Accessibility links
Health Health

Health

Monday

Research News

Study: Prostate Cancer May Be Overtreated

A popular blood test for prostate cancer is leading many men to get treated for cancer when the treatment might not make much of a difference, according to a study in the current issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study's conclusions are in agreement with two earlier studies published last spring in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Study: Prostate Cancer May Be Overtreated

Listen · 4:13
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112416470/112416453" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Social Security Struggles With Disability Backlog

A person who can no longer work because of illness or disability is entitled to a monthly Social Security disability check. But the recession has put an already strained system under even more duress. About 1.5 million people are waiting for a decision.

Social Security Struggles With Disability Backlog

Listen · 4:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112397747/112397705" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

The Tea Party In America

California PAC Sponsors 'Tea Party Express'

Members of Congress will return from their August recess soon. They've been getting an earful back home about overhauling health care. A political action committee from California has launched a cross-country bus tour dubbed the "Tea Party Express." Members are concerned about spending, higher taxes and bailouts.

California PAC Sponsors 'Tea Party Express'

Listen · 4:11
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112397743/112397704" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Mental Health

When Treating Depression, Entire Family Called On

Depression tends to run in families, and even one depressed family member can cast a big shadow on how the family functions. As scientists work to figure out the genetics of the illness, some therapists say treatment works best if the whole family is involved.

When Treating Depression, Entire Family Called On

Listen · 4:15
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112339412/112397698" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Becoming Close: The Geography Of Friendship

Being in the right place at the right time, like living in the same college dorm, is a strong predictor of friendship. iStockphoto.com hide caption

toggle caption
iStockphoto.com

Your Health

Becoming Close: The Geography Of Friendship

Many of our deepest friendships blossom when we are eager, expectant college freshmen. It turns out that common interests and that mysterious "chemistry" are not necessarily what forms friendships. Researchers say proximity and race are bigger predictors.

Becoming Close: The Geography Of Friendship

Listen · 3:52
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112330125/112397699" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Patient And Provider Perspectives

Senior Groups Reject Health Care 'Scare Tactics'

Some are demanding that politicians stop trying to frighten older voters about the current health care proposals. The reaction could be the start of a silver backlash against what some say is a misinformation campaign.

Senior Groups Reject Health Care 'Scare Tactics'

Listen · 3:48
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112384526/112384511" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Patient And Provider Perspectives

In Health Care Debate, Fear Trumps Logic

Every effort to remake America's health care system since the 1930s has been scuttled by the same technique — scaring the public. The opponents have been different, ranging from the AMA to the insurance industry to conservative ideologues. But the playbook has remained the same. In this 1993 television commercial (above), a couple named Harry and Louise helped sow seeds of doubt in the public about how changes to health care would affect them.

In Health Care Debate, Fear Trumps Logic

Listen · 4:11
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112315433/112323618" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tracking The Overhaul

'Gang Of Six's' Sen. Conrad May Be Health Care Key

Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota is perhaps the most ardent deficit hawk in his party, which makes him a pivotal figure in the Senate Finance Committee's "Gang of Six." The gang of three Democrats and three Republicans is working on a bipartisan health care bill, even as town halls erupt and compromise recedes.

Gang Of Six Profile: Sen. Kent Conrad

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112345146/112345121" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Health Care Overhaul: Prescriptions For Change

Steele: Don't Raid Medicare To Fund Health Changes

Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele opposes a government-run health care system, as do most members of his party. While most health care overhaul proposals assume big savings by reworking Medicare, Steele says Medicare needs to be protected and not cut in the name of health insurance reform. But he also says he favors some cuts to maximize the program's efficiencies.

Steele: Don't Raid Medicare To Fund Health Changes

Listen · 7:42
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112281170/112281154" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

A Potential But Controversial Fix For Genetic Disease

These healthy newborn monkeys, Mito and Tracker, developed from embryos containing transplanted DNA. They are named after the dye "mitotracker" used for imaging mitochondria in cells. Oregon National Primate Research Center at OHSU hide caption

toggle caption
Oregon National Primate Research Center at OHSU

Science

A Potential But Controversial Fix For Genetic Disease

Scientists in Oregon have developed a technique that could be used to prevent certain genetic diseases. They've demonstrated it in monkeys and are anxious to try it in people. The technique raises ethical questions, however, because it makes a permanent genetic change not just in an individual, but in all generations that follow.

A Potential But Controversial Fix For Genetic Disease

Listen · 3:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112248236/112264929" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Health Care Overhaul: Prescriptions For Change

Doctors Disagree About Effectiveness, Cost Of Stents

For policymakers to cut medical spending, they must persuade doctors that some procedures are unnecessary. A friendly debate between two cardiologists over using stents to unclog arteries shows how hard it may be to achieve that consensus.

Doctors Disagree About Effectiveness, Cost Of Stents

Listen · 4:25
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112264556/112264931" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Kennedy's Lasting Devotion To Health Care For All

Sen. Edward Kennedy announced his proposal for a national health care plan at the Capitol on May 15, 1979. Behind him, large charts illustrate rising health costs in the U.S. Charles W. Harrity/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Charles W. Harrity/AP

Health Care Overhaul: Prescriptions For Change

Kennedy's Lasting Devotion To Health Care For All

The late Edward Kennedy was a liberal powerhouse for changing the nation's health care system. Though he died before he was able to realize his goal of providing health insurance for every American, he pushed through many health care bills in his lengthy Senate career.

Kennedy's Lasting Devotion To Health Care For All

Listen · 8:22
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112242975/112264370" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Will Kennedy's Death Revitalize Health Care Push?

Exactly one year before his death, Sen. Edward Kennedy told the Democratic National Convention that guaranteed health care for every American is the "cause of my life." Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, 1932-2009

Will Kennedy's Death Revitalize Health Care Push?

Sen. Edward Kennedy called revamping health care "the cause of my life." Many on Capitol Hill now wonder whether his death will breathe new life into efforts to pass a health care overhaul or force a truce in the debate's heated rhetoric. Others doubt it.

Health Care Overhaul: Prescriptions For Change

Democrats Could Learn From LBJ's Medicare Push

The recent town hall debates on overhauling health care have been as passionate as debate 45 years ago, when Congress was considering creating Medicare. James Morone, co-author of The Heart of Power: Health and Politics in the Oval Office, talks with Renee Montagne about how President Johnson was able to get all sides to back the legislation.

Democrats Could Learn From LBJ's Medicare Push

Listen · 7:27
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112234240/112234223" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Current System

Getting Doctors Talking Key To Health Care Fix

Most health care analysts think coordinated care — where all the doctors work together to meet a patient's needs — is good for patients. But the House bill falls short of directly legislating how health care providers should do just that.

Getting Doctors Talking Key To Health Care Fix

Listen · 4:11
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112187398/112216565" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript