Accessibility links
Health Health

Health

Friday

Health Care

Avian Flu

The bird flu spreading through Asia has killed more than 40 people and has led to the slaughter of millions of animals. Now scientists say the flu virus appears able to spread from person-to-person, and they are watching anxiously for signs of a pandemic. An update on the fight against the flu, including plans to move flu medicine into the affected areas.

Avian Flu

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4470276/4470277" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Thursday

Race

AIDS Conspiracy Beliefs Strong Among U.S. Blacks

A recent poll finds that many African-Americans believe the virus that causes AIDS is man-made, and is part of a larger conspiracy to decimate black populations. More than half of those surveyed believed there is a cure for AIDS, but it is being withheld from the poor. NPR's Tony Cox speaks with Laura Bogart, a behavioral scientist for the RAND Corporation research group and a co-author of the study, and with Phill Wilson, director of the Black AIDS Institute, an HIV/AIDS policy center in Los Angeles.

AIDS Conspiracy Beliefs Strong Among U.S. Blacks

Audio will be available later today.

Health Care

Wiggle While You Work: Fidgeting May Fight Fat

Overweight "couch potatoes" burn fewer calories a day because they sit more than their naturally lean counterparts, who tend to be more fidgety and restless, a new study shows. The findings suggest small changes in daily activity could have a major impact on weight loss.

Wiggle While You Work: Fidgeting May Fight Fat

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4468682/4468810" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Wednesday

Business

Canada's Ranchers Skeptical of U.S. Beef Market

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to reopen the market to Canadian cattle in March. But as NPR's Greg Allen reports, in Canada's cattle country, mad cow disease has sown distrust in an industry where borders once didn't matter.

Canada's Ranchers Skeptical of U.S. Beef Market

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4463437/4466227" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Global Health

U.N.'s Millennium Report Targets Poverty, Hunger

According to a new report by the United Nations Millennium Project, every 3.6 seconds, someone dies of starvation -- and it's usually a child. Last week, the United Nations unveiled a comprehensive strategy to turn the tide of extreme global poverty. NPR's Tony Cox takes a closer look at the plan with Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, director of both the U.N. Millennium Project and the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and Bill Fletcher, president of TransAfrica Forum.

U.N.'s Millennium Report Targets Poverty, Hunger

Audio will be available later today.

Thursday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Education

Public Schools Struggle with Bipolar Students

Bipolar disorder is one of the fastest growing diagnoses among American children. But one of the institutions on the front lines of dealing with bipolar -- the public school system -- may be ill-equipped for its role in identifying and educating children who may have the disorder.

Public Schools Struggle with Bipolar Students

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4457271/4457272" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Friday

Research News

Examining Genetic Link to Breast Cancer Risk

Some researchers say the risk of breast cancer in women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations has been overstated. We look at the controversy surrounding breast cancer genes and breast cancer risk.

Examining Genetic Link to Breast Cancer Risk

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4285034/4285035" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Research News

Gene May Offer Protection Against HIV/AIDs

Researchers say they've found a gene that appears to offer some protection from HIV, and that could also delay the onset of full-blown AIDS in those who do become infected. We look at the genetics of HIV infection and efforts to develop a vaccine.

Gene May Offer Protection Against HIV/AIDs

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4285036/4285037" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Thursday

Health Care

Weighing in on Diet Programs with Dr. Ivan Walks

Have you recently pledged to stay on a diet and lose weight this year? NPR's Tony Cox checks in with Dr. Ivan Walks about a new report, which ranked 10 of the nation's most popular weight-loss programs. Walks is the former chief health officer of the District of Columbia, and is now the CEO and president of Ivan Walks and Associates.

Weighing in on Diet Programs with Dr. Ivan Walks

Audio will be available later today.

Wednesday

Research News

Studies Explore Red Meat, Veggies and Cancer Risk

A new study links eating red meat to some cancers. But another study says women who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables get little protection from another kind of cancer. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, both reports point to common-sense suggestions for healthful eating. NPR's Joseph Shapiro reports.

Studies Explore Red Meat, Veggies and Cancer Risk

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4279809/4280284" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Tuesday

Health Care

The Marketplace Report: Cut-Rate Drugs to Uninsured

NPR's Madeleine Brand speaks with John Dimsdale of Marketplace about a consortium of 10 pharmaceutical companies that has decided to sell prescription drugs at a cut rate to uninsured consumers.

The Marketplace Report: Cut-Rate Drugs to Uninsured

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4278735/4278736" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Panel: Perchlorate Levels in Drinking Water OK

A report from scientists who advise the government concludes that the levels of the toxic chemical perchlorate currently found in drinking water do not pose a major threat to the nation's health. But an EPA report from 2002 -- and some environmental groups -- contradict that finding. NPR's Jon Hamilton reports.

Panel: Perchlorate Levels in Drinking Water OK

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4277950/4277951" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">