Get it on Google Play

105. Would we pass Trump's fitness test?

105. Would we pass Trump's fitness test?

Author: Steve Brine and guests July 9, 2026 Duration: 43:30
Prevention is the New Cure
HealthHealth & FitnessFitnessGovernmentNewsPolitics

Is the NHS checking out of preventative care? In Episode 105 of Prevention is the New Cure, former health ministers Lord James Bethell and Steve Brine tackle the shifting landscape of public health, political incentives, and cultural habits across the UK and US.


From declining NHS health checks to the radical new "marathon a month" incentive scheme, they debate whether behavioural nudges actually work—or if they just reward the already healthy. They also dive into the NHS's new TikTok strategy to combat foreign misinformation, celebrate the massive hidden success of opt-out HIV testing in A&E, and cross the pond to look at RFK Jr.’s revival of the Presidential Fitness Test under the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) agenda.


Plus, find out why Lord Bethell is trading politics for the DJ booth at Airfest this week and does Puritan Steve agree with more beer at football matches?

Email: podcast@stevebrine.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Prevention is the New Cure is a health and politics podcast hosted by former UK Health Ministers Steve Brine & James Bethell. Drawing on their experience inside government, they unpack how political decisions shape the NHS, public health, fitness, and everyday wellbeing. Each week, listeners can expect thoughtful conversations on prevention - from tackling chronic disease and obesity to mental health, social care, and the future of healthcare funding. With candid reflections, behind-the-scenes insight, and expert guests, the show explores what needs to change so that staying well becomes as important as treating illness. Whether you follow health policy, work in the system, or just care about living longer, healthier lives, this is your place to listen episodes that challenge, inform, and inspire.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Official website RSS
Prevention is the New Cure
Podcast Episodes
92. The Junk food ad ban GIANT loophole [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:04
In episode 92 of THE health and politics podcast: Prevention is the New Cure, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and Lord Bethell discuss the brand new junk food ban, and how fast food companies and others are ALREADY f…
91. Why Willpower Fails Against Obesity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:10
Is the UK's health system upside down? In this episode of 'Prevention is the New Cure,' former Health Minister Lord James Bethell and Tony Blair Institute’s Dr. Charlotte Refsum sit down with Professor Susan Jebb (Chair…
90. 'Digital is not an individual athlete' - LIVE from Re:wired [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:05
Episode 90 of THE health and politics podcast, comes LIVE from Digital Health Re:wired!This episode is sponsored by MASTEK; a company with a 25-year history of working with the NHS and has been trusted to deliver signifi…
89. Meningitis horror [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:56
In Episode 89, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and Lord Bethell dive into the urgent headlines shaping British healthcare. From the tragic Meningitis B outbreak in Kent to the "productivity paradox" of AI in hospital…
88. Drugs in Space! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:02
In this episode of Prevention is the New Cure, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and Lord James Bethell join from around the world: James from Blackpool and Steve from North Macedonia.They dive into the looming GP cont…
87. Strictly fund the NHS - and prevention! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:19
The £200bn Question: Why Isn’t the NHS Getting Healthier?In this episode of Prevention is the New Cure, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell take analyse the status quo of UK health policy. With NHS spen…
86. Jabs payments missing the point [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:05
Can we "prescribe" our way out of a national health crisis?In this episode, former Health Ministers James Bethell and Steve Brine are joined by Charlotte Refsum (Head of Health at the Tony Blair Institute) to dissect the…
85. Health tech good news and NHS prescribing puppies? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:42
In this episode of Prevention is the New Cure, former Health Ministers Steve Brine and James Bethell chat to Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund.Sarah Woolnough argues that health is not made in hospitals…
83. Can the NHS deliver its new National Cancer Plan? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:27
A special episode this week of the health and politics podcast, Prevention is the new cure, as Ministers finally publish the National Cancer Plan.Steve & James talk exclusively to NHS National Clinical Director, Professo…

«12345»