Health & Safety

A little girl fills two jerry cans with water in the Korangi slum in Karachi. Fetching water is a duty that often falls on very young children.

For Karachi's Water Mafia, Stolen H2O Is A 'Lucrative Business'

4:46pm September 10, 2018

In Pakistan's port city, gangs siphon off water from government pipes and resell it to residents. Surprisingly, the municipal water board is now partnering with the mafia to distribute it.

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Triad Safety Officials Prepare For Hurricane Florence

4:11pm September 10, 2018

by Bethany Chafin

North Carolina is readying for the possibility of a direct hit from Hurricane Florence later this week. Safety officials in the Triad are preparing for high winds and heavy rainfall.

Santa Rosa Beach in Walton County, Florida with a privately-owned section that is part of Vizcaya, a residential development.

Private Beaches In Florida Spark Battle With Residents And County

3:11pm September 10, 2018

by Greg Allen

As of July 1, homeowners with beachfront property in Florida's Walton County can declare their beach off-limits to the public. That has sparked a battle with local residents and county officials.

From Romaine lettuce to McDonald's salads, Goldfish crackers and Taco Bell queso, we hear more about food recalls and outbreaks. But many experts say our food supply is as safe as ever.

Food Safety Scares Are Up In 2018. Here's Why You Shouldn't Freak Out

11:19am September 10, 2018

by Allison Aubrey

From Romaine lettuce to McDonald's salads, Goldfish crackers and Taco Bell queso, we hear more about food recalls and outbreaks. But many experts say our food supply is as safe as ever.

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The search for the cause of Alzheimer's has so far come up dry. Some researchers are now asking if germs play a role.

Infectious Theory of Alzheimer's Disease Draws Fresh Interest

7:30am September 09, 2018

by Bret Stetka

Money has poured into Alzheimer's research, but until very recently not much of it went toward investigating infection in causing dementia. A million dollar prize may lead more scientists to try.

The Sahara desert creeps up on a palm field.

A Scientist Dreams Up A Plan To Stop The Sahara From Expanding

7:00am September 09, 2018

by Dan Charles

It involves a super solar farm the size of the United States.

Viruses thrive in the security lines at airports, according to several studies.

Where Are The Most Viruses In An Airport? Hint: It's Probably Not The Toilet

4:24pm September 08, 2018

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Scientists looked for respiratory viruses on surfaces throughout an international airport.

Mary Horman (left), a registered nurse for Clackamas County, and Liz Baca, a disease intervention specialist for the county, search for the right address in an Oregon neighborhood. Part of their job is to get information to people who may have a serious,

Discreetly Tracking Down Sex Partners To Stop A Surge In STDs

10:50am September 08, 2018

by Kristian Foden-Vencil

In response to a spike in syphilis and gonorrhea cases, one Oregon county is sending medical sleuths to break the bad news in-person. Some people have no idea they've been exposed to an infection.

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Supervised injection sites, like Insite in Vancouver, Canada, provide drug users with clean needles and other supplies to help prevent the spread of disease.

What's The Evidence That Supervised Drug Injection Sites Save Lives?

7:21pm September 07, 2018

by Elana Gordon

Proposals in several cities to offer drug users access to a safe space to consume drugs have caused a political stir, but what do we really know about the effectiveness of safe injection sites?

Jason Rosenthal: What Does the Loss Of A Loved One Teach Us About Life?

11:05am September 07, 2018

by NPR/TED Staff

Before Jason's wife Amy died, she wrote a heartbreaking farewell essay: "You May Want To Marry My Husband." Jason Rosenthal remembers Amy's life — and the lessons he learned from her death.

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