Global Health

The red drop of blood (left) was designated as an official emoji to symbolize menstruation, among other things, this year. The design at right, submitted in 2017, was not accepted.

Why Period Activists Think The 'Drop Of Blood' Emoji Is A Huge Win

2:48pm February 08, 2019

by Malaka Gharib

The nonprofit group Plan International UK has been lobbying for an emoji to represent menstruation since 2017. And now they have one — although not everyone is a fan of the design.

Living Near Your Grandmother Has Evolutionary Benefits

6:03pm February 07, 2019

by Jonathan Lambert

Humans are evolutionary oddballs for living long past our reproductive prime. New research explains how grandmothers might be the reason why.

Health & Safety

Scientists' 'Craziest Experiment Possible' Actually Works On Mosquitoes

5:17pm February 07, 2019

by Thomas Lewton

What if human diet drugs curb the appetite of bloodthirsty mosquitoes? That's the question a new study set out to investigate.

This homemade tool was used for female circumcision in northeast Uganda.

The 2019 Report Card For The Fight To End Female Genital Mutilation

3:24pm February 06, 2019

by Diane Cole

On this day of "zero tolerance" for FGM, how is the world doing in its campaign to halt the practice?

Venezuelans wait in line for food in northern Brazil. The migrants often say the main reasons they've fled are to get food and health care.

Health & Safety

Collapse Of Health System Sends Venezuelans Fleeing To Brazil For Basic Meds

11:16pm February 05, 2019

by Jason Beaubien

The once impressive medical system has crumbled dramatically in Venezuela's ongoing crisis. Measles is resurgent; HIV patients aren't getting drugs. Even catheters are in short supply.

Queue Listen Now

People walk past a Peppa Pig pop-up shop in the Yu Yuan gardens, a popular tourist spot in Shanghai.

Why It's The Year Of Peppa Pig In China

8:48pm February 05, 2019

by Maureen Pao

The popular British cartoon character ushers in the Lunar New Year with a new movie. But it's the live-action trailer — and its story of a loving and lonely grandpa — that everyone's talking about.

The Ngozumpa Glacier in the Himalayas of Nepal, filling the valley in the foreground, now contains meltwater pools.

Report: Global Warming Could Melt At Least A Third Of Himalayan Glaciers

3:46pm February 05, 2019

by Danielle Preiss

If temperatures continue to rise, glaciers would begin to disappear, with a serious impact on the area's water resources.

Zulekha Dawood leads the group of female cyclists through the impoverished Lyari neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan's capital. They ride early in the morning to avoid the worst of the traffic.

Health & Safety

Women Who Dare To Bicycle In Pakistan

11:02am February 03, 2019

If boys can ride bikes, "why shouldn't we?" asked Zulekha Dawood. So she organized a group that goes on weekly excursions — despite the disapproval of many men.

New Book Busts Myths About Menstruation Spread By Public Health Groups

7:31pm January 30, 2019

by Malaka Gharib

In her new book, researcher Chris Bobel looks at how advocates seeking to help girls manage their menstrual cycles are responsible for promoting ideas that have no proof.

Esther Ngumbi, who now lives in Chicago, gets a taste of the big chill. She grew up in Kenya, where 60 degrees was about as cold as it got.

Opinion: Growing Up In Kenya Really Does Not Prepare You For Chicago's Deep Freeze

5:23pm January 30, 2019

by Esther Ngumbi

Esther Ngumbi's dad back home had no idea what advice to give her about surviving the historic low temperatures. And he definitely wanted to know what that kind of cold feels like.