Health 2005 Archive | PBS NewsHour

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	2005 DECEMBER Dec. 27, 2005 Stem Cell Scandal Last week a panel from Seoul National University announced it had found deliberate deception in scientist Woo Suk Hwang's work, which claimed to have made a breakthrough in stem cell research. Three experts discuss the scandal and its implications.

	Dec. 26, 2005 Interview: The Brisenos As a part of her reporting on how one soldier badly wounded in Iraq is faring after the return home, Health Correspondent Susan Dentzer sat down with Joe and Eva Briseno, the parents of the fallen warrior. The following is an extended version of their interview.

	Dec. 26, 2005 Revisiting a Wounded Warrior A Health Unit report revisits the family of a soldier left paralyzed and brain damaged after he was wounded in a Baghdad market in June 2003.

	Dec. 14, 2005 American Red Cross Troubles The chief executive of the American Red Cross resigned amid criticism of the charity's disaster relief efforts, including its response to Hurricane Katrina. After a background report, a public service professor discusses the problems facing the Red Cross.

	Dec. 13, 2005 Unlocking Cancer Genes An ambitious national pilot project called the "Cancer Genome Atlas" will attempt to map the genetic mutations present in different types of cancer. Two experts discuss the project.

	Dec. 13, 2005 Medicare Choices Medicare's prescription drug benefit program is set to begin in less than three weeks. An expert discusses the multitude of available options for seniors.

	Dec. 12, 2005 Mistrial for Merck An update on the first federal trial against Merck and Co. over its painkiller Vioxx, which ended in a mistrial Monday.

	Dec. 12, 2005 Oregon Fights Meth Labs In an attempt to crack down on the production of the highly-addictive and destructive drug methamphetamine, officials in Oregon tightened access to medicines containing pseudoephedrine, an ingredient found in many common medicines and a main component used to make the drug.

	Dec. 1, 2005 Science of Aging Some scientists have discovered a set of "anti-aging" genes in animals that -- when manipulated -- have similar life-extending effects as calorie-restrictive diets. Correspondent Tom Bearden reports on the research into the relationship between genes and aging.

	Dec. 1, 2005 Aids Epidemic Still Spreading A World Health Organization initiative to provide anti-retroviral drugs to people with AIDS in low-income countries fell short of its goal of three million people by 2005. Two experts discuss the effectiveness of the initiative and the challenges of fighting the AIDS epidemic.



	NOVEMBER Nov. 28, 2005 Coping Without Health Insurance A report on the plight of those living without health insurance.

	Nov. 25, 2005 Stem Cell Ethics Questions An update on the ethics troubles of a key scientist in the field of embryonic stem cell research.

	Nov. 16, 2005 Morning After Pill Controversy The NewsHour's health corespondent discusses the controversy behind Plan B emergency contraceptive, commonly known as the morning after pill, after the Government Accountability Office issued a report on the Food and Drug Administration's refusal to make the drug available over the counter.

	Nov. 16, 2005 New Steroid Rules for Baseball Under pressure from Congress, baseball owners and unions agreed to tougher penalties for drug use, including amphetamines, and will follow a more frequent testing regime that will begin before spring training next year. An ESPN The Magazine writer explains the new rules.

	Nov. 16, 2005 China Confirms First Human Cases of Bird Flu China's Ministry of Health confirmed on Wednesday its first human cases of bird flu, heightening fears of a global flu pandemic that could kill millions. Two of the three cases in China have already killed those infected.

	Nov. 11, 2005 New Medicare Prescription Plan Nov. 15 is the first day to sign up for a new prescription plan under Medicare. A health unit report explains the plan designed to help seniors afford their prescriptions drugs.

	Nov. 11, 2005 Mark McClellan on Medicare Drug Plan Health correspondent Susan Dentzer talks with Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, about how to navigate the choices in Medicare's new prescription drug plan.

	Nov. 9, 2005 Health Experts Unveil Global Strategy to Tackle Bird Flu International health experts met for three days ending Wednesday in Geneva to hammer out a global strategy against bird flu.

	Nov. 4, 2005 Discussing the Tragedy of AIDS in South Africa Jeffrey Brown talks about the tragedy of AIDS in South Africa with author Edwin Cameron.

	Nov. 1, 2005 Pandemic Flu Plan Announced President Bush unveiled a flu response plan for the United States amid concerns that the H5N1 strain of the bird flu that has infected birds and on rare instances humans in Asia and Europe, will become a worldwide pandemic. A health unit report outlines the plan.

