Global Health Coverage | PBS NewsHour Podcast | PBS

In Senegal, a Campaign of Education and Dialogue on a Painful Rite of Passage

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:37:00 EDT

Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports from the West African nation of Senegal, where some advocates are working to discourage the widespread and painful traditional practice of female circumcision (or genital mutilation) through education and compassionate discussion.

News Wrap: British Food Safety Office Orders Testing After Horse Meat Revelation

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:09:00 EDT

In other news Friday, the British government has ordered that products be tested after a major European food supplier found horse meat had been marketed as a beef ingredient. Also, police in California and Nevada continued their manhunt for Christopher Dorner, an ex-Los Angeles cop who has been on a deadly killing spree.

In Haiti, a Mission of Religion and Medicine for Father Rick

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 18:37:00 EDT

The Rev. Rick Frechette went to Haiti 25 years ago on a religious mission to shelter families "broken by tragedy." In his mid-40s, he decided to become a doctor and built a modern pediatric medicine facility. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports as part of our Agents for Change series on the challenges Frechette has faced.

Understanding Why Delivering Aid Can Be a Dangerous Endeavor

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:22:00 EDT

While aid groups operate with apolitical, humanitarian intentions, workers trying to bring relief in the middle of conflicts often find themselves in danger. Ray Suarez talks to Joel Charny of InterAction about the recent deaths of health workers trying to eradicate polio in Pakistan and the "erosion of safety" for aid groups.

Program on Polio Eradication Suspended in Pakistan After 9 Aid Workers Killed

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:18:00 EDT

At least nine people have been killed for their involvement in Pakistan's polio eradication campaign to deliver vaccines to 33 million children. The World Health Organization and UNICEF announced a temporary suspension of the vaccination campaign due to safety concerns. Tom Clarke of Independent Television News reports.

Long After Earthquake, Haiti Still Feels Devastating Effects of Cholera Epidemic

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:37:00 EDT

Ten months after Haiti struggled to recover from a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the nation suffered a public health epidemic. Cholera appeared for the first time in 100 years, making 600,000 Haitians ill and leaving 7,500 dead so far. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports.

2012 World AIDS Day: Strides Taken Towards Cure, But Daunting Hurdles Remain

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:18:00 EDT

In 2012, 34 million people are living with AIDS worldwide. That's both good news and bad news. Ray Suarez talks to National Institutes of Health's Dr. Anthony Fauci about accomplishments by the medical and public health communities to address HIV/AIDS and what must be done in the future to continue curtailing transmission.

In 'Half the Sky,' Transforming Limitations on Women's Opportunities Worldwide

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:43:00 EDT

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof says in some global conflicts men have turned "women's bodies into weapons of war." Jeffrey Brown talks to Kristof and his wife and "Half the Sky" co-author Sheryl WuDunn about violence and survival in the new documentary based on their book.

Where 'Smoke-Free' Isn't the Norm: Global Tobacco Use Booms in Developing World

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:21:00 EDT

The British medical journal The Lancet studied 14 developing nations and found that nearly half of men and 11 percent of women in those countries use tobacco, mostly smoke products. Jeffrey Brown talks to State University of New York at Buffalo's Gary Giovino about why some cultures don't specifically encourage quitting.

In Washington, a Focus on Testing and Fighting Stigma in the Fight Against HIV

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:33:00 EDT

AIDS is not a foreign sickness to the residents of Washington, D.C. According to U.N. statistics, the HIV infection rate there is higher than five countries in Africa. Ray Suarez assesses the challenges in testing for HIV and treating AIDS in the nation's capital.

Infection Rates Down, Drug Access Up and Optimism High Before AIDS Conference

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:26:00 EDT

Some 25,000 scientists, political leaders, and advocates are expected to gather in Washington, D.C., next week for the world's largest AIDS meeting. Gwen Ifill talks with UNAIDS' Michel Sidibe about the successes and continuing challenges to treat and prevent HIV and AIDS.

In El Salvador, Tooth Decay Epidemic Blamed on Junk Food, Lack of Information

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 18:20:00 EDT

From El Salvador, graduates of the Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism -- producer Roberto Daza and correspondent Carl Nasman -- report on an epidemic of tooth decay across the countryside, blamed largely on junk food, soda and a lack of education about dental care.

USAID Administrator: Food Security a 'Grand' But 'Achievable' Goal

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:17:00 EDT

President Obama outlined Friday a private-public partnership to work on global poverty issues ahead of the Group of Eight summit in Camp David this weekend. Ray Suarez and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah discuss the initiative to lift millions out of poverty and hunger through farming partnerships.

Combating Hardship in Rural Thailand

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:39:00 EDT

From Thailand, special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on one social entrepreneur's efforts to combat hardships and instill a new way of thinking in the rural regions of the relatively prosperous country.

How to Better Treat Trauma Injuries in the Developing World

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:39:00 EDT

At San Francisco General Hospital, surgeons from developing countries are learning the latest techniques from top U.S. specialists. With just over 100 orthopedic surgeons serving the 80 million people of Kenya and Tanzania, it's admittedly a small step. But doctors there say it's a worthy one. Spencer Michels reports.

For Cambodian Street Kids, Friends International Works to Redefine Normal

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:39:00 EDT

From Cambodia, special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on one group, Friends International, and its efforts to help homeless children and their families have a brighter future through education, shelter and health services.