John Boyega Is Awakening 'Star Wars' Fans In Nigeria
The actor who plays Finn, a disillusioned Stormtrooper in the new film, has said he's "a confident, Nigerian, black, chocolate man." Nigerian filmgoers are over the moon.
Health & Safety
Do You Speak Health Insurance? It's Not Easy
Even savvy consumers stumble over the meaning of coinsurance and other jargon. The misunderstandings can be costly, especially when picking a health plan.
The Year In Food: Artificial Out, Innovation In (And 2 More Trends)
From big food companies simplifying ingredients, to the U.S. government's new goal to reduce food waste, to a public image crisis for Chipotle, 2015 has been a big year for food.
Alzheimer's Disease Underdiagnosed In Indian Country
A Native American family that sees Alzheimer's disease as a natural part of life may be less likely to reach for resources that could help, say Arizona mental health workers. They hope to change that.
Lahore's Food Safety Czar Declares 'War' On Unhygienic Food
In poorly regulated Lahore, Pakistan, Ayesha Mumtaz is a relentless enforcer of food-safety rules who strikes fear into local eatery owners. But some restaurateurs say she goes too far.
Training The Immune System To Fight Cancer Has 19th-Century Roots
When Jimmy Carter said his advanced melanoma was gone, he credited immunotherapy, treatments that harness the immune system to fight cancer cells. This idea dates back to a 19th-century doctor.
Gene Editing Tool Hailed As A Breakthrough, And It Really Is One
A tool for modifying genes is spreading through the biomedical research world like wildfire. As part of the series Joe's Big Idea, NPR's Joe Palca explores why CRISPR-Cas9 is becoming indispensable.
Researchers Find Lapses In Hospitals' Policies For Determining Brain Death
Most hospitals don't require neurologists, neurosurgeons or even fully trained doctors to make the ultimate call.
States Deny Pricey Hepatitis C Drugs To Most Medicaid Patients
Effective treatments for hepatitis C cost as much as $95,000. Medicaid in many states, including Indiana, is mostly limiting the drugs' use to very advanced cases. ACLU of Indiana is suing the state.
Childhood Asthma Rates Level Off, But Racial Disparities Remain
For the first time in decades, the number of children with asthma isn't increasing, federal scientists report. But cases continue to rise among African-American children and poor children.