Medical References
Navigating the Web for healthcare information: The following resources include web sites and links for our health care community that wants to learn more about a topic. My Doctor, LLC has not extensively reviewed all of the content of all of the web sites referenced. However, we have included organizations and links that we believe can provide valuable information. This list is not exhaustive of all resources available and we intend to update and improve it on a regular basis.
Do you have a healthcare site that you have found of interest that contains good information? A newsletter that you found particularly helpful? If so, please forward a link to us; we will be happy to review it with you and share it with others! Content provided on these sites is for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician.
For your own information and safety, we recommend that you read the Medical Library Association's Guidelines for navigating health Web sites, which can be found at Pew Internet Link, particularly the content evaluation guidelines that can be found near the end of the MLA report.
H1N1 Registration form - OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH please complete form and bring copy to office to get your vaccination.
General Medical Information Sites
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Library of Medicine - Medical Encyclopedia
National Institute of Health - Health Index
Science Daily: Health and Medicine News
Deciphering Medspeak from The Medical Library Association
A User's Guide to Finding and Evaluating Health Information on the Web
familydoctor.org from American Association of Family Physicians
www.eMedicineHealth.com. Current medical information written by physicians for patients and consumers is available in the Health Resource, First Aid and Emergencies, and Lifestyle and Wellness Centers
Healthfinder reliable health information for consumers developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services together with other Federal agencies.
National Health Information Center (NHIC) is a health information referral service. NHIC puts health professionals and consumers who have health questions in touch with those organizations that are best able to provide answers.
Health Information Translations growing database of health information written in languages other than English: African French, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Ukrainian. The English version appears first, followed by the translations
UpToDate for Patients UpToDate is an online medical information resource where you can learn about a medical condition, better understand management and treatment options, and find information to have a better dialogue with their health care providers. UpToDate is the trusted resource of physicians around the world and is used by the majority of academic medical centers in the US, as well as at My Doctor, LLC
Healthcare Newsletters (free)
Harvard Health E-Newsletter from MerckSource
Mayo Clinic Housecall: Weekly Health Update
Consumer Reports: Best Buy Drugs Reports
Healthfinders Newsfeeds:
Subscribe to the HEALTHFINDFER-NEWS listserv. 6-10 health news headlines with hyperlinks to full stories sent daily.
(Send e-mail to LISTSERV@LIST.NIH.GOV with the message text: "subscribe HEALTHFINDER-NEWS Your Name")
Subscribe to the HEALTHFINDER-L listserv for bi-monthly announcements featuring upcoming health observances, health tips, and new online health information resources you can use to help stay healthy.
(Send e-mail to LISTSERV@LIST.NIH.GOV with the message text: "subscribe HEALTHFINDER-L Your Name")
Federal Government Health related newsletters
What's New on NetWellness For a monthly e-newsletter
The National Cyber Alert System was created by US-CERT and the Department of Homeland Security to help you protect your computer. One of US-CERT's overarching goals is to ensure that you have access to timely information about security topics and events
Aging
Aging Quiz This interactive quiz from the Mayo Clinic presents commonly held beliefs about health and aging
The Forgetting This site, from PBS and the MetLife Foundation, lays out what we currently know about Alzheimer’s disease
Aging Quiz This interactive quiz from the Mayo Clinic presents commonly held beliefs about health and aging
The Forgetting This site, from PBS and the MetLife Foundation, lays out what we currently know about Alzheimer’s disease
Testosterone therapy: The answer for aging men? As men age, the level of testosterone in their bodies decreases. But does this hormonal decline require treatment?
If Mom & Dad Can't Manage Finances Anymore...
Eldercare Locator - a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
Elders and Families section of the Administration on Aging website. Elders and Families is designed to assist older persons and their caregivers quickly obtain information and resources on a variety of aging-related topics
Aging Parents and Adult Children Together (A/PACT) - a series of 10 articles produced by the Federal Trade Commission in partnership with AARP to introduce eldercare issues you may confront and help you help aging loved ones investigate options and make decisions that can help maximize their independence, comfort and quality of life
Family Caregiver Alliance was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home through programs to provide information, education and advocacy to support the work of families caring for loved ones with health issues.
