The United States is often referred to as a nation of immigrants; indeed, since the 17th century, millions of colonists, slaves and migrants have crossed land and sea to make America their home. Today, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that 12.5 percent of the nation's population is comprised of people not born in America but lawfully residing within its borders. Of course, calculating the…

The problem of tuberculosis in India is multifaceted: Years of inequitable distribution of health care services helped an epidemic grow, and while public health response to tuberculosis has greatly improved in the past two decades, drug resistance is greatly complicating these positive strides.

In Part 1 of "India and Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis," we looked at tuberculosis…

Counterfeit handbags and counterfeit sunglasses may be a bane to the fashion industry, but they're probably not going to kill anyone. Counterfeit drugs, on the other hand, just might. Thanks to a study published last week in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, we now know that counterfeit tuberculosis drugs are shockingly common, and they are helping to create more…

Classic television programs like Men Behaving Badly and Only Fools and Horses may give casual viewers the impression that British men do little more than drink beer, eat crisps and get into trouble with their girlfriends. Luckily, the state of manhood in the United Kingdom is not nearly so dire as all that. A

When President Obama unveiled the Affordable Care Act, it came with very clear regulations about preventative care - namely, insurers are required to provide it. With no cost at all to the customer, an insurance plan must fully cover cholesterol screenings, Hepatitis immunizations, diet counseling and lots more. Also, because contraception is considered an important preventative health…

If you have ever driven a car, or turned on a stove, chances are that the gas came from the Gulf Cooperation Council. Encompassing six nations (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia ), the Gulf Cooperation Council or GCC accounts for 45 percent of global proven oil reserves, and 20 percent of the world's gas. With such a huge amount of natural resources, and exploration…

Here's a question - why would a state refuse federal money? Governors and representatives may complain about Obama and his health care policies, but saying "No!" to millions in federal funding is a whole other matter. Still, that's what many states are doing right now - saying "No" to the offer of federal money for state Medicaid expansion. 

Most of us have heard of Medicaid, but…

It is rare to open a newspaper these days and not find a story about upheaval in Egypt - revolution, elections, the deadly riots occurring just this month. However, one area of change in recent years that receives little media attention is healthcare reform in Egypt.

One of Egypt's most pressing struggles is lack of data, meaning that no one knows the effectiveness of current health…

The idea of a doctor deciding when to deliver a baby is strange - if comedy films have taught us anything, it's that natal labor is not an event you plan for. By the time the fetus has developed all important functions and is ready to come into that world, usually at around 39 weeks, he will let his mother know. Contractions will begin, water will break, and you'd better hope there's a…

On October 1st 2013, a new American marketplace will open: insurance exchanges, online. As mandated by the Affordable Care Act, individuals and employers will soon be able to shop, compare and eventually buy a health insurance plan to fit their needs. In anticipation of these exchanges, health insurance companies across the nation are experiencing a new trend in consumer-friendly coverage…