· May, 2011

Stories about Health from May, 2011

Peru: Growing Debate Regarding Genetically Modified Farming

  28 May 2011

The official signing of Decree 003, which permits the import of genetically modified seeds into the country, continues to generate debate between those in favor of the widespread use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and those who fear it would be harmful to the country's biodiversity and the health of its people.

Lebanon: Bras for a cause!

Bras for a Cause is the first lingerie design contest of its kind in the Middle East. Launched on May 19th, the initiative aims to raise awareness and support women who are battling or have been treated for breast cancer. Selected designs (including some mastectomy bras designed specifically to enable...

South Korea: Social Media Controversy Surrounds Sports Broadcaster's Death

  25 May 2011

The suicide on May 23, 2011, of national television channel MBC sports announcer, Song Ji-seon in South Korea has sparked considerable controversy regarding social media in the country. South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, but this latest case has opened a new debate on the public health issue.

Cuba: Prisoner & Dissident Deaths

  25 May 2011

Uncommon Sense links to a report which alleges that the death of a prisoner was at the hands of prison guards, while Babalu links to new medical reports of the late Juan Wilfredo Soto Garcia, noting that “the report from the most recent beating…mentions the bruises found on his body;...

Bahamas: Fish Market Hazard

  24 May 2011

Weblog Bahamas‘ Sidney Sweeting acknowledges that “hindsight is always better than foresight” as he blogs about a fish market that he considers “a ticking time bomb”.

Japan: Aiding the Aid Workers

  22 May 2011

After more than two months from the earthquake around 110,000 people are still living in evacuation centers. Along with victims of the disaster, some of the volunteers, doctors and aid workers helping them are beginning to suffer from emotional stress and fatigue.

Chad: How Communities Are Rebuilding Lives

  21 May 2011

Paul O'Brien discusses his trip to Chad and how communities are rebuilding their lives: “The biggest challenge facing mothers in Chad is to feed their children and keep them healthy. The country has one of the highest rates of child deaths in the world. In the villages in which Concern...

Malaysia: Tweets on the Acid Splasher

  18 May 2011

More than 20 cases of acid attacks have been reported already in Malaysia since March. Many residents are scared to walk in the streets. Netizens were quick to spread information about the 'acid splashing' cases but some reports turned out to be false.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Women & HIV

  17 May 2011

Abeni writes a thoughtful post about HIV awareness, saying: “The judgmental stances do very little to help the issues at stake which is HIV transmission/infection. The reality is that women are the ones most affected by this disease and the onus is on them to protect themselves.”

Lebanon: Home Delivery Shisha

“In Beirut, you just pick up the telephone and order a shisha, or so I discovered!” writes Mich in a post detailing the booming business of delivering shishas (hubble bubble smoking pipes) to homes in Lebanon.

Singapore: Cancer treatment subsidy

  15 May 2011

Deborah Choo, writing for The Online Citizen, features the story of a cancer patient who found out that cancer treatments are not being subsidized by the Singapore government.

Haiti: Taking Responsibility for Cholera

  13 May 2011

Stanley Lucas thinks that “this [UN] mission needs to be held accountable for its actions, including the cholera, and should be more responsibly managed – or it needs to be closed.”

Italy: How technology can help manage emergencies

  12 May 2011

In a crisis, how can Web 2.0 be of use to social movements and what practical help can it offer to facilitate collective action? In reality, there is no shortage of platforms which, established on a voluntary basis, using free software, harness the internet and mobile phones to gather and share information, sourced...

Cuba: The Healer

  11 May 2011

“In Cuba there are several amazing healers”: Iván's File Cabinet blogs about “the best and most famous” of them all.

Mali: First Edition of “HIV-Aids Foot” Soccer Event

  11 May 2011

The first edition of the “Sida Foot” (HIV-Aids Foot) event will take place in Bamako from June 17 to June 19, 2011, and will be attended by soccer stars. The blog xibar.net writes [fr], “this festival has a special meaning because the year 2011 coincides with 30 years since the...

Sub-Saharan Africa: Fighting Malaria, 2011 Report

  8 May 2011

On the occasion of World Malaria Day, April 25, 2011, the blog santelog.com reports: “Although funds to combat malaria have increased significantly since 2003, current levels of funding have reached US$1.6 billion annually, approximately only 25% of the estimated amount required to reach the goals of the RBM [Roll Back...

Armenia: Childbirth

Motherhood, Repatriation and other fictions, a blog by an ethnic Armenian from the Diaspora turned activist in Armenia, comments on the quality of healthcare in the former Soviet republic. Although conditions are improving, the blog notes, petty corruption and the quality of nursing remain serious problems for expectant mothers.

About our Health coverage

Juhie Bhatia
Juhie Bhatia is the Global Health editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.