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Health Care

Bedside Manners and 'Oddly Intimate Encounters'

Inside the sterile environment of an examination room, the most intimate conversations take place. Dr. David Watts talks about listening to patients and talking to your doctor.

Bedside Manners and 'Oddly Intimate Encounters'

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Business

Workplace Rules on Chromium Intake Revised

The Labor Department reduces the maximum acceptable levels of exposure to hexavalent chromium. It's a metal breathed in by jewelers, steelworkers and welders. The new limit is five times higher than what was recommended two years ago.

Workplace Rules on Chromium Intake Revised

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National

Saving the Heart of the Crescent City

Fresh Air

Jeanne Dumestre is one of the founders of Tipitina's, the New Orleans club that remains one of the city's musical landmarks. Since 1985, Dumestre has worked as a nurse in the city, helping people who have HIV/AIDS -- but don't have insurance.

Saving the Heart of the Crescent City

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Rocky Start for Medicare Drug Benefit

Medicare Drug Benefit: A Two-Month Report Card

This week marks the two-month anniversary of Medicare's new prescription drug benefit. Politicians are either proclaiming the program a resounding success, or a spectacular failure, depending on their party, while many patients are still experiencing problems getting their medicines.

Medicare Drug Benefit: A Two-Month Report Card

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Global Health

Progress in Low-Cost Treatments for Liver Cancer

One of the many diseases the continent of Africa struggles with is liver cancer. Until now, there were only expensive options for treatment and prevention. But researchers have come upon an easy and relatively cheap solution. Madeleine Brand talks with Dr. Sydney Speisel, a pediatrician and professor at Yale Medical School.

Progress in Low-Cost Treatments for Liver Cancer

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Health Care

Revisiting the Baby Gender Mentor

Steve Inskeep talks with NPR's Nell Boyce about the controversial Baby Gender Mentor. The product is marketed with the claim that it can determine the sex of a baby early in a pregnancy with a high degree of accuracy. Some clients disputed that claim.

Revisiting the Baby Gender Mentor

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Efficacy of Osteoporosis Medicine Challenged

A British scientist has been in the United States this week alleging that a big drugmaker has been playing fast and loose with data to make its medicine look good. The drug in question is Actonel, used for treating osteoporosis and a big earner for Procter & Gamble.

Efficacy of Osteoporosis Medicine Challenged

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Health Officials Keep Close Watch on Bird Flu

Fast-Moving Avian Flu Reaches France

The dangerous H5N1 strain of bird flu is spreading faster than experts expected. French officials confirmed the virus Saturday in domestic fowl, as well as wild birds. How worried should we be?

Fast-Moving Avian Flu Reaches France

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Children's Health

Rotavirus Added to Bulky List of Childhood Vaccines

Health officials recommend adding vaccines for flu and rotavirus to the regimen of childhood immunizations. Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children. Parents are objecting to the number of advised shots.

Rotavirus Added to Bulky List of Childhood Vaccines

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Politics

South Dakota Poised to Pass Sweeping Abortion Ban

Lawmakers in South Dakota are poised to give final approval to the most sweeping ban on abortion in nearly two decades. The state's only abortion clinic performs about 800 procedures a year. Backers of the bill hope its impact will reach well beyond the state's borders.

South Dakota Poised to Pass Sweeping Abortion Ban

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Health Officials Keep Close Watch on Bird Flu

Bird Flu Forces London's Beloved Ravens Indoors

As the bird flu spreads across Europe, The Tower of London has moved its ravens indoors to protect them. The six birds are usually found on the lawns outside the castle, but are now in cages in one of its towers. Yeoman Raven Master Derrick Coyle talks with Melissa Block about the decision.

Bird Flu Forces London's Beloved Ravens Indoors

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Health Care

Medical Ethics and Capital Punishment

California postpones an execution because no licensed medical professional will administer the lethal dose. Last month, the Supreme Court stopped an execution in Florida after a prisoner there challenged the use of execution drugs. Guests discuss doctors, medical ethics and the death penalty.

Medical Ethics and Capital Punishment

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Your Health

Winter Sports Dangerous for Occasional Participants

Studies show that winter sports can be particularly dangerous for the occasional participants. Injuries and fractures are high among skiers and snowboarders who visit the slopes only a few times a year.

Winter Sports Dangerous for Occasional Participants

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National

Food Assistance Used by 25 Million Americans

A new survey shows that more that 25 million Americans receive emergency food assistance each year. According to the report, two of the largest groups that receive food from food banks, soup kitchens and shelters, are women and single parents.

Food Assistance Used by 25 Million Americans

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Vioxx: The Downfall of a Drug

Journal Raises New Questions About 2000 Vioxx Study

The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine is publishing more criticism of a 2000 study on Vioxx. The journal says at least two researchers knew about "adverse cardiovascular events" more than four months before the article was published. Merck removed Vioxx from the market in 2004 and faces thousands of Vioxx-related lawsuits.

Journal Raises New Questions About 2000 Vioxx Study

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