Often, when discussing the obesity crisis facing the United States, especially when I'm pointing out another failed effort to help people change their eating habits, it feels like there's nothing we can do. But sometimes it's actually...

In a new rule about coverage of contraception, the Trump administration argues that birth control is bad for your health. But it's a claim that doesn't stand up to scrutiny. That's the topic of this week's Healthcare Triage.

We’ve been on a nutritional study kick lately, but it’s hard not to be when there are a number of trending topical studies and articles. This week we look at a few studies surrounding cheese and its association with breast cancer.

Over a half-million women in the world get cervical cancer every year, with nearly 80 percent in developing countries. Human papilloma virus, or HPV, causes the cancer and is therefore among the worst instigators of female cancer...

Lurking in stagnant pools and muddy watering holes, the guinea worm easily gets into the food chain—and, because it is frighteningly invulnerable to stomach acids and the human immune system, it is next to impossible to remove from the...

Not so long ago, everyone in China wore Mao jackets—loose-fitting, high-collared cotton jackets in somber colors like dark blue and green. They were practically a uniform for Chinese citizens, regardless of their job, rank, or sex, at...

As in many parts of the world, Italians usually greet each other with a fairly firm handshake. Men sometimes clutch each other’s arms, embrace, or pat each other on the back. To an Italian, a greeting should have a tone of respectful...

Italians are lively communicators and literally speak with their hands—at times, they use their entire bodies! They generally stand close together and often touch each other’s arms or shoulders while talking. In fact, touching someone is...

Clothing choice in Indonesia is very much tied to the country’s warm, tropical climate. While the dress code is casual due to the warm weather, one should strive for a neat and polished appearance. Each of Indonesia’s ethnic groups has...

Indonesian women have equal rights with men by law, and increasingly, by custom. The right to vote was granted to women in Indonesia’s constitution. Property and inheritance rights are adjudicated equally in government courts, but...

Many people in Indonesia believe in the spiritual power behind objects and forces, and most societies have organized ceremonies and rituals to mollify these spirits. In Indonesia, traditional animist beliefs have been combined with the...

Togetherness defines the collectivist rhythm of Indonesians’ lives. In Indonesian society, the role of the individual is subordinate to that of the group. Although development has brought many imported, impersonal elements of urban life...

Indonesia is the world’s fourth-largest nation when it comes to population. Only China, India, and the US are larger. The country is a young nation currently experiencing a “demographic bonus,” meaning that 50 percent of its people are...

As in many places around the globe, the treatment of women in India tends to differ according to the geographic area, the level of education, and the degree of economic prosperity. However, it’s important to know that attitudes within a...

German manners are usually very formal, especially when people are meeting for the first time. Consequently, introductions in both business and social settings follow strict norms. Learn more about German preferences for etiquette in...

Germans love to shake hands. Certainly a social or business meeting is cause for a round of firm handshaking. You’ll be expected to shake hands with everyone. The handshake is so important that even when someone leaves during a business...

As the role of women in German society continues to evolve, more and more women are entering the workforce and rising to managerial roles. So what does this mean for the women who make up this vital component of the German workforce?...

Proper business attire is good business in France. The dress code remains formal in most sectors—and there’s no such thing as casual Friday. In fashionable France, tasteful, quality clothing is a must. Review what's appropriate for women...

Did you know that France is a leading industrialized country with one of the world's largest economies? In fact, it's a main global exporter. Learn more about France’s key economic sectors and industries. Explore the country’s role and...

The very emblem of liberty and the French Republic is a woman, Marianne. But don’t jump to conclusions as you come across her image featured on coins, printed on stamps, and perched in city halls. Women in France actually have a way to...

Under the Grundgesetz (Basic Law), men and women in Germany are guaranteed equal rights. In reality, women and men don’t receive equal pay. In addition, only a handful of women make it to senior management positions. As in most other...

Women have a long history of working in France. While a few women have made it to the highest levels of business and government, France still lags behind many other European countries when it comes to the advancement of women in the...

South Africans tend to be rather formal when you first meet them. But as long as you stick to the norms of behavior accepted in most places, interacting and living with them should be relatively easy. Cultural norms differ from one...

Traditionally, men have dominated in the South African workforce while women stayed home to look after the house and children. The reality is very different for many women today. More black and colored women work, mostly in part-time...