Caregiver Health: A Population at Risk
National Family Caregiver Support Program provides information for caregivers and professionals, including where to turn for support and assistance
National Adult Day Services Association
Senior Resource Encyclopedia of resources for seniors and their caregivers, with advice concerning topics from insurance and financial planning to housing and health care centers.
Alternative & Complimentary Medicine
Alzheimer & Dementia Resources
Aging Quiz This interactive quiz from the Mayo Clinic presents commonly held beliefs about health and aging
The Forgetting This site, from PBS and the MetLife Foundation, lays out what we currently know about Alzheimer’s disease
Aging Quiz This interactive quiz from the Mayo Clinic presents commonly held beliefs about health and aging
The Forgetting This site, from PBS and the MetLife Foundation, lays out what we currently know about Alzheimer’s disease
Testosterone therapy: The answer for aging men? As men age, the level of testosterone in their bodies decreases. But does this hormonal decline require treatment?
If Mom & Dad Can't Manage Finances Anymore...
Eldercare Locator - a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
Elders and Families section of the Administration on Aging website. Elders and Families is designed to assist older persons and their caregivers quickly obtain information and resources on a variety of aging-related topics
Aging Parents and Adult Children Together (A/PACT) - a series of 10 articles produced by the Federal Trade Commission in partnership with AARP to introduce eldercare issues you may confront and help you help aging loved ones investigate options and make decisions that can help maximize their independence, comfort and quality of life
Family Caregiver Alliance was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home through programs to provide information, education and advocacy to support the work of families caring for loved ones with health issues.
Caregiver Health: A Population at Risk
National Family Caregiver Support Program provides information for caregivers and professionals, including where to turn for support and assistance
National Adult Day Services Association
Senior Resource Encyclopedia of resources for seniors and their caregivers, with advice concerning topics from insurance and financial planning to housing and health care centers.
Arthritis & Musculoskeletal Resources
National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders
Shoulder Exercises: Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at the University of Washington
Spine: Preventing Lower Back Pain – UW video presentation
Asthma
Aging Quiz This interactive quiz from the Mayo Clinic presents commonly held beliefs about health and aging
The Forgetting This site, from PBS and the MetLife Foundation, lays out what we currently know about Alzheimer’s disease
Aging Quiz This interactive quiz from the Mayo Clinic presents commonly held beliefs about health and aging
The Forgetting This site, from PBS and the MetLife Foundation, lays out what we currently know about Alzheimer’s disease
Testosterone therapy: The answer for aging men? As men age, the level of testosterone in their bodies decreases. But does this hormonal decline require treatment?
If Mom & Dad Can't Manage Finances Anymore...
Eldercare Locator - a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
Elders and Families section of the Administration on Aging website. Elders and Families is designed to assist older persons and their caregivers quickly obtain information and resources on a variety of aging-related topics
Aging Parents and Adult Children Together (A/PACT) - a series of 10 articles produced by the Federal Trade Commission in partnership with AARP to introduce eldercare issues you may confront and help you help aging loved ones investigate options and make decisions that can help maximize their independence, comfort and quality of life
Family Caregiver Alliance was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home through programs to provide information, education and advocacy to support the work of families caring for loved ones with health issues.
Caregiver Health: A Population at Risk
National Family Caregiver Support Program provides information for caregivers and professionals, including where to turn for support and assistance
National Adult Day Services Association
Senior Resource Encyclopedia of resources for seniors and their caregivers, with advice concerning topics from insurance and financial planning to housing and health care centers.
Cholesterol & Lipid Education Sites
National Cholesterol Education Program: The goal of the NCEP is to contribute to reducing illness and death from coronary heart disease (CHD) in the United States by reducing the percent of Americans with high blood cholesterol. Through educational efforts the NCEP aims to raise awareness and understanding about high blood cholesterol as a risk factor for CHD and the benefits of lowering cholesterol levels as a means of preventing CHD.
High Cholesterol – what is it? From the NHLBI
TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) is a set of tools you can use to get results. This easy-to-read booklet is designed to help you make the lifestyle changes that will lower blood cholesterol and reduce your risk for heart disease.
