CFR.org - Health, Science, and Technology

Foreign Affairs Media Conference Call: Kenneth Cukier and Michael Flowers on "Big Data"

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:29:18 -0400

Kenneth Cukier, the Economist's data editor, and Michael Flowers, director of New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg's Financial Crime Task Force discuss "big data" and its impact on public policy and the world.

Cybersecurity and Internet Governance

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:26:40 -0400

The Internet's growing role in economies and societies also poses new threats. The time has come for states and private partners to set global norms for web conduct, says expert Andrea Renda.

Medicare Should Pay for Patients, Not Treatments

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:04:13 -0400

Peter Orszag argues that giving health-care providers a fixed payment for each Medicare beneficiary could provide a path forward between competing views of health care reform offered by Republicans and Democrats.

At what stage is the spread of the H7N9 virus considered an epidemic?

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:07:33 -0400

The H7N9 virus, a new strain of the bird flu in China, has so far claimed twenty-two victims and officials are watching its spread closely.

The Big One?

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:11:29 -0400

Laurie Garrett offers a detailed account of how the H7N9 virus emerged and describes the two possible paths it may now follow, by pulling from her own experiences in the SARS epidemic ten years ago and reflecting on parallels between the two.

The Rise of Big Data

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:17:40 -0400

Everyone knows that the Internet has changed how businesses operate, governments function, and people live. But a new, less visible technological trend is proving just as transformative: big data.

The Future of U.S. Space Policy

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:00:44 -0400

Scott Pace and Robert Walker discuss U.S. space program budget cuts, the indefinite cancellation of U.S.-government-sponsored human space exploration, and the rise of private sector activity in the area.

The Future of U.S. Space Policy

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:00:41 -0400

The Future of U.S. Space Policy

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:00:41 -0400

The Future of U.S. Space Policy

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:01:36 -0400

Law and Ethics for Autonomous Weapon Systems: Why a Ban Won’t Work and How the Laws of War Can

Council on Foreign Relations — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 12:39:20 -0400

Grounded in a realistic assessment of technology, Matthew C. Waxman and Kenneth Anderson outline a practical alternative with which to evaluate the use of autonomous weaponry that incorporates codes of conduct based on traditional legal and ethical principles governing weapons and warfare.

Should we be worried about China's genetic manipulation of food?

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:31:32 -0400

In 2012, China imported nearly 60 million tons of soybeans, most of which were genetically modified. In that sense, even if GM foods are found to have any long-term hazards, one probably should not worry too much about only China's GM foods, but about those from all countries, including the United States, the largest producer and consumer of GM foods.

Why Chemotherapy That Costs $70,000 in the U.S. Costs $2,500 in India

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:17:20 -0400

Thomas Bollyky writes about how national patent laws are affecting pharmaceutical cost differentials around the world.

China's Bird Flu Mystery

Council on Foreign Relations — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 11:24:28 -0400

Laurie Garrett outlines inconsistencies in the Chinese government's reports about the ongoing H7N9 outbreak.

Global Health, Civil Society, and Regional Security

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:00:23 -0400

Read Yanzhong Huang's chapter titled "Global Health,Civil Society, and Regional Security," in the book A Growing Force for Good: Civil Society's Role in Asian Regional Security, edited by Rizal Sukma and James Gannon.

Be Rich, Be Smart, Live Longer. Fair?

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:49:29 -0400

Peter Orszag writes that the link between life expectancy and college completion is not well understood, but they appear to be related to growing income inequality.

Bird Flu Fears: Should We Trust Beijing This Time?

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:35:37 -0400

Yanzhong Huang responds to a China File conversation on the recent bird flu outbreak in China.

Is This a Pandemic Being Born?

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 09:33:20 -0400

Laurie Garrett explores the possibility of a new pandemic in China.

Enter the Dragon and the Elephant: China’s and India’s Participation in Global Health Governance

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:52:23 -0400

Both China and India have been increasingly active participants in global health governance, but their contributions thus far fall short of international expectations and also fail to offer a viable, sustainable alternative to the existing governance paradigm.

What Kerry Must Do in the Middle East

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:59:39 -0500

Council on Foreign Relations President Richard N. Haass writes that John Kerry has only one chance to make a first impression on his first trip abroad as secretary of state, and what is said and not said on this visit will have repercussions for years to come.

To Fix U.S. Budget, Reform Medical Malpractice Law

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:29:28 -0500

Peter Orszag argues that reforming medical malpractice law to include "safe harbors" that protect doctors who follow evidence-based medical guidelines could bring down health-care costs without reducing the quality of care.

Big Data, Better Global Health

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:01:15 -0500

A comprehensive new study of the world's health status has the potential to dramatically improve how developing countries address surging problems like noncommunicable diseases, writes CFR's Thomas Bollyky.

Time: Bitter Pill: Why Medical Bills are Killing Us

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:00:29 -0500

"In the U.S., people spend almost 20% of the gross domestic product on health care, compared with about half that in most developed countries. Yet in every measurable way, the results our health care system produces are no better and often worse than the outcomes in those countries."

Mandiant: APT1: Exposing One of China’s Cyber Espionage Units

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:18:21 -0500

"APT1 is a single organization of operators that has conducted a cyber espionage campaign against a broad range of victims since at least 2006. From our observations, it is one of the most prolific cyber espionage groups in terms of the sheer quantity of information stolen."

The New Digital Age

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:32:20 -0500

Two experts provide an unprecedented and fascinating look at what may happen in the future of business, citizenship, politics, privacy, terrorism, and diplomacy.

The Global Burden of Disease and its Implications for U.S. Policy

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:30:39 -0500

Christopher J.L. Murray and Jennifer Kates discuss disease from the perspective of shaping U.S. policy, spending priorities, and potential action.

Smart Health-Care Strategy Hidden in ‘Cliff’ Deal

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:13:58 -0500

Peter Orszag explains why and how the federal government should encourage more clinical data registries, which can cut health care costs and improve patient outcomes.

Gujarat Promises Continued, Accelerated and All-Around Progress

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:32:22 -0500

Jagdish Bhagwati argues that growth can reduce poverty and that slow economic growth will hurt social development, which he also argues in his new book with Arvind Panagariya, "India's Tryst with Destiny: Debunking Myths that Undermine Progress and Addressing New Challenges."

International Telecommunication Union’s Final Acts of the World Conference in Dubai, December 2012.

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:17:55 -0500

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) updated its treaty through the final acts of the World Conference on International Telecommunications in Dubai, December 3-14, 2012.

Is There a Seat at the Table for the Food and Beverage Industry in the Global Fight Against Obesity?

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:01:48 -0500

Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, and Derek Yach, senior vice president of the Vitality Group and member of PepsiCo's Scientific Advisory Board, debate the role of the food and beverage industry in the global fight on obesity.

Is There a Seat at the Table for the Food and Beverage Industry in the Global Fight Against Obesity?

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:00:59 -0500

In this Council on Foreign Relations meeting, "Is There a Seat at the Table for the Food and Beverage Industry in the Global Fight Against Obesity," Drs. Kelly Brownell, Director, Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University, and Derek Yach, Senior Vice President, Vitality Group, and Member, PepsiCo Scientific Advisory Board, debate the involvement of the food and beverage industry in the fight against global obesity.