Global Health http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=137709417&ft=1&f=137709417 Pregnancy and childbirth, as it relates to global health. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Global Health http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=137709417&ft=1&f=137709417 At Polio's Epicenter, Vaccinators Battle Chaos And Indifference Northern Nigeria is the only region in the world where the number of polio cases is on the rise. International groups have poured money and volunteers into the area to combat the disease. But vaccinators face daunting challenges — from security threats like terrorist bombings to a lack of basic resources like electricity. Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:04:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/10/17/162811569/at-polios-epicenter-vaccinators-battle-chaos-and-indifference?ft=1&f=137709417 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/10/17/162811569/at-polios-epicenter-vaccinators-battle-chaos-and-indifference?ft=1&f=137709417 Northern Nigeria is the only region in the world where the number of polio cases is on the rise. International groups have poured money and volunteers into the area to combat the disease. But vaccinators face daunting challenges — from security threats like terrorist bombings to a lack of basic resources like electricity.

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]]> In Nigerian Gold Rush, Lead Poisons Thousands Of Children In northern Nigeria, some miners use crude methods to extract raw gold ore — a practice fueled by rising gold prices. But the gold here is embedded in lead, and the dust kicked up by this dirty and illegal mining has killed hundreds of children and sickened thousands more. Experts say this may be the worst case of lead poisoning in recent history. Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:58:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/10/03/161908669/in-the-wake-of-high-gold-prices-lead-poisons-thousands-of-children?ft=1&f=137709417 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/10/03/161908669/in-the-wake-of-high-gold-prices-lead-poisons-thousands-of-children?ft=1&f=137709417 In northern Nigeria, some miners use crude methods to extract raw gold ore — a practice fueled by rising gold prices. But the gold here is embedded in lead, and the dust kicked up by this dirty and illegal mining has killed hundreds of children and sickened thousands more. Experts say this may be the worst case of lead poisoning in recent history.

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]]> In Senegal, The Grandmas Are In Charge Grandmothers in this West African nation have traditionally passed on health education and childbirth tips to the pregnant women. Now, health care workers are coming to communities to teach the elders modern medicine and discuss topics like breast-feeding — so there isn't conflict when the baby arrives. Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:20:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/139543928/in-senegal-the-grandmas-are-in-charge?ft=1&f=137709417 http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/139543928/in-senegal-the-grandmas-are-in-charge?ft=1&f=137709417 Grandmothers in this West African nation have traditionally passed on health education and childbirth tips to the pregnant women. Now, health care workers are coming to communities to teach the elders modern medicine and discuss topics like breast-feeding — so there isn't conflict when the baby arrives.

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]]> In Pakistan, Birth Control And Religion Clash According to a new government survey, Pakistan is producing nearly 4 million babies every year, and most are born into poverty. Conservative clerics tell Muslims that the Quran instructs women to bear as many babies as possible. But some families aren't so sure. Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/08/10/139382653/in-pakistan-birth-control-and-religion-clash?ft=1&f=137709417 http://www.npr.org/2011/08/10/139382653/in-pakistan-birth-control-and-religion-clash?ft=1&f=137709417 According to a new government survey, Pakistan is producing nearly 4 million babies every year, and most are born into poverty. Conservative clerics tell Muslims that the Quran instructs women to bear as many babies as possible. But some families aren't so sure.

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]]> In Mozambique, A Fight To Keep Babies HIV-Free In one province of the southeastern African nation, 30 percent of women are HIV-positive. Pregnant women who seek prenatal care are routinely tested for the virus and, if infected, will be given anti-retroviral drugs to help prevent transmission to their babies. But drug shortages are preventing some women from getting the help they need. Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:05:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/06/137536170/in-mozambique-a-fight-to-keep-babies-hiv-free?ft=1&f=137709417 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/06/137536170/in-mozambique-a-fight-to-keep-babies-hiv-free?ft=1&f=137709417 In one province of the southeastern African nation, 30 percent of women are HIV-positive. Pregnant women who seek prenatal care are routinely tested for the virus and, if infected, will be given anti-retroviral drugs to help prevent transmission to their babies. But drug shortages are preventing some women from getting the help they need.

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]]> Drug Given To Moms After Childbirth Sparks Controversy The leading cause of maternal death in the developing world is excessive bleeding after childbirth. The drug misoprostol can prevent the bleeding — but it can also be used to induce abortion. So it carries both a promise and a risk, especially in places like Mozambique. Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:45:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/06/29/137479308/drug-that-saves-womens-lives-carries-controversy?ft=1&f=137709417 http://www.npr.org/2011/06/29/137479308/drug-that-saves-womens-lives-carries-controversy?ft=1&f=137709417 The leading cause of maternal death in the developing world is excessive bleeding after childbirth. The drug misoprostol can prevent the bleeding — but it can also be used to induce abortion. So it carries both a promise and a risk, especially in places like Mozambique.

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]]> In Mozambique, Grim Prospects For Mother And Child Mozambique's rates of maternal and infant mortality are among the highest in the world. So the government is trying to encourage women to have their babies in maternity units. It's also training volunteers to help with basic medical care and nurses to carry out procedures like cesarean sections. Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:25:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/06/27/137404439/in-mozambique-grim-prospects-for-mother-and-child?ft=1&f=137709417 http://www.npr.org/2011/06/27/137404439/in-mozambique-grim-prospects-for-mother-and-child?ft=1&f=137709417 Mozambique's rates of maternal and infant mortality are among the highest in the world. So the government is trying to encourage women to have their babies in maternity units. It's also training volunteers to help with basic medical care and nurses to carry out procedures like cesarean sections.

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