Health & Safety

Hackers crippled computer systems at several MedStar hospitals, including the Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Malware Attacks On Hospitals Put Patients At Risk

5:12pm April 01, 2016

by Naomi LaChance

A computer virus that may be an inconvenience for another business leaves hospitals unable to effectively care for patients. Cyberattacks have left 14 U.S. hospitals without access to critical data.

Volunteers search for used needles near Rural Street in Austin, Ind. Scott County, in southeastern Indiana, experienced the worst outbreak of HIV in the state's history after people began injecting the prescription painkiller Opana.

How A Painkiller Designed To Deter Abuse Helped Spark An HIV Outbreak

4:59pm April 01, 2016

by Tom Dreisbach

When a special coating was added to the opioid Opana, it deterred people from abusing the pills by crushing and snorting them. But some users soon learned how to prepare the pills for injection.

Health & Safety

On The Rise: Workers' Desire For Raises Over Health Benefits

4:06pm April 01, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

A survey finds that the number of workers who say they would give up some health benefits to get a pay raise has increased to 20 percent from 10 percent in 2012.

Only April Fools Think Africa Is A Country!

3:54pm April 01, 2016

by Marc Silver

An April Fools' Day spoof in the Washington Post is a reminder that AFRICA. IS. NOT. A. COUNTRY!!!!!!!!

"You really never know how you're going to respond to a crisis until that time happens." — Ken Kamler

When Crisis Strikes On Everest — How Do You Respond?

8:55am April 01, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Physician Ken Kamler describes his experience as a doctor on Mount Everest during one of its deadliest days in its history.

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"For the most part, people experience a crisis and it is confined to their family or their friends, or their own community, and this is something that ripples throughout the world." — Melissa Fleming

How Do You Make The International Community Care About The Refugee Crisis?

8:55am April 01, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Melissa Fleming, chief spokesperson for the UNHCR, tells the story of a young refugee who miraculously survived four days on a child's life ring after her boat was capsized in 2014.

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"The beautiful thing about Crisis Text Line is that these are strangers counseling other strangers on the most intimate issues." — Nancy Lublin

How Can Text Messaging Save Lives?

8:55am April 01, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Activist Nancy Lublin explains how Crisis Text Line, the first 24/7 text line of its kind, has helped millions of people by providing direct support as well as anonymous data about people in crisis.

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A Madison Water Utility Crew works to dig up and replace a broken water shutoff box in preparation for a larger pipe-lining project. Madison started using copper instead of lead pipes in the late 1920s.

Avoiding A Future Crisis, Madison Removed Lead Water Pipes 15 Years Ago

5:40am April 01, 2016

by Cheryl Corley

The water crisis in Flint, Mich., raised an alarm about the dangers of lead in our water supply, but it is not new knowledge. Madison, Wis., knew about it and removed all its lead pipes 15 years ago.

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CDC Team Scoured Hard-Hit Northern Brazil For Clues To Zika Virus

5:25am April 01, 2016

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

Scientists studying Zika-infected women in Brazil say they hope to learn more about the disease's effects from the blood samples they'll be bringing home for further analysis.

A baby born with microcephaly in Brazil is examined by a neurologist.

Zika Is Linked To Microcephaly, Health Agencies Confirm

11:38pm March 31, 2016

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Scientists say research has establish a connection between Zika and microcephaly. More research is needed to establish how much danger a fetus is in if a pregnant woman becomes infected.