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TOPIC   HEALTH

2004 DECEMBER
Dec. 29, 2004
Analysis
Health Experts Warn Death Toll From Disease Could Hit 50,000
As the death toll mounts in South Asia from Sunday's catastrophe, Dr. Nabarro, the head of crisis at the World Health Organization, warned that as many as 50,000 people may die from diseases caused by the tsunamis.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Dec. 29, 2004
Analysis
Science Editor Reviews Year's Highlights
Science magazine's editor in chief recounts the year's highlights in the science field, from the Mars rovers finding proof that the Red Planet was once drenched, to the discovery of small human remains only thousands of years old.

audioRealAudio  


Dec. 21, 2004
Analysis
Painkiller Naproxen May Increase Heart Attack and Stroke
Health correspondent Susan Denzter and Dr. Elias Zerhouni, director of the National Institutes of Health, join Gwen Ifill for a discussion on new health concerns over the painkiller naproxen.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Dec. 17, 2004
Analysis
Celebrex and Increased Risk of Heart Disease
Jeffrey Brown talks with health correspondent Susan Dentzer and Dr. John Reveille, director of the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, about the recent warnings regarding the arthritis drug Celebrex and increased risk of heart disease.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Dec. 6, 2004
Analysis
Sports World Reacts to Allegations of Widespread Steroid Use
Correspondent Jeffrey Brown leads a discussion on Major League Baseball's steroid scandal with Mike Wise of the Washington Post, Chuck Johnson of USA Today and Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Dec. 1, 2004
Analysis
U.N. Targets Women, Developing World in AIDS Fight
Health correspondent Susan Dentzer talks with Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS, about the impact of AIDS on women.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

NOVEMBER
Nov. 29, 2004
Analysis
Supreme Court Watch
Two California patients who use marijuana under the supervision of their doctors are arguing the federal government should not be allowed to overule the state law that permits the use of the drug in their treatment. After a report on the case, a Supreme Court expert discusses Monday's court session.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Nov. 26, 2004
Essay
Health Community Divided Over Prescription Drugs for Children
Essayist Anne Taylor Fleming looks at the precarious connection between children and prescription drugs.


Nov. 24, 2004
Analysis
Shortage of Flu Vaccine Persists, But No Flu Cases Confirmed Yet
Ray Suarez talks with two doctors about the current state of the flu vaccine shortage.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Nov. 23, 2004
Analysis
FDA Drug Screening Measures Under Intense Scrutiny
Health Correspondent Susan Dentzer reports on the recent scrutiny of the Food and Drug Administration's drug testing procedures. Then, Ray Suarez talks with two doctors about state of the FDA's drug testing policies.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Nov. 18, 2004
Analysis
Congress Questions Vioxx, FDA
Health correspondent Susan Dentzer gives an update on the congressional hearings over the health risks of the painkiller Vioxx.

videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Nov. 17, 2004
Analysis
Investigation into Painkiller Vioxx
Health correspondent Susan Dentzer reports on the investigation surrounding the failure of the arthritis drug, Vioxx.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Nov. 9, 2004
Analysis
Coping With War
Betty Ann Bowser reports on U.S. soldiers experiencing post traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Nov. 4, 2004
Analysis
A Plaintiff Suing Merck
The following is an extended transcript of Susan Dentzer talking with Lisa Williams and her attorney Tom Kline about their lawsuit against Merck.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Nov. 3, 2004
Analysis
Dr. Robert Califf on Vioxx
Since Merck voluntarily recalled its pain medication Vioxx, the government has been criticized for not catching the drugs potential side effects during its review. The following is an extended transcript of Dr. Robert Califf, director of Duke's Clinical Research Institute, discussing the situation.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

