Household air pollution, Labour’s lag on child poverty, children forced to cope with conflict

Household air pollution, Labour’s lag on child poverty, children forced to cope with conflict

From Medicine and Science from The BMJ by The BMJ

March 6, 2026 · 35 min · Episode 69

About this episode

The episode discusses rising household air pollution, the increase in child poverty in the UK, and the mental health challenges faced by children in conflict zones.

As public health officials warn about rising emissions from urban wood burning, a BMJ investigation finds that just under a third of UK councils in high use areas have faced pressure from the stove industry to tone down or withdraw campaigns. Almost a third of UK children live in poverty. Leading expert Michael Marmot weighs in on the UK’s "steepest rise" in child poverty among OECD countries and why local government "Marmot Cities" like Coventry and Manchester are taking the lead where national policy falls short. And, a new BMJ collection has just been published on child mental health in conflict zones. 1 in 5 children globally live in conflict zones, creating a staggering mental health toll. We hear about community-led interventions. Reading list: The growing threat of domestic wood burning stoves—and industry’s legal attempts to shut down clean air campaigns Michael Marmot: Labour has reneged on its child poverty promises Child mental health in conflict settings

People in this episode

Guest: Michael Marmot

Topics covered

  • household air pollution
  • child poverty
  • mental health
  • conflict zones
  • public health
  • local government

Keywords

  • air pollution
  • child poverty
  • mental health
  • conflict
  • public health
  • local government
  • wood burning stoves

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BMJ

Places: UK, Coventry, Manchester

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