Guarding The Ebola Border
Ivory Coast is determined to keep Ebola out. The government shut down the border, and enlisted local villagers to serve as informal border security.
Health & Safety
In California, That MRI Will Cost You $255 — Or Maybe $6,221
It's almost impossible to comparison shop for medical tests and procedures. A crowdsourcing experiment by two NPR member stations in California is aimed at making those numbers less mysterious.
Controversial Cholesterol Drug Redeemed By Global Clinical Test
Merck's Vytorin reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke more than a cholesterol-lowering statin alone. The findings come from an international study of more than 18,000 people in 39 countries.
Sierra Leone Colleagues Mourn Dr. Salia, Who Succumbed To Ebola
Dr. Martin Salia died at a hospital in Omaha, Neb., after being evacuated from Sierra Leone, where he worked as a surgeon in several hospitals. Mourners gathered at a hospital where he worked.
The Guy Who Delivers HIV Medicine On His Bicycle
A South African teenager got tired of waiting in the clinic for his grandparents' HIV meds. So he came up with a solution. All it took was a bicycle.
For Babies, Preterm Birth Is Now The No. 1 Cause Of Death
For the first time, the single greatest threat to a newborn's life is not a specific disease. Rather, it's the fact of being born prematurely.
The Power Of Suggestion Could Trigger Asthma — Or Treat It
Strong odors can be a problem for people with asthma. Even anticipating smells like chemicals or heavy perfumes can lead to an asthma attack. Some scientists think this may lead to new treatments.
Researchers Suggest Ways To Make Pill Swallowing Easier
Almost one-third of people have trouble swallowing pills, according to German researchers. They say some people have so much trouble, they avoid taking the recommended dosage.
In Sierra Leone, Tears And Wails Mark The Death Of Dr. Martin Salia
He was one of only 130 or so doctors who served the country. When news came that he'd succumbed to Ebola, people went into shock, mourning the death of "a great hero."
Trouble Swallowing Pills? Try The 'Pop Bottle' Or The 'Lean Forward'
One-third of people have trouble downing pills, and many skip taking medications as a result. A researcher in Germany says that two techniques help. Really? We tested them ourselves to find out.