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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:

Asbestos is a remarkable mineral - it insulates, it's a flame retardant and it's been used in buildings for many years. And for many years its threat to health went unrecognised or ignored. Asbestos can cause lung cancer and asbetosis - a scarring of the lungs leading to breathing problems and heart failure.

Since the change from communism to democratic government 16 years ago Hungary has much to close the gap with the west on environmental standards. And joining the European Union 2 years ago meant Hungary had to meet new standards and Hungarians become more environment conscious. Despite this environmental problems from the past continue to affect the health of Hungarians.

With the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster coming up in April many scientists and analysts are still unsure of the true scale of the accident. Up to mid-2005, fewer than 50 deaths had been directly attributed to radiation from the disaster, almost all being highly exposed rescue workers, many of whom died within months of the accident, although others died as late as 2004. But the latest UN report predicts that up to 4000 people could eventually die of radiation exposure and cancer induced as a result of it. Danuta Szafraniec

In Central Europe increasing numbers of people are moving from the country to the city. Like much of the rest of the world - societies here are becoming more urbanised and the problem of noise pollution more acute. The Czech capital Prague is unusual, in that one of the country's main transport arteries cuts right through the centre of the city. But what effect does the noise caused by the huge volume of traffic have on people who live there? Radio Prague's Ian Willoughby reports.

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?