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The article discusses the shortage of nurses in developing countries and in India in particular. It notes that developing countries are unable to offer competitive employment packages to nurses who accept jobs in developed countries. A World Bank report on nursing shortages in Caribbean countries and Latin America indicates that nurse-patient ratios are 10 times less there than they are in the U.S. and the European Union. International Council of Nurses Nurse Delegation Programme director Deena Nardi is cited regarding migration of nurses from Caribbean countries to developed countries.

The article discusses the relationship between poor sanitation and the spread of disease and cultural obstacles to providing subsidized toilets in areas of developing countries that need them. The United Nations millennium goals for improved sanitation are noted. Founder Jack Sim of the World Toilet Organization is cited regarding his perception of a lack of demand for toilets within developing countries, despite demands for clean drinking water. World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) targets for introducing improved sanitation methods are compared with achievements realized to date.

The article discusses so-called supported self-care for patients with chronic conditions in Great Britain. It describes a telemedicine programme that assists patients in making decisions about seeing or asking questions of their general practitioners. The system is designed to help patients with illnesses including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, and heart failure. It notes assistance given to patient Beryl Keating and it cites Pfizer Health Solutions division head John Proctor regarding care management provided by Birmingham OwnHealth.

The article discusses the aims of the James Lind Library to provide information via the Internet on clinical trials and results in accessible, simple terminology in multiple languages. To introduce the need for fair and understandable clinical trials, the article notes statistics on cot deaths of babies that later research attributed to Dr. Benjamin Spock's unfounded advice to put babies to sleep on their stomachs. It notes the 100-page book "Testing Treatments" that contains essays on clinical tests and that can be downloaded in Arabic, English, Spanish, and Chinese.

The article refers to Great Britain's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It notes that the health care needs of people with mental health disorders need added attention. It describes cases where the existing medical system failed in its treatment of mentally disabled patients. It notes the possible role that patient discrimination plays in treating mentally-disturbed patients. It also speaks of the changes that are needed in doctor-patient communication to ensure proper medical treatment.