	Nov. 1, 2005 Rehnquist Absent from Bench, Undergoes Cancer Treatment Chief Justice William Rehnquist missed the Supreme Court's first day Monday at the advice of his doctors who are treating his thyroid cancer with radiation and chemotherapy.



	OCTOBER Oct. 20, 2005 Assessing the Bird Flu Crisis The death of a man in Thailand raised the avian flu death toll to 61, causing health officials across the world to look more closely at plans to prevent a pandemic. Following a background report, experts discuss the bird flu threat, the possibility of transmission between humans and the chances of the virus spreading.

	Oct. 17, 2005 Embryonic Stem Cell Tests A interview with health correspondent Susan Dentzer explains two new techniques for creating stem cells and the ethical and religious concerns surrounding them.

	Oct. 5, 2005 Oregon's Assisted Suicide Case The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday over whether Oregon has the right to allow doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. Following a background report, a reporter provides details of the day in court.



	SEPTEMBER Sept. 19, 2005 Is It Safe to Return? A doctor and a local official assess whether it is safe to return to parts of New Orleans, and some of the immediate obstacles once people do come back.

	Sept. 13, 2005 Tragedy Innew Orleans Hospital The discovery of as many as 44 dead bodies in a flooded New Orleans hospital raised further questions about adequate prepartion for emergency situations and evacuation procedures.

	Sept. 12, 2005 Katrina's Public Health Risks A report from Louisiana about the post-Hurricane Katrina threats to public health.

	Sept. 8, 2005 Hurricane Hospital Challenges A report from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, about how makeshift hospitals are coping with a surge of patients.

	Sept. 7, 2005 New Orleans' Contaminated Floodwater Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses the growing health threat to residents and rescue workers in New Orleans posed by floodwaters filled with toxins and bacteria.



	AUGUST Aug. 25, 2005 The Closing of Walter Reed The BRAC Commission voted Thursday to close the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The hospital has treated presidents, soldiers and veterans for nearly a century.

	Aug. 22, 2005 The Vioxx Verdict Experts discuss the verdict of a Texas jury that found pharmaceutical giant Merck and Co. liable in the death of a man who took the painkiller Vioxx.

	Aug. 18, 2005 Unequal Medical Treatment The New England Journal of Medicine published three studies Thursday that show a prevalence of racial disparities in medical treatment. Two health experts discuss the findings.

	Aug. 10, 2005 Lung Cancer Lung cancer remains the leading cancer killer in the world; 163,000 Americans will likely die from it this year alone. After a brief background report, experts discuss current information about and treatments for lung cancer.



	JUNE June 30, 2005 Pharmacists Protest Prescribing Contraceptives on Grounds of Morality Elizabeth Brackett of WTTW-Chicago reports on why some pharmacies are refusing to fill birth control and morning-after pill prescriptions on moral grounds.

	June 30, 2005 U.S. Pledges $1.2 Billion to Fight Malaria in Africa President Bush announced Thursday that the United States is doubling aid to Africa and pledged more than $1.2 billion to fight malaria in the continent.

	June 28, 2005 Ex-HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy Found Not Guilty on All 36 Charges Former HealthSouth CEO and founder Richard Scrushy was found not guilty on 36 charges of fraud, false corporate reporting and making false statements related to the $2.7 billion accounting fraud at HealthSouth.

	June 24, 2005 Human Exposure to Chemicals Advancements in bio-monitoring are allowing researchers to better detect the levels of chemicals that people's bodies pick up from everyday life.

	June 17, 2005 FDA Unanimously Approves a New Controversial Heart Drug for African-Americans The Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Thursday unanimously approved BiDiL, a new prescription drug made by Nitromed, which will be marketed for the treatment of heart failure in African-Americans. Two health experts address the concerns surrounding the new drug.

	June 15, 2005 U.S. HIV Cases Top 1 Million More than 1 million Americans are HIV-positive and an estimated 40,000 new infections occur each year, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

	June 8, 2005 New Study Shows Developed Countries' Populations at Possible Risk for TB Most of the devastation surrounding tuberculosis takes place in the developing world, but a new study from the American Medical Association explains that industrial nations are also at risk.

	June 8, 2005 Big Tobacco Trial A federal judge Wednesday questioned the Justice Department's decision to require tobacco companies to fund a five-year, $10 billion nationwide stop-smoking program, rather than a recommended 25-year, $130 billion plan.