Medline Plus: Cholesterol Education
Fats and Cholesterol - The Good, the Bad, and the Healthy Diet – The Harvard School of Public Health
How Can I Lower High Cholesterol? (American Heart Association)
Recipes for Low-Fat and Low-Cholesterol Meals (American Heart Association)
Tips for Eating Out (American Heart Association)
Checklists for Lowering Your Cholesterol (American Heart Association)
How You Can Lower Your Cholesterol Level: Virtual Fitness Room(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Managing Cholesterol (Patient Education Institute)
Hyperlipidemia (Society for Vascular Surgery)
CPR Guidelines
Hands-Only CPR Sudden cardiac arrest claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Now there's a new way for anyone (even those who haven't learned conventional CPR) to step in and help adults who suddenly collapse: Watch this instructional video!
Cancer: Oncology Resources
Oncolink mission to help cancer patients, families, health care professionals and the general public get accurate cancer-related information
Hereditary Cancer Program at University of Cincinnati/Children’s Hospital Medical Center
The Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) was established to coordinate and enhance the activities of the National Cancer Institute in the arena of complementary and alternative medicine.
Cancer: Colon
Get Tested for Colon Cancer: Here’s How: This free 7-minute video from the American Cancer Society illustrates and explains the most commonly used screening methods, including test preparation.
Cancer: Skin
Depression
Side Effects of Antidepressants: an overview – Clinical review of common side effects of antidepressants from the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
Patient Information: If you need an antidepressant….
Seasonal Affective Disorder and Light Therapy SAD is a depression that afflicts people primarily during the winter months, and is often referred to as seasonal depression.
Mental Health
American Psychiatric Association
American Psychological Association
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
National Association for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies
http://www.healthyplace.com/
Dermatology / Skin Disorders
Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
American Dietetic Association Diabetes Care & Education Group
The Healing Handbook for People with Diabetes
Resource Guide 2004 – Information on new diabetes products and services with links to printable charts, new product info and other topics
National Diabetes Education Program
Your Disease Risk: Diabetes. This interactive tool estimates your risk of diabetes and provides personalized tips for prevention
“Be Smart About Your Heart: Control the ABCs of Diabetes”
“Blood Sugar Testing: The power to Control Diabetes is in Your Hands”
“Know Your Blood Sugar Numbers”
"Control Your Diabetes for Life. Tips for Feeling Better and Staying Healthy”
Diabetes Portal - link to numerous educational resources
Mayo Clinic Slide show: Diabetes foot care
Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Lifestyle changes and medication can improve your health Mayo Clinic.com explains the connection between Cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The Heart Of Diabetes program was created by the American Heart Association to not only raise awareness of this issue, but help those with diabetes take action to lower their risk for heart disease and stroke.
dLife.com offers support for and information on how diabetes affects those who’ve been diagnosed with the disease. Tips on smart shopping for diabetes management, diet goals, and recipes can be found here, along with podcast interviews.
Disease Risk Calculators
Harvard University Disease Risk Calculator
9 ways to stay healthy and reduce disease. By following these nine lifestyle recommendations, you can lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Before you know it, you’ll also have more energy and get a boost to your mood
Your Disease Risk: Cancer. This interactive tool estimates your risk of cancer and provides personalized tips for prevention
Your Disease Risk: Diabetes. This interactive tool estimates your risk of diabetes and provides personalized tips for prevention
Your Disease Risk: Heart Disease. This interactive tool estimates your risk of coronary heart disease and provides personalized tips for prevention
Your Disease Risk: Osteoporosis. This interactive tool estimates your risk of osteoporosis and provides personalized tips for prevention
Your Disease Risk: Stroke. This interactive tool estimates your risk of stroke and provides personalized tips for prevention
Tool: Estimating Your 10-year Risk of Having a Heart Attack
Tool: Target heart rate calculator Target heart rate is 60 percent to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. Maximum heart rate is the upper limit of what your cardiovascular system can handle during physical activity. Working out within your target heart rate zone can help boost your fitness level.
Drug & Neutraceutical Information
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs project
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is the official public standards-setting authority for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and other healthcare products manufactured and sold in the United States.
