Health

Keith Harrington of CCAN
petitions for a comprehensive climate bill dressed as a polar bear.
Photo by Ladan Nekoomaram

On Sunday, April 25, young advocates attended the Climate Rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., supporting an environmentally-conscious lifestyle and rallying for Congress to pass a comprehensive clear air and climate change bill -- just one day after the Senate delayed the climate legislation passed by the House last summer. The large turnout of younger people is indicative of a green generation that is learning early on about the importance of sustainability and protecting the earth's natural resources.

In the third and final part of our series, we explore the role of drama therapy in health care. In the first part, we looked at how art is used in various health care settings, and in the last part we showed the perspective of patients who used arts as a means to healing and therapy.

To Linda Stewart, Joseph has a before and an after story.

Medical marijuana at Venice Beach, Calif.: A medical marijuana proponent advocates for his cause at Venice Beach, Calif. Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are looking at legislation from across the country to learn lessons about what was successful and what to avoid. photo by Kristen Becker

Twelve years after the initial law was approved by voters in Washington, D.C., the D.C. City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to pass a bill that would authorize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

"I am pleased by the council's vote today," David Catania, I-At Large, said in a press release after the vote. "I believe this legislation will give residents with qualifying chronic conditions access to medical benefits of marijuana, but will also guard against its misuse."

April 22, 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

Earth Day, one day set aside to appreciate the earth, started as a grassroots environmental campaign that has since grown into a global day of awareness. Cities around the world are holding events to mark the anniversary and long-standing meaning of the day.

(Note: This is the companion piece to For a degenerative disease, optimism is the best medicine, the story of Pablo Eusebio, a teenager who has Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy.)

“Pablo's got a good attitude,” says Brandi Hawkins. “Better than mine.”

For the second piece in our series on arts in medicine, we explore how Tai Chi and other arts are helping people cope with their illnesses. Check out the first article here.

LeAnna Struzziery (left) and Sarah Combs, both living with cancer, warm up for a Tai Chi lesson on a recent evening at the Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts: Photo by Naseem Miller

This is the first in a three-part series exploring the movement to decriminalize marijuana use. The first part focuses on Washington, D.C.’s effort to implement its an initiative legalizing the use of medical marijuana.

The first part of our three-part series on Alzheimer's covered the growing threat of an incurable disease from the perspectives of a researcher, a professional caregiver and a couple dealing with the disease first-hand. In our second installment, we explore how they are fighting the disease on all fronts through innovative care, research and domestic activities.

A little girl on the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit enjoys a lunchtime serenade by volunteer/intern, Alie Wickham, and musician in residence, Cathy DeWitt: Photo Courtesy of Shands Arts in Medicine

Be it dance, drawing or writing, more and more hospitals and health care facilities are starting to recognize the value of incorporating arts into health care, leading to the rapid growth of the relatively young field.

Arts in Healthcare covers a wide range of areas, including patient care, health care environment, caring for caregivers and community well-being.

Photo: Al Fred, courtesy of Creative CommonsCherry blossoms are here and so are spring allergies. We searched around to find some of the most credible Web sites that help you find answers to your questions about allergies.