	June 7, 2005 Restructuring the ER Studies show that more than half the nation's emergency rooms are facing overcrowding, a problem that has led to patients being turned away at the door and one that may cause avoidable deaths, according to some doctors.

	June 6, 2005 Medical Marijuana Decision The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Monday that federal authorities may prosecute patients whose doctors prescribe medical marijuana despite state laws that allow its use. Following a background report on the ruling, Gwen Ifill hosts a debate on the consequences of the high court's decision.

	June 2, 2005 New Shingles Vaccine Could Reduce, Eliminate Virus and Symptoms Pharmaceutical company Merck released promising clinical trials Thursday of a new shingles vaccine that has significantly decreased the virus's severity.



	MAY May 27, 2005 The FDA Investigates Cases of Blindness Linked to Anti-Impotence Drugs The Food and Drug Administration is investigating reports of blindness among dozens of men who used Viagra and other impotence drugs, but cautioned that the vision loss may be linked to other illness.

	May 26, 2005 Dead Geese in China Prompt Fears Over Bird Flu Pandemic The Chinese Health Ministry announced Thursday that no human cases of the avian flu exists after investigators discovered 519 dead geese last Saturday in China's Qinghai northwest province.

	May 23, 2005 Congress Poised to Debate Modification to Federal Stem Cell Rules A House bill that would allow federal funding of stem cell research using human embryos donated by fertility clinics that would otherwise discard them has sparked a heated debate on Capitol Hill. Two U.S. representatives debate the bill.

	May 20, 2005 South Korean Scientists Announce Stem Cell Breakthrough Scientists in South Korea announced they successfully created the first embryonic stem cells that genetically match injured or sick patients..

	May 17, 2005 Medical Experts Discuss Cancer Research Findings A study released at this week's American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting revealed that breast cancer patients reduced their chances of seeing their tumor return if they followed a healthy, low-fat diet. Medical experts discuss these and other recent cancer research findings.

	May 3, 2005 New Budget Plan Cuts Medicaid Spending The U.S. House and Senate passed new federal budget plans last week that will cut Medicaid spending by $10 billion over the next five years.



	APRIL April 26, 2005 Wounds of War There are nearly 11,600 wounded from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many families struggle to care for the war wounded as many of them face major lifelong injuries. A report on how the Briseno family is trying to care for their disabled son.

	April 26, 2005 Extended Interview: Joseph Briseno Sr. Of the more than 10,000 soldiers wounded while on duty in Iraq, hundreds face major life-long injuries which are taxing both their families and the nation's military medical system. Susan Dentzer spoke with Joseph Briseno, father of a seriously wounded soldier.

	April 26, 2005 Extended Interview: Dr. Steven Fish Of the more than 10,000 soldiers wounded while on duty in Iraq, hundreds face major life-long injuries which are taxing both their families and the nation's military medical system. Susan Dentzer spoke with Dr. Steven Fish, one of the doctors treating Joseph Briseno Jr.

	April 26, 2005 Extended Interview: VA Hospital Administrator Sandy Garfunkel As a part of her reporting on this issue of long-term care for the some of the most severely wounded, NewsHour health correspondent Susan Dentzer spoke with Sandy Garfunkel, director of the Washington D.C. Veterans Administration Medical Center. The following is an extended transcript of their conversation.

	April 26, 2005 Extended Interview: Caregiver Suzanne Mintz As a part of her reporting on this issue of long-term care for the some of the most severely wounded, NewsHour health correspondent Susan Dentzer spoke with Suzanne Mintz, president of the National Family Caregivers Association. The following is an extended transcript of their conversation.

	April 13, 2005 Deadly Flu Virus Strain Inadvertently Shipped to Laboratories Around the World Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses the accidental shipment of a deadly flu strain to laboratories worldwide, the effort to destroy the samples, and the need for future precautions.

	April 12, 2005 Anniversary of Polio Vaccine Approval, Remembering Microbiologist Hilleman On the 50th anniversary of the polio vaccine's approval, a new book celebrates vaccine creator Jonas Salk. Then, a microbiologist talks about the life and work of Dr. Maurice Hilleman, who developed vaccines for mumps, measles, chickenpox, pneumonia, meningitis and other diseases. Hilleman died Monday at age 85.

	April 7, 2005 Thailand Prepares for Deadly Avian Flu Correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro of Twin Cities Public Television looks at the impact of avian flu on Southeast Asia.

