The Year in Medicine 2008

Illustration for TIME by Viktor Koen

Science

From A to Z

In good times and bad, science doesn't sleep, and every year brings breakthroughs, setbacks, reasons for worry and reasons for joy. TIME's annual alphabetical roundup of a sampling of those stories gives you an overview of the year behind and a hint of what might be in the one ahead.

—by Alice Park, David Bjerklie, Carolyn Sayre, Tiffany Sharples, Bryan Walsh and Alexandra Silver

Introduction

America's Health Checkup

It's hard enough to make it to your own annual physical. In this issue, TIME takes the entire nation to the doctor

Obama and Health Care

Reform's Moment May Be Now

Although it's no slam dunk, the President-elect's health-care plan has a fair shot at success

Graphic

5 Truths About Health Care in America

Forget about what you thought you knew about America's health care. These five facts may surprise you