OCTOBER
Oct. 29, 2004
Analysis
Merck CEO Ray Gilmartin
Since Merck voluntarily recalled its pain medication Vioxx, the company has faced a storm of criticism and the government has been criticized for not catching the drugs potential side effects during its review. The following is an extended transcript of Ray Gilmartin, CEO of Merck, discussing the situation with Susan Dentzer.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Oct. 28, 2004
Analysis
FDA's Dr. Janet Woodcock
The following is an extended transcript of Dr. Janet Woodcock, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Operations, FDA, discussing the situation with Susan Dentzer.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Oct. 27, 2004
Analysis
California Places Stem Cell Research Proposition on Ballot
A group of California citizens have placed a proposition on the Nov. 2 state ballot that, if passed, would create a state-sponsored stem cell research program.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Oct. 22, 2004
Analysis
Medical Liability as a Campaign Issue
With Election Day nearing, Kwame Holman looks at the presidential campaign. Then, Margaret Warner examines the big campaign issue of medical liability with Frank Sloan and Philip Howard.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Oct. 18, 2004
Analysis
Thompson Assures High-Rick Patients of Flu Vaccine Availibility
Margaret Warner updates the latest developments in the flu vaccine shortage.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Oct. 15, 2004
Analysis
Osteoporosis Becomes a Growing Health Risk
Health Correspondent Susan Dentzer reports on the growing health risk of osteoporosis.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Oct. 14, 2004
Analysis
Health Care Debate Weighs Heavily in Presidential Election
Susan Dentzer examines the debate over health care in this election season.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Oct. 14, 2004
Analysis
Health Care Plays Heavily in Presidential Election
President Bush and Senator Kerry tout two very different plans for changing the health care system. Two experts discuss how the issue of health care is playing on the campaign trail.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Oct. 11, 2004
Analysis
Stem Cell Research and How It Has Affected the Presidential Campaign
Gwen Ifill leads a discussion about the debate over stem cell research with Daniel Perry, president of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, and Richard Doerflinger, deputy director for pro-life activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Oct. 11, 2004
Analysis
Remembering Christopher Reeve
"Superman" actor Christopher Reeve, who became paralyzed after a horse-riding accident nine years ago, died Sunday from heart failure. Jeffrey Brown takes a look at the actor-turned-advocate for spinal cord and stem cell research.

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Oct. 8, 2004
Analysis
Shortage of Flu Vaccine Sparks Concerns
Susan Dentzer reports on recent news of a shortage of the flu vaccine that has health officials worried. Then, Ray Suarez speaks with two medical researchers about the questions posed by this vaccine shortage.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 30, 2004
Analysis
Childhood Obesity
Jeffrey Brown speaks with Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control, about a new report on why more kids are overweight.

videoStreaming Video


Sept. 17, 2004
Analysis
Patricia Neuman
As part of a report on the Medicare debate taking place on the presidentical campaign trail, Health Correspondent Susan Dentzer spoke with Patricia Neuman, a vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation and Director of the Foundation's Medicare Policy Project.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Sept. 17, 2004
Analysis
Colin Roskey
Susan Dentzer spoke with Colin Roskey, an informal adviser to the Bush campaign on health care issues. Roskey served as the health policy adviser and counsel to the Senate Finance Committee, where he worked on a small team responsible for Medicare and Medicaid policy development.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Sept. 17, 2004
Analysis
Bruce Vladeck
Susan Dentzer spoke with Bruce Vladeck, an informal adviser to the Kerry campaign on health care issues. In the mid-1990s, Vladeck was administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), where he directed the Medicare and Medicaid programs.The following is an extended transcript of their discussion.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Sept. 17, 2004
Analysis
Presidential Candidates Trade Jabs Over Medicare Costs
The presidential candidates have been trading blows this week over increased costs of Medicare now and in the future. Susan Dentzer explores the issue.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Sept. 9, 2004
Analysis
Medical Journals Demand Greater Clinical Research Trial Disclosure
A group of prestigious medical journals announced yesterday that they will not report the results of any clinical trial which is not registered in a public database from its beginning. Two experts assess the growing controversy over the disclosure of clinical-trial results.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Sept. 9, 2004
Analysis
Candidates Address Trade, Health Care Rather Than CBS Documents
President Bush promoted his economic agenda at a rally in Colmar, Pa., today. Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., spoke about health care reform at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa. Kwame Holman reports.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Sept. 6, 2004
Essay
Richard Rodriquez Talks About His Surgery
Essayist Richard Rodriguez talks about having surgery and becoming part of another America.

AUGUST
Aug. 31, 2004
Analysis
Republicans Discuss the President's Plan for Health Care Reform
Gwen Ifill speaks with two Republicans about the president's plans to lower health care costs and provide health coverage for the uninsured.

