An End to Polio in India?

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/05/an-end-to-polio-in-india

Esha Chhabra

The New York Times

5 March 2014

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India has, for years, been a hotbed of polio. Supported by the WHO as well as local health-care workers, immunizations have officially rid the country of the disease. There are still challenges in maintaining records and reaching everyone, but the message continously changes and adapts.

Better Hand-Washing Through Technology

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/better-hand-washing-through-technology

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

25 April 2011

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Washing hands in between contact with patients is one of the most important things a healthcare worker can do to prevent the spread of disease and reduce the rise of superbugs like MRSA. A new technology is increasing rates of hand washing by displaying, via a sensor in an employee's badge, whether the healthcare provider has washed their hands recently.

Bill Gates Can't Build a Toilet

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/opinion/bill-gates-cant-build-a-toilet.html

Jason Kass

The New York Times

18 November 2013

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Ecological toilets that use natural composting to break down waste are simple to construct, waterless and are easy to fix. But as philanthropists are finding, getting these to those that need it most is harder than anticipated.

Can biomimicry tackle our toughest water problems?

https://www.hcn.org/issues/46.20/can-biomimicry-tackle-our-toughest-water-problems

Benjamin Goldfarb

High Country News

24 November 2014

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Clean water and healthy ecosystems are becoming increasingly difficult to come by. With floating islands and other inventions, eco-entrepreneur Bruce Kania thinks that biomimicry - such as reconstructing wetlands and growing biofilms - can tackle the toughest of water problems.

For V.A. Hospitals (and Patients), a Major Health Victory

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/30/for-v-a-hospitals-and-patients-a-major-health-victory

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

30 January 2015

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Although patients go to hospitals to receive medical care, many Americans will acquire infections that did not already have them. The United States as a whole has made modest progress at reducing the rates of hospital-acquired infections. Spearheading the efforts, the Veterans Affairs Medical Centers have devised anti-MRSA strategies to keep patients safe.

New sanitation system tested in Arctic village of Kivalina

http://www.adn.com/article/20150907/new-sanitation-system-tested-arctic-village-kivalina

Scott Jensen

Anchorage Daily News

7 September 2015

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Lack of access to sanitary bathrooms in the village of Kivalina, Alaska led to the implementation of a novel, home-based water sanitation system, currently being tested for effectiveness. The hope is that it proves to be a solution for areas all over the state with lack of access to clean water systems.

Keeping the Water Flowing in Rural Villages

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/08/keeping-the-water-flowing-in-rural-villages

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

8 December 2011

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In Tanzania, mapping of water points showed that nationally, less than half the existing rural water points were working—of water points that were less than two years old, a quarter had already stopped functioning. British charity WaterAid sets up workshops in poor countries like Tanzania and India to train mechanics in order to have a local fix for these problems. The mechanic position offers employment opportunities for women, fixes pumps for an average of 100 rupees (roughly $2.00), and repaired more than 1,100 pumps in the first 14 months.

Lessons From America's Safest Hospitals

http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-04-2013/safe-health-care.html?intcmp=HPBB1F

Beth Howard

AARP Magazine

1 April 2013

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An estimated 6,000 "never events" — egregious errors like operations on the wrong limb or instruments left inside a surgical wound — occur every month among Medicare patients alone. Hospitals across the country are revamping their care programs to stop preventable injuries and deaths.

In India, a Small Pill, With Positive Side Effects

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/in-india-a-small-pill-with-positive-side-effects

Amy Yee

The New York Times

4 April 2012

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In the developing world, intestinal worms stunt physical and mental growth, drain energy, and can inhibit school work for children. Deworm the World is a global campaign that lobbied the Delhi government to regularly distribute deworming pills to school children. The benefits decrease student absenteeism and increase cost-saving measures.

As wolves rebound, range riders keep watch over livestock

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/as-wolves-rebound-range-riders-keep-watch-over-livestock

Sandi Doughton

The Seattle Times

2 August 2015

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Wolves in western America were once hunted to near-extinction but have now been reintroduced into certain territories with notable success. More wolves often means more attacks on ranchers' livestock, however, so cowboys are working to track wolf packs by computer to reduce conflicts.