Health & Safety

At the State Department conference for people with disabilities, adviser Judy Heumann (center) is surrounded by admirers from around the world.

How A Law To Protect Disabled Americans Became Imitated Around The World

8:22pm July 24, 2015

by Joseph Shapiro

In Africa, in Asia, in Latin America, people with disabilities want to know: How can we learn from the Americans with Disabilities Act so we can get on the bus, get married, build a life.

Queue Listen Now

Vietnam War Study Raises Concerns About Veterans' Mental Health

8:22pm July 24, 2015

by Daniel Zwerdling

A federally mandated study shows that almost 300,000 Vietnam veterans still struggle with daily health problems linked to the traumas they experienced more than 40 years ago during the war.

Queue Listen Now

New Study Finds Many Veterans Live With War Trauma Throughout Their Lives

7:03pm July 24, 2015

by Lucy Perkins

The study says that 40 years after the Vietnam War ended, hundreds of thousands of those vets struggle with mental health problems linked to their battle experiences.

Public health threat, or just a very odd animal you're likely to see in the southern United States?

Leprosy From An Armadillo? That's An Unlikely Peccadillo

3:16pm July 24, 2015

by Nancy Shute

Yes, health officials in Florida have reported nine cases of leprosy so far this year. And yes, armadillos can transmit leprosy. But scientists say we needn't fear the armored mammals.

Skyrocketing costs for cancer drugs have triggered a backlash.

Health & Safety

Doctors Press For Action To Lower 'Unsustainable' Prices For Cancer Drugs

3:15pm July 24, 2015

by Nadia Whitehead

More than a hundred influential doctors banded together to propose seven ways to bring down the high prices of cancer drugs. They say changes are needed to preserve access to care.

Health & Safety

Doctors Speak Out Against 'Unsustainable' Rise In Cancer Drug Prices

2:59pm July 24, 2015

More than 100 U.S. oncologists are publicly objecting to the ever-growing cost of cancer drugs. NPR's Robert Siegel speaks to Dr. Ayalew Tefferi of the Mayo Clinic about efforts to bring prices down.

Queue Listen Now

The BRAIN Initiative aims to accelerate basic research.

BRAIN Initiative Bets On Wearable Scanners, Laser-Controlled Cells

1:53pm July 24, 2015

by Jon Hamilton

A wearable PET scanner and lasers that could control individual brain circuits are among the projects funded by a $46 million federal effort to accelerate research on the human brain.

For best quality of life, many cancer patients who can't be cured might do best to forgo chemo and focus instead on pain relief and easing sleep and mood problems, a survey of caregivers suggests.

What If Chemo Doesn't Help You Live Longer Or Better?

11:10am July 24, 2015

by Richard Harris

Terminal cancer patients sometimes get chemotherapy in the belief that it will ease their symptoms. But a study finds that many who get the treatment near death actually have a poorer quality of life.

Queue Listen Now

Health & Safety

How Sporty Is Your Sport?

8:36am July 24, 2015

by Meredith Rizzo

How beneficial are some of the sports that we play? We follow the average American woman to see how many calories she burns while breaking a sweat.

State regulators will be scrutinizing health insurers rate proposals for 2016.

Administration Prods States To Scrutinize Insurers' Rate Hikes

8:29am July 24, 2015

by Julie Rovner

In a letter to state regulators, the Obama administration says rates shouldn't be allowed to go up as much as some insurers are proposing for plans sold to individuals on the health exchanges.