In The News

Mainland Professor Who Died in Hong Kong Spread Mysterious Form of Pneumonia

Helen Luk March 20, 2003
A mysterious pneumonia-like disease, which has now infected and killed hundreds of people in several countries, including Vietnam, Singapore, and Canada, has been traced back to a medical professor from mainland China who carried the disease with him when he stayed at a Hong Kong hotel. Among those he infected were foreign guests suspected of then carrying the disease to the other countries....

Mystery Illness Highlights Taiwan's Health Isolation

Melody Chen March 18, 2003
An outbreak of a mysterious flu-like illness in several Asian countries has prompted international coordination to identify and contain the spread of the condition. But although Taiwan has reported three cases of the 'SARS' problem to the World Health Organization, Taiwan is disadvantaged in attacking the problem because it is not a WHO member. "We can't quickly know how...

Asian Airports Screen Passengers for Flu-like Symptoms

March 17, 2003
The World Health Organization has issued a worldwide health threat after an outbreak of flu-like symptoms among travelers in Asia killed 9 people and infected hundreds. According to the WHO health alert, airline passengers could be spreading a “mysterious illness,” which has resulted in governments in several Asian countries to strictly monitor air travel and contain further spread of the...

Canada Tackled on Internet Drugs Sales to US

Christopher Bowe March 13, 2003
The flood of drug sales from Canadian pharmacies to US consumers raises many ethical, political, and trade questions. In response, American and Canadian health authorities have begun discussions on the flow of price-controlled drugs into the US. This growing cross-border business illuminates many loopholes in US health care policies and the problem of insufficient drug coverage for many elderly...

US Abstains in the War on Tobacco

Derrick Z. Jackson March 10, 2003
Hippocrates vs. hypocrites? Bush’s government ignores “the Hippocratic Oath: Do No Harm”, says columnist Derrick Z. Jackson. The US has already signaled objections to the ‘Framework Convention on Tobacco Control,’ a recent U.N endorsed global treaty that is hoped will stop tobacco from killing 10 million people a year by 2030. Almost everything in the treaty – from state funded anti-tobacco...

Antismoking Measures Gain in Tobacco Country

David M. Halbfinger March 4, 2003
For some it is simple economics - cheap labor and fewer restrictions on pesticide use can easily lure US cigarette manufacturers to Brazil, Argentina, or Zimbabwe. But US tobacco farmers see it as a betrayal at the hands of the same people they stood by during the tobacco wars. Now their surprise switch to the anti-smoking lobby camp could mean major victories for health issues in the very heart...

McDonald’s Strives to Regain Ground

Sherri Day March 3, 2003
McDonald’s is often considered the ultimate American business success, and, with restaurants in over 50 countries, a symbol of American cultural dominance. Changing tastes in America and many failed menu items have contributed to a long, slow decline for McDonald’s in the US, however, and the chain plans to stop operating in three countries. Owning a McDonald’s franchise is not the instant...