Accessibility links
Health Health

Health

Why Laughter May Be Medicinal

A new study of 14 people finds that the body's response to laughter is similar in some ways to its response to repetitive exercise. For example, watching humorous videos lowered blood pressures, the researchers report. Preventive care expert Lee Berk explains the findings.

Why Laughter May Be Medicinal

Listen · 7:15
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126418399/126418388" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Hospital Replicates Haiti's Worst-Case Scenario

WBUR

Some U.S. doctors who've volunteered in post-earthquake Haiti have said they felt unprepared for the types of injuries and primitive medical settings they encountered there. Children's Hospital in Boston is running a startlingly realistic simulation program to help prepare American health care workers for the scene they'll find.

Hospital Replicates Haiti's Worst-Case Scenario

Listen · 3:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126408381/126408403" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Genome Seen As Medical Crystal Ball

Stephen Quake (left) and Euan Ashley review genetic risk factors that Ashley and colleagues found in Quake's genome. Norbert von der Groeben/Stanford School of Medicine hide caption

toggle caption
Norbert von der Groeben/Stanford School of Medicine

Genome Seen As Medical Crystal Ball

Stanford scientist Steve Quake was only the fifth person in the world to have his entire genome spelled out. Now he claims to be the first to use it to find out just what diseases he's at risk for and what he should do about it. What Quake and his doctor learned provides a glimpse into the future of genomic medicine — and its challenges.

Genome Seen As Medical Crystal Ball

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126396839/126408399" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Boehner: GOP Will Repeal Health Care Law

The House Republican leader tells NPR that if his party wins a majority in November's midterm elections, they will replace the law with "common-sense steps" to lower health insurance costs. He says he is optimistic about his party's prospects, saying "at least 100 seats" are in play.

Boehner: GOP Will Repeal Health Care Law

Listen · 5:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126395806/126408335" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Books

Danielle Steele Pens Personal Book About 'Big Girl'

The mega best-selling author is famous for her glamorous characters, women who pay a price, but ultimately triumph in their professional and romantic battles. In her latest book, “Big Girl: A Novel,” Steel’s heroine often finds that her biggest fight is with her weight. Host Michel Martin speaks with Danielle Steel about her book, “Big Girl.”

Danielle Steele Pens Personal Book About 'Big Girl'

Listen · 5:43
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126386939/126386921" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

California Town Bans Toys In Happy Meal

Parents know the promise of a new toy draws children to fast food kids meal that may not be good for them. Now, these meal toys have been banned in Santa Clara County, California. Host Michel Martin speaks with Ken Yeager, the president of Santa Clara County's board of supervisors, who voted for the measure as a way to combat childhood obesity, and Dr. Sara Cody, from the county's public health department.

California Town Bans Toys In Happy Meal

Listen · 8:39
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126386935/126386920" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
No Thank You, We Like Pain

Just before he snorted ... Jerilee Wei hide caption

toggle caption
Jerilee Wei

Krulwich Wonders...

No Thank You, We Like Pain

There once was a man who liked to spend his time inhaling a lot of different gases. He was looking for a cure to tuberculosis. Some of the gases burned like heck, but one made him feel sublime. But doctors said, "No, thank you; pain is a good thing."

No Thank You, We Like Pain

Listen · 7:46
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/125730340/126380628" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Your Health

How Exercise Might Help Keep Alzheimer's At Bay

People who spend their lives exercising their minds and bodies seem to delay the onset of Alzheimer's, according to an expert panel convened by the National Institutes of Health. Now scientists are trying to figure out how activity protects the brain.

How Exercise Might Help Keep Alzheimer's At Bay

Listen · 3:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126370279/126381821" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

On Aging

Federal Panel Weighs In On Alzheimer's Risk

A panel convened by the National Institutes of Health says there's no sure way to prevent Alzheimer's disease or other forms of mental decline related to aging. The panel say it's possible that people can reduce their risk by exercising, staying mentally active, and watching their diets. But the evidence for that is pretty limited. Michele Norris talks to NPR's Jonathan Hamilton about the panel's findings.

Federal Panel Weighs In On Alzheimer's Risk

Listen · 4:15
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126370216/126370186" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Study: Most In U.S. Exposed To Dangerous Pollution

Smog covers downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday. A new report finds that the Los Angeles area had the worst levels of ozone, based on figures from 2006-2008. Nick Ut/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Nick Ut/AP

Environment

Study: Most In U.S. Exposed To Dangerous Pollution

Despite progress in reducing pollution, more than 175 million people live in areas where it is unhealthy to breathe, according to a new report from the American Lung Association. Even when levels are relatively low, people exposed to particle pollution have an increased risk of asthma, lung damage and premature death, the report says.

Opinion

Spinal Muscular Atrophy 'Doesn't Define Me'

SMA, which stands for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, occurs in one of every 6,000 births. Commentator Ben Mattlin has a SMA and is paraplegic. He is often asked what he would do if a cure became available. His answer: He wouldn't choose to be cured.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy 'Doesn't Define Me'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126323606/126323587" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Health Care

Farm Workers Unsure How Health Law Helps Them

KQED

Some 70 percent of agricultural workers in California are uninsured. The new health care law will benefit many of those workers through an expanded Medi-Cal program and government subsidies to buy private health insurance. But how will new mandates affect farmers and farm workers — especially those who are undocumented and are barred from buying health coverage through the exchange?

Farm Workers Unsure How Health Law Helps Them

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126323601/126323586" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Black Lung Compensation An Uphill Battle For Miners

Mike Kasavich, a lifelong coal miner, exits "the hole" after a 10-hour morning shift at the Mathies coal mine in western Pennsylvania. Black lung disease is increasing among miners, yet they are struggling to get disability reimbursement for the illness. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Black Lung Compensation An Uphill Battle For Miners

Black lung disease is on the rise, yet compensation for those disabled by it is decreasing. Miners must fight for medical care compensation, and their black lung diagnoses and disabilities are often challenged. They go through numerous appeals, and an average claim takes about seven years — or longer.

Black Lung Compensation An Uphill Battle For Miners

Listen · 6:00
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/126303910/126312726" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript