Updated June 4, 2007

Return to Sharon's InSites Home

 

Health & Medicine Links
Jump to:
Aging -- Alzheimers -- Seniors; Alternative Medicine; Cancer Information; Children-Pediatrics and Teens; Diet -- Nutrition; Drugs or Drug Abuse; Fitness; Hospitals; Medical Journals Online; Mental Health; Nursing and other health science professions; Smoking; Specific Diseases, Conditions, and Disabilities; Sleep disorders
AHRQ Patient Safety Network
http://psnet.ahrq.gov/
A Web site for "patient safety news, literature, tools, and resources." Features journal articles, a glossary, information about recent books and reports, and more. Searchable, or browse the detailed subject index for specific safety topics, clinical areas, target audiences, and setting of care. From the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. --LII
AMA Atlas of the Body
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/7140.html
AMA (Genetics) Family history tool
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2380.html
Links to pamphlets, questionnaires and forms to help you trace and maintain your family medical history records.
American Academy of Ophthalmology
http://www.aao.org/
Site provides information in the field of eye care--from finding an opthalmologist to keeping up with recent news stories to career options.
Anatomy of the Heart
http://texasheart.org/HIC/Anatomy/Anatomy.cfm
The Texas Heart Institute provides this website that gives you a visual tour through the cardiovascular system. Pictures of such things as the circulatory system, the coronary arteries, the conduction system, and the heart valves are accompanied by explanatory text.
Asian American Health
http://asianamericanhealth.nlm.nih.gov/
An information portal to issues affecting the health and well-being of Asian Americans in the United States.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
http://www.cdc.gov/
"Descended from the wartime agency Malaria Control in War Areas (MCWA), the CDC initially focused on fighting malaria by killing mosquitoes. ... Today, CDC is the nation's premiere health promotion, prevention, and preparedness agency and a global leader in public health. It remains at the forefront of public health efforts to prevent and control infectious and chronic diseases, injuries, workplace hazards, disabilities, and environmental health threats. CDC is globally recognized for conducting research and investigations and for its action-oriented approach. CDC applies research and findings to improve people’s daily lives and responds to health emergencies—something that distinguishes CDC from its peer agencies. CDC works with states and other partners to provide a system of health surveillance to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks (including bioterrorism), implement disease prevention strategies, and maintain national health statistics. CDC also guards against international disease transmission, with personnel stationed in more than 25 foreign countries. CDC is now focusing on achieving the four overarching Health Protection Goals to become a more performance-based agency focusing on healthy people, healthy places, preparedness, and global health. CDC is one of the 13 major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)."
CDC - Facts About Chlorine
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/chlorine/basics/facts.asp
Information about the health effects of human exposure to the chemical chlorine and chlorine gas. Includes signs and symptoms of exposure, protection from exposure, what to do if exposed, and treatment. Available in English and Spanish. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [Just one small example of what is available from the CDC.]
CNN.com - Health Library
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/
Impressive health resource from the Cable News Network features 15 Condition Centers and 8 Health Centers (Family Health, Men's Health, Women's Health, Children's Health, Seniors' Health, Fitness & Nutrition, Working Life, Pain Management).
Dental Advice from the American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org/
Besides supporting dentists, this site offers consumers, students, teachers, and media information on oral health topics, learning tools, career resources and more.
DIRLINE - Directory of Health Organizations Online
http://dirline.nlm.nih.gov/
DIRLINE - Directory of Health Organizations Online Searchable and browsable. You can also click on the directory of Health Hotlines -- organizations with 1-800 numbers to answer health-related questions. From National Library of Medicine, with links to other NLM resources.
Dr. Koop
http://www.drkoop.com/template.asp?ap=93
Health News - Trusted, Reliable and Up To Date Health Information -- from Get Health Smart at DrKoop.com [not associated with former Surgeon General, but with HealthCentral Network, Inc.)
EDCOTOX - Education, Careers, and Outreach in Toxicology and Environmental Health
http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/edcotox.html
"This Web site aggregates resources related to toxicology and environmental health education, its study and teaching, career paths and opportunities, including accreditation, and outreach for the public." From the National Library of Medicine. [One step back in the SIS directory offers even more resources on environmental health and toxicology.]
Finding Health Information -- A Path Through the Maze
http://www.hsl.unc.edu/Services/Tutorials/FHI/index.htm
Tutorial from Health Sciences Library, UNC-Chapel Hill (includes all library information types, as well as web sources)
Finding Health Statistics
http://www.hsl.unc.edu/Services/Tutorials/Hstats/introduction.cfm
Tutorial from Health Sciences Library -- UNC at Chapel Hill (Designed to meet these objectives: understand who collects health statistics and how they are used; know of good places to start looking for the health-related statistics you need, using the resources described; understand the major data collection efforts of the federal government, particularly those of the National Center for Health Statistics and other divisions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; know the definitions of major statistical terms.)
Firstgov for Consumers: Health
http://www.consumer.gov/health.htm
This large collection of links to federal health resources includes information on aging, choosing quality health care and health insurance, diseases, drugs, health risks, prevention, medical procedures, nutrition, product recalls, referral services, smoking and tobacco, travel health, women's health, and more. "Consumer.gov - is a “one-stop” link to a broad range of federal information resources available online. It is designed so that you can locate information by category - such as Food, Health, Product Safety, Your Money, and Transportation. Each category has subcategories to direct you to areas within individual federal web sites containing related information." [They haven't changed their name from "Firstgov" to "USA.gov" yet, so I left it as I found it.]
Free Medical Journals
http://www.freemedicaljournals.com/
A Bernd Sebastian Kamps website, copyright AmedeoGroup. "Over the next few years, many important medical journals will be available online, free and in full-text. The access to free scientific knowledge will have a major impact on medical practice and attract Internet visitors to these journals. Journals that restrict access to their Web sites will lose popularity." (430 journals on 4/26/07)
Genomics--Family History: Resources and Tools
http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/public/famhistMain.htm
Discusses the advantages of using family health histories to predict potential health risks. Includes a FAQ, fact sheets, presentations, and links to news articles and case studies about family health histories. Also offers links to sites related to family health histories and for specific diseases. From the National Office of Public Health Genomics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Girl Power! Campaign Homepage
http://www.girlpower.gov/
