Health
Haiti cholera death toll rises
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The UN has appealed for nearly $164 million to fight a cholera outbreak in Haiti which has now claimed around 800 lives. Aid agencies are battling to contain cholera in the capital Port-au-Prince, amid fears it will spread through camps housing over a million earthquake survivors. Reporter Sabri Ben-Achour of station WAMU sent this report. Download MP3 (Photo: bypassedblog)
A charity worker’s diary
Tracking the source of cholera in Haiti
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Investigators are looking for the source of a deadly cholera outbreak in Haiti. Suspicion has fallen on a base housing United Nations peacekeepers from Nepal, where cholera is endemic. BBC’s Jill McGivering gives an update.Download MP3
Cholera outbreak in Haiti
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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with David Darg of the humanitarian group, Operation Blessing, about the reported outbreak of cholera in Haiti in a region north of Port-au-Prince. The outbreak has killed at least 140 people.Download MP3
Malaria deaths vastly under-counted
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Download MP3Malaria deaths are being vastly under-counted in India and perhaps throughout much of the world, says a new report in the British medical journal, Lancet. The World’s Health and Science Editor David Baron tells anchor Lisa Mullins why it’s so difficult to get an accurate count.
Rabies outbreak in Bali
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The US goverment has issued travel advisories for Americans visiting Bali in recent months. It’s not because of potential terrorist attacks on the Indonesian island. The concern is an outbreak of rabies. Now one American woman has been working with local authorities to help control the problem. The World’s Alex Gallafent has the story. Download MP3>>>Photo gallery
Acai no panacea in Brazil
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The Amazonian berry known as açaí is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States. Proponents tout its unsubstantiated health benefits. But the berry has a very different reputation back in Brazil. Reporter Kelley Weiss reports. Download MP3Huntington’s Disease and international research
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Ten years ago this month, President Bill Clinton announced a milestone in genetics. American scientists had created the first draft sequence of the human genome. They had learned the order of the three billion letters that make up our DNA code. But today, the medical revolution that many thought would follow has not arrived. In some ways, genetic discoveries have made things more complex for doctors and patients. In Venezuela, American scientists conducted a landmark genetic study nearly three decades ago. As the World’s Marina Giovannelli discovered, the subjects of the study are still waiting to benefit from that research. Download MP3 (Photo: Marina Giovannelli)
Genetically engineered foods in Europe
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In Germany, public opinion runs strongly against genetically engineered crops. Scientists who work in the field endure protests and occasional threats. So why do the scientists stay in Germany? One reason: the German government provides generous research funding. David Hecht reports. Download MP3 (photo: David Hecht)Translating health care for immigrants
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For immigrants living in the US, understanding health care and accessing services can be a big challenge, especially for those not proficient in English. Elana Gordon reports from Kansas City on how medical interpreters can play an important role in bridging that communication and cultural gap.
Egypt attempts smoking ban
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Egypt is trying to make the city of Alexandria smoke-free. But as The World’s Carol Hills reports, it’s a hard sell in that country of smokers.
Salad spinner centrifuge
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Doctors in developing countries need a cheap centrifuge to test blood samples for anemia. Some university students think they have one. It’s a salad spinner tricked out with test tubes. The students are taking it out for field tests in Ecuador and Swaziland. The World’s Clark Boyd reports. Download MP3
Community’s response to mental illness
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In New York’s West African immigrant communities, friends and families take it upon themselves to deal with an individual who shows signs of mental illness. Rather than encouraging the patient to see a doctor or therapist, the community pools its money to buy plane fare and pressures the person to return to Africa. Some say this is a compassionate response, but others say it is driven by shame and does not serve the best interest of the sick individual. Laura Starecheski reports from New York. Download MP3
Polio reappearing
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The battle to eradicate polio is suffering some major setbacks, including new cases in Russia and Tajikistan. The World’s Katy Clark reports that some experts are now rethinking the war on polio.
Also, listen to David Baron’s story: Eradicating Guinea worm disease.
Indonesia’s dirty habit
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While many countries are making strides in reducing smoking rates, Indonesia seems to be going in the opposite direction. Rebecca Henschke looks at why.
Volcanic ash health concerns
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The World Health Organization warned today of potential respiratory problems for people who inhale particles of microscopic ash from Iceland’s volcanic eruption. Anchor Marco Werman talks to Stephen Spiro of the British Lung Foundation in London.
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