Drug / Medication Safety Resources
Drug Assistance Programs
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Medicare Access for Patients-Rx (MAPRx)
Cost Containment Research Institute
Golden Buckeye Rx Savings Program
Buying Prescription Medicine Online: A Consumer Safety Guide - Buying medicine online may be easy - make sure you do it safely.
Buying prescription drugs on the Internet: Promises and pitfalls - Patients can save time and money, but they can also end up with counterfeit or substandard medications.
Drug Trial Information
The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)
ClinicalTrials.gov provides regularly updated information about federally and privately supported clinical research in human volunteers – run by the NIH.
Clinical Trials Portal - provided by the IFPMA - the portal has been designed as a single entry point to search for comprehensive information on on-going clinical trials (registry) or results of completed trials (database) conducted by the pharmaceutical industry enabling a simple interface to ongoing research and completed studies.
International Clinical Trials Registry Platform - World Health Organization’s internal clinical trials registry
CenterWatch Clinical Trials Listing Service – commercial clinical trials listing service.
Eli Lilly and Company Clinical Trial Registry - This site contains information about clinical trials sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company
Roche - clinical trial protocol registration and reporting of clinical trial results
Medicare Part D
Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Cards
AMA information on discount cards
Medicare Rights Center information on Medicare drug discount card program
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Kaiser Foundation: Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare Part D) -- American Family Physicians Summary...
AARP Guide: The New Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Medicare Presentation - Susan Miller 12/20/2006
Medicare Part D information from Medicare
The Facts About Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/provtoolkit.pdf
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/drugcoverage.asp
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Publications
Medicare Drug Plans – Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts about Medicare's New Coverage for Prescription Drugs
Exercise and Fitness Programs
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have updated physical activity guidelines. These guidelines outline exercise recommendations for healthy adults and older adults:
Guidelines for healthy adults under age 65
Guidelines for adults over age 65, or age 50-64 with chronic conditions
Growing Stronger: Strength Training for Older Adults! If you’re interested in feeling stronger, healthier, and more vital, this program is for you. This strength-training program was developed by experts at Tufts University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and includes an interactive exercise program.
Start! Moving – AHA walking program
Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging has strength, balance, and stretching exercises you can do at home
National Institute on Aging exercise program tips
Choose to Move is the American Heart Association free 12-week physical activity program for women
Advice for when you begin to exercise
American Heart Association Fitness Center
Mayo Clinic Fitness Center - advice on starting an exercise program, staying motivated, preventing injury and more
Infectious Diseases
Healthcare Improvement and Quality
Healthcare Reform
http://www.health08.org/ Throughout this election season, the Kaiser Family Foundation will provide analysis of health care issues addressed by the presidential candidates. This election-focused website providing analysis of health policy issues, regular public opinion surveys, and news and video coverage from the campaign trail. http://www.healthcareforall.org/costconundrum.pdf
The Presidential Candidate Forums, organized by the Federation of American Hospitals and Families USA, feature candidates being interviewed by a panel of prominent journalists
FRONTLINE: Sick Around the World, teams up with veteran Washington Post foreign correspondent T.R. Reid to find out how five other capitalist democracies -- the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Taiwan and Switzerland -- deliver health care, and what the United States might learn from their successes and their failures.
Hepatitis
Living with Hepatitis – the Hepatitis Foundation International
Hearing Loss
SHHH - Hearing Loss Association of America
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
National Center for Accessible Media
Insight Cinema (open-captioned movies nationwide)
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
Virtual Tour of the Ear ~ illustrations and explanations of the ear in layman's terms.
H.E.A.R. Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers, education and medical information on the effects of excessive noise.
Heart Disease
Hyperlipidemia Learning Center
Interactive Tutorial (Patient Education Institute)
Interactive Animations from Bryne Healthcare:
Conditions:
Procedures:
The Endocannabinoid System: A New Therapeutic Target for Cardiovascular Risk Factor Management - Medscape review of the E-C system, it’s over activation, and new theories on the connection to obesity, cardiovascular disease and smoking
Hypertension
The American Heart Association
National Heart Lung Blood Institute
National High Blood Pressure Education Program/ JNC 7
High Blood Pressure (National Library of Medicine MEDLINE PLUS)
Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure
NHLBI Resources for Patients and the Public
Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure (interactive Web site)
High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
Hoaxes and Medical Rumors
'Miracle' Health Claims: Add a Dose of Skepticism the FTC and the FDA say health fraud promoters target people with medical conditions. To avoid becoming victims of health fraud, learn how to assess health claims and seek the advice of a health professional.