Welcome to the homepage for Girl Power!, the national public education campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help encourage and motivate 9- to 13- year-old girls to make the most of their lives. Girls at 8 or 9 typically have very strong attitudes about their health, so Girl Power! seeks to reinforce and sustain these positive values among girls ages 9-13 by targeting health messages to the unique needs, interests, and challenges of girls.
Harvard: World Health News
http://www.worldhealthnews.harvard.edu/
A news digest from the Center for Health Communication, Harvaard School of Public Health.
Health On the Net Foundation
http://www.hon.ch/
A medical search tool especially focused on new technologies for medicine. Lots of links to health care websites and also has discussion lists, glossaries, and health topic-focused information. (International) "Health On the Net Foundation is the leading organization promoting and guiding the deployment of useful and reliable online medical and health information, and its appropriate and efficient use. Created in 1995, HON is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, accredited to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations."
HealthAtoZ - Innovating Consumer Health
http://www.healthatoz.com/
A focused crawler offering quick access to medical information online. Subject-oriented directories can be searched easily. A new addition is a monthly Health Alert topic, which is archived and takes in-depth looks at major health issues. "Founded in 1995 by a team of physicians, nurses and pharmacists, HealthAtoZ's solutions promote wellness, better condition management and compliance, improve communication between patients and health providers, and motivate patients to seek early treatment for their health concerns."--from site
Healthfinder® - your guide to reliable health information
http://www.healthfinder.gov/
Run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion), this site is consumer-focused, easy-to-use, regularly updated, and an easy-to-understand first stop when trying to get the basics on a health condition.
Healthopedia.com - Your Health Encyclopedia
http://www.healthopedia.com/
Healthopedia is an online health encyclopedia that offers a wide range of health information, including daily health news. It covers 1,500 topics, offers health centers seventy detailed centers, and information on 11,000 drugs. (Owned by a private group with "content partners")
HealthWeb
http://healthweb.org/index.cfm
Maintained by health science librarians throughout the United States (National Network of Libraries of Medicine), this directory links to medical information in most areas.
HHS - US Surgeon General's Family History Initiative
http://www.hhs.gov/familyhistory/
Describes a campaign designed to "encourage all American families to learn more about their family health history," because tracing the illnesses suffered by blood relatives can predict disorders for which you may be at risk. Includes a FAQ and a free computerized tool, My Family Health Portrait (available in English and Spanish) to help you gather medical information. Thanksgiving 2004 has been declared the first annual National Family History Day. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
How Cholesterol Works
http://health.howstuffworks.com/cholesterol.htm
Medical research shows that high levels of cholesterol are associated with heart disease, the nation's number one killer. Statistics say that more than half of all Americans have cholesterol levels that exceed the recommended total. This How Stuff Works sites helps you determine if you're at risk and, if you are, what you can do about it. [Back up and take a look at the Health Channel at HowStuffWorks, where this article came from--lots of interesting stuff!]
InteliHealth
http://www.intelihealth.com/
Consumer Health Information from Harvard Medical Schools is featured on this page sponsored by Aetna. Includes Health Commentaries, Dental Health, Drug Resource Center, Ask the Expert, Interactive Tools, Discussion Boards, News, and four other sections or ways of organizing the information: Diseases & Conditions, Healthy Lifestyle, Your Health, and Look it Up.
InteliHealth Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?t=9276&p=~br,IHW|~st,408|~r,WSIHW000|~b,*|
Direct link to InteliHealth's Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary.
Intute: Health and Life Sciences
http://www.intute.ac.uk/healthandlifesciences/
"Welcome to the Health and Life Sciences pages of Intute. We are a free online service providing you with access to the very best web resources for education and research, evaluated and selected by a network of subject specialists. There are over 31,000 resource descriptions listed here that are freely accessible for keyword searching or browsing. This service was formerly known as BIOME."
Kaiser Family Foundation
http://www.kff.org/
"A leader in health policy and communications, the Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation focusing on the major health care issues facing the U.S., with a growing role in global health. Unlike grant-making foundations, Kaiser develops and runs its own research and communications programs, sometimes in partnership with other non-profit research organizations or major media companies. We serve as a non-partisan source of facts, information, and analysis for policymakers, the media, the health care community, and the public. Our product is information, always provided free of charge – from the most sophisticated policy research, to basic facts and numbers, to information young people can use to improve their health or elderly people can use to understand their Medicare benefits.""
KaiserEDU - Providing health policy students & faculty with access to major health policy topics and debates
http://www.kaiseredu.org/
" KaiserEDU.org is designed to provide students, faculty and others interested in learning about health policy easy access to the latest data, research, analysis, and developments in health policy. This site includes narrated slide tutorials, background reference libraries, and issue modules on current topics and policy debates." An arm of the Kaiser Family Foundation.
KFF State Health Facts Online
http://www.statehealthfacts.kff.org/
From the Kaiser Family Foundation, Your source for state health data: demographics and the economy, health status, health coverage and uninsured, medicaid and SCHIP, Medicare, health costs and budgets, managed care and health insurance, providers and service use, minority health, women's health, HIV/AIDS.
KFF The Medicaid Resource Book
http://www.kff.org/medicaid/2236-index.cfm
Reference book describes four pivotal aspects of how the Medicaid program operates--who it covers, what it covers, how it is financed, and how it is administered. It was written to assist the public and policymakers in understanding the structure and operation of the Medicaid program.
LEARN CPR: You can do it! (CPR information and training resources)
http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/index.html
"Learn CPR is a free public service supported by the University of Washington School of Medicine. Learn the basics of CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Updated with new CPR Guidelines issued by the American Heart Association and published in Circulation, Dec 13 2005." Illustrated guides and online videos.
Mastering Medical Information
http://www.health.library.mcgill.ca/course/infolit.htm
Mastering Medical Information--An Introduction to Information Literacy in the Health Sciences, from McGill University Health Sciences Library. Covers Searching the literature, medical databases, and principles of online searching. (Last updated 2004)
MayoClinic.com - First-Aid Guide
http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/firstaidandselfcare/index.cfm
An authoritative source, but not illustrated.
MayoClinic.com - Medical and health information and tools from Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/index.cfm
