Health & Safety

President Trump signed an executive order requiring changes to Medicare on Oct. 3. The order included some ideas that could raise costs for seniors, depending how they're implemented.

Health & Safety

Some Parts Of Trump's Executive Order On Medicare Could Lead To Higher Costs

7:10am October 08, 2019

by Julie Appleby

Reviving ideas that were argued over in the 1990s, Trump's new order on Medicare could have some unintended consequences, depending how it's implemented.

A colored X-ray of the lungs of a patient with silicosis, a type of pneumoconiosis. The yellow grainy masses in the lungs are areas of scarred tissue and inflammation.

Health & Safety

Lawmakers Seek Protections For Workers Against Lung Damage Tied To Making Countertops

5:19pm October 07, 2019

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

In a letter, they urge the Labor Department to ensure safe levels of silica dust at workplaces that cut popular "engineered stone." At least 18 workers have recently suffered severe lung damage.

3 Physician-Scientists Will Share 2019 Nobel Prize For Physiology Or Medicine

4:30pm October 07, 2019

by Richard Harris

Three scientists will share this year's Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine by discovering the mechanism cells use to sense and respond to oxygen.

Queue Listen Now

Evan Mazanec came down with AFM when he was 7, in 2014. It started with a fever and an ear infection, and lead to paralysis. He has since made a full recovery — he's back to playing baseball and living a full life.

Health & Safety

What Causes A Rare Disease That Paralyzes Kids? Researchers Home In On A Virus

2:59pm October 07, 2019

by Allison Aubrey

It starts out like a common viral respiratory illness but leads to terrifying symptoms, including paralysis. Could a common virus be behind the illness?

Whether it's gluten or dairy, many people avoid certain types of foods these days. Sometimes, food avoidance can take over people's lives and veer into an eating disorder that scientist are just beginning to study.

When Efforts To Eat 'Clean' Become An Unhealthy Obsession

11:20am October 07, 2019

by April Fulton

Whether it's gluten or dairy, many people avoid certain types of foods these days. Sometimes food avoidance can take over people's lives and veer into an eating disorder.

Queue Listen Now

The winners of the 2019 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine are Gregg Semenza of the U.S., Peter Ratcliffe of Britain and William Kaelin of the U.S. They're seen here on a screen during a news conference at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

Trio Wins Nobel Prize In Physiology Or Medicine For Work On Cells And Oxygen

11:17am October 07, 2019

by Scott Neuman

The three physicians "found the molecular switch that regulates how our cells adapt when oxygen levels drop," a member of the Nobel Committee said.

Queue Listen Now

Health & Safety

Virus Linked To Mysterious Disease That Weakens Children's Limbs

6:17am October 07, 2019

by Allison Aubrey

A paper published in the journal Pediatrics examines the cause of a mysterious childhood illness. It strikes young children and leads to limb weakness and paralysis.

Queue Listen Now

While prescriptions for durable medical equipment, such as orthotic braces or wheelchairs, have long been a staple of Medicare fraud schemes, some alleged scammers are now using telemedicine and unscrupulous health providers to prescribe unneeded equipmen

Health & Safety

Phone Scammers And 'Teledoctors' Charged With Preying On Seniors In Fraud Case

5:01am October 07, 2019

by Victoria Knight

Officials warn that schemes devised to steal from Medicare have embraced telemedicine. One man was prescribed $4,000 of medical equipment he didn't need and never asked for.

How Immigrants Use Health Care

8:02pm October 06, 2019

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with Anne Dunkelberg of the Center for Public Policy Priorities about the new rule denying visas to immigrants without health insurance or funds to pay for health care.

Queue Listen Now

Illinois Lawmaker Discusses New Planned Parenthood Facility

5:22pm October 06, 2019

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Illinois State Rep. Katie Stuart about a secret Planned Parenthood built in her district that will expand reproductive health services in the area.

Queue Listen Now