· August, 2011

Stories about Health from August, 2011

Costa Rica: Bloggers on Anti-Tobacco Law

  31 August 2011

Blogger ‘El Chamuko’ from El infierno en Costa Rica [es] and María Luisa Ávila [es] comment on the anti-tobacco law that is up for debate in Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly. ‘El Chamuko’ discusses cigarette smuggling, while María Luisa argues that “the smoking ban can not be permissive”.

Somalia: Food Security Emergency Spreads Despite Aid

  25 August 2011

As the Horn of Africa deals with what the Food and Agriculture Organization is calling the “most severe food security emergency in the world today,” experts warn that conditions in famine-stricken Somalia are likely to further deteriorate. Juhie Bhatia examines the spread of the disaster.

Ethiopia: A Woman Dedicated to Serve Her People

  24 August 2011

EthioHealthCare writes about Liya Abera, Director of Bala Health Center in Ethiopia: “Basically ,what this health center focuses on prevention of diseases mostly on those which are pretty common in that area like malaria, oro fecal disease etc. And also focuses on minimizing woman and child death as well as...

Russia: Intoxicating Economics

  24 August 2011

Streetwise Professor argues against the bad economics of promoting Russian wine production to turn consumption patterns from stronger to weaker alcoholic beverages in order to fight the country's rampant alcoholism.

Trinidad & Tobago: Honouring Pat Bishop

  23 August 2011

“Bishop would have wanted the government and corporate Trinidad and Tobago to act on their words, making real investments in sustainable, sensible projects that would educate our intellectual potential, promote our best cultural works and engage so many lost minds in their creative legacy”: Mark Lyndersay thinks that the most...

Lebanon: Smoking Banned

“The Lebanese Parliament endorsed a law that bans smoking in public or closed spaces. The law also bans any sort of tobacco advertising and promotions….” reports Moudz, who added that “Non-smokers have been overjoyed today with the news filling up the social timelines with their expressions of approval.”

Guyana: Chemical Yellow

  17 August 2011

“My Irish ‘auntie’ remember. She been napping that Thursday afternoon, windows open to let in blueness, sky, sea-wind. Thick chemical choke she dreams. She pelt out o’ she bed to shut windows”: Guyana-Gyal tries to figure out why all the trees, plants and vegetables look so…yellow.

Philippines: Tokay Gecko Hunting Craze

  17 August 2011

In recent months, the hunting of Tokay Geckos has become a craze in the Philippines because of reports that online traders have been buying these lizards for a large amount of money. The hunting started when it was rumored that geckos can help cure asthma and HIV/AIDS. It was recently exposed as a hoax and scam.

Russia: A Psycho-Neurological Patient's Photo Stories

RuNet Echo  11 August 2011

Pasha Kyshtymov, a lifelong psycho-neurological patient in Siberia, cannot communicate through speech, but had no problems learning to express himself through photography. On his blog, the Russian photographer Oleg Klimov has documented the poignant impromptu experience of teaching Pasha to share his worldview with others.

Japan: “Plutonium is safe,” they say

  11 August 2011

Youtube user tokyobrowntabby has translated into English the video clips of three Japanese nuclear researchers who claimed safety for plutonium in a TV show. A blogger at EX-SKF – who nicknamed the researchers the “Three Plutonium Brothers” – posted the transcript [en] of their speeches.

Colombia: The Abortion Debate

  8 August 2011

Amidst the ongoing debate prompted by a Conservative bill aiming to outlaw abortion in all cases, Javier Moreno debunks [es] one of the arguments (a poorly referenced academic text) by columnist and former Congressman Nicolás Uribe Rueda [es] and voices his opinion about such debate. Meanwhile, Aleyda writes [es] about...

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