	April 7, 2005 Drug Safety: Bextra The drugmaker Pfizer Thursday agreed to suspend sales of painkiller Bextra after regulators found risk of serious side effects. Health correspondent Susan Dentzer discusses the Food and Drug Administration's new recommendations for Bextra and other similar medications.

	April 1, 2005 Shields and Lowry Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and National Review editor Rich Lowry discuss the political troubles surrounding House Republican Leader Tom Delay and the presidential commission's report on pre-war Iraq intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction.



	MARCH March 31, 2005 Terri Schiavo Dies After 13 Days off Feeding Tube Thirteen days after her feeding tube was removed, brain-damaged Florida woman Terri Schiavo died Thursday morning at her Pinellas Park hospice. A discussion about some of the issues raised by the life and death of Terri Schiavo.

	March 25, 2005 Medical Ethics of Schiavo Case The dispute over the life of Terri Schiavo has raised a series of difficult ethical questions about the proper diagnosis and treatment of people with severely incapacitating injuries or illnesses.

	March 24, 2005 Schiavo Case: Supreme Court The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday declined to intervene in the case of whether to reinsert the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo, a severely brain-damaged Florida woman. A discussion about the Supreme Court's decision.

	March 24, 2005 The Schiavo Case Receives Strong Media Coverage Media correspondent Terence Smith discusses the wall-to-wall media coverage the Terri Schiavo case has received from newspapers, broadcast television, cable news and the Internet.

	March 23, 2005 Editorial Page Editors Share Diverse Perspectives on Social Security Debate As President Bush continues a cross-country campaign to sell his proposals to strengthen the Social Security system, Terence Smith and four editorial page editors around the country discuss their response to the president's reform initiatives.

	March 22, 2005 Schiavo Case Sparks Interest in Living Wills The case of Terri Schiavo, currently being debated in the courts and society, has sparked a renewed interest in living wills. Two experts lead a discussion explaining the use of the document and whether it would have made a difference in the Schiavo case.

	March 21, 2005 Judge Weighs Reinserting Schiavo Feeding Tube A federal judge in Florida delayed making a decision on whether to reinsert the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo, after hearing arguments from lawyers on both sides of the case. Experts debate the legal implications of the disabled Florida woman's case.

	March 18, 2005 A Florida Judge Orders Terri Schiavo's Feeding Tube Removed Despite efforts by Republicans on Capitol Hill Friday, a Florida judge ordered the removal of a feeding tube that was keeping Terri Schiavo, a severely brain-damaged woman whose case has made national headlines, alive. Experts discuss the legal arguments in the case.

	March 17, 2005 Major League Baseball Players Testify Before Congress About Steroid Use Current and former Major League Baseball players testified before the House Government Reform Committee on Thursday to discuss baseball's steroid problem. An expert discusses the potential impact of the congressional hearing on baseball and its drug policy.

	March 9, 2005 A New Study on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Medical Care Dr. Adewale Troutman, director of the Louisville Metro Health Department, discusses a new study he co-authored on racial and ethnic disparities in medical care.

	March 8, 2005 President Clinton to Undergo a Procedure to Remove Excess Fluid Around His Lungs Former President Clinton will undergo a procedure Thursday to remove scar tissue and excess fluid after his quadruple bypass heart surgery six months ago. A medical doctor explains the procedure.

	March 2, 2005 Activist Gordon Bonnyman Tennessee has tried to tackle the skyrocketing costs of Medicaid for more than a decade and now their program, TennCare, faces major financial problems. The following is an extended transcript of Gordon Bonnyman of the Tennessee Justice Center discussing the effort with NewsHour health correspondent Susan Dentzer.

	March 2, 2005 Governor Phil Bredesen Tennessee has tried to tackle the skyrocketing costs of Medicaid for more than a decade and now their program, TennCare, faces major financial problems. The following is an extended transcript of Gov. Phil Bredesen, the Democratic governor of Tennessee, discussing the effort with NewsHour health correspondent Susan Dentzer.

	March 2, 2005 Diane Rowland Tennessee has tried to tackle the skyrocketing costs of Medicaid for more than a decade and now their program, TennCare, faces major financial problems. The following is an extended transcript of Diane Rowland, Executive Director of Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, discussing the effort with Susan Dentzer.

	March 2, 2005 Tennessee State Representative David Shepard Tennessee has tried to tackle the skyrocketing costs of Medicaid for more than a decade and now their program, TennCare, faces major financial problems. The following is an extended transcript of David Shepard, a Democratic state representative, discussing the effort with NewsHour health correspondent Susan Dentzer.