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Aug. 10, 2004
Analysis
On-going Controversy Over Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Three years after President Bush announced the federal government would only support limited research involving the use of embryonic stem cells, the issue remains a divisive political and scientific topic. Susan Dentzer reports on ongoing research and the continuing debate over the president's decision.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Aug. 9, 2004
Analysis
Dr. James Thomson
As part of a report on the state of embryonic stem cell research three years after President Bush limited federal funding for the effort, Susan Dentzer talked with the University of Wisconsin's Dr. James Thomson, one of the earliest stem cell researchers. The following is an extended transcript of their discussion.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Aug. 9, 2004
Analysis
U.S. Rep. Diana Degette
As part of a report on the state of embryonic stem cell research three years after President Bush limited federal funding for the effort, Health Correspondent Susan Dentzer talked with Congresswoman Diana DeGette, a Democrat who opposed the president's decision. The following is an extended transcript of their discussion.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Aug. 9, 2004
Analysis
Dr. Ron McKay and Dr. Elias Zerhouni
As part of a report on the state of embryonic stem cell research three years after President Bush limited federal funding for the effort, Susan Dentzer sat down with Dr. Ron McKay, a senior investigator with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Dr. Elias Zerhouni, director of NIH.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Aug. 9, 2004
Analysis
Dr. Jon Odorico
As part of a report on the state of embryonic stem cell research three years after President Bush limited federal funding for the effort, Susan Dentzer talked with Dr. Jon Odorico, a transplant specialist and stem cell researcher at the University of Wisconsin. The following is an extended transcript of their discussion.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Aug. 9, 2004
Analysis
Dr. Yury Verlinsky
As part of a report on the state of embryonic stem cell research three years after President Bush limited federal funding for the effort, Health Correspondent Susan Dentzer talked with Dr. Yuri Verlinsky, director of the Reproductive Genetics Institute. The following is an extended transcript of their discussion.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Aug. 9, 2004
Analysis
U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon
As part of a report on the state of embryonic stem cell research three years after President Bush limited federal funding for the effort, Susan Dentzer talked with Congressman Dave Weldon, a Republican who opposes the use of embryonic stem cells in research. The following is an extended transcript of their discussion.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Aug. 9, 2004
Analysis
Dr. Elias Zerhouni
As part of a report on the state of embryonic stem cell research three years after President Bush limited federal funding for the effort, Health Correspondent Susan Dentzer talked with Dr. Elias Zerhouni, director of the National Institutes of Health. The following is an extended transcript of their discussion.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

JULY
July 27, 2004
Conversation
Ron Reagan, Jr. Calling on People to Support to Stem Cell Research
The son of the late President Ronald Reagan spoke at the Democratic National Convention, calling on people to support to stem cell research -- research that may help treat illnesses.

audioRealAudio  


July 19, 2004
Analysis
The Global Fight Against AIDS
Last week some 15,000 doctors, activists and policy experts met in Bangkok, Thailand to take stock of current efforts to fight AIDS and assess how to best meet the growing need for treatment and prevention programs. Jeffrey Brown speaks with three leading AIDS experts about current efforts to battle the disease.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


July 16, 2004
Analysis
Wounded Soldiers
Susan Dentzer speaks with former Army Chief Warrant Officer John Sims and his doctors about the brain injury he sustained when his helicopter crashed during a flight into Iraq. Sims is one of many U.S. soldiers living with serious brain injuries as a result of accidents or attacks during the war.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


July 16, 2004
Analysis
Extended Interview: John Sims and His Doctor
John Sims talks to Susan Dentzer about his injuries. Susan also talks to Dr. Daniel Slater, who treated Sims at a group residence for people with brain injuries that was Sims' last stop after hospitalization and before returning to his home.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


July 15, 2004
Analysis
Global Fund Attempts to Close Financial Gap
The financial outlook for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is the focus of attention in Bangkok. Many are looking for the U.S. to increase its donations, while Washington wants other countries to give more.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


July 14, 2004
Analysis
Adult Stem Cell Research
A report on the challenges and potential benefits surrounding the sometimes overlooked area of adult stem cell research and the struggle of scientists around the world to find applications for the new area of study.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: National Science Foundation


July 14, 2004
Update
Stem Cell Basics
Some have declared the research to be morally repugnant. Others have said scientists have been wildly optimistic in their promises of how treatments may help patients.


