Global Health

This did not really happen. Cows' heads did not emerge from the bodies of people newly inoculated against smallpox. But fear of the vaccine was so widespread that it prompted British satirist James Gillray to create this spoof in 1802.

New Book: Vaccines Have Always Had Haters

2:55pm September 23, 2018

by Susan Brink

That's one of the themes in the new book 'Between Hope and Fear: A History of Vaccines and Human Immunity.'

At 69, Kul Gautam has written his life story and won an award from the Peace Corps (which is fitting, since a volunteer was one of his early English teachers).

Rejection By The King Of Nepal Was Not The End Of The Road

2:37pm September 21, 2018

by Melody Schreiber

When Kul Gautam got a royal "no" for his passport request, he decided to do something special with his life. He tells of his journey from a tiny village to the upper ranks of the U.N. in a new memoir.

A World Food Programme convoy carries humanitarian aid to Aleppo, Syria. Getting food into conflict zones is a major hurdle — and a topic of discussion at the WFP's Innovation Accelerator.

Have A Cool Idea To Help End World Hunger? Pitch It To The U.N.

3:46pm September 19, 2018

by Vicky Hallett

At the World Food Programme's Innovation Accelerator, teams test out new proposals to stop hunger. Anyone can submit an idea. And September deadlines are coming up.

Sudanese workers offload U.S. aid destined for South Sudan from the World Food Programme (WFP) at Port Sudan on March 19, 2017.

Why The U.S. Ranks At The Bottom In A Foreign Aid Index

4:18pm September 18, 2018

by Joanne Lu

In a newly published index, the Center for Global Development assesses the quantity and quality of aid from 27 wealthy countries.

Shadrach Mugoya Levi, right, at his recent wedding in Uganda. From left: his son Oren Levi and Moshe Isiko.

What The Yom Kippur Fast Means To A Man Who's Known Hunger

1:39pm September 18, 2018

by Sara Toth Stub

Shadrach Mugoya Levi is the spiritual leader of a community of Uganda Jews. After a year of study in Jerusalem, he says he's more prepared than ever for the Day of Atonement.

Indians in Kolkata celebrate the Supreme Court decision to strike down a colonial-era ban on gay sex.

Health & Safety

India's Anti-Gay Law Is History. Next Challenge: Treat LGBTQ Patients With Respect

1:40pm September 17, 2018

The law drove generations of LGBTQ Indians into the shadows — and got in the way of basic access to health care.

A man checks his phone to confirm that the charity GiveDirectly has transferred a cash grant to his account.

Which Foreign Aid Programs Work? The U.S. Runs A Test — But Won't Talk About It

7:37pm September 14, 2018

by Nurith Aizenman

USAID has launched a series of experiments to see how traditional aid compares to giving people cash. The first results are in. And they're proving controversial.