Should you trust health advice from the web? New Scientist 29 July 2009 by Lisa Grossman
Insurance Resources
Ohio Department of Insurance home page for ODI provides information about consumer protection and insurance insurance education
Ohio Department of Insurance Prescription Drug Information: good souce of medication news and helpful links to discount drug programs available in Ohio
Living Wills / Power of Attorney and End of Life Issues
Finding Our Way Finding Our Way: Living with Dying in America was a successful 15-part newspaper series, written by experts on end-of-life issues. The information and experiences from those articles have been compiled into this online course.
Light The Way The Ohio State Bar Foundation and its 2002 Fellows Class provide information about advance directives, living wills and durable powers of attorney.
Ohio Health Care Directives Living Will, Heath Care Power of Attorney, organ and tissue donation forms and additional instructions on completing them.
LifeCenter Organ Donor Network - Ohio donor registry
Coalition on Donation - www.shareyourlife.org
Living Wills in Kentucky – download the Kentucky Living Will packet, which allows you to leave instructions in four critical areas: Designate a Health Care Surrogate; Refuse or request life prolonging treatment; Refuse or request artificial feeding or hydration (tube feeding); Express your wishes regarding organ donation.
Advanced Care Planning: Beyond the living will – an excellent review of advance directives and end of life planning that appeared in the May, 2009 Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. The authors advocate focusing less on “signing away” certain interventions and more on clarifying the goals of care
Your Life, Your Choices Detailed, readable description of health care options in medical conditions common to older adults (dementia, coma, stroke, terminal illness). Although developed by the Veteran’s Administration, it is not limited to that setting.
Five Wishes This five-wishes document was developed with the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It guides a patient through his or her medical, personal, emotional, and spiritual needs. A videotape and compact disc can also be ordered.
The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Paradigm program is designed to improve the quality of care people receive at the end of life. It is based on effective communication of patient wishes, documentation of medical orders on a brightly colored form and a promise by health care professionals to honor these wishes. The physician order sheet translates goals and preferences into medical orders regarding resuscitation and other life-sustaining treatments. The resulting document does not replace the medical power of attorney form or the living will.
Project GRACE (Guidelines for Resuscitation and Care at End-of-Life)addresses medical interventions that one would want or not want, not only if one were in a permanent unconscious state, but also in conditions such as end-stage disease, permanent confusion, and total dependence. The document conforms specifically to Florida law but could be appropriate as a personal document for patients in other states. It would not replace a do-not-resuscitate order form in most states but can be an adjunct.
Living Wills in Kentucky – download the Kentucky Living Will packet, which allows you to leave instructions in four critical areas: Designate a Health Care Surrogate; Refuse or request life prolonging treatment; Refuse or request artificial feeding or hydration (tube feeding); Express your wishes regarding organ donation.
Lung Disease / Asthma / Emphysema / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
National Jewish Medical and Research Center
National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases
American Academy of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology: Adult Asthma
American Lung Association: Asthma in Adults Fact Sheet
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: What Is Asthma?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Is Asthma?
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Asthma Basics – Facts and Brochures on how to lower risk fo asthma exacerbations
American College of Physicians: ACP Special Report: Living with Asthma
PulmonologyChannel: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
American Lung Association - COPD - Help with Treatment Decisions
Mental Health
Nutrition
The Federal Website on Nutrition and Fitness
Calorie King.com web site dedicated to educating you about the nutritional value of foods you eat (and eat out) every day.
Carbohydrate Counting: A Practical Meal-Planning Option for People With Diabetes
Carbohydrate Counting: The Basics
Physician's guide to the new 2005 dietary guidelines: How best to counsel patients
Nutrition Labels: Know the facts
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005
NIH interactive menu planner is designed to guide daily food and meal choices based on one day's calorie allowance.