FUNDED IN PART BY: National Science Foundation


July 13, 2004
Analysis
Lowering Cholesterol
The government released revised guidelines yesterday that suggest millions more Americans should receive more aggressive treatment to lower their cholesterol. Gwen Ifill discusses the new guidelines with Dr. James Cleeman of the National Cholesterol Education program at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


July 12, 2004
Analysis
Botswana Battles AIDS with Testing Program
Developing nations are closely monitoring efforts in Botswana, the first African country to both routinely offer confidential HIV testing and provide AIDS drugs to all who need them.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


July 12, 2004
Analysis
Athletes on Trial
Gold-medal sprinter Marion Jones has avoided indictment in the BALCO performance-enhancing drug investigation, but she failed in another high-profile trial, the U.S. Olympic qualifying race for the 100-meter dash on Saturday in Sacramento, Calif. Ray Suarez discusses the doping scandal with sports reporter Elliott Almond.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


July 1, 2004
Update
Stress Disorders Plague U.S. Troops Returning From Iraq
About one-sixth of troops returning from Iraq showed symptoms of mental health problems but many are not receiving treatment, according to a study published Thursday.


FUNDED IN PART BY: Robert Wood Johnson

JUNE
June 23, 2004
Analysis
On the Issues
President Bush told congregants at a Baptist church in Philadelphia that he would like to increase the funding to fight HIV/AIDS in America and abroad. Meanwhile, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., criticized the president's health care policies at a speech in San Francisco. Correspondent Kwame Holman looks at the two campaign speeches.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


June 21, 2004
Analysis
Supreme Court Watch
The Supreme Court ruled that patients do not have the right to sue health insurers or HMOs in state courts and that people may not withhold their identity from police. Correspondent Jeffrey Brown discusses today's decisions with National Law Journal Washington bureau chief Marcia Coyle, who attended the hearings.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


June 16, 2004
Analysis
The Uninsured
One-third of Americans under age 65 did not have health insurance at some point during the past two years, according to a study released today by Families USA. Ray Suarez speaks with Susan Dentzer about the study's findings.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


June 15, 2004
Analysis
Extended Interview with Dr. Joe Thompson
Dr. Joe Thompson, director of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, talks to Susan Dentzer about the state's efforts to fight childhood obesity.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


June 15, 2004
Analysis
Arkansas Works to Fight Child Obesity
The percentage of overweight American children has doubled in the past two decades. To combat this trend, Arkansas became the first state to launch a systematic plan to fight juvenile obesity.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


June 8, 2004
Analysis
Stealing Minds: Alzheimer's and Reagan
As America remembers Ronald Reagan, renewed attention is focused on Alzheimer's. Terence Smith discusses Alzheimer's disease and efforts to treat it with Dr. Ron Petersen, director of Alzheimer's Research at the Mayo Clinic and the first physician to diagnose President Reagan.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video

MAY
May 28, 2004
Analysis
Interview with Dr. Larry Diller
Assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California at San Francisco Dr. Larry Diller, who practices behavioral developmental pediatrics, discusses his concerns regarding children taking antidepressants.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


May 28, 2004
Analysis
Christopher Drell Interview
Christopher Drell, 24, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was 11 years old. He talked with Susan Dentzer about his struggles to overcome mental illness and treatments that eventually helped him lead a more normal life.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


May 28, 2004
Analysis
Interview with Dr. Adelaide Robb
Dr. Adelaide Robb, medical director of inpatient services in George Washington University's psychiatry department, discusses possible treatments for children who suffer from depression.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


May 28, 2004
Analysis
Fighting Childhood Depression
Susan Dentzer examines the ongoing controversy over how to best treat children suffering from depression.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


May 28, 2004
Analysis
Adolescent Patients Caught Between Suicide and Anitidepressants
Certain antidepressant drugs may actually increase the risk of suicide in adolescent patients, a recent study in the medical journal The Lancet suggests. Susan Dentzer looks at efforts to add an FDA warning label about adolescent suicide to antidepressant medications.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


May 28, 2004
Analysis
Interview with Dr. Robert Temple
Dr. Robert Temple, associate director for medical policy at the Food and Drug Administration, talks to Susan Dentzer about the challenges of assessing how to best treat depression in young people.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


May 25, 2004
Analysis
Aspirin and Breast Cancer
Taking aspirin regularly may help reduce the risk of breast cancer, a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests. Gwen Ifill discusses the implications of this new study with one of its authors Dr. Alfred Neugut, co-director of the Cancer Prevention Center at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


May 20, 2004
Analysis
Drugs in Sports
Sprinter Kelli White, who won the 100 and 200 meter races at the World Track and Field Championships, was banned from the sport for two years after she admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. Jeffrey Brown discusses the widening investigation into steroids in sports with experts.