Mayo Clinic's three main Web sites provide information and services from the world's first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group medical practice. Manage your health with information and tools that reflect the expertise of Mayo's 2,500 physicians and scientists, learn how to access medical services, and discover Mayo's medical research and education offerings.
Medical Glossary
http://www.medicalglossary.org/
This site is designed as a free, browsable resource. The medical terms and definitions are not intended to replace medical informaion provided by licensed healthcare professionals. Please see a doctor if you need medical assistance. The current list of medical terms is over 26,000. Data sources include the U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2004 Medical Subject Headings.
Medical Library Association: MedSpeak
http://www.mlanet.org/resources/medspeak/medspeaka_d.html
This resource helps you decipher the specialized language of health professionals, known as "medspeak." Includes common medical terms and prefixes and suffixes. Also provides a medical shorthand guide, a list of recommended Web sites, and tips for evaluating online health care information. From the Medical Library Association.
MedlinePlus - Health Topics
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html
Excellent site pulled together by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the U.S. National Library of Medicine. More advanced site than Healthfinder.gov, with extensive links carefully selected Web resources on over 600 hundred health topics. Medline/Pubmed can be accessed from here, though this site is more consumer-oriented. The Healthtopics is a subsection of the larger MedlinePlus site (hit Home) which offers drug information, an encyclopedia, dictionary, news, directories and other resources.
MEDLINEplus Medical Encyclopedia
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html
MedlinePlus- Videos of Surgical Procedures
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/surgeryvideos.html
This site offers hour-long videos of operations performed in U.S. hospitals since January 2004. The procedures include orthopedic, cardiac, gynecologic, and weight loss surgeries, and tonsillectomy and lung cancer operations. "Please note that you cannot send in questions by email, though the webcast may say that you can, because you are not seeing these videos live." Includes transcripts of the programs. --lii.org
Men's Health Network
http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/
MHN is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping men, boys, and families informed about various health issues related to the male population. Physicians, researchers, public health workers, and other individuals and health professionals contribute to the site. --Kraynak, Best of the Internet
Menstuff
http://www.menstuff.org/frameindex.html
An educational website with information on more than 100 topics related to men's issues, such as circumcision, divorce, fathers, and sexuality. Provides a nonjudgmental environment where men can learn more about becoming better fathers, husbands, and human beings; find out more about male health issues, including testicular cancer and sexual dysfunction and stay informed about other current issues relating to male health and well-being. --Kraynak, Best of the Internet (and category)
Merck Manuals
http://www.merck.com/pubs/
This page shows ALL the Merck Manuals available online -- even the Veterinary Manual!
Merck Manual of Medical Information - Home Edition
http://www.merckhomeedition.com/
Merck is commited to bringing out the best in medicine. As part of that effort, Merck provides all of The Merck Manuals on a not-for-profit basis as a service to the community. Complete, Concise, Correct; Explains disorders, who is likely to get them, their symptoms, how they're diagnosed, how they might be prevented, and how they can be treated; also provides information about prognosis. Based on the world's most widely used textbook of medicine,The Merck Manual-- but written in everyday language by 300 outstanding contributors. Provided free of charge on the Internet by Merck & Co., Inc., as a public service on a non-profit basis.
National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
National Institutes of Health provides health information, library catalog and services, history of medicine, online exhibitions and digital projects (and more) with special links for the public, health care professionals, researchers, librarians, and publishers. Source of PubMed and Medline Plus.
NIOSH - The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services.
Online Medical Symptom Checker
http://my.webmd.com/medical_information/check_symptoms/default.htm?rdserver=www.symptom.webmd.com/
Need information as you determine what to do about your symptoms? Get help figuring them out by answering a series of questions. This tool by WebMD provides general information and recommendations, and may not address specific individual circumstances. Do not rely on it exclusively to make decisions about your health. Always consult your doctor for personal medical advice.
Search by Symptom -- familydoctor.org
http://www.familydoctor.org/symptom.xml
This Web site is operated by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a national medical organizations representing more than 93,700 family physicians, family practice residents and medical students. All of the information on this site has been written and reviewed by physicians and patient education professionals at the AAFP.
Talk Medical
http://www.talkmedical.com/
"...we set out to create a health information site that would provide relevant, quality information without the clutter. It's free for anyone seeking answers to a healthier life. Our content is written by medical professionals. From information on medications to parenting, we try to cover all the popular health topics. Yet the field of health is so vast that we add new content every day. So do bookmark us for future reference. But please be aware off one thing - Talk Medical should only be used to expand your knowledge. Use it to come up with a list of questions to ask your doctor - not to replace your doctor!" Site features include: Diseases & Disorders, Medications, Parenting & Pregnancy, and Medical Dictionary.
Three Dimensional Medical Reconstruction
http://www.crd.ge.com/esl/cgsp/projects/medical/
Site lets you view 3D MPEG-format movies of the human brain, skull, colon, lung, heart (and its arteries), and torso. Provides a simulation of a baby delivery, MR particle flow visualization, and a focused ultrasound. (All seem collected from other sites, with GE links at bottom of old-dated page, 2001.) [Search Google Video for surgical movies.]
Understanding USA - Health and Costs
http://www.understandingusa.com/chaptercc=7&cs=134.html
Richard Wurman's (Information Anxiety 2) copyright-free site (companion to book) with goal of making public information public.
Virtual Pediatric Hospital - A digital library of pediatric information
http://www.virtualpediatrichospital.org/
Curated by Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D., consists of about 10 pediatric textbooks. Links to other small digital libraries, such as Anatomy Atlases.
WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/
Trustworthy, Credible, and Timely Health Information -- A site connecting consumers and health professionals, WebMD aims to provide patients with more information about their healthcare, as well as to help prevent problems by providing useful health-related articles and advice. Online support groups are available for topics such as quitting smoking and dieting. This essential medical encyclopedia makes it easy to research symptoms, diseases, prescription medications, and other health-related topics. --Kraynak's Best pick in the Medical Resources category, Best of the Internet
Your Disease Risk
http://www.yourdiseaserisk.harvard.edu/
Welcome to Your Disease Risk, the source on prevention. Here, you can find out your risk of developing five of the most important diseases in the United States and get personalized tips for preventing them. (Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Osteoporosis, Stroke).

