Health FDA Promises Movement on 'Morning-After' Pill July 31, 2006 • The Food and Drug Administration says it hopes to move forward on making emergency contraception available without a prescription. The agency made the announcement a day before a hearing on Capitol Hill on the nomination of Andrew von Eschenbach to be the FDA commissioner. FDA Promises Movement on 'Morning-After' Pill Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5595506/5595507" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
FDA Promises Movement on 'Morning-After' Pill Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5595506/5595507" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
National The Health Legacy of a Heat Wave July 31, 2006 • Heat waves like the one currently sweeping the nation have an impact on public health, especially among the poor and elderly. Michele Norris talks with Eric Klinenberg, author of Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago. The Health Legacy of a Heat Wave Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5595500/5595501" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
The Health Legacy of a Heat Wave Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5595500/5595501" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Polling Surpise: Seniors Happy with Drug Benefit July 30, 2006 • A new poll shows that 80 percent of seniors are happy with the new Medicare prescription-drug benefit, confounding many political analysts. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Health Policy correspondent Julie Rovner. Polling Surpise: Seniors Happy with Drug Benefit Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5592574/5592575" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Polling Surpise: Seniors Happy with Drug Benefit Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5592574/5592575" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Law Justice Dept. Opens Inquiry on Generic Drug Deal July 28, 2006 • The Justice Department is investigating a deal between two large brand-name drug makers and a generic company. The deal allegedly was made to keep a cheaper, generic form of Plavix off the market for several months. The drug, used to prevent blood clots after heart attacks, has annual sales of more than $3 billion. The charges of collusion potentially involve more than $1 billion in revenue for the brand-name makers. Justice Dept. Opens Inquiry on Generic Drug Deal Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5590275/5590276" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Justice Dept. Opens Inquiry on Generic Drug Deal Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5590275/5590276" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Research News Cancer Therapy May Cause Heart Troubles July 28, 2006 • The anti-cancer drug Gleevec has been highly successful in treating stomach tumors, and a blood cancer called chronic myelogenous leukemia. But new research shows that Gleevec may cause congestive heart failure. Researchers say there's no cause for panic. But they advise doctors to monitor their patients for signs of heart trouble. Cancer Therapy May Cause Heart Troubles Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5589636/5589637" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Cancer Therapy May Cause Heart Troubles Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5589636/5589637" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Report: Hospital Medication Errors Commonplace July 28, 2006 • From mix-ups caused by similar-sounding names to accidental overdoses, more than 1.5 million people in hospitals and nursing homes are injured each year by medication errors, according to a new report from the Institute of Medicine. Report: Hospital Medication Errors Commonplace Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5589633/5589634" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Report: Hospital Medication Errors Commonplace Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5589633/5589634" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
San Francisco Prepares for Universal Health Care July 27, 2006 • Mayor Gavin Newsom will soon sign a measure that makes San Francisco the first city in America with universal health care for its citizens. But some business owners say they're being forced to pick up too much of the price tag. San Francisco Prepares for Universal Health Care Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5586106/5586107" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
San Francisco Prepares for Universal Health Care Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5586106/5586107" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Benefit Gap Surprises Medicare Drug-Plan Participants July 25, 2006 • There's a problem with the new Medicare drug-benefit plan: a gap in coverage. The gap occurs when the cost of prescriptions rises to a certain level. Critics of the plan have been issuing warnings about this gap since before the legislation was signed. Benefit Gap Surprises Medicare Drug-Plan Participants Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5580370/5580371" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Benefit Gap Surprises Medicare Drug-Plan Participants Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5580370/5580371" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business Marketplace Report: Frist's Links to HCA Deal July 24, 2006 • An investor group that includes family members of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has agreed to acquire HCA Inc., the largest U.S. hospital chain, for about $21 billion. Janet Babin of Marketplace talks with Noah Adams about the business and political implications of the deal. Marketplace Report: Frist's Links to HCA Deal Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5578301/5578302" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Marketplace Report: Frist's Links to HCA Deal Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5578301/5578302" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Tracking Surgical Supplies in the Operating Room July 22, 2006 • Surgeons sometimes forget to remove sponges and other surgical aids from the insides of their patients. New tracking technology is now being used to help operating-room nurses keep track of the material used in procedures. Tracking Surgical Supplies in the Operating Room Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5575835/5575836" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Tracking Surgical Supplies in the Operating Room Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5575835/5575836" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World A Wounded Soldier Sets His Goals July 21, 2006 • An anti-tank mine in Iraq blew up Sgt. Joe Fowler's Humvee, leaving him with broken bones and burns over 50 percent of his body. His recovery at the Pentagon's only burn treatment center is painful and frustrating. But he has goals: to stay strong for his family, and to get back on his mountain bike. A Wounded Soldier Sets His Goals Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5573767/5573776" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A Wounded Soldier Sets His Goals Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5573767/5573776" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Research News Research 'Breakthroughs' That Weren't: AT July 21, 2006 • Medical researchers are always hoping new discoveries will ultimately lead to a cure. But sometimes a "breakthrough" takes years to become a benefit. When the gene that causes ataxia telangiectasia (AT) was found, it was seen as a breakthrough -- but 11 years later, there's still no treatment. Research 'Breakthroughs' That Weren't: AT Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5573255/5573256" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Research 'Breakthroughs' That Weren't: AT Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5573255/5573256" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Health News Briefs Docs Taking Medicare Patients, Despite Lower Pay July 21, 2006 • Despite a flawed formula that's given physicians small or no increases in pay in recent years, Medicare patients aren't having trouble finding doctors, a GAO study finds.
Your Health Gene Test Promises to Find Right Drug, Right Dose July 20, 2006 • The wrong prescription and dose can mean ineffective drugs and harmful side effects. A new test, part of the growing science of pharmacogenetics, is designed to help doctors figure out which drugs and doses are right for their patients. Gene Test Promises to Find Right Drug, Right Dose Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5568710/5568993" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Gene Test Promises to Find Right Drug, Right Dose Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5568710/5568993" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Your Health Q & A: Pros and Cons of Probiotics July 20, 2006 • Researchers are trying to understand how these good bacteria, taken in pill form as a supplement, may play a role in promoting good immune function. Harvard's Dr. Athos Bousvaros discusse the current thinking on probiotics.