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Behind the Health Statistic

Behind the Health Statistic

By School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University

Behind the Heath Statistic explores the human and personal perspectives of health and illness.
In a society that has become increasingly exposed to statistics, this podcast aims to take the listeners attention away from the numbers and on to the people.
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Sexual Health

Behind the Health StatisticJul 07, 2023

00:00
35:39
Sexual Health

Sexual Health

In this episode, Ffion gives us an insight into Sexual Health and explore how we can challenge associated taboos.

Jul 07, 202335:39
Menopause with Carolyn Harris MP

Menopause with Carolyn Harris MP

In this episode Rebecca Ferriday talks to Carolyn Harris MP about her campaign to better educated the world about menopause and make improvements at a national level, Carolyn also talks about her own experiences of menopause.

There is then a round table discussion with Rebecca, Joanne Owen and Cath Dunn (Cardiff University) about their own experiences and of how varied the menopause can be. We then conclude the episode with an interview with Jayne Forrester-Paton, an advanced menopause specialist, by Wayne Cole and Peter Smith (Cardiff University) to help them better understand and support their friends and loved ones through their menopause journey.


Produced by Peter Smith and Rebecca Ferriday


Jun 09, 202359:48
Vitamin D

Vitamin D

In this episode Diana De interviews Kendra-Jean Nwamadi and Dr. Sarju Patel about the importance of Vitamin D, we also hear from visitors, volunteers and organisers of the Vitamin D Grangetown awareness event.

We then hear from Dr. Ricky Hellyar who interviews Beth Hellyar, a health visitor working in the Grangetown community. Thanks to Cardiff university student Zixuan Liu for her interviews with Sarju Patel and Dr Kofi.

Jun 02, 202342:14
Tim - Surviving Cardiac Arrest

Tim - Surviving Cardiac Arrest

*Warning - includes content which some people might find upsetting.


In this Student/ Staff collaboration, Dr. Ricky Hellyar speaks to Tim about his experience, including physical and mental health implications. Narrated by our final year nursing student Connor, the podcast explores Tim's story and how he survived an out of hospital cardiac arrest.

Produced by Peter Smith, with assistance from William O'Neill and Wayne Cole. 

Mar 10, 202352:57
Women's Health Series - Autism

Women's Health Series - Autism

In this Episode Lara Cowpe talks to Kat about her experience of living with Autism, her diagnosis as well as her work with the Autistic community. 

Feb 26, 202301:20:24
Women's Health Series - Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder

Women's Health Series - Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder

In this episode Lara Cowpe speaks with Kirsty about her experience of living with Hypermobility spectrum disorder. 

We also her from Clare Sinton, a healthcare professional with experience of managing HSD, who shares her knowledge of the condition.

Jan 04, 202301:04:58
PAVOT-HD - Interview with John and Carol

PAVOT-HD - Interview with John and Carol

Dr. Katy Hamana talks to John and Carol about their shared experience of Huntington's disease and physical activity.

Dec 04, 202227:00
PAVOT-HD - Interview with Carly

PAVOT-HD - Interview with Carly

Dr. Katy Hamana talks to Carly about her experience of Huntington's disease and physical activity.

Dec 04, 202220:43
PAVOT-HD - Interview with Gareth

PAVOT-HD - Interview with Gareth

Dr. Katy Hamana speaks to Gareth about Huntington's disease and physical activity. 

Oct 12, 202220:29
PAVOT-HD - Interview with Joe

PAVOT-HD - Interview with Joe

Dr. Katy Hamana speaks to Joe about his experiences of Huntington's disease and physical activity.

Oct 12, 202218:00
Living with HIV

Living with HIV

In this episode Geinor Bean talks to Gavin Sheppard about living with HIV.

Jul 02, 202244:54
Women's Health Series - Living with Bipolar

Women's Health Series - Living with Bipolar

In this episode Lara Cowpe speaks to Bron about living with Bipolar Disorder. 

Jun 21, 202241:02
Women's Health Series - Lupus, diagnosis and beyond

Women's Health Series - Lupus, diagnosis and beyond

In this episode Lara Cowpe speaks to Wendy about her diagnosis journey and living with Lupus.