May 18, 2004
Analysis
U.S. Moves to Improve Access to Generic AIDS Drugs Overseas
The Bush administration has moved to expedite the approval process for generic anti-AIDS drugs so they can be bought at lower prices and provided more efficiently and safely to millions of infected people in Africa and the Caribbean. U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Randall Tobias outlines the plan.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


May 14, 2004
Analysis
Plan B Rejection
Some members of Congress have called for an investigation into whether abortion politics played a role in the recent FDA decision to bar over-the-counter sales of the emergency contraceptive Plan B. Ray Suarez gets two perspectives on the controversial contraceptive from Dr. Susan Crockett and Dr. Tina Raine.

videoStreaming Video


May 6, 2004
Analysis
New Medicare Drug Discount Cards for Seniors
Senior citizens began sorting through the competing discounts offered by new Medicare drug cards this week. Health correspondent Susan Dentzer looks at the details of some competing discount-card plans.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

APRIL
April 23, 2004
Analysis
Low Carb Craze
Despite signs of a dieters' backlash, the low carbohydrate craze is changing the way American consumers eat and shop. Elizabeth Brackett of WTTW-Chicago reports.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


April 5, 2004
Analysis
Out at the Old Ballgame
Opening weekend for Major League Baseball came amid league-led efforts to stamp out the use of steroids. Terence Smith discusses the battle against performance-enhancing drugs with Buster Olney of ESPN magazine.

videoStreaming Video

MARCH
March 29, 2004
Analysis
Abortion Law
Abortion rights activists filed challenges Monday to a new federal law that bans late-term abortions. Judges will hear evidence in three separate trials about the law's constitutionality. Two experts discuss the reasons for the challenges.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


March 23, 2004
Analysis
Seeing Red
Medicare trustees reported that unless major changes are made to the entitlement program, it will face insolvency by 2019, seven years earlier than previously projected. Gwen Ifill discusses the bleak new forecast with former Medicare trustee Marilyn Moon and Dan Crippen, former director of the Congressional Budget Office.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


March 19, 2004
Analysis
The Politics of Medicare
It's been just over three months since President Bush signed the new Medicare law. But in that time, a series of controversies has erupted as Republicans and Democrats seek political advantage in an election year. Susan Dentzer examines the growing furor over the 2003 Medicare bill.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


March 12, 2004
Analysis
Importing Drugs
The federal government has said it is opposed to the importing of cheaper prescription drugs because it cannot guarantee the safety of drugs produced in another country. As the debate over importing prescription drugs into the United States continues, Susan Dentzer, in the second of two reports, examines the safety concerns.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


March 9, 2004
Analysis
Importing Drugs
As the controversy over legalizing drug importation heats up, policy-makers are paying increased attention to the factors that keep Canadian drug prices lower than those in the United States.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


March 9, 2004
Analysis
Lowering Cholesterol
A study released Monday reported that heart disease patients' risk of heart attacks can be diminished by taking the drug Lipitor. Gwen Ifill talks to Dr. Peter Libby, chief of cardiovascular medicine at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, about the new study and what it may mean for the treatment of heart disease.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


March 5, 2004
Analysis
Unemployment Woes
The Labor Department released a report Friday showing that job growth all but stalled in February. The nation's payrolls grew by just 21,000, falling more than 100,000 jobs short of the figure originally anticipated. Economists assess what the latest numbers suggest about the state of the nation's economic health.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


March 1, 2004
Analysis
Extended Interview
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich discusses his efforts to pressure the Food and Drug Administration to allow his state to buy prescription drugs from Canada.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


March 1, 2004
Analysis
Extended Interview
Tom Brogan helped set up the federal Canadian board that reviews drug prices when he was an official at Canada's health ministry and now consults for private pharmaceutical companies. Brogan talks to Susan Dentzer about the factors that contribute to Canada drug prices being lower than those in the United States.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


March 1, 2004
Analysis
Mark Mcclellan
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Mark McClellan talks to Susan Dentzer about the risks of buying pharmaceuticals from Canadian Internet pharmacies and the challenges of trying to prevent unsafe drugs from reaching U.S. consumers.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


March 1, 2004
Analysis
Extended Interview: Hank McKinnell
Pfizer CEO Hank McKinnell talks to Susan Dentzer about his concern that legalizing drug importation from Canada could expose U.S. consumers to counterfeit drugs. He also talks about the importance of making sure other countries pay a fair price for pharmaceuticals and stop getting a "free ride on American research."


