Heal the world
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sees US health as intertwined with health around the world, writes Thomas R Frieden
Resources
The economic and social implications of healthcare place it at the centre of the news agenda. In this series, FT writers and outside contributors explore a range of healthcare issues, from policy and technological advances to ageing and disease prevention.
Audio discussion
Six leading experts gathered in London recently to discuss a range of health issues and to debate whether current models are sustainable. You can listen here to the whole debate, moderated by Nicholas Timmins, FT public policy editor
American dream
The US healthcare system has a great number of strengths – and equally many faults. But a new political will under Barack Obama, who came to office with a promise to reform the system, is already making a difference, writes Andrew Jack
State of health
As the world reels from the worst recession in decades, healthcare systems around the globe are undergoing change – but in unexpected ways, writes Nicholas Timmins
Pill pressure
An explosion in the diagnosis of ADHD has triggered debate over the condition. Is medication too readily prescribed, or is the condition under-treated? By Andrew Jack
Medical marvels
Two US institutions wield enormous power over healthcare - The Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health
Health in the news
Clive Cookson reports on the latest healthcare news
Related content and features
COMMENT
China’s health challenge
Chen Zhu, China’s minister of health, outlines his country’s plans for wide-ranging health reform
PHOTO ESSAY
Mission of mercy
Millions of Americans cannot afford adequate medical care, but a group of volunteers offers free clinics to disadvantaged rural communities around the country, writes Jenny Jones
DOCTOR’S CASEBOOK
Picking up the costs
Britain’s NHS is increasingly saddled with the follow-up treatment of patients returning from surgery abroad, says Margaret McCartney
WELL-BEING
Healthy and happy
Absenteeism is costing companies billions, but investing in the health and well-being of employees holds benefits for workers and employers, writes Nicholas Timmins
MEDICAL TOURISM
Travel sickness
A lack of affordable and easily accessible public healthcare in western countries is driving patients to seek help in other, cheaper parts of the world, writes Sarah Murray
PATIENT EXPERIENCE
Out of reach
Lack of health insurance meant that cancer treatment was unaffordable for Andrea Gallegos’ husband
MOBILE PHONES
Crossed lines
There are plenty of contradictory messages regarding the health risks of mobile phone use. But who should consumers trust? asks Clive Cookson
FT HEALTH – ISSUE THREE
Rapid response
On the battlefield, swift access to the latest medical treatment is helping to save the lives of soldiers, says Andrew Jack
Added value
Public-private partnerships in food fortification are an efficient and sustainable way of improving the health of the world’s poorest, writes Sarah Murray
Global concerns
The many health crises that confront the planet – and poor countries in particular – are often held back by lack of funds, but new alliances between for-profit and non-profit partners offer hope, writes Andrew Jack
Averting outbreaks
More children will die needlessly unless something is done to increase the uptake of MMR vaccinations, says Margaret McCartney
Bleak picture
Photographer James Nachtwey, who has spent 30 years covering war and the struggle for human rights, on the plight of TB sufferers
Uphill battle
Displacement, disease and drug shortages are faced by desperate civilians caught up in long-running wars, writes Charis Gresser
Biting back
Up to half the world’s population is at risk from insect-borne diseases. Clive Cookson reports on the fight to conquer this plague
Russian roulette
Uninsured Moscow doctor Dmitry Karamyshev treated himself for TB without telling his family or his patients
Diagnosis: hope
It’s one of the world’s most neglected, yet most devastating, diseases. Is effective treatment for TB in sight at last? By Andrew Jack
Nice approach
A UK institute devoted to the assessment of technology and clinical practice is influencing health policies worldwide, says Tsung-Mei Cheng
War zone
Bombings and unrest may be on the decline in Iraq, but life’s far from safe for the country’s overstretched medics, writes Neil Arun
Health of the nation
What is the remedy for a healthcare system that is blighted by bureaucracy, incompetence and a basic lack of adequate funds, asks Richard Lapper
Congo’s crippled healthcare
In the central African country, ceaseless fighting has left millions dead and a healthcare system wrecked, writes Emma Pearson
Light relief
The sun is a natural source of vitamin D, but with more of us cooped up and covered, scientists suspect there are health ramifications, writes Clive Cookson
FT HEALTH – ISSUE TWO
The new old age
The ageing of the global population and of the healthcare systems that have traditionally cared for them poses myriad new challenges, writes Andrew Jack
No cutting edge
Outmoded attitudes to research and a reluctance to adopt new methods are holding back surgery, writes Clive Cookson
Land of the rising age
With its working population ever shrinking, Japan is having to rethink the funding of its healthcare system, writes Michiyo Nakamoto
Growing old gracefully
Decoding the genetics of ageing promise to improve our health in old age, writes Clive Cookson
Helping hands
Products designed with older or disabled people in mind can restore confidence, comfort and control, writes Sarah Murray
System upgrade
Most agree that electronic records are essential to the future of medical practice but implementing systems is proving to be an almighty hurdle, says Nicholas Timmins
The gender’s bias
Women’s preference for certain specialties and for part-time working is changing the profession, writes Nicholas Timmins
Halting progress
Our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease is improving but hopes for a cure are remote, writes Andrew Jack
Designer health
Medical devices are moving beyond a functional focus to cater to more design-conscious users, writes Sarah Murray
Health in the news
From saving the planet to a vaccine for swine flu, Clive Cookson and Andrew Jack report on the latest healthcare news
Home advantage
Boutros Wadieh Boutros, an Egyptian doctor, says family care in a familiar environment eases the suffering of Alzheimer’s patients
A dose of restraint
Doctors must be more mindful of the cumulative side effects when prescribing drugs, writes Margaret McCartney
Need for a nudge
Increased state intervention in the market has cleared the way for greater involvement in public health, says Julian Le Grand
Looking for a cure
The ‘swine flu’ scare has highlighted the importance of getting the basics right when safeguarding your health, writes Ravi Mattu
FT HEALTH – ISSUE ONE
Pricing longevity
People expect improved, extended lives. Can collective funding systems stand up to the pressure? By Nicholas Timmins
All covered
The successful Dutch healthcare system is pleasing patients and attracting interest overseas, write Michael Steen and Nicholas Timmin
Prognosis uncertain
Despite society’s obsession with extending life, few diseases have been eradicated and new threats emerge. By Andrew Jack
In shock and awe
Lisa Lynch bypassed a long wait by paying for the initial stages of her cancer treatment, but still admires Britain’s NHS
Health in the news
Scientists have produced a robot so small it could swin through the bloodstream, says Clive Cookson
Crisis with a cure
Technological advances and rich-world aid can surmount the severe health threats facing the poor, writes Jeffrey Sachs
Keys to the code
Treatments remain far off, but there have been great leaps in our understanding of common diseases, writes Clive Cookson
Health check
The economic and moral implications of healthcare place it at the centre of the agenda
No easy answers
The war on cancer has raged for decades and, despite advances, victory remains as elusive as ever, writes Andrew Jack
Doctor’s casebook
Margaret McCartney explains why an economic downturn can have an adverse affect on your mental health as well as your wallet