May 13, 202245:20
Sepsis - Terence, our family's Story

Sepsis - Terence, our family's Story

In this episode Terence from the UK sepsis trust kindly tells us of the story of his brother Mark and the devastating impact Sepsis had on the Canning family. 

Also featuring Doctor Paul Morgan, who kindly tells us more about the disease.  

Apr 08, 202201:17:31
Women's Health Series - Adenomyosis

Women's Health Series - Adenomyosis

In this episode Lara Cowpe discusses with Dee her experience of Adenomyosis.

Apr 07, 202201:00:25
Clinical Trial Participation

Clinical Trial Participation

In this episode we hear two very important stories about cancer diagnosis and clinical trial participation. 

Mar 18, 202201:05:46
Organ Donation: Have the Chat!

Organ Donation: Have the Chat!

In this live audience special, produced in collaboration with Believe Organ Donation Support, Ricky speaks to Transplant Consultant Surgeon Mike Stephens.

Mar 02, 202201:01:40
Women's Health Series - Experiencing Miscarriage

Women's Health Series - Experiencing Miscarriage

In this episode Lara Cowpe speaks to Jess about her experience of miscarriage.

Feb 21, 202248:11
Women's health Series - Series Introduction

Women's health Series - Series Introduction

An introduction to the new Behind the Health Statistic series, focusing on women's health. 

Feb 21, 202201:47
Disability and Healthcare

Disability and Healthcare

In this episode Gill shares her experience of accessing NHS services whilst having a disability.

Feb 11, 202237:49
Living with Prostate Cancer

Living with Prostate Cancer

In this episode Professor Danny Kelly speaks to Raymond Poole about his experience of prostate cancer: 

Please be aware that some of the discussion centers around child sexual abuse which some people might find upsetting.

Dec 01, 202147:26
Being Trans

Being Trans

In this episode Martyn Floyd speaks to Evan Wilkins about what it means to be Trans.

Nov 23, 202157:32
Secondary Breast Cancer

Secondary Breast Cancer

In this episode, Dr. Sally Anstey and Claire Job speak to Patient Teacher Sue about her experience of secondary breast cancer. 

Oct 27, 202147:41
Baby Loss

Baby Loss

In this episode we talk about the incredibly difficult topic of baby loss. Understandably the podcast contains topics which some people might find distressing.

As well as a first hand story, we also speak to Jess, a Bereavement Specialist Midwife and also HJ from the support organisation Sands.

Oct 12, 202101:22:42
Ellen and Karl-Lymphoedema

Ellen and Karl-Lymphoedema

In this episode Lara Cowpe speaks to Ellen, a younger adult service user, about her experience of Lymphoedema as well as Karl Hocking from Lymphoedema Network Wales.

Sep 15, 202101:04:12
Clinical Research and the Role of the Nurse - part 2

Clinical Research and the Role of the Nurse - part 2

In the second part of this two part episode, Dr Mike Johnson speaks to Alison Johnson about her role as a nurse in Huntington's Disease Research.

Sep 10, 202125:01
Clinical Research and the Role of the Nurse - part 1

Clinical Research and the Role of the Nurse - part 1

In the first part of this two part episode, CRUK Senior Research Nurse for Wales Mandy Edwards, and Trial Unit Manager for the Clinical Trials Unit at the Health Hospital Cardiff Vianne Britten, are in discussion with Connor, a year 1 student nurse at Cardiff University. They cover topics that roam from the basics of research and its vital role as a core value in healthcare to research nurse careers - exploring the various trajectories that research nurse careers can take.

Aug 17, 202146:50
Richard Desir: A Man in Nursing

Richard Desir: A Man in Nursing

In this episode Diana De talks to Richard Desir about his nursing career. Alongside the values which are fundamental to the profession, they discuss issues such as being a man in nursing and racism.

Jul 26, 202137:13
Long Covid: Lived Experiences part 2

Long Covid: Lived Experiences part 2

The Office for National statistics report nearly 700,000 people have had first-hand experience of or are suspected of having long Covid.

This two part episode uncovers both Alison's and Lisa's stories.

May 14, 202156:29
Long Covid: Lived Experiences part 1

Long Covid: Lived Experiences part 1

The Office for National statistics report nearly 700,000 people have had first-hand experience of or are suspected of having long Covid.

This two part episode uncovers both Alison's and Lisa's stories.