Aging -- Alzheimers -- Seniors ^Top

AARP
http://www.aarp.org/
User-friendly site contributes to AARP's goal of allowing senior citizens to lead the rich and fulfilling lives that they are accustomed to--by staying well informed and active. Entire section on Health (see tab at top); and Internet Resources on Aging.
ABA Commission on Law and Aging: Publications for Consumers
http://www.abanet.org/aging/publications/onlinepublicationsconsumers.shtml
Site lists approximately 10 publications for consumers, including 10 Legal Myths About Advance Medical Directives (a .pdf file) and Law and Aging Resource Guide--Find Legal Help in Your State.
Administration on Aging (US)
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/
AOA is a federal agency serving as an advocate for older Americans and issues that concern them. Site provides a lot of background information on the Older Americans Act, as well as practical information for senior citizens and their caregivers--a resource directory, list of local agencies providing senior services, news, and health information.--Kraynak, Best of the Internet
AgeSource Worldwide
http://www.aarp.org/research/agesource/
Policy and Research for professionals in aging, from AARP. AgeSource Worldwide identifies and provides links to over 300 major or unique libraries, clearinghouses, databases, directories, bibliographies, and Web metasites around the world that focus on aging or closely allied subjects. Some 30 countries are represented.
AgeNet Eldercare Network: Solutions for Better Aging
http://www.agenet.com/
Seniors and their family members will find information at this site both interesting and useful. Topics coverd include health, insurance, finance, drugs, and caregiver support. You can use the Social Security estimator to estimate the value of benefits you should receive at retirement or try out some brain exercises to improve your mental faculties. This comprehensive collection of resources for seniors with the inviting presentation make this Kraynak's choice for Best of the Best senior sites on the Web.
Alzheimer's Association
http://www.alz.org/index.asp
National nonprofit organization provides support to those afflicted with Alzheimer's as well as their caregivers. AA funds Alzheimer's research, which is documented at the site, and offers support and resources to help families cope with this illness.
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging -- AAHSA
http://www2.aahsa.org/
Listing of member facilities, including assisted living, nursing homes, and retirement communities. Information for providers, businesses & professionals, and consumers.
Anti-aging therapies
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=HQ00233
"Anti-aging therapies: Youth in a Bottle?" This article provides an overview of substances that are commonly advertised as having anti-aging properties. Discusses antioxidants ("certain vitamins, minerals and enzymes that protect your body by neutralizing free radicals"), hormones (such as testosterone and melatonin), and general strategies that could lessen the effects of aging. From the Mayo Clinic. --LII
Assisted Living Federation of America
http://www.alfa.org/
Organization represents more than 6000 for-profit and not-for-profit providers of assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, independent living, and other forms of housing and services. Founded in 1990 to advance the assisted living industry and enhance the quality of life for the approximately one million consumers it serves, ALFA broadened its membership in 1999 to embrace the full range of housing and care providers who share ALFA's consumer-focused philosophy of care. Assisted Living Paper from Harvard.
Elderhostel
http://www.elderhostel.org/welcome/home.asp
A not-for-profit organization, Elderhostel, is the nation's first and world's largest educational and travel organization for older adults. Since 1975, they have offered exceptional learning opportunities at remarkable values.
Exercise - a guide from the National Institute on Aging
http://weboflife.ksc.nasa.gov/exerciseandaging/toc.html
Online publication covering what exercise can do for seniors, judging safety, how to keep going, examples, and how to eat.
The Forgetting - A Portrait of Alzheimer's
http://www.pbs.org/theforgetting/
PBS companion website for the 2004 Prime Time Emmy Award Winner movie with sections for Symptoms, The Experience, Risk Factors, Coping, Together Time, and Resources.
Friendly4Seniors
http://www.friendly4seniors.com/
Offers links to sites that are of interest to seniors. Choose your topic--Government, Financial, Housing, Medical, and more. Over 2000 senior-related listings are reviewed and approved for this site.
Healthy Aging for Older Adults
http://www.cdc.gov/aging/
Web site by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health. Nearly 40% of deaths in America can be attributed to smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, or alcohol misuse-behaviors practiced by many people every day for much of their lives. Adopting healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or control the devastating effects of many of the nation's leading causes of death regardless of one's age. Also--"Recently, the Center for Disease Control released the 2007 State of Aging and Health in America Report. It’s a valuable document for anyone with an interest in public health, gerontology, and other allied fields. This website contains the full text of the report, along with the 2004 report as well. Visitors will also appreciate the extra features offered here, which include state-based report cards that examine fifteen key indicators of older adult health, such as obesity rates, smoking habits, flu vaccine updates, and others. Obtaining these report cards is quite simple, as users just need to click on the state they are interested in. After doing so, they can examine the statistics for these fifteen indicators, and see how different states compare. Additionally, the site contains resources for journalists who wish to use these findings in various publications, and a general section titled 'Using the Report'." [KMG of Scout Report]
Healthy Aging, Geriatrics, and Elderly Care
http://www.healthandage.com/
The Novartis Foundation for Gerontological Research supports educaiton and innovation in healthy aging, geriatrics, and the care of elderly people. This site includes a Reuters Health Information news feed, ... --Kraynack's Best of the Internet 2005
Hospice Foundation of America
http://www.hospicefoundation.org/
Exists to help those who cope personally or professionally with terminal illness, death, and the process of grief and bereavement. Read articles on grieving and loss; news archives contain information on death, and events such as teleconferences enable individuals to deal with the prospect of someone close to them dying.
Hospice Net
http://www.hospicenet.org/
"For patients and families facing life-threatening illness ..." A comprehensive site with information on all aspects of hospice care; find a hospice location near you, learn more about the role of the caregiver, the bereavement process, and what patients can do to control how they die.
HUD for Senior Citizens
http://www.hud.gov/groups/seniors.cfm
The US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development has created this section specifically to inform senior citizens of their housing options and help them find suitable places to live. Information to help seniors stay in their current homes, find apartments to rent, find retirement or nursing homes, locate organizations to stay acive, and much more. Features related informaiton on senior jobs, links to other resources on the Web, and links to other government agencies that address the needs of seniors.
MayoClinic.com - Alzheimer's Center
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/AZ99999
One of the resources of the Alzheimer's Center provides caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease with ideas for coping during the holiday season, a time that "may bring mixed feelings and questions about your loved one's needs, his or her capacity to be involved in holiday festivities, and your expectations for yourself." Topics include planning celebrations, managing expectations, home preparation, and involving loved ones in the holiday plans. More resources for Alzheimer's Caregivers available here. From the Mayo Clinic.
Medicare.gov - Nursing Home Compare
http://www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/home.asp
The primary purpose of this tool is to provide detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country. Search by State, County, City, Zip Code, or Name.
Merck Manual of Health and Aging
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_ha/contents.html
At this time, only part of the book is available online. More chapters will be added each month. Currently (April, 2007) I see Fundamentals of Aging; Caring for Self and Others; Medical Conditions; Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues; Essays.
OWL- Older Women's League
http://www.owl-national.org/
A national grassroots membership organization established to focus solely on issues unique to women as they age, OWL strives to improve the status and quality of life of midlife and older women. OWL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that accomplishes its work through research, education, and advocacy activities conducted through a chapter network.
SeniorSites
http://www.seniorsites.com/
Lists more than 5000 nonprofit housing and services for senior citizens in the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Includes national and state resources.
SeniorNet
http://www.seniornet.org/php/default.php
SeniorNet's mission is to "provide older adults education for and access to computer technology to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom." The site supports this effort through online programs (learning centers), discussions, news, and special offers. Other sections include books & culture, health, money, recreations, volunteering, and a marketplace.
Senior Resource
http://www.seniorresource.com/
A resource for seniors considering all their housing options, with information about alternatives and links to supporting services, such as financing, mortgages, and retirement communities. "The 'E-cyclopedia' of housing options and information for retirement, finance, insurance and care." Includes section for Children and Family Caregivers.
SeniorsSearch from Wired Seniors
http://www.seniorssearch.com/
Search Directory exclusively for the over 50 age group. Find merchants, information sources, and services organized by category. You'll also find senior media, such as senior radio with programming information, bulletin board, penpals, and travel guide.
Social Security Online
http://www.ssa.gov/
Official website of the Social Security Administration. Includes announcements and reports on issues related to Social Security, contact information, and regular updates.
ThirdAge
http://www.thirdage.com/
A commercial? community site that provides information, insights, interactive guides, and assessments on finances, beauty and health, personal growth, spirituality, relationships, and much more. Members can join inthe lively online chats and post and peruse personal ads (geared to baby boomers). "ThirdAge Inc. is an online media and direct marketing company focused exclusively on serving the needs of midlife adults -- generally those in their 40s, 50s and 60s -- and those who want to build a genuine relationship with them."
Transitions, Inc Elder Care Consulting
http://www.asktransitions.com/
Transitions locates and arranges services for older adults and their caregivers. Company representatives assess needs, hold seminars, and provide eldercare counseling.
USA.gov: Senior Citizens Resources
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors.shtml
Government portal for seniors includes Consumer Protection; Education, Jobs and Volunteerism; Federal and State Agencies; Health; Laws and Regulations; Retirement and Money; Taxes; Travel and Leisure.

