public health

A protester outside the White House demands a halt to all flights to the United States from West Africa.

Why It's OK To Worry About Ebola, And What's Truly Scary

10:19am October 31, 2014

by Nancy Shute

Public health officials are telling us not to freak out about Ebola in the United States. But fear is what motivates people to protect themselves from danger. When should we worry?

Robert Snyder takes a break at Baia de Guanabara, Brazil's second largest bay.

Health & Safety

Volunteer Recap: Why Wearing The Right Shoes In Rio Matters

4:06pm October 28, 2014

by Linda Poon

When public health student Robert Snyder visited Rio de Janeiro last summer to do volunteer work, he learned the hard way that Birkenstock clogs are not a wise footwear choice.

A woman on the L train in New York City last week covers her face, fearful because a doctor with Ebola rode the train days earlier. Epidemiologists say people on the subway were not at risk.

New York's Disease Detectives Hit The Street In Search Of Ebola

6:25pm October 27, 2014

by Fred Mogul

When a New York City doctor was diagnosed with Ebola, the epidemiologists knew just what to do: search the city for potential contacts.It's a gig they perform daily with far more contagious diseases.

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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.

Thomas Eric Duncan died at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas Wednesday morning. He is the first person to have been diagnosed with Ebola in the United States.

Texas Officials Say They Will Cremate Ebola Patient's Remains

3:02pm October 08, 2014

by Alison Bruzek

As relatives grieve, public health officials are setting in place a plan to safely care for the remains of Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan. Cremation or burial are both acceptable, the CDC says.

A private security guard patrols the apartment building in Dallas where Ebola patient Thomas Duncan stayed. The family that hosted him is quarantined.

Here's How An Ebola Quarantine Works In The U.S.

4:37pm October 03, 2014

by Alison Bruzek

The family that hosted Ebola patient Thomas Duncan in Dallas is under quarantine. It's a time-honored public health tool to stop the spread of infectious disease. But it can be abused.

Double-check that URL before you diagnose yourself.

Will .Health Make It More Likely That You'll Get Scammed?

12:24pm September 29, 2014

by Alison Bruzek

New websites ending in "health," "doctor" and "clinic" will soon start appearing online. But anyone can buy those names. Some public health researchers worry that they'll purvey bogus medical advice.

Dr. Daniel Bausch (in blue T-shirt) has spent years studying Ebola. In April, he went to Guinea, where the current outbreak began.

Health & Safety

Dr. Daniel Bausch Knows The Ebola Virus All Too Well

9:35am September 24, 2014

by NPR Staff

Can you catch it from sweat on a cab seat? Will blood transfusions help? Who really wants to go to Africa and pitch in? Is it too late? A leading virologist answers burning questions about Ebola.

Young poets Monica Mendoza (clockwise from top left), Erica Sheppard McMath, Obasi Davis and Gabriel Cortez have written about how Type 2 diabetes affects their families and communities.

Health & Safety

Poets Give Voice To The Toll Of Type 2 Diabetes

2:50pm September 16, 2014

by Lydia Zuraw

Doctors and poets are collaborating in California to encourage young people to tell stories about Type 2 diabetes in their communities.

Truvada has been around for a decade as a treatment for people who are already HIV-positive. In the last few years, it has also been shown to prevent new infections, and New York officials are embracing the pill as a way to prevent the spread of AIDS.

Health & Safety

As New York Embraces HIV-Preventing Pill, Some Voice Doubts

11:22pm July 20, 2014

by Joel Rose

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is supporting the drug Truvada as part of the state's ambitious plan to fight AIDS. But some advocates worry it will encourage risky behavior or won't reach the most vulnerable.

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