Portion Distortion! Do You Know How Food Portions Have Changed in 20 Years?
Americans: Calories Don't Add Up
Keep an Eye on Portion Size: What is the difference between Portions and Servings?
The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation offers a variety of publications that cover various nutrition and food safety topics
Calories Count: Balancing The Energy Equation
Choose To Move is the American Heart Association free 12-week physical activity program for women
Addicted to food? How to break your habit When does a craving become an obsession? Prevention magazine examines how some woman were able to change their eating patterns
Portion Distortion Keep an Eye on Portion Size - What is the difference between Portions and Servings? Check out the interactive quiz (and asecond) to test your knowledge of calories and portion growth in recent years
Serving Size Card (PDF file) to help you recall what a standard food serving looks like.
What's In The Foods You Eat Search Tool: the USDA supplies the calorie and nutrient profiles for 13,000 foods commonly eaten in the U.S. Familiar portion sizes are included for each food, and portion sizes can be adjusted by the user
NutritionData – Know what you eat – a useful source of nutritional analysis. .Nutrition Data's continuing goal is to provide comprehensive nutrition analysis available, and to make it accessible and understandable to all.
www.mypyramid.gov information related to the food pyramid, review of new dietary guidelines and links to additional websites; “MyPyramid Plan” can create personalized nutrition suggestions based on age, height, weight, and physical activity.
NutritionData – Know what you eat – a useful source of nutritional analysis. .Nutrition Data's continuing goal is to provide comprehensive nutrition analysis available, and to make it accessible and understandable to all.
www.mypyramid.gov information related to the food pyramid, review of new dietary guidelines and links to additional websites; “MyPyramid Plan” can create personalized nutrition suggestions based on age, height, weight, and physical activity.
Addicted to food? How to break your habit When does a craving become an obsession? Prevention Magazine examines how some change their eating patterns
Portion Distortion Keep an Eye on Portion Size - What is the difference between Portions and Servings? Check out the interactive quiz (and asecond) to test your knowledge of calories and portion growth in recent years
Serving Size Card (PDF file) to help you recall what a standard food serving looks like.
What's In The Foods You Eat Search Tool: the US Department of Agritulture supplies the calorie and nutrient profiles for 13,000 foods commonly eaten in the U.S. Familiar portion sizes are included for each food, and portion sizes can be adjusted by the user
Osteoporosis
National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bones Diseases
National Osteoporosis Foundation
Your Disease Risk: Osteoporosis. This interactive tool estimates your risk of osteoporosis and provides personalized tips for prevention
Bone Health, What Every Man Should Know.
Osteoporosis in Men – NOF: 2 million US men have osteoporosis; another 12 million are at risk.
Not just for women: Osteoporosis jumps gender gap Men's bones also may thin with age, more studies are demonstrating, and the impact can be devastating
Fosamax Patient Product Information
Actonel Patient Product Information
Boniva Patient Product Information
Miacalcin Patient Product Information
Forteo Patient Product Information
Fall Prevention Center of Excellence – Mission is to identify best practices in fall prevention
Project Able - Jefferson University Home Intervention program
FALLS PREVENTION: Safe Steps: A Falls Prevention Program for Seniors
Top 25 Ways to Prevent Falls - Falls Prevention Checklist Online from the National Osteoporosis Checklist
Patient Information and Empowerment
Patient Safety
National Patient Safety Foundation
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ)
ISMP: Lessons to Be Learned from Past Errors
Institute for Health Care Advancement IHA is a non-profit organization that demonstrates innovative health care practices and educates health care professionals and consumers
Prevention
“The most important element of prevention is knowledge. A patient armed with accurate and scientific based information is a better health care partner.”