Alternative Medicine ^Top

HealthWorld Online - Home of Self-Managed Care
http://www.healthy.net/
Contains links to a wide variety of healthcare topics covering everything from mainstream medicine to alternative therapies. Turn to the experts at this site for answers to yoru alternative medicine questions, or rely on the resource center for information. Participate in online discussions and sign up for the free newsletter. Opening page displays a virtual HealthWorld that makes navigating to the desired area fun and easy.
Herbal Safety
http://www.herbalsafety.utep.edu/
This site features fact sheets on herbs and medicinal plants outlining where each herb is found, what it is used for, how it is used, and any safety concerns and possible drug interaction issues. Also includes publications, presentations, and educational materials on herbs. Searchable. Also available in Spanish. From the University of Texas (UT) at El Paso and UT Austin Cooperative Pharmacy Program.
Homeopathy Online
http://www.lyghtforce.com/HomeopathyOnline/
An international journal of homeopathic medicine for lay persons, students, and practitioners; begins with a foreword and cover story, proceeds through the basic philosophy of homeopathy, provides background on how some homeopathic treatments are discovered, and some case reviews. --Kraynack's Best of the Internet 2005
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center - About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm
This information resource, presented by our Integrative Medicine Service, provides evidence-based information about herbs, botanicals, supplements, and more. (Other Integrative Medicine information is available on site.)
Spine Universe
http://www.spineuniverse.com/
Site for patients and professionals who must deal with back pain: diagnoses, treatment options, new technologies, and preventive care. --Kraynack's Best of the Internet 2005
WholeHealthMD
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/
WholeHealthMD.com (the source for Altnerative medicine, Complementary medicine, Integrative medicine) takes a holistic, preventive approach to health-care by focusing on all aspects for human health. You can find information on proper nutrition, nutritional supplements and vitamins, WholeHealth complementary treatements for specific donations, expert opinions, a reference library, and the latest health news. Offers a comprehensive list of supplements and herbs, explaining what each of them does, any interactions they might cause, and precautions. --Kraynack's Best of the Internet

Cancer Information ^Top

11th Report on Carcinogens (National Toxicology Program, HHS)
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntpweb/index.cfm
The RoC is an informational scientific and public health document first ordered by Congress in 1978 that identifies and discusses agents, substances, mixtures, or exposure circumstances that may pose a hazard to human health by virtue of their carcinogenicity. The RoC is published biennially and serves as a meaningful and useful compilation of data on: *The carcinogenicity (ability to cause cancer), genotoxicity (ability to damage genes), and biologic mechanisms (modes of action in the body) of the listed substance in humans and/or animals. *The potential for human exposure to these substances. *Federal regulations to limit exposures.
CancerQuest Home Page
http://cancerquest.org/
"Welcome to CancerQuest! This site was created to teach the biology of cancer. No assumptions are made about previous knowledge of cancer or biology. The target audience for our site includes cancer patients, their families and friends, medical workers and others interested in the subject. We hope to inform the curious and empower current cancer patients and survivors of cancer with a better understanding of the disease process and the approaches currently taken in cancer treatment." Site from Emory University with major sections on Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Detection & Treatment, Current Research, and Multimedia.
CURE: Cancer updates, research and education
http://www.curetoday.com/
"CURE: Cancer Updates‚ Research & Education is a quarterly magazine that combines the science and humanity of cancer for those who have to deal with it on a daily basis. CURE provides scientific information in easy-to-understand language with equally understandable illustrations. It is published by CURE Media Group, LP. CURE has a distinguished editorial board of physicians, nurses and leaders in the field of quality-of-life issues."
SEER : Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results
http://seer.cancer.gov/report_to_nation/
"Providing information on cancer statistics to help reduce the burden of this disease on the U.S. population"--"The American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries collaborate to provide an annual update on cancer occurrence and trends in the United States. The current report, published in September 2006, contains a special feature on cancer among US Hispanic/Latino populations." Earlier reports may be found in the Archives.

Children-Pediatrics and Teens ^Top

American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/
Established primarily for pediatricians seeking to provide the best care for their patients, the AAP site provides research papers; free access to Medline, the medical database; and information on professional opportunities. Parents will find the section on You and Your Family particularly useful; it's packed with safety information, product recalls, parenting guidelines, and tips to help make your parenting experience more fulfilling and successful. --Kraynak, Best of the Internet (and category) Site says: "Committed to the attainment of optimal, physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults."
American RadioWorks - A Mind of their Own
http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/bipolarkids/
This companion site to an American RadioWorks program that looks at bipolar disorder in children features articles on recognizing bipolar disorder ("a relatively new and controversial diagnosis for children"), treatments, and social interactions of children with the illness. Includes transcripts, interview excerpts, and related links. From American Public Media. --LII
Boot Camp For New Dads
http://www.newdads.com/
"Dads Adventure proudly sponsors the non-profit Boot Camp for New Dads (BCND), a workshop based program for dads-to-be. Boot Camp for New Dads operates in over 40 states and internationally in Japan and Italy with more locations coming soon." Online resources for new dads; Dads Adventure Magazine.
CureSearch
http://www.curesearch.org/
Site from the National Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Children's Oncology Group gives details of the programs and activities of these organizations, which support pediatric cancer treatment and research projects. Information about types of childhood cancer and treatments is available for parents & families and for patients.
4Girls Health
http://www.4girls.gov/
Welcome to 4girls.gov- a (government) web site made just for you! There’s lots of cool information you can use. Maybe you want to start working out or you’re stressed out about school. There are lots of different topics to choose from.
Girl Power
http://www.girlpower.gov/
Welcome to the homepage for Girl Power!, the national public education campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help encourage and motivate 9- to 13- year-old girls to make the most of their lives. Girls at 8 or 9 typically have very strong attitudes about their health, so Girl Power! seeks to reinforce and sustain these positive values among girls ages 9-13 by targeting health messages to the unique needs, interests, and challenges of girls.
KidsHealth
http://kidshealth.org/index.html
KidsHealth is the largest and most visited site on the Web providing doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence. Created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, the award-winning KidsHealth provides families with accurate, up-to-date, and jargon-free health information they can use. KidsHealth has been on the Web since 1995 - and has been accessed by more than 170,000,000 visitors. On a typical weekday, more than 250,000 people access KidsHealth's reliable information. KidsHealth has separate areas for kids, teens, and parents - each with its own design, age-appropriate content, and tone. There are literally thousands of in-depth features, articles, animations, games, and resources - all original and all developed by experts in the health of children and teens.
Kids Learn About Diabetes
http://www.kidslearnaboutdiabetes.org/
Designed specifically for kids who have diabetes, this site begins with an explanation of diabetes and provides links to topics that address complications, testing, shots, diet, balance, activiteis, feelings, and the future. Also provides a place where kids can chat. Nicely designed and packed with excellent information.
KidsMeds
http://www.kidsmeds.com/
Provides pediatric drug information to parents of infants and children. A pediatric pharmacist is online at this site to answer specific questions.
MedlinePlus - Children's Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/childrenshealth.html
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, this section of MedlinePlus provides child health resources of all kinds.
Medscape Pediatrics
http://www.medscape.com/pediatrics
Medscape, part of WebMD, provides medical information and educational resources for physicians and the general public. Its Pediatrics Home Page focuses on specific issues and conditions that pediatricians must deal with in their practices and health concerns that parents may have concerning their children.
NICHD - The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/
"The NICHD was initially established to investigate the broad aspects of human development as a means of understanding developmental disabilities, including mental retardation, and the events that occur during pregnancy. Today, the Institute conducts and supports research on all stages of human development, from preconception to adulthood, to better understand the health of children, adults, families, and communities." The prominent section of the site on Health and Human Development Information will probably be of greatest consumer interest.
Pregnancy and Parenting for Today's Mom
http://parenting.ivillage.com/?iv_arrivalSA=1&iv_cobrandRef=0&iv_arrival_freq=1&pba=adid=15798772
iVillage (a women's community) presents this ages and stages guide to parenting for moms.
TeensHealth
http://kidshealth.org/teen/
Brought to you by AI duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware. Teens can come here and get answers to questions or concerns that they haven't wanted to talk about. Topics include issues such as health, sex, food, sports, and school. A separate section has been created for parents who need a resource for concerns about their own teen. --Kraynak, Best of the Internet.