May 14, 202132:54
Lara: My Endometriosis - part 3

Lara: My Endometriosis - part 3

In this final part of the three episodes, Ricky and Lara discuss the future. We discuss contemporary care surrounding Endometriosis and what Lara’s hopes for the future are.

*Contains information which some listeners might find upsetting.

Mar 29, 202101:10:49
Lara: My Endometriosis - part 2

Lara: My Endometriosis - part 2

In part two of the three episodes exploring the lived experience Endometriosis, Lara has kindly recorded an audio diary which documents her peri-operative journey. Lara talks about about her thoughts leading up to treatment, her experience whilst in hospital as well as her thoughts and feelings whilst recovering.

*Contains information which some listeners might find upsetting.

Mar 29, 202101:22:21
Lara: My Endometriosis - part 1.

Lara: My Endometriosis - part 1.

In the opening episode of a three part special, Ricky and Lara explore how Endometriosis impacts on women’s lives. Lara describes her journey towards getting a diagnosis and the impact that the condition has had on her.

*Contains information which some listeners might find upsetting.

Mar 29, 202101:05:57
Mike and Harry: Mike and Harry a transplant story - part 1

Mike and Harry: Mike and Harry a transplant story - part 1

Mike opens up about his son Harry’s kidney disease and transplantation. He explores the wide-ranging impacts on the family, and how Mike went on to be a kidney donor himself.  (Part 1 of 2)

*Contains information which some listeners might find upsetting.

Feb 03, 202146:38
Rhiannon: My Life with Anorexia

Rhiannon: My Life with Anorexia

Rhiannon shares her story about developing anorexia, how it impacted on her life as well as the professionals and therapies which have helped her towards recovery.

*Contains information which some people might find upsetting.

Jan 15, 202134:42
Russ: Living with Psoriasis

Russ: Living with Psoriasis

Russ speaks to Professor Bundy about his life with an inflammatory disorder, the relationship between physical and mental well being and the impacts on his wider life.

*Contains information which some people might find upsetting.

Jan 15, 202148:11
Rob: Gambling, My Hidden Addiction

Rob: Gambling, My Hidden Addiction

Rob talks about the dangers and implications of gambling addiction. He looks into his own experience of addiction and journey towards recovery.

*Contains information which some people might find upsetting.

Jan 15, 202101:13:19
Becky: A Heart Defect, Our Story

Becky: A Heart Defect, Our Story

Becky discusses the experience of having a baby with a congenital heart disorder. She shares the series of events which led to her son being admitted to neonatal intensive care and his subsequent treatments.

*Contains information which some people might find upsetting.

Jan 15, 202145:44
Anon: Schizophrenia, Mind and Body

Anon: Schizophrenia, Mind and Body

John talks to somebody with Schizophrenia about how mental health disorders impact on physical and social well being.

*Contains information which some people might find upsetting.

Jan 15, 202115:17
Mike and Harry: A Transplant Story (Part 2)

Mike and Harry: A Transplant Story (Part 2)

Mike opens up about his son Harry’s kidney disease and transplantation. He explores the wide-ranging impacts on the family, and how Mike himself went on to be a kidney donor himself. (part 2 of 2)

*Contains information which some people might find upsetting.

Jan 15, 202133:48
Debbie: My COPD

Debbie: My COPD

Debbie discusses her life as a smoker and how this has unfortunately contributed to lung disease. She explores how health changes over time and alternative strategies to managing health.

*Contains information which some people might find upsetting.

Jan 15, 202125:28
Mandy: Dad, Epilepsy and Me

Mandy: Dad, Epilepsy and Me

Mandy talks about life growing up with a dad who had epilepsy. She discusses how society used to perceive brain illnesses and how his unfortunate death impacted her as a teenager and continues to influence her life today.

*Contains information which some people might find upsetting.

Jan 15, 202129:24
Lara: My Childhood with Cancer

Lara: My Childhood with Cancer

Lara shares her story of what it was like to be diagnosed with cancer as a child. She explores the impact on her family and how health is perceived.

*Contains information which some people might find upsetting.

Jan 15, 202132:54
Behind the Health Statistic: An Introduction

Behind the Health Statistic: An Introduction

An introduction to the new podcast from the Nursing Team at Cardiff University.

Jan 15, 202101:10