NPR People: Richard Knox http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100771&ft=1&f=2100771 Since he joined NPR in 2000, Knox has covered a broad range of issues and events in public health, medicine, and science. His reports can be heard on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Talk of the Nation, and newscasts. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Richard Knox http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100771&ft=1&f=2100771 yes Mammogram Wars: Experts Feel The Backlash A firestorm erupted this week after an expert panel released recommendations that yearly mammograms aren't necessary for all women younger than 50. The criticism isn't surprising, given the emotional valence of breast cancer. But not everyone thinks the panel is wrong. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120562878&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120562878&ft=1&f=2100771 A firestorm erupted this week after an expert panel released recommendations that yearly mammograms aren't necessary for all women younger than 50. The criticism isn't surprising, given the emotional valence of breast cancer. But not everyone thinks the panel is wrong. 253 no A firestorm erupted this week after an expert panel released recommendations that yearly mammograms aren't necessary for all women younger than 50. The criticism isn't surprising, given the emotional valence of breast cancer. But not everyone thinks the panel is wrong.

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]]> Marketing Flu Vaccine: A Tough Sell For Many The nation is in the midst of the largest mass vaccination campaign against flu in history, but about half the population is saying they are not interested. Many have a sense the vaccine was rushed to production, compromising safety. Some are convinced it contains harmful chemicals. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120026804&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120026804&ft=1&f=2100771 The nation is in the midst of the largest mass vaccination campaign against flu in history, but about half the population is saying they are not interested. Many have a sense the vaccine was rushed to production, compromising safety. Some are convinced it contains harmful chemicals. 259 no The nation is in the midst of the largest mass vaccination campaign against flu in history, but about half the population is saying they are not interested. Many have a sense the vaccine was rushed to production, compromising safety. Some are convinced it contains harmful chemicals.

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]]> Boost Your Flu IQ: Your Questions Answered With the swine flu virus more widespread than ever and concerns about availability of the vaccine circulating, we solicited your questions about the pandemic. NPR's health editors teamed up with experts to tackle your questions. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114299697&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114299697&ft=1&f=2100771 With the swine flu virus more widespread than ever and concerns about availability of the vaccine circulating, we solicited your questions about the pandemic. NPR's health editors teamed up with experts to tackle your questions. 536 no With the swine flu virus more widespread than ever and concerns about availability of the vaccine circulating, we solicited your questions about the pandemic. NPR's health editors teamed up with experts to tackle your questions.

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]]> Swine Flu Vaccine Shortage: Why? Millions of Americans already have gotten swine flu, and lines are long at flu shot clinics. President Obama has declared the pandemic a national emergency, but supplies of vaccine against the new H1N1 flu are far below projections. Manufacturers only recently discovered why they can't deliver as much vaccine as expected. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114156775&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114156775&ft=1&f=2100771 Millions of Americans already have gotten swine flu, and lines are long at flu shot clinics. President Obama has declared the pandemic a national emergency, but supplies of vaccine against the new H1N1 flu are far below projections. Manufacturers only recently discovered why they can't deliver as much vaccine as expected. 207 no Millions of Americans already have gotten swine flu, and lines are long at flu shot clinics. President Obama has declared the pandemic a national emergency, but supplies of vaccine against the new H1N1 flu are far below projections. Manufacturers only recently discovered why they can't deliver as much vaccine as expected.

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]]> In Mass., Most Docs Support State's Health Mandate Three years after its implementation, 70 percent of doctors in the state support the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law. Nearly half wanted to keep the law but see some changes made, and just 7 percent said the law should be repealed. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:53:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114008115&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114008115&ft=1&f=2100771 Three years after its implementation, 70 percent of doctors in the state support the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law. Nearly half wanted to keep the law but see some changes made, and just 7 percent said the law should be repealed. 227 no Three years after its implementation, 70 percent of doctors in the state support the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law. Nearly half wanted to keep the law but see some changes made, and just 7 percent said the law should be repealed.

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]]> N.Y. Mandates Flu Shots For Health Care Workers New York is the only state so far to require all workers in hospitals and clinics to get immunized against the flu. Advocates say it's a matter of patient safety, while opponents worry about the effectiveness and side effects. They also argue about the principle: They want control over what's injected into their bodies. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113776378&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113776378&ft=1&f=2100771 New York is the only state so far to require all workers in hospitals and clinics to get immunized against the flu. Advocates say it's a matter of patient safety, while opponents worry about the effectiveness and side effects. They also argue about the principle: They want control over what's injected into their bodies. 264 no New York is the only state so far to require all workers in hospitals and clinics to get immunized against the flu. Advocates say it's a matter of patient safety, while opponents worry about the effectiveness and side effects. They also argue about the principle: They want control over what's injected into their bodies.

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]]> What You Need To Know About Swine Flu Vaccine After two months of testing, the swine flu vaccine will be released this week. NPR's Richard Knox answers listener questions. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113446539&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113446539&ft=1&f=2100771 After two months of testing, the swine flu vaccine will be released this week. NPR's Richard Knox answers listener questions. 536 no After two months of testing, the swine flu vaccine will be released this week. NPR's Richard Knox answers listener questions.

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]]> Stacks Of Medical Bills Afflict The 'Underinsured' Martha Martin and her husband spent nearly 45 percent of their income on medical costs for their family last year. Like millions of other Americans, they have some insurance, but it doesn't cover enough of their needed care. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112958877&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112958877&ft=1&f=2100771 Martha Martin and her husband spent nearly 45 percent of their income on medical costs for their family last year. Like millions of other Americans, they have some insurance, but it doesn't cover enough of their needed care. 389 no Martha Martin and her husband spent nearly 45 percent of their income on medical costs for their family last year. Like millions of other Americans, they have some insurance, but it doesn't cover enough of their needed care.