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

FEBRUARY
Feb. 17, 2004
Analysis
Antibiotics & Cancer
A study published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that there may be a link between the use of antibiotics and breast cancer, the second leading cause of death among American women.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Feb. 16, 2004
Analysis
Stimulating Science
Dr. Elias Zerhouni, director of the N.I.H., is spearheading efforts to speed up the time it takes for laboratory discoveries to be translated into new medical treatments and drugs. Susan Dentzer talks to Zerhouni and other researchers about the proposed changes at the NIH and their implications for medical research.

videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Feb. 13, 2004
Analysis
Drugs and Sports
The trainer for the San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds was among the people indicted earlier this week in a federal steroid sting. Spencer Michels looks at the challenges new sophisticated performance-enhancing drugs are presenting in policing the Olympics and professional sports leagues.


Feb. 12, 2004
Analysis
Human Cloning
Researchers in South Korea on Thursday announced they succeeded in extracting stem cells from a cloned human embryo. Following a background report on the science behind the research, Margaret Warner and guests discuss the medical and ethical implications of this breakthrough.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Feb. 9, 2004
Analysis
Big Enough Bounce?
As President Bush touts positive economic indicators as part of his successful economic policy and Democrats warn of a jobless recovery, economists discuss the political implications of the state of the U.S. economy.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Feb. 4, 2004
Analysis
Poisonous Powder
The ricin scare drove senators to the House side of the Capitol as police and Marines continued to quarantine unopened mail in Senate offices. Margaret Warner discusses the most recent developments with Time magazine correspondent Elaine Shannon.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Feb. 3, 2004
Analysis
Poisonous Powder
Three Senate buildings were closed Tuesday after tests confirmed that powder found in the mail room of the office of the Senate majority leader was the deadly poison, ricin. Julie Fischer of the Henry L. Stimson Center explains its potential threat.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Feb. 2, 2004
Analysis
Budget Blueprint
President Bush proposed a $2.4 trillion 2005 budget Monday, which includes increases in defense and homeland security spending and budget reductions for the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency. Members of Congress debate the budget's potential effect on the federal deficit.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video

JANUARY
Jan. 29, 2004
Analysis
Mad Cow
The price of American beef plummeted at home and abroad after a slaughtered Washington state Holstein cow was found infected with mad cow disease in December. Tom Bearden reviews the reforms the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented to ensure meat safety and their effect on the industry.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Jan. 27, 2004
Analysis
Bird Flu Outbreak
As China reported its first case of the rapidly spreading bird flu Tuesday, Dr. Julie Gerberding, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses the implications of the outbreak on world health.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Jan. 26, 2004
Analysis
Salmon Scare
Salmon is the most popular fish in the interior of the United States, but many American consumers have become concerned over whether the fish is still safe to eat. Lee Hochberg reports on whether there is any truth to these fish stories.

videoStreaming Video


Jan. 14, 2004
Analysis
No Forgetting: Veterans and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Despite aggressive Pentagon effects to make mental health professionals available to soldiers stationed in Iraq, soldiers returning from the war continue to report high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder. Susan Dentzer reports on what the military has learned about dealing with PTSD and what it is doing to help its victims.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


FUNDED IN PART BY: Robert Wood Johnson


Jan. 14, 2004
Analysis
Extended Interview: Alfonso Batres
Dr. Alfonso Batres, a clinical psychologist and the chief officer for readjustment counseling services at the Department of Veterans Affairs, discusses how the department's support services aim to help those who have served in combat.


FUNDED IN PART BY: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation


Jan. 8, 2004
Analysis
Family Planning
Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on the politics and practice of family planning in the southern African nation of Zambia.

audioRealAudio  videoStreaming Video


Jan. 1, 2004
Analysis
Cracking Down on Doping
Twenty-five athlete were called last fall to testify about their ties to a laboratory accused of manufacturing an illegal anabolic steroid never seen before. Spencer Michels looks at this case and the challenges sophisticated performance-enhancing drugs are presenting in policing the Olympics and professional sports leagues.

videoStreaming Video

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