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Crusty Patient Helps Shape Doctor's Career

Dr. Suzanne Mitchell credits an ornery patient she met years ago with teaching her the difference between medical treatment and medical care. Today, she shares his story with medical students in hopes of making them better doctors.

Crusty Patient Helps Shape Doctor's Career

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WWII Pacifists Exposed Mental Ward Horrors

Charles Lord photographed the horrific conditions in the Philadelphia State Hospital, a mental institution better known as Byberry. Charles Lord hide caption

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Charles Lord

WWII Pacifists Exposed Mental Ward Horrors

During World War II, several thousand conscientious objectors who refused to go to war were instead assigned to work in state mental hospitals. Many of the institutions were filthy, run-down and staffed with abusive workers. Charlie Lord worked at one in Philadelphia and secretly photographed the horrific conditions.

WWII Pacifists Exposed Mental Ward Horrors

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Swine Flu Dominated 2009 Health News

One of the biggest news stories of this year was about a new flu virus. People around the globe became sick with swine flu. On June 11, the World Health Organization declared the flu a pandemic. The virus nearly disappeared over the summer, but a second wave returned in the fall. Health officials caution there could be a third wave of the flu in 2010.

Swine Flu Dominated 2009 Health News

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Small Business Stories: Navigating The Recession

Women's Fitness Business Puts On Pink Gloves

Montana Public Radio

Just as the economy was sinking in the spring of 2008, two recent college graduates — both former football players — decided to plow ahead with a new business venture: a women-only fitness program focused on boxing. They're trying to sell the concept across the country.

Women's Fitness Business Puts On Pink Gloves

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Global Health

Leftover Medical Supplies Put To Use Abroad

Maine Public

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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On Disabilities

Intellectually Disabled Student Wins Dorm Suit

Increasingly, kids with intellectual disabilities are graduating from high school, and some are attending college. Oakland University in Michigan is one of many schools and community colleges that are setting up programs for students with intellectual disabilities. But it wouldn't let Micah Fialka-Feldman live on campus. So he sued — and won.

Intellectually Disabled Student Wins Dorm Suit

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Your Health

Health Experts Call For Heart Checkups For Kids

In growing numbers, health experts are recommending screening for heart disease in children, especially those who play sports. One in 100,000 people ages 12 to 24 are estimated to die suddenly as a result of congenital undiagnosed heart malfunctions. And children who play sports are nearly three times more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death than their nonathletic counterparts.

Health Experts Call For Heart Checkups For Kids

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Your Health

NCAA May Force Schools To Test For Sickle Cell Trait

In the past decade, more than a dozen young athletes who died during vigorous workouts were found to have the sickle cell trait. Some health experts are concerned the required screening could lead to black students with the trait being singled out and excluded from sports.

NCAA May Force Schools To Test For Sickle Cell Trait

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4-Year-Old Girl Faces Long Odds In Search For Donor

Maya Chamberlin, 4, needs a bone marrow transplant to treat a rare blood disease she was diagnosed with in September. Courtesy of the Chamberlin family hide caption

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Courtesy of the Chamberlin family

Children's Health

4-Year-Old Girl Faces Long Odds In Search For Donor

In September, 4-year-old Maya Chamberlin was diagnosed with a rare blood disease known as HLH. Her chances of survival depend on finding a suitable bone marrow donor. But the Chamberlin family's search for a match is more difficult because Maya is of mixed race.

4-Year-Old Girl Faces Long Odds In Search For Donor

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Science

Looking Back At The Year In Science

Ira Flatow and a panel of science writers and editors discuss the top science stories of 2009, from the discovery of water on the moon to the unveiling of human ancestor Ardipithecus ramidus to public health controversies like the new mammography guidelines and the swine flu vaccine.

Looking Back At The Year In Science

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Your Health

The Truth About Holiday Hazards

Are mistletoe and poinsettia something to be worried about this time of year? Poison expert Edward Krenzelok explains how to avoid accidental poisonings this season, and how to keep the holidays toxin-free. Originally broadcast Dec. 26, 2008.

The Truth About Holiday Hazards

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Politics

State Attorneys General Question Health Care Bill

At issue is the legality of a deal exempting Nebraska from paying for an expansion of Medicaid. South Carolina Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint say that Sen. Ben Nelson got a $45 million-a-year break for his state in exchange for supporting the bill.

State Attorneys General Question Health Care Bill

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American Indians Hit Hard By Swine Flu

Swine Flu: The Second Wave

American Indians Hit Hard By Swine Flu

Alabama Public Radio

The mortality rate from the virus is four times higher among American Indians and Alaska Natives than any other racial or ethnic group. Officials blame the discrepancy on crowded living conditions, a higher incidence of complications from pre-existing conditions and poor access to health care facilities.

American Indians Hit Hard By Swine Flu

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