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF): An independent panel of experts in primary care and prevention that systematically reviews the evidence of effectiveness and develops recommendations for clinical preventive services.
aafp: Preventive Services for Healthy Living
Health Screening Guidelines (Mayo Foundation)
My Family Health Portrait (Surgeon General)
Whole-body CT screening: FDA Statement
U.S. Surgeon General's Family History Initiative
Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention (OGDP) at CDC
Healthy People 2010 – leading health indicators and goals for the future
Pocket Guide to Good Health for Adults
Pocket Guide to Good Health for Children
Pocket Guide to Staying Healthy at 50+
Aspirin: Preventing Heart Attacks
Stroke Prevention: What You Should Know
Tips for a Healthy Life for Women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Women: Stay Healthy at Any Age—Checklist for Your Next Checkup
Women with Medicare: Visiting Your Doctor for a Pap Test, Pelvic Exam, and Clinical Breast Exam
Tips for a Healthy Life for Men (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Sleep Disorders
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
American Sleep Apnea Association
National Center on Sleep Disorders Research
The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation
Seasonal Affective Disorder and Light Therapy Seasonal Affective Disorder is a depression that afflicts people primarily during the winter months.
Sleepdex.com – resources and links for better sleep
Substance Abuse - Alcohol Abuse
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Alcohol and Aging: The Age Page
Alcohol: A Women's Health Issue
A Family History of Alcoholism - Are You at Risk?
Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines
Underage Drinking
Keep Kids Alcohol Free: Strategies for Action
College Drinking Prevention Website
Substance Abuse - Drugs
National Institute of Drug Abuse and Addiction
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is the national anti-doping organization dedicated to eliminating the practice of doping in sport, and to preserving the well being of sport and ensuring the health of athletes through research initiatives and educational programs
Substance Abuse - Tobacco / Smoking
American Lung Association Quit Smoking Site
Healthy Ohioans Tobacco Prevention
QuitNet - A free quit smoking resource out of Boston University
Mayo Clinic - Stop Smoking Services
National Cancer Institute - Tobacco and Cancer
World Health Organization - Tobacco Free Initiative
American Cancer Society - Tobacco and Cancer
United States Department of Health and Human Services - Tobacco Cessation Guideline
Healthy Ohioans - Tobacco Prevention
Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation
Ohio Tobacco Quits Brochure; QUIT LINE Enrollment Form (fax)
Tobacco Information and Prevention Source
Surgeon General’s Tobacco Cessation Guideline: The latest techniques for treating tobacco use and dependence.
You Can Quit Smoking. Information kit for consumers
American Cancer Society (ACS): Guide to Quitting Smoking
CDC's Tobacco Information and Prevention Source
Travelers' Health
Travelers' Health from the Centers for Disease Control
TSA: Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions
World Health Organization International Travel
Traveling abroad: Plan ahead to prevent illness. It is easier to visit developing countries and rural areas of the world once considered inaccessible. As a result, travelers are exposed to a greater number of health risks and contagious diseases in unfamiliar environments.
Overseas Citizens Services: Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) in the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs is responsible for the welfare and whereabouts of U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad.
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers: IAMAT advises travelers about health risks, the geographical distribution of diseases worldwide, immunization requirements for countries. IMAT makes competent medical care available to travelers by western-trained doctors who speak English besides their native language.
FDA: Consumers Filling U.S. Prescriptions Abroad May Get the Wrong Active Ingredient Because of Confusing Drug Names Advisory concerning filling U.S. prescriptions abroad may give patients the wrong active ingredient for treating their health condition. Some FDA-approved products have the same brand names as drug products that are marketed outside the U.S. but contain completely different active ingredients.
Urinary Incontence/Dysfunction
Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network (UITN)
Exercising Your Pelvic Muscles - A description of exercises for the pelvic floor muscles, called Kegel exercises, and how they can help to restore or maintain bladder control.
Daily Bladder Diary - An easy-to-use form for patients to note liquid intake, trips to the bathroom, urine leaks, and other details that may help explain your incontinence.
Your Medicines and Bladder Control - A booklet describing the effects that your medications could have on bladder control, with a recommendation for discussing all your medicines with your doctor.
Urinary Incontinence in Women - An overview of the types, diagnosis, and treatment of urinary incontinence in women
Treatments for Urinary Incontinence in Women - Explains the differences between urge and stress incontinence and how the type of incontinence affects the choice of drug therapy or surgery.
