Stories about Health from August, 2013
Lebanon: The Smell of Death
On August 23, two bombs exploded in outside two mosques in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. Forty-seven people were killed, and over 500 injured. Joey Ayoub, at Hummus for Thought, shares a must-read testimony of the heartbreak at the hospital of a friend who was in Al Salam mosque...
South Koreans Call for Medical Checkups for Rescue Workers Dispatched to Fukushima
As it turns out radioactive water leaks at Japan's Fukushima plant are ‘much worse than‘ the authorities are willing to admit, South Koreans call on government to provide regular and thorough medical checkups for 108 Korean rescue workers dispatched to Fukushima immediately after the crisis. An online petition [ko] urging medical care for the...
Campaigning for a Smoke-Free Southeast Asia
Review of several anti-smoking campaigns in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Plus an advisory from Philippine health authorities against the dangers of promoting e-cigarettes
A Disappearing Generation of Indigenous Children in Kerala, India
Thirty-five tribal children in Attappady, India have died so far this year due to malnutrition.
Serbians Fight for Government Funds to Treat Sick Children
Officials have killed a proposal that would have the government pay for Serbian children with terminal or rare diseases to get treatment outside of Serbia. Proponents continue the fight.
Brazil's Urban Mobility Crisis
Searching for solutions which will improve urban mobility in Brazil, Luciane Salles writes about the lack of an effective national plan and the increase in individual transport.
Thousands Shave Their Heads for Cancer Awareness in Singapore
The head shaving event that aims to raise funds and promote awareness on childhood cancer attracted more than 6,000 participants.
Sri Lanka: “We Asked for Water Tanks And They Sent Us War Tanks”
Soldiers called in to disperse the crowd protesting water contamination reportedly fired into the Church of St. Anthony as demonstrators sought shelter there.
DREAM Helps Reduce AIDS Cases in Africa
An interview with Paola Germano, leader of Comunità di Sant'Egidio's DREAM programme in Africa. She explains why research has confirmed a reduction in AIDS cases in sub-saharan Africa.
Italian Appeals Court Upholds Guilty Verdict in Historic Eternit Asbestos Case
An appeals court in Turin, Italy has affirmed Swiss billionaire Stephan Schmidheiny, former owner of cement manufacturer Swiss Eternit Group, is responsible for nearly 3,000 asbestos-related deaths.