Diet -- Nutrition ^Top

American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
Comprehensive site offers a healthful eating plan as a means for choosing the right foods to eat and preparing foolds in a healthy way. One of the better sources for nutrition information. Click the Healthy Lifestyle link (in index column on left) to access the nutrition page.
Center for Science in the Public Interest
http://www.cspinet.org/
Since 1971, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has been a strong advocate for nutrition and health, food safety, alcohol policy, and sound science. Its award-winning newsletter, Nutrition Action Healthletter, with some 900,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada, is the largest-circulation health newsletter in North America. The CSPI website features health-related newsletters, nutrition quizzes, updates on health news, and an archive of its reports and press releases. Also links to other health-related sites, and Kids Stuff link.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/
"The Guidelines provide authoritative advice for people two years and older about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases. They serve as the basis for Federal food and nutrition education programs." Includes current and past issues of the Guidelines, tips for using the Guidelines, and related links. A joint publication of the U.S. departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture.
LifeClinic
http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/nutrition/
Devoted to empowering individuals to manage their own health through nutrition, preventive care and fitness, this site offers a wealth of information on healthy living. Visit the nutrition center to research vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and other diet-related topics. You can also track your exercise and nutrition online.
Mayo Clinic Food and Nutrition Center
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/NU99999
From quick breakfasts to elegant dinners, Mayo Clinic registered dieticians take your recipes and make them healthier by reducing the calories, fat and salt. Find information on food and nutrition and what constitutes a healthy diet, healthy cooking and healthy eating.
MayoClinic.com - Building a Better Diet
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=357FAABB-312F-414A-A8D6401C15EE66B4
The most recent recommendations come from the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine. These guidelines are significantly different from those of the past, particularly in regard to carbohydrates and fat. More fat is allowed, and carbohydrates have a lower minimum percentage - from 55 percent to 45 percent. This is due to research indicating that people with a certain body type and metabolic profile may benefit from fewer carbohydrates and more monounsaturated fat.
MyPyramid.gov
http://mypyramid.gov/
This official government Web site provides information about the food guide pyramid released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). One size doesn't fit all. MyPyramid Plan offers you a personal eating plan with the foods and amounts that are right for you. Click on the MyPyramid Plan box to get started. MyPyramid Tracker offers a detailed assessment of your food intake and physical activity level. Click on the Tracker box for an in-depth look at your food and physical activity choices. Site is searchable.
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
http://ods.od.nih.gov/
"The mission of ODS is to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, stimulating and supporting research, disseminating research results, and educating the public to foster an enhanced quality of life and health for the U.S. population."
NUTRITION.GOV
http://www.nutrition.gov/home/index.php3
A new federal resource, this site provides easy access to all online federal government information on nutrition. Obtain government information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and food safety. Provides accurate scientific information on nutrition and dietary guidance.
Nutrition Explorations
http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/
Maintained by the National Dairy Council, this fun site helps kids, teachers, parents, and families learn more about nutrition. Family Food Guide presents the food guide pyramid, recipes for families on the go, kids recipes, an ask-the-expert feature, and more.
Nutrition Source, Harvard School of Public Health
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/index.html
This site is maintained by the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. Aside from not smoking, the most important determinants of good health are what we eat and how active we are. The site is designed to get you started down the path toward the healthiest diet possible by exploring the latest science about healthy eating for adults and by answering key questions about what you should eat: Should you still be concerned about fat intake? Should you eat more or fewer carbohydrates? What about eggs? Fiber? Calcium?
Prevention's Healthy Ideas
http://www.prevention.com/
Contains news and information about nutrition, natural healing, weight loss, fitness techniques, tips on healthy cooking, and lifestyle-related articles from Prevention magazine (Rodale Press).
Wheat Allergy Diet
http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/allergy/wheat.html
This chart lists foods that are acceptable and not acceptable for consumption by people with allergies to wheat. Covers beverages, breads, cereals, desserts, and wheat-containing products from other food groups. Also includes wheat substitute measurements and a list of wheat terms to look for when reading food labels. From the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.