Women's Health
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
National Women's Health Information Center - www.4woman.gov - a service of the Office on Women's Health (OWH) in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is an award winning, information rich source of up to date information.
Intimate Partner Violence: Fact Sheet
WHI Documented Risks of Hormone Therapy a review of data from the landmark hormone study and its risk/benefit findings
Infertility Resources
RESOLVE is dedicated to providing education, advocacy, and support for infertility
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive medicine, infertility, menopause, and sexuality
Internet Safety
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): Visit this site to find out how to address fraud committed over the Internet. Learn about IC3’s convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of a suspected criminal or civil violation.
OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.
Phishing
Phishing protection "phishing" is an attempt to "fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy person or business in an apparently official electronic communication, such as e-mail or an instant message." Use these resources to learn about phishing, how to prevent it, and how to recognize it when it occurs.
Anti-Phishing Work Group - host of articles, with information on the basics of phishing, recent trends in electronic crime, and advice for consumers (a tool to report phishing is also available). This site is probably the best starting point for any reader interested in learning more about this unfortunate practice.
The Field Guide to Phishing - This illustrated, colorful, and often humorous dissection of common—and sometimes clever—phishing schemes also provides advice on recognition and analysis of common features. Very highly recommended.
Online Identity Theft: Many Medicines, No Cure - This article discusses standard and emerging methods of curbing online identity theft.
Spyware, Adware and Malware
Ad-Aware by Lavasoft - This program could not be simpler, or more valuable. It scans your entire computer or system. It finds any known spyware (and detects variations on existing spyware). It then alerts you to these applications and allows you to delete them. The personal version of the program is free; more elaborate versions designed to scan small and medium business networks are available at a modest price.
Microsoft Spyware Center - Tips on preventing spyware, a spyware quiz, and various articles make this a good educational resource on this subject; antispyware software from Microsoft, an interactive community, and a free security newsletter give it practical value as well.
Spybot Search and Destroy - This user-friendly spyware detection software is also free of charge; we recommend running it in concert with Ad-Aware, in the hopes that one will catch what the other misses. ScanComplete makes it available here and features a variety of security-related freeware, making it definitely worth a look.
Virus Protection:
AVG Antivirus (Free Edition) among the features of this free program: an on-demand scanner allowing the user to schedule tests or run them at will; an e-mail scanner; free virus database updates for the life of the product; and more.
How Computer Viruses Work - This clear, concise overview of the virus phenomenon includes a description of exactly how various types of viruses affect a computer, as well as how viruses spread.
Consumer Reports
Free Copy of the 2006 Consumer Action Handbook
Federal Consumer Contacts: Many federal agencies have enforcement and/or complaint-handling duties for products and services used by the general public. Others act for the benefit of the public, but do not resolve individual consumer problems.
Federal Agencies Consumer Contacts: Federal Agencies also have fact sheets, booklets and other information which might be helpful in making purchase decisions and dealing with consumer problems
OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.
Recylcing
Do the PC Thing - a Technology Overview on used equipment disposal, (Download) provides general information and resources on how best to donate technology to those that need it most.
Cell Phones - CALL TO PROTECT campaign collects wireless phones to benefit survivors of domestic violence – click through to find out how to donate your old phones!
Wireless…The New Recyclable - This website can help you locate a local donation center, find a charity you want to support, direct you to a mail-back program.
Computer Equipment - National Cristina Foundation (NCF) provides computer technology and solutions to give people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons.
Plug-In To eCycling (full-length video ~ 7 min.) Produced by the EPA, the video outlines the proper steps for how to donate equipment for reuse. A shorter version is available.
Earth 911 – A national environmental information network providing access to community recycling, donation and disposal options for computers, electronics and cell phones. By entering your ZIP code on the site you can find your nearest electronics recycling event/location.
LifeCenter Organ Donor Network - LifeCenter Organ Donor Network encourages and coordinates the donation of human organs and tissues for transplantation. LifeCenter works with 28 area hospitals to serve the people of the Greater Cincinnati area, including Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana. The organization works in conjunction with U.S. Tissue and Cell, Cincinnati Eye Bank, and the Midwest Ear Foundation
Coalition on Donation - www.shareyourlife.org