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Cardio vascular diseases claim 50 thousand lives in Hungary every year. And experts believe that lifestyle factors - lack of exercise and poor diet - are making that figure much higher than it needs to be. Cardiologist, Dr Lajos Matos, is involved in a number of research projects into cardio-vascular disease. He told Gyorgy Jakobi about the main lifestyle factors leading to heart disease:

For many Czechs - told all too often they smoke, drink, and or eat far too unhealthily - there is another option: to take their life into their own hands and get in shape. Getting exercise in the Czech Republic has never been easier, with an increasing number of modern and well-equipped fitness centres offering more choice and better services. Since the late 90s a centres operated by either by Czech-run or by internationally-owned companies have transformed the fitness landscape - especially in Prague - offering locals more opportunities than ever

In Slovakia, women with the eating disorder weigh as little as 30 kilograms. They have little physical strength and their behavious is similar to drug addicts. Anorexia is on the increase in Slovakia and Katerina Richterova has been investigating:

Our modern technology driven lives can be stressful. Many people choose to work long hours and neglect their physical well being. But there is a penalty to be paid for those long hours at the computer and in Slovenia working days have, for many, become longer and more stressful. Little wonder then that medical professionals are reporting an increase in serious back pain. Ksenija Samardzija Matul from Radio Slovenia International investigates the link between back pain and lifestyle:

In traditional East European societies being overweight once symbolised wealth and success. In Poland, for instance, a fat child meant a healthy and happy child. Of course during the food shortages under communism getting fat was a bit of a challenge. But in the new free market reality, extra kilos are no longer a virtue. In Poland nearly twenty per cent of the population suffers from obesity. That's comparable with western societies but it's alarming when compared to the condition of Poles two generations back. Michal Zajac reports from

Health care workers have been stirring up public debate having gone into their first major strike in history, leaving several hospitals with emergency care only. The strike could be called a success as poorly paid health workers will get a 20% salary increase. But wages are only part of the story. Big changes are being made to Slovakia's health sector with the reformers describing patients as customers. Katerina Richterova looks into the ethics of health care in a system undergoing dramatic change:

Experts believe over two billion people suffer from diseases that may eventually be treated - or even cured - with stem cells. These include heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. But research in this field is often impeded by ethical concerns. Sandor Laczko of Radio Budapest looks at the situation in Hungary:

A Polish woman who was refused an abortion despite doctors' warnings that giving birth could damage her eyesight has taken Poland to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. She claims that the country failed to protect her rights under its strict abortion law. Poland has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, and abortions are only very rarely approved. Iwona Lejman looks at the ethical issues confronting Poland's doctors:

The Slovenian Hospice is a non-governmental, non-profit humanitarian organisation caring for patients - and the families of patients - facing a life-threatening illness. It tries to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of the person who is dying and of their loved ones. It's a free service and helps people at home or in hospital. Ksenija Samardzija-Matul visited the hospice in Slovenia's second largest city - Maribor:

Air is one of the things that bring people to Slovakia's Tatras National Park. Many call the Tatras a healing "respiration resort". Walks through the forests help to get your lungs back into shape. But those forests were badly damaged in the great storm of November 2004. Can the Tatras still deliver their famous health benefits?