Drugs or Drug Abuse ^Top
CDC's DES Update
http://www.cdc.gov/DES/
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a drug once prescribed during pregnancy to prevent miscarriages or premature deliveries. In the U.S. an estimated 5 to 10 million persons were exposed to DES from 1938 to 1971, including pregnant women prescribed DES and their children. In 1971, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised physicians to stop prescribing DES because it was linked to a rare vaginal cancer.
DrugDigest
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Home
DrugDigest is a noncommercial, evidence-based, consumer health and drug information site dedicated to empowering consumers to make informed choices about drugs and treatment options. Features: Drug Library; Check Interactions; Compare Drugs; Conditions & Treatments; Interactive Tools.
Drugs@FDA
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm
Drugs@FDA allows you to search for official information about FDA approved brand name and generic drugs and therapeutic biological products. The main uses of Drugs@FDA are: *finding labels for approved drug products, *finding generic drug products for a brand name drug product, *finding therapeutically equivalent drug products for a brand name or generic drug product, *finding consumer information for drugs approved from 1998 on, *finding all drugs with a specific active ingredient, *viewing the approval history of a drug. [I recommend you read the FAQ and Instructions.] You can also view Drug Approval Reports by Month (new). From the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
Finding Drug Information Online
http://www.hsl.unc.edu/Services/Tutorials/DrugInformation/splash.htm
Tutorial from Health Sciences Libraries -- UNC-Chapel Hill, 2004-2007. "This module is intended to provide you with online information resources pertaining to drugs and the pharmaceutical industry. While this is by no means a comprehensive collection of the information available on the topics listed, the module should provide you with resources that will help you find the information you are seeking." Very useful guide, but does list a lot of resources only available at UNC Libraries.
InteliHealth- Drug Resource Center
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8124/8124.html?k=tnavx331x8124
Consumer-friendly information center provided by Aetna and Harvard Medical Center's InteliHealth site. Other sites, such as MayoClinic (in general section) have similar resources.
Mayo Clinic Drugs & Supplements
Mayo Clinic Drugs & Supplements
The Mayo Clinic presents drug information from the MICROMEDEX Patient Care Leaflets. There is also an archive of Drug Watch articles and information on herbals and supplements from Natural Standard.
MedlinePlus: Drugs, Supplements & Herbal Information
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
Information on thousands of prescription and over-the-counter medications is provided through two drug resources, MedMaster and USP DI Advice for the Patient. Information on herbs and supplements is from Natural Standard©*. Resource offered through MedlinePlus, a service of the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse
http://www.teens.drugabuse.gov/
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) created this site in consultation with teens to offer "science-based facts about how drugs affect the brain and body so that kids will be armed with better information to make healthy decisions." The site features facts about selected drugs, FAQs, personal stories, games, and materials for teachers and parents. Designed for children from 11-15 years of age.
NOAH (New York Online Access to Health): Pharmacy
NOAH (New York Online Access to Health): Pharmacy
Hosted by New York Online Access to Health (NOAH), this comprehensive page contains a wealth of vital information for the consumer. Sections include links to taking medications correctly, medications for the needy, elderly and children, new drugs, vaccines, vitamins, minerals & herbals, antibiotics and legal issues.
PDRhealth
http://www.pdrhealth.com/
Thompson-Gale's well-known PDR (Physicians' Desk Reference) for prescription drugs, sponsors this website with consumer information on diseases, treatment options, drug information and clinical trials. The drug information in PDRhealth is written in plain English and based on the FDA-approved drug information found in the PDR.
Pharmacy Times
http://www.pharmacytimes.com/
"Pharmacy Times is dedicated to providing pharmacists with practical, authoritative information with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. Primarily focused on providing clinical information that pharmacists can use in their everyday practice when counseling patients and interacting with physicians, Pharmacy Times has recently expanded its coverage to include pharmacy technology and health-systems pharmacy. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education, important topics include drug errors, drug interactions, pharmacy technology, disease state management, patient counseling, and pharmacy law. Pharmacy Times strictly follows the educational standards set forth in the ACPE Criteria for Quality and seeks to fulfill these important educational needs in the pharmacy profession."
RxList
RxList:
This site contains a large number of drug FAQ's/patient monographs, Tabor's Medical Encyclopedia, and information on alternative medicines and common diseases. Information may be located via a search or by browsing the categories. There are also a number of community discussion boards for specific drugs or diseases.

Fitness ^Top
America's Walking Home Page
http://www.pbs.org/americaswalking/
"America's Walking is a fitness, travel and lifestyle series that offers information and inspiration for those who want to start a daily walking habit and live a more active life. Host Mark Fenton highlights great walking destinations across the country, provides advice on food and nutrition, presents tips on the best fitness apparel, and features the inspirational stories of individuals who have seen their lives transformed by simply walking. Plus, walking doesn't just make us healthier, it also gets us in touch with our own communities and environment. That's why America's Walking offers viewers ideas on making our neighborhoods safer and more pedestrian-friendly.
Bob Greene's Get with the Program!
http://www.getwiththeprogram.org/
Complete plan for fitness from Oprah's trainer. "Bob's Philosophy: There are all kinds of diets out there. For that matter, there are all kinds of exercise programs out there, too. But what you need most to succeed at making healthy changes in your life is sound, common-sense advice. ..." Appealing site offers resources for emotional eating, diet & nutrition, fitness, kids & teens, message board, Ask Bob, recipes, and makeovers.
Calculate your BMI
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. Enter your weight and height using Standard or Metric measures. Click on "Compute BMI" and your BMI will appear in the heart of the figure. Site from HHS (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Obesity Education Initiative) also offers a "Healthy Weight" homepage, with an interactive menu planner, portion distortion guide and other helps for patients and health professionals.
Dr. Phil on Weight
http://www.drphil.com/articles/category/7/
Dr. Phil's advice and resources for Eating Disorders/Obesity, Weight Loss, Nutrition, and Exercise.
FitnessOnline
http://www.fitnessonline.com/
The online home of Weider Productions, Inc., publisher of Flex, Men's Fitness, Natural Health and other magazines, this site features an incredible wealth of information organized in an easy-to-navigate format. LInks to exercise, nutrition, and health lead to articles on each subject. An online trainer, fitness calculators, and forums make this the best fitness site on the Web. --Kraynak, Best of the Internet
Just Move! the AHA Health and Fitness Site
http://www.justmove.org/
American Heart Association's Learn and Live Fitness Center lets you keep an exercise diary and provides fitness resources.
MedlinePlus: Exercise and Physical Fitness
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseandphysicalfitness.html
Collection of links to news and materials about the health benefits of physical activity. Topics include health check tools, nutrition and exercise, and specific exercise topics (such as aquatic exercise, flexibility, and walking). Also includes links to related research, statistics, directories, and organizations. From the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Physical Activity for Everyone
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/
This site provides basic information for adults and children about physical activity and fitness. Topics include the value of physical activity and how to start a fitness program. Explains common terms and offers statistics on physical activity in the United States and resources for health professionals. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
We Can!: Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/
"We Can! or "Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition" is a national program designed for families and communities to help children achieve a healthy weight. The program focuses on three important behaviors: improved food choices, increased physical activity and reduced screen time. ...We Can! provides families and communities just like yours with helpful resources including practical tips that you can start using today. Learn how your family can start living more healthfully today."

Hospitals ^Top
Best Hospitals 2006
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/tophosp.htm
Rankings (by type of hospital or condition), articles and other tools from U.S. News & World Report. If this link stops working, you can search the usnews.com site for the newest article, which appears annually.
Directory of America's Hospitals
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/hospitals/hosp_home.htm
The U.S. News/American Hospital Association National Directory has facts and figures on more than 6,000 hospitals. Site offers a Smart Patients guide and other tools.
Hospital Compare (from Health & Human Services)
http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/
Health & Human Services has launched an online tool, Hospital Compare, that lets you compare the quality of hospitals (by various factors) across the United States. This tool provides you with information on how well the hospitals in your area care for all their adult patients with certain medical conditions and will help you compare the quality of care hospitals provide. Site offers: Hospital Information for all Medicare-certified hopsitals in the US; Quality Measures; Hospital Checklist; Your Rights When You Are in the Hospital; and search capability by name or location.

