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Wednesday July 27, 2016

Americans Are Shrinking, While Chinese And Koreans Sprout Up

The countries with the tallest and shortest 18-year-old men and women in the world, according to a new study. Leif Parsons for NPR hide caption

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Leif Parsons for NPR

Americans Are Shrinking, While Chinese And Koreans Sprout Up

July 27, 2016 • A massive study looks at how heights around the world have changed over the past century.

Thursday June 30, 2016

1 In 10 People May Face Malnutrition As Fish Catches Decline

Women from a traditional sea-harvesting community fish in Mozambique. Michael D. Kock/Nature hide caption

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Michael D. Kock/Nature

1 In 10 People May Face Malnutrition As Fish Catches Decline

June 30, 2016 • Many people around the world rely on fish not just for protein but for critical micronutrients like iron and zinc. So declining fisheries pose major risks for global health, scientists warn.

Friday June 24, 2016

How The Screwworm's Sex Life Saved Your Steaks

A screwworm larva grasps the flesh in a wound with its mouth's tusklike protrusions and screws itself in. Science Source hide caption

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Science Source

How The Screwworm's Sex Life Saved Your Steaks

June 24, 2016 • A crazy idea helped get rid of the screwworm fly, which once took a toll on cattle. Now the strategy is being used in the battle against Zika.

Sunday June 19, 2016

Rose Jaffe for NPR

Around The World, When It Comes To Health Advice Mom Knows Best

June 19, 2016 • In the U.S., VapoRub goes on a sick child's chest. In Russia, it might go on the soles of the feet. Cultural norms have a big effect on how we diagnose and treat illnesses, especially at home.

Friday May 27, 2016

Working Horses Can Now Breathe A Whinny Of Relief

A horse and mules thresh wheat in Spain. The World Organisation for Animal Health has adopted the first set of global standards to ensure equine welfare. De Agostini/Getty Images hide caption

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De Agostini/Getty Images

Working Horses Can Now Breathe A Whinny Of Relief

May 27, 2016 • The World Organisation For Animal Health has adopted its first standards to provide good care for equines — part of a broad agenda at its just-concluded powwow.

Thursday May 26, 2016

#HeforShe: Why These Guys Speak Up For Women's Rights

They're guys who stand up for women's rights. Left to right: Patrick Segawa and Steven Twinomugisha of Uganda, Mark Gachagua of Kenya and Bryan Eric Mallari of the Philippines at the Women Deliver conference. Allison Shelley for NPR hide caption

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Allison Shelley for NPR

Goats and Soda

#HeforShe: Why These Guys Speak Up For Women's Rights

May 26, 2016 • Typically women are the ones who get involved with reproductive rights and family planning. But there are exceptions.

Monday May 23, 2016

WHO's Stern Warning: The World 'Is Not Prepared To Cope' With Pandemics

World Health Organization head Dr. Margaret Chan delivering a speech in March of this year at a summit in Lyon, France. Francois Mori/AP hide caption

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Francois Mori/AP

Goats and Soda

WHO's Stern Warning: The World 'Is Not Prepared To Cope' With Pandemics

May 23, 2016 • Dr. Margaret Chan, head of the World Health Organization, offered congratulations for victories on the health front — and words of serious concern about the future.

Friday May 13, 2016

What's Killing The World's Teenagers? Road Accidents, Suicide, Floods

Children wade in a flooded street last June in Leiyang, China. ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images hide caption

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ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images

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What's Killing The World's Teenagers? Road Accidents, Suicide, Floods

May 13, 2016 • Teenagers are an overlooked group when it comes to global health. A new report offers often surprising insights into the threats to their health and well-being.

Tuesday April 26, 2016

The Improvisational Surgeon: Cardboard Casts, No Power, Patients Galore

Dr. Forster Amponsah is one of two surgeons at the Koforidua Regional Hospital in Ghana. Trained in Cuba, he came home because he felt his skills were needed in Africa. Jason Beaubien/NPR hide caption

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Jason Beaubien/NPR

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The Improvisational Surgeon: Cardboard Casts, No Power, Patients Galore

April 26, 2016 • A new report says 5 billion people lack access to even the most basic surgical care. Why is surgery ignored in the global health landscape?

The Improvisational Surgeon: Cardboard Casts, No Power, Patients Galore

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Sunday April 17, 2016

The Epidemiologist Who Crushed The Glass Ceiling And Media Stupidity

Courtesy of Johns Hopkins University Press

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The Epidemiologist Who Crushed The Glass Ceiling And Media Stupidity

April 17, 2016 • In a new memoir, Dr. Mary Guinan reflects on 40 years as a disease detective for the CDC.

The Epidemiologist Who Crushed The Glass Ceiling And Media Stupidity

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Wednesday March 9, 2016

Studies Reinforce The Urgency Of Treating Pregnant Women With Malaria

Bed nets have protected Mary Akye and her five children from malaria-carrying mosquitoes in Ghana. Karen Kasmauski/Corbis hide caption

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Karen Kasmauski/Corbis

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Studies Reinforce The Urgency Of Treating Pregnant Women With Malaria

March 9, 2016 • Scientists uncover new evidence on how to prevent stillbirths, miscarriages and low-weight births associated with pregnant women with malaria.

Monday March 7, 2016

What It'd Take To Save 10 Million Lives: Zinc, Bed Nets, $70 Billion

A pneumococcal vaccine is delivered via motorcycle in Kenya. Evelyn Hochstein/Courtesy of Gavi hide caption

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Evelyn Hochstein/Courtesy of Gavi

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What It'd Take To Save 10 Million Lives: Zinc, Bed Nets, $70 Billion

March 7, 2016 • Is the price tag too expensive? Is the goal of saving 10 million lives a year too optimistic?

Friday February 12, 2016

Penalty For Home Birth: A Chicken Or A Cow

A midwife cuts the umbilical cord of a newborn baby in a hospital in South Sudan. JM Lopez/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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JM Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

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Penalty For Home Birth: A Chicken Or A Cow

February 12, 2016 • So that's one way to improve health care in the developing world. Here are some other bright ideas from people who like to shake up the status quo.

Thursday February 11, 2016

The Risks (And Unexpected Benefits) Of Sending Health Students Abroad

Katherine Du/NPR

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The Risks (And Unexpected Benefits) Of Sending Health Students Abroad

February 11, 2016 • Universities are setting standards for volunteer global health programs in developing countries — so both the student and the local people can have a good experience.

Tuesday February 9, 2016

Meet The Repo Man For Global Health: Skim Off A Grant, He'll Make You Pay

No, he didn't repossess this car from a corrupt official. As a hobby, global health avenger Cees Klumper fixes up classic cars. This one is the actual El Camino used in the TV series My Name Is Earl. Klumper tracked it down and had it shipped to Geneva. Courtesy of Anneke Cees Klumper hide caption

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Courtesy of Anneke Cees Klumper

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Meet The Repo Man For Global Health: Skim Off A Grant, He'll Make You Pay

February 9, 2016 • When he isn't fixing up vintage cars, Cees Klumper goes after officials who misuse money meant to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.