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Global Health

Monday

Taking Surprising Risks For The Ideal Body

On the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, women buy bleaching products sold in plastic bags without labels. Davia Nelson for NPR hide caption

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Davia Nelson for NPR

Hidden World Of Girls

Taking Surprising Risks For The Ideal Body

In Jamaica, like all over the world, there are deep conversations about the ideal body type. While there are competing norms of beauty, some women are using extreme methods to fit their vision of beautiful, like ingesting chicken pills for broader hips and butts, and bleaching their skin to be whiter. And they're taking health risks to do so.

Taking Surprising Risks For The Ideal Body

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Monday

Bill Gates Sets Out His Global Charitable Goals

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed billions to improving the health of vulnerable people worldwide. Co-Chair Bill Gates assesses the foundation's work to date and discusses how innovation and partnerships can continue making a difference for the world's poorest, despite the economic downturn.

Bill Gates Sets Out His Global Charitable Goals

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Saturday

Haiti Quake: Ruin And Recovery

A Harrowing Birth Still A Bright Spot For Care Team

A week and a half after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, six health care teams from the U.S. government are in place in Port-au-Prince. These units are staffed by doctors and nurses who leave their own practices to help injured people in disasters. Sometimes they get to help new life begin as well.

A Harrowing Birth Still A Bright Spot For Care Team

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Saturday

Emergencies Overwhelm Capital's Main Hospital

Sarla Chand, 65, from New Jersey, is in good condition after being rescued from the collapsed Hotel Montana in Port-au-Prince on Thursday. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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David Gilkey/NPR

Haiti Quake: Ruin And Recovery

Emergencies Overwhelm Capital's Main Hospital

Haiti's already limited medical infrastructure was all but wiped out in the earthquake. Aid groups and the international community are rushing doctors and medical supplies to the country. Meanwhile, patients with compound fractures, severe lacerations and amputations are sleeping outside Port-au-Prince's main hospital as they wait for treatment.

Emergencies Overwhelm Capital's Main Hospital

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Tuesday

Leftover Medical Supplies Put To Use Abroad

Maine Public News

U.S. hospitals throw out millions of dollars' worth of unused supplies every year, often because they've been rendered obsolete or simply weren't needed for a particular procedure. Volunteers are finding new homes for these supplies at clinics in the developing world.

Leftover Medical Supplies Put To Use Abroad

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Thursday

Giving Hope To Honduran Children With Bone Defects

Roberto Silva, 31, holds his 3-year-old son, Adil Noe Silva, at the CURE Orthopedic Pediatric Hospital in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Adil has spina bifida, and the doctors straightened his legs so that hopefully he will be able to walk with braces on his legs. The nonprofit hospital treats children with bone deformities such as clubfeet, dislocated hips and fused fingers. Jason Beaubien/NPR hide caption

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Jason Beaubien/NPR

The Americas

Giving Hope To Honduran Children With Bone Defects

Birth defects such as clubfeet are routinely repaired in the United States. But in Honduras and other parts of the world, medical care is lacking, and bone deformities can cause profound problems. A new hospital in Honduras is attempting to change that.

Giving Hope To Honduran Children With Bone Defects

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Tuesday

Europe

Epidemic Of Addiction Threatens Russia's Future

Russia has long grappled with alcoholism among its population. Now, a second plague is afflicting the country: intravenous drug use. Officials say addiction — whether it's drug or alcohol dependency — is reaching a crisis level.

Epidemic Of Addiction Threatens Russia's Future

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Tuesday

A Global Picture On World AIDS Day

2009 marks 28 years in the battle against HIV and AIDS. New infections are down worldwide, and more people live longer with the disease. But over 33 million people around the world are HIV-positive, and reports indicate more than half of those who need treatment cannot get it.

A Global Picture On World AIDS Day

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In China, AIDS Stigma Proves Difficult To Eliminate

A woman whose son has HIV cries during an AIDS awareness event Tuesday, World AIDS Day, held at Beijing's south railway station. A new report by UNAIDS says 42 percent of AIDS sufferers in China have experienced discrimination because of their condition. Andy Wong/AP hide caption

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Andy Wong/AP

Asia

In China, AIDS Stigma Proves Difficult To Eliminate

China has managed to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS, but dealing with deep-rooted social stigma is proving much harder. A new report by the UNAIDS program says that 42 percent of AIDS sufferers in China have experienced discrimination because of their condition. World AIDS Day is held annually on Dec. 1 to raise awareness about the disease.

In China, AIDS Stigma Proves Difficult To Eliminate

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Friday

Brushing Up On Tropical Diseases

Dengue fever, malaria and other tropical diseases took center stage at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene conference. Nathan Seppa of Science News offers details, including a strange story of palm trees, fruit bats and human infection.

Brushing Up On Tropical Diseases

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Sunday

National

Prostitution Now Outlawed In R.I., But Is That Good?

The Public's Radio

Until earlier this month, Rhode Island was the only place in the country where prostitution was legal across an entire state. A new law has closed the loophole that legalized prostitution if it took place indoors, but it's also fueling concerns that victims of the sex trade are being put at even more risk.

Prostitution Now Outlawed In R.I., But Is That Good?

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Tuesday

Health Care

Will Tamiflu Shortage Drive U.S. To India's Version?

With demand for the swine flu vaccine outpacing supply, the CDC says it's open to considering importing a generic flu drug from India. There's just one problem: The brand-name drug is still under U.S. patent. The company's chairman says he just wants to help.

Will Tamiflu Shortage Drive U.S. To India's Version?

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Monday

Swine Flu: The Second Wave

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.

Boost Your Flu IQ: Your Questions Answered

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Saturday

Iraqis Fear New Enemy: H1N1 Virus

An Iraqi schoolgirl wears a protective mask as she is walked to school in the central Iraqi city of Kut, Oct. 19, 2009. Panic over swine flu prompted officials in Iraq to close about 2,000 schools in a bid to combat the virus. Ali al-Alak/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Ali al-Alak/AFP/Getty Images

World

Iraqis Fear New Enemy: H1N1 Virus

Fewer than 500 cases of H1N1 have been reported in Iraq, but it's not uncommon to see schoolchildren walking home wearing surgical masks. Fear of the virus has caused a rash of school closures, and is even preventing some Iraqis from making this year's pilgrimage to Mecca.

Iraqis Fear New Enemy: H1N1 Virus

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Wednesday

Bill And Melinda Gates: Benefits Of Global Health Aid

Through their foundation, the Gateses support a variety of risky yet innovative projects to curtail diseases like AIDS and malaria. In an interview, they discuss the rewards and challenges of solving health crises, and explain how health aid helps a country get on its feet.

Bill And Melinda Gates: Benefits Of Global Health Aid

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