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]]> AIDS Vaccine Prevents Some HIV Infections Researchers say that a new AIDS vaccine is somewhat protective against the strain of HIV that is circulating in Southeast Asia. The vaccine, which combines two earlier vaccines that failed to protect people, was 31 percent effective in a Thai study. Experts say the finding is significant progress toward developing a vaccine that might be successful one day. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113177000&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113177000&ft=1&f=2100771 Researchers say that a new AIDS vaccine is somewhat protective against the strain of HIV that is circulating in Southeast Asia. The vaccine, which combines two earlier vaccines that failed to protect people, was 31 percent effective in a Thai study. Experts say the finding is significant progress toward developing a vaccine that might be successful one day. 187 no Researchers say that a new AIDS vaccine is somewhat protective against the strain of HIV that is circulating in Southeast Asia. The vaccine, which combines two earlier vaccines that failed to protect people, was 31 percent effective in a Thai study. Experts say the finding is significant progress toward developing a vaccine that might be successful one day.

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]]> Flu Shot More Effective Than Nasal Spray As public health officials kick into high gear over swine flu, there's word that a vaccine for regular seasonal flu might not be as effective as first believed. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that FluMist, which is inhaled, was only half as effective as a regular flu shot for ordinary seasonal flu. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113154000&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113154000&ft=1&f=2100771 As public health officials kick into high gear over swine flu, there's word that a vaccine for regular seasonal flu might not be as effective as first believed. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that FluMist, which is inhaled, was only half as effective as a regular flu shot for ordinary seasonal flu. 135 no As public health officials kick into high gear over swine flu, there's word that a vaccine for regular seasonal flu might not be as effective as first believed. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that FluMist, which is inhaled, was only half as effective as a regular flu shot for ordinary seasonal flu.

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]]> Doctors Don't Agree On Letting Patients See Notes Doctors routinely take notes after a patient visit. The notes are private and not usually shown to patients. Now there's a plan to open the secret notes. Some say patients have a right to see them, but others say it will make doctors less candid. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112971637&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112971637&ft=1&f=2100771 Doctors routinely take notes after a patient visit. The notes are private and not usually shown to patients. Now there's a plan to open the secret notes. Some say patients have a right to see them, but others say it will make doctors less candid. 267 no Doctors routinely take notes after a patient visit. The notes are private and not usually shown to patients. Now there's a plan to open the secret notes. Some say patients have a right to see them, but others say it will make doctors less candid.

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]]> What Health Care Overhaul Means For You Interactive: How exactly would new health care overhaul legislation affect you? Click on the category that best fits your situation and see what the major proposals currently before Congress would mean for you. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:43:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111499109&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111499109&ft=1&f=2100771 Interactive: How exactly would new health care overhaul legislation affect you? Click on the category that best fits your situation and see what the major proposals currently before Congress would mean for you. no Interactive: How exactly would new health care overhaul legislation affect you? Click on the category that best fits your situation and see what the major proposals currently before Congress would mean for you.

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]]> Sen. Snowe Working To Find Health Care Consensus When President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress Wednesday night, he may especially hope to sway one Republican senator from Maine. Some say Olympia Snowe may hold the key to unlocking stalled health care legislation. If so, it may have a lot to do with the history of health care struggles in Snowe's home state. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:40:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112665050&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112665050&ft=1&f=2100771 When President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress Wednesday night, he may especially hope to sway one Republican senator from Maine. Some say Olympia Snowe may hold the key to unlocking stalled health care legislation. If so, it may have a lot to do with the history of health care struggles in Snowe's home state. 245 no When President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress Wednesday night, he may especially hope to sway one Republican senator from Maine. Some say Olympia Snowe may hold the key to unlocking stalled health care legislation. If so, it may have a lot to do with the history of health care struggles in Snowe's home state.

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]]> Study: Heartburn Drugs Can Cause More Heartburn Nearly 5 percent of Americans are taking drugs to treat heartburn and acid reflux. A recent study gave the drugs to people who didn't have stomach problems to begin with. Nearly half developed "rebound" acid reflux after taking the drugs for 12 weeks. Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:57:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112564382&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112564382&ft=1&f=2100771 Nearly 5 percent of Americans are taking drugs to treat heartburn and acid reflux. A recent study gave the drugs to people who didn't have stomach problems to begin with. Nearly half developed "rebound" acid reflux after taking the drugs for 12 weeks. 263 no Nearly 5 percent of Americans are taking drugs to treat heartburn and acid reflux. A recent study gave the drugs to people who didn't have stomach problems to begin with. Nearly half developed "rebound" acid reflux after taking the drugs for 12 weeks.

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]]> Officials Find Swine Flu Hits Minorities Harder Public health officials are discovering that blacks and Latinos have a higher risk of both getting the flu and being hospitalized for it. It is apparently not because of race or ethnicity, per se; it's because of the social circumstances of many African-Americans and Hispanics. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:31:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112035625&ft=1&f=2100771 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112035625&ft=1&f=2100771 Public health officials are discovering that blacks and Latinos have a higher risk of both getting the flu and being hospitalized for it. It is apparently not because of race or ethnicity, per se; it's because of the social circumstances of many African-Americans and Hispanics. 189 no Public health officials are discovering that blacks and Latinos have a higher risk of both getting the flu and being hospitalized for it. It is apparently not because of race or ethnicity, per se; it's because of the social circumstances of many African-Americans and Hispanics.

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