University launches new topical podcast series

The University of Aberdeen has launched a news-based podcast series exploring the current stories making the press.

‘Into the Headlines’ takes a conversational dive into the news agenda, both those stories released by the University itself and the regional, national and international issues and events impacting society as a whole.

Usually topical, frequently fun and almost always thoughtprovoking, episodes are released on a Friday across platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Sticher, Google Podcasts and Amazon Music, as well as the University website.

Jennifer Phillips, Head of Communications, said: “Home to a community of more than 130 different nationalities, the University boasts a broad spectrum of experts and interests, from groundbreaking medical and environmental research to politics, business, sports, arts, science specialisms and more.

“Through this new podcast series, we hope to explore some of the big ticket news stories coming from our academics that are having a direct impact on the world around us, as well as providing a platform for our experts and other invited guests to share their thoughts on the topical issues making the headlines in Scotland, the UK and beyond.”

The study, ‘Fighting for Air’, blames worsening air pollution, higher rates of poverty, underfunding in education and an increasingly overwhelmed health service for the worsening situation.

The policies it promotes are an increase in the Scottish Child Payment for families coping with the respiratory condition; priority social housing; a commitment to face-to-face asthma reviews with GPs; live air pollution monitoring by local authorities and a nationwide roll-out of asthma training in schools, workplaces, and other organisations.

Mrs Chukwuma-Ezike said: “Scotland has one of the worst problems with asthma anywhere in Europe and it is time for ministers to wake up to the crisis hundreds of thousands face, particularly children living in straitened conditions.

“There is a kind of ambivalence towards the condition and services are woefully underfunded. “Of the 72,200 children in Scotland with asthma, one is admitted to hospital every 20 minutes with an attack. If you are living in poverty, you are three times more likely to be one of these children.”

She added: “In an age where health services face a multitude of problems, we feel asthma is ignored by those with the power to help. We have launched this policy paper in the hope that we will get it into the hands of decision-makers who have the will and ability to introduce meaningful change for a constituency of people who are, quite frankly, lost at sea without any hope in sight.”