Health & Safety

The sign NPR producer Rebecca Hersher saw as she left Liberia to return to the United States.

Live Airport Tweets: An NPR Producer's Irregular Ebola Screenings

10:33am October 15, 2014

by Rebecca Hersher

Airports around the world have begun screening passengers arriving from West Africa for signs of Ebola. But as producer Rebecca Hersher live-tweets, not all of the exams are as strict as promised.

Study Finds Human Stem Cells May Help To Treat Patients

6:37am October 15, 2014

by Rob Stein

For the first time, scientists are reporting that human embryonic stem cells may be helping treat patients — in one instance, the cells seem to been enabling some blind people to see better.

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Health & Safety

Singer Naomi Judd Featured Speaker For Winston-Salem Domestic Violence Event

8:31pm October 14, 2014

by Keri Brown

Grammy award winning country singer Naomi Judd is coming to Winston–Salem Thursday, Oct. 16 as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Judd will use her own story of survival to help educate the public about the growing problem.

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Dr. Patrick Kamara adjusts his goggles on the final day of training and the first "dress rehearsal" before being sent out to Ebola treatment units. The World Health Organization is ramping up to train up to 500 new health workers a week as part of the eff

On Front Lines Against Ebola, Training A Matter Of Life Or Death

7:20pm October 14, 2014

by Jason Beaubien

At least 7,000 health care workers are needed to staff new Ebola treatment centers in Liberia alone. Those doctors, nurses and hygienists must learn how to protect themselves — and how not to panic.

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Alana and Troy Pack died in 2003 when a woman abusing pain pills hit the children with her car. The accident has led to a ballot measure that, among other things, would put new constraints on physicians.

California Ballot Measure Pits Doctors Against Lawyers

6:41pm October 14, 2014

by April Dembosky

Proposition 46 tackles painkiller abuse, malpractice caps and mandatory drug and alcohol testing of doctors. Backers say the law would enhance patient safety, but doctors say the cost is too high.

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A scene from the Ivy and Bean poster on vaccinating against measles.

A Polar Bear Might Keep The Measles Away, But Shots Work Better

4:32pm October 14, 2014

by Nancy Shute

Sophie Blackall, illustrator of the best-selling Ivy and Bean books, has enlisted her heroines in the effort to eradicate measles. They decide that a shot is more practical than moving to the moon.

Nurses Want To Know How Safe Is Safe Enough With Ebola

4:22pm October 14, 2014

by Nancy Shute

It's not clear how Dallas nurse Nina Pham became infected with Ebola virus while working in the intensive care unit. Nurses at many hospitals say they haven't had enough training to deal with Ebola.

Neighbors and relatives share food, drink and conversation in Northern Uganda.

Forget Facebook, Abandon Instagram, Move To A Village

2:14pm October 14, 2014

by Diane Cole

People who live in a traditional village — that means a community of about 150 people — are far better off than the rest of us. The author of a new book explains "the village effect."

Breaking The Chains That Bind The Mentally Ill

1:48pm October 14, 2014

by Susan Brink

In low-income countries, a person with schizophrenia might be chained to a tree or to a hospital bed. On World Mental Health Day, WHO is urging an end such practices.

Health & Safety

Officials Outline State Preparations For Ebola

11:24am October 14, 2014

Gov. Pat McCrory and Health and Human Services Secretary Aldona Wos say North Carolina has taken a number of steps to prepare in the event a case of Ebola is diagnosed in the state.