using a GLP-1 medication
The tennis legend says the treatment enhanced her existing healthy lifestyle
She stresses that weight loss should not change self-image or self-confidence
Serena Williams has revealed she has lost more than 31lbs after turning to a weight-loss medication, saying the treatment has transformed both her body and her mindset.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion, 43, told PEOPLE that using a GLP-1 medication — a type of injection that works by regulating appetite — has helped enhance the healthy lifestyle she already maintained through diet and exercise.
“I feel great,” Williams said. “I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally.”
Postpartum struggles
Williams explained that her weight challenges began after the birth of her first daughter, Alexis Olympia, in 2017. Despite training intensively and eating healthily, she found it difficult to return to her preferred weight.
“I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be, no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained,” she admitted. “It was frustrating to work so hard and not see results.”
She experienced the same plateau after giving birth to her second daughter, Adira River, in 2023. Although she initially shed weight quickly, progress soon stalled. “I never lost another pound,” she recalled.
Turning to treatment
Determined to try a new approach, Williams consulted doctors through Ro, a direct-to-patient healthcare company, and began a GLP-1 course once she had finished breastfeeding. The medication, also known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, is commonly marketed under brand names such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.
“I did a lot of research before I started,” she explained. “I wanted to know if it was a shortcut or if it could really help me. In the end, it felt like the right decision.”
Williams, who is now a patient ambassador for Ro, said the injections made a noticeable difference. “I lost over 31 pounds and was really excited about that weight loss.”
Feeling better than ever
The Olympic gold medallist says she now feels stronger and more energetic.
“I can do more. I’m more active. My joints don’t hurt as much. Even simple things like moving around are easier. I feel like I have a lot more energy.”
She emphasised that GLP-1 was not a substitute for discipline but a way to support her existing healthy habits. “GLP-1 helped me enhance everything I was already doing — eating healthy and working out, whether as a professional athlete or just at the gym every day.”
Confidence and body positivity
Despite her transformation, Williams stressed that her self-confidence has never depended on her size.
“Weight loss should never really change your self-image,” she said. “Women are judged about their bodies at any size, and I’m no stranger to that. I’ve always loved myself at every stage. The difference was that my body didn’t feel good carrying that extra weight after having children.”
She added that she encourages her daughters to embrace body confidence too. “It’s important to teach them to be confident at any size, just as I try to be. Looking back, whether I was smaller or heavier, I always felt confident — and I looked great too.”
Looking ahead
Williams says she plans to continue with the weekly GLP-1 injections as needed, alongside training for a half marathon. The gym remains her “favourite place to be” — and she intends to keep sharing her workouts with fans online.
“I just feel pretty good about it all,” she said.
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Seles first began noticing symptoms around five years ago
Nine-time Grand Slam winner Monica Seles diagnosed with myasthenia gravis three years ago
The 51-year-old revealed her condition ahead of this month’s US Open to raise awareness
Disease causes muscle weakness and has no known cure
Former world number one Monica Seles has revealed she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular autoimmune disease, three years ago. The 51-year-old, who won nine Grand Slam singles titles, went public ahead of the US Open to raise awareness of the condition, which causes muscle weakness and can affect multiple parts of the body.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Seles first began noticing symptoms around five years ago when she experienced double vision and struggled with coordination. “I would be playing [tennis] with some kids or family members, and I would miss a ball. I was like, ‘Yeah, I see two balls,’” she told the Associated Press. These symptoms eventually led to her diagnosis, which took time for her to come to terms with.
Living with the condition
The former tennis star described the impact of the disease on her daily life as “significant” and said it was initially difficult to discuss openly. Myasthenia gravis currently has no cure, but treatments can help manage its effects. By sharing her experience, Seles hopes to use her platform to educate others.
Career highlights
Seles rose to prominence as a teenager, winning her first Grand Slam at the 1990 French Open aged 16 and claiming eight majors by 19. Her career was interrupted in 1993 when she was stabbed by a spectator during a match in Hamburg. She returned to the sport and won one more Grand Slam before retiring in 2003, having spent 178 weeks as world number one and capturing 53 career titles.
NexGen knee implant linked to high failure rates was used in over 10,000 UK operations.
Concerns flagged as early as 2014; withdrawn from UK market in 2022.
Hundreds of patients required corrective surgery, with costs running into millions.
Manufacturer Zimmer Biomet says patient safety is its “top priority” but will not cover revision costs up front.
Implant used despite early warnings
A knee replacement implant used in thousands of NHS operations was known to have a concerning failure rate eight years before it was withdrawn, a BBC File on 4 Investigates report has found.
The NexGen implant, made by US manufacturer Zimmer Biomet, was fitted in more than 10,000 patients between 2012 and 2022. Concerns were first raised by the National Joint Registry (NJR) in 2014, though insufficient data at the time made it difficult to draw firm conclusions.
The model in question included a modified “stemmed option tibial component” or “tibial tray”, lacking a layer of plastic found in earlier versions. It was marketed as a cheaper alternative for the NHS.
Patients left in pain and needing further surgery
Patients have reported severe complications after their implants slipped out of place, damaging bone and causing lasting mobility issues.
Debbie Booker, from Southampton, experienced severe pain a year after her 2016 surgery, eventually requiring a second knee replacement. She says the failed implant left her addicted to strong painkillers and caused long-term health problems, including the need for a hip replacement.
Another patient, “Diana”, had her implant fitted in 2021. When it slipped and began wearing away her shin bone, her consultant told her she was “standing on a broken leg”.
Surgeons raised repeated concerns
Irish knee surgeon Prof Eric Masterson reported a surge in corrective surgeries after switching to the NexGen implant in 2012. He says his concerns were dismissed by Zimmer Biomet representatives, a view echoed by NHS surgeons.
UK knee specialist Prof Leila Biant said she and colleagues raised warnings as early as 2017, but the company was slow to engage in evaluating affected patients.
Recall and high revision costs
By 2022, NJR data suggested patients with the NexGen implant were almost twice as likely to require corrective surgery compared with the average knee replacement. Zimmer Biomet recalled unused units from the UK market that year.
Studies have estimated failure rates for the tibial tray component between 6% and 19%. Hundreds of patients have undergone revision surgery, with more expected.
Each corrective procedure costs between £10,000 and £30,000, according to Southampton University’s Prof David Barrett, meaning the total bill is likely to run into millions. Zimmer Biomet has told sales staff it will not cover diagnostic, follow-up, or revision costs up front.
Official responses
Zimmer Biomet says it is “committed to the highest standards of patient safety, quality, and transparency” and acts in line with regulations when new data becomes available.
NHS England has confirmed it is “currently reviewing the case involving Zimmer Biomet NexGen knee implants”.