	March 2, 2005 Medicaid Squeeze Proposed cuts in funding to Tennessee's Medicaid program to help ease a state budget crisis stands to leave more than 323,000 people facing the possibility of losing health care coverage.

	March 1, 2005 Bill Frist Attacks Democrats Use of the Filibuster, Urges Social Security Reform Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., speaks with Jim Lehrer about President Bush's Social Security plan and the Democrats' use of the filibuster against the president's judicial nominees.



	FEBRUARY Feb. 28, 2005 Science of Aging Some scientists have discovered a set of "anti-aging" genes in animals that -- when manipulated -- have similar life-extending effects as calorie-restrictive diets. Correspondent Tom Bearden reports on the research into the relationship between genes and aging.

	Feb. 25, 2005 Anne Taylor Fleming Discusses Taking Time Out Anne Taylor Fleming discusses taking time out to combat obesity and savor life's smaller moments.

	Feb. 21, 2005 Travelers Head to Thailand for Inexpensive Medical Procedures Fred de Sam Lazaro of Twin Cities Public Television reports on how people are traveling to Thailand to have medical procedures done at reduced rates.

	Feb. 18, 2005 Drug Safety Panel Investigating Painkillers Releases New Report A drug safety panel investigating the popular Cox-2 inhibitor painkillers released a report stating that even though Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx pose a risk of heart trouble, the drugs should be available to the public. Margaret Warner speaks with a pharmaceutical and defense industry correspondent about the hearing.

	Feb. 15, 2005 Caring For Wounded Soldiers From the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan An overseas report from a U.S. military hospital in Germany about how the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center has treated more than 20,000 service members wounded from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

	Feb. 7, 2005 Dr. Bagian on Medical Errors One of the medical organizations that has invested the most in technology aimed at reducing medical errors is the Veterans Administration. The following is an extended transcript of Dr. James Bagian, director of the National Center for Patient Safety at the VA, discussing the effort with health correspondent Susan Dentzer.

	Feb. 7, 2005 Dr. Perlin on Medical Errors One of the medical organizations that has invested the most in technology aimed at reducing medical errors is the Veterans Administration. The following is an extended transcript of Dr. Jonathan Perlin, undersecretary for health affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, discussing the effort with Susan Dentzer.

	Feb. 7, 2005 Dr. Wachter and Dr. Leape on Medical Errors In 1999, a study of medical errors found that the number of people killed by mistakes in care equaled one jumbo jet full of passengers crashing every day. Two of the researchers that uncovered these statistics, Dr. Robert Wachter and Dr. Lucian Leape, discuss how things have changed since their report.

	Feb. 7, 2005 VA Hospital Takes Steps to Avoid Medical Mistakes Studies show thousands of Americans are killed or injured each year due to avoidable mistakes. Susan Dentzer looks at how one health care system is trying to stop medical errors before they happen.

	Feb. 4, 2005 New Report Lists Most Underreported Stories of 2004 Terence Smith speaks with the executive director of Doctors Without Borders about the most underreported stories of 2004 and why he believes the press did not give substantial attention to these global humanitarian crises.



	JANUARY Jan. 28, 2005 An Anne Taylor Fleming Essay on Women and Their Health Essayist Anne Taylor Fleming presents her thoughts on women and their health.

	Jan. 12, 2005 New U.S. Dietary Guidelines Emphasize Grains, Fruit The U.S. government Wednesday announced the 2005 Dietary Guidelines, which recommend more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat milk and lower salt intake.

	Jan. 6, 2005 New Heart Health Study Could Be Breakthrough for Treating Heart Disease Two new studies published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine are being heralded as a potential breakthrough in treating heart disease. Jeffrey Brown speaks with a cardiologist about what the findings mean for lowering the risk for heart attacks.

	Jan. 5, 2005 Relief Organizations Face Hurdles Giving Medical Assistance to Tsunami Survivors Relief workers trying to provide medical care to tsunami survivors have faced an overwhelming number of wounded victims, medical supply shortages, and difficulty reaching rural areas. A relief worker with Doctors without Borders discusses the medical assistance effort.

	Jan. 5, 2005 President Bush Proposes Medical Malpractice Reform President Bush called on Congress to pass new legislation limiting the amount plaintiffs can receive in damages. Two medical liability experts discuss the president's plan and what is behind the soaring cost of healthcare.