Health Coverage | PBS NewsHour Podcast | PBS

What DSM-5, Updated Mental Health 'Bible,' Means for Diagnosing Patients

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:35:00 EDT

The American Psychiatric Association released a new edition of the DSM, which doctors use to diagnose and treat mental disorders. Judy Woodruff discusses the changes and implications for both patients and professionals with Dr. Michael First of Columbia University and Dr. Steven Hyman of the Broad Institute.

Major Embryonic Stem Cell Advance Raises Ethical Quandaries

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:46:00 EDT

Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University have achieved a longtime goal. They cloned a human embryo to derive embryonic stem cells able to transform into tissues and organs genetically identical to patients who need them. Jeffrey Brown talks to NPR's Rob Stein about the science as well as the ethical concerns.

Why Angelina Jolie Decided to Undergo Preventative Double Mastectomy

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:44:00 EDT

In a New York Times op-ed, actress Angelina Jolie disclosed she had a preventative double mastectomy because she carries a greater genetic risk of developing breast cancer. Gwen Ifill talks with genetic counselor Beth Peshkin of Georgetown University and Dr. Kenneth Offit of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Center in New York.

Seeking Method Behind the Madness of Hospital Billing Disparities

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:44:00 EDT

Different hospitals charge wildly different amounts for the same procedures, even in the same city. New data from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid shows a vast billing disparity between health care centers. Jeffrey Brown explores some striking examples and what these numbers mean with Barry Meier of The New York Times.

New CDC Report Finds Stunning Suicide Increases Among Middle-Aged Americans

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:14:00 EDT

More people in the U.S. die from suicide than car accidents. That's according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control, which also found that the suicide rate among adults age 35 and 64 has risen 28 percent. Ray Suarez talks with CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden about contributing risks and measures for prevention.

Justice Department Plans Fight Over Federal Ruling on Morning-After Pill

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:19:00 EDT

The battle continues over the emergency contraceptive known as the morning-after pill, as the Justice Department announced it would appeal a federal ruling. A judge had ordered the age restriction be lifted so females of all ages could get the pill without a prescription. Jeffrey Brown talks with NPR's Julie Rovner.

Pain and Consequences for Those Taking Too Much Pain Medication

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:33:00 EDT

At age 22, college football player Austin Box had suffered a slew of painful injuries. Two weeks after his graduation, he overdosed on a lethal cocktail of pain medications, none of which he had been prescribed. Health correspondent Betty Ann Bowser reports on the perils of painkillers and the difficulty of combating abuse.

Is Processed Food a Pandora's Box for the American Diet?

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:48:00 EDT

How did the United States become a nation where food isn't so much cooked as disassembled and reassembled? Author and former New York Times reporter Melanie Warner speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about her new book, "Pandora's Lunchbox: How Processed Food Took Over the American Meal."

Writer Advocates 'Clean' Start for America on Addiction

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:47:00 EDT

In his new book, "Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America's Greatest Tragedy," journalist David Sheff outlines a slew of reasons why addiction treatments largely fail to help 20 million people struggling with the disease. Judy Woodruff talks to Sheff about why the stigma of addiction has hurt addicts seeking to get clean.

Supreme Court Tackles Case of Patent Law, Human Genetics

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:20:00 EDT

The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case on whether a biotech company can patent a gene associated with cancer. Jeffrey Brown gets details from National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle, plus viewpoints from Ellen Matloff of Yale Cancer Center, a plaintiff in the case, and Kevin Noonan, an intellectual property attorney.

Hospitals Dispute Failure to Disclose Clinical Study Risks for Premature Infants

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:41:00 EDT

Two dozen hospitals are under fire for allegedly not disclosing the risks of participating in a clinical study, which involved 1,300 premature infants. The study was to determine proper supplemental oxygen levels, and risks to the infants included death and blindness. Judy Woodruff talks to David Brown of The Washington Post.

Estimating the Soaring Price Tag and Other Costs of Dementia Care

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:19:00 EDT

A new study by the RAND Corporation estimates the cost of dementia care as $41,000 to $56,000 anually per patient. Jeffrey Brown examines the findings and implications with Dr. Ronald Petersen, director of the Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and Dr. Richard Hodes, director of the National Institute of Aging.