Health | PRI's The World - Part 10

The health of people across the globe has become interconnected like never before. In an age of jet travel and emerging diseases, the spread of illness in one location – whether bird flu in Asia or AIDS in Africa – can quickly affect populations half a world away. The World keeps listeners up to date on developments in global health. Below is an archive of The World’s recent coverage on global health.

Health

DDT use provokes political battle in Uganda

By The World ⋅ August 7, 2009 ⋅ 8 comments ⋅

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The pesticide DDT, long banned in the United States, has made something of a comeback in Africa. DDT can be an effective weapon against malaria. The U.S. government, and the World Health Organization are encouraging African countries to use the insecticide, and say it is safe when handled properly. But in the East African nation of Uganda, DDT has provoked a fierce political battle. Reporter Alison Hawkes traveled to northern Uganda.

Reality check on DDT use

By The World ⋅ August 7, 2009 ⋅ 5 comments ⋅

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So what’s the reality when it comes to DDT? Is it really necessary for fighting malaria? How dangerous is it to people? We run those questions and others by May Berenbaum, head of the department of entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She studies the relationship between insects and people. (Photo: Sinclair Stammers/Science Photo Library) >>>Ask May Berenbaum about DDT use in our latest World Science Forum.

A DDT debate in Uganda

By The World ⋅ August 7, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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In Uganda, a government program to battle malaria using the pesticide DDT has provoked a fierce backlash. Farmers, politicians, and villagers fear the government is poisoning them. Yet many public health experts say the risks of DDT are far less than the risks of malaria. Alison Hawkes traveled to northern Uganda and sent this report.

An entomologist’s take on DDT

By The World ⋅ August 7, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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So what’s the reality when it comes to DDT? Is it really necessary for fighting malaria? And how dangerous is it to people? Anchor Marco Werman gets some answers from May Berenbaum, head of the department of entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Africa’s food supply

By The World ⋅ July 29, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅

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The United States recently joined other leading industrial nations to pledge 20 billion dollars towards improving farming in Africa. But as The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Morocco, some Africans are wary of this latest round of help from outside.

Is Organic More nutritious?

By The World ⋅ July 29, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅

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Anchor Katy Clark has details on a new report that says organic food has no nutritional benefits over regular food.

Karadzic alternative medicine

By The World ⋅ July 24, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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Former Bosnian Serb leader evaded war crimes prosecutors for years — in part — by openly practicing alternative medicine. Anchor Katy Clark speaks with Jack Hitt, who’s written a story on Karadzic for this weekend’s New York Times Magazine.

Karadzic as "Dragan Dabic" (left) and in court

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Senegal’s traditional healers

By The World ⋅ July 24, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅

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Jori Lewis reports that traditional medicine is big business in the West African nation of Senegal. Critics say regulation is needed, while others say traditional healers are their only hope. >>>Click here to view the audio slideshow

Swine flu spike in England

By The World ⋅ July 23, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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The World’s Aaron Schachter reports on a spike in swine flu cases in Britain. The government has set up a hotline to diagnose cases without visiting a doctor.

Development in the Arab world

By The World ⋅ July 22, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Borzou Daragahi of the Los Angeles Times about a new report on the obstacles that slow down progress in the Arab world. It’s by the United Nations, and it identifies several key problems in the region. They include: a surging population; struggling economies; weak environments; poor health care; lack of representative government and human rights abuses.

Key finding on AIDS

By The World ⋅ July 22, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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Scientists studying chimps in Tanzania have made a discovery that could change our understanding of AIDS. The scientists say chimps infected with a virus closely related to HIV are developing immune problems and dying at a high rate. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the study’s lead author, Beatrice Hahn of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Cafe just for smokers

By The World ⋅ July 21, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

Correspondent Akiko Fujita tells us about a cafe in Japan that caters exclusively to smokers…and has anti-smoking advocates fuming. Listen Read the Transcript This text below is a phonetic transcript of a radio story broadcast by PRI’s THE WORLD. It has been created on deadline by a contractor for PRI. The transcript is included here [...]

Pharmaceutical giant allows generic AIDS drugs

By The World ⋅ July 14, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

One of the world’s largest drug companies, GlaxoSmithKline, has said it will allow the manufacturers of generic drugs to produce versions of all its medicines for treating HIV and AIDS. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Michelle Childs, Director of Policy at the Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines. Listen

Swine flu hits Argentina

By The World ⋅ July 1, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅

A health emergency is in effect in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, following the latest outbreak of the H1N1 swine flu. Anchor Lisa Mullins finds out more from reporter Richard Reynolds.
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Swine flu hits Africa

By admin ⋅ June 26, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅

The World’s Andrea Crossan reports from Nairobi, Kenya on worries over the swine flu hitting Africa. Just under 10 cases have been confirmed in sub-Sarahan Africa. But health experts are concerned about the disease spreading in the continent’s crowded slums. Listen