Medical Journals Online ^Top

CDC: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/
Emerging Infectious Diseases is published monthly by the Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop D61, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. Telephone 404-639-1960, fax 404-639-1954, e-mail eideditor@cdc.gov. Publishes about 1/3 of 1300 submitted articles annually.
Free Medical Journals
http://www.freemedicaljournals.com/
A Bernd Sebastian Kamps website, copyright AmedeoGroup. "Over the next few years, many important medical journals will be available online, free and in full-text. The access to free scientific knowledge will have a major impact on medical practice and attract Internet visitors to these journals. Journals that restrict access to their Web sites will lose popularity." (430 journals on 4/26/07)
HighWire Press -- Free online articles
http://highwire.stanford.edu/lists/freeart.dtl
Search through articles from HighWire Press: "HighWire Press is the largest archive of free full-text science on Earth! As of 4/27/07, we are assisting in the online publication of 1,668,815 free full-text articles and 4,285,376 total articles. There are 14 sites with free trial periods, and 37 completely free sites. 236 sites have free back issues, and 952 sites have pay per view! " Especially useful for medical, science, and academic librarians.
MEDLINE (PubMed)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/
PubMed Central (PMC) is the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. Alternate access: Entrez PubMed. Or the more consumer-friendly MedlinePlus.
Nurse-zine
http://allnurses.com/Nurse-zine/
"Nurse-zine" is the official email nursing newsletter from allnurses.com. The FREE bi-monthly Nursing e-mail newsletter published by allnurses.com, The Internet's Nursing Resource since 1996. Currently with 120,000+ e-mail subscribers. Nurse-zine is sent out on or around the 1st and 15th of each month.
Physician and Sportsmedicine Journal
http://www.physsportsmed.com/personal.htm
Personal Health articles on exercise, nutrition, injury prevention, and rehabilitation—all written for the active individual.
PLOS--Public Library of Science
http://www.plos.org/
This site serves as a gateway to two "open access" journals, PLoS Biology and PLoS Medicine, which are high-quality, rigorously-reviewed (but freely available) alternatives to traditional academic journals from commercial publishers. Provided by "a non-profit organization of scientists and physicians committed to making the world's scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource."

Mental Health ^Top

APA HelpCenter
http://helping.apa.org/
APA's Help Center is your online resource for brochures, tips and articles on the psychological issues that affect your physical and emotional well-being, as well as information about referrals.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
http://www.dbsalliance.org/
Find information on mood disorders, treatments, as well as self-help resources online. Read general articles, find a local support group, or research a specific topic.
Dr Phil
http://www.drphil.com/
Dr. Phil's sage advice for getting real, getting smart, getting going.
Internet Mental Health
http://www.mentalhealth.com/
A Kraynak Best of the Internet site -- covers common mental health disorders, diagnoses, and most-prescribed medications. Online magazine with editorials, articles, letters, and stories of recovery.
Go ask Alice!
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/
A question and answer service from Columbia University's Health Education Program, enabling users to post a question on their physical, emotional and spiritual health, to a team of health educators and health care providers. The questions and answers are searchable, or browsable in the categories of relationships, sexuality, sexual health, emotional health, fitness and nutrition, alcohol, nicotine and other drugs, and general health. This service was originally available only to Columbia University students, but is now globally available.
MedlinePlus - Mental Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mentalhealth.html
MedLinePlus is a joint collaboration between the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health which has received strong marks during the past few years for providing high-quality health-related materials to the Web-browsing public. This particular area of the MedLinePlus site is devoted to providing materials about mental health. Here visitors can learn about various related topics by browsing through the top-level sections that include Alternative Therapy, Coping, and Nutrition. Within each area, visitors will be directed to links provided by a host of sources, including the Mayo Foundation, the Surgeon General, the American Psychiatric Association, and a number of other reputable institutions. The News section is also a fine way to keep abreast of recent developments in the field of mental health, as it culls news releases from some of the major international press agencies. [KMG] --Internet Scout
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Mental disorders are common health conditions. Information about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for various disorders available under the "Health Information" tab on this site from NIMH.
Pendulum Resources- Your Gateway to Bipolar Disorders on the Web
http://www.pendulum.org/
Manic Depression, AKA Bipolar Disorder, is a highly disruptive and sometimes deadly brain disorder. Since 1994, Pendulum Resources has been the web's premier consumer resource for information on Manic Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Pendulum Resources is the web presence of the Pendulum Email list, an on-line support group for Manic-Depressives. Unless otherwise indicated, information on this site is by consumers, for consumers.
Psychology and Mental Health at Psych Central
http://psychcentral.com/
Welcome to the Internet's largest and oldest mental health social network created and run by mental health professionals to guarantee reliable, trusted information and support communities to you, for over 12 years.
Science.gov topic: Mental Health and Behavior
http://www.science.gov/browse/w_127J.htm
SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Mental Health Information Center provides information about mental health via a toll-free telephone number (800-789-2647), this web site, and more than 600 publications. The National Mental Health Information Center was developed for users of mental health services and their families, the general public, policy makers, providers, and the media. Site features programs, mental health topics, newsroom, publications, and resources.
Stress Management
http://www.less-stress.com/
This web site, published by Changing Times, provides an insight to the causes and effects of stress and offers a jargon-free understanding of the problems that arise from excessive levels of stress. Most importantly, the web site gives direct access to the Changing Times method of psychometric modelling and stress risk analysis. The site provides a valuable tool for individuals who seek to tackle their own stress levels and to managers and executives who wish to reduce stress in their organisations.
Suicide - Read This First
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/
Addresses causes behind suicidal thoughts and offers suggestions on how to overcome them. Links to sites from suicide prevention organizations are included (from PsychCentral).

Nursing and other health science professions ^Top

Allnurses.com
http://allnurses.com/
"Welcome to allnurses.com, the largest and most active online nursing forum community where you can join 200,000+ nurses from around the world discussing all things related to nursing. 500 nursing topics are discussed everyday! (see last 24 hours) To gain full access to allnurses.com you must register for a free account. As a registered member you will be able to: Participate in over 200 nursing topic forums and browse from over 2 million posts; Communicate privately with other Nurses from around the world; Network with nurses from every nursing specialty. Whether you are a Registered Nurse, LPN or LVN, Nursing Educator, Nursing Student or Pre-Nursing Student, allnurses.com is your premier nursing destination."
American Association of Colleges of Nursing - AACN
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/
Overview of the American Association of College of Nursing. Upcoming conferences, educational standards and special projects, CCNE accreditation and publications, position statements, and a CareerLink are all included.
American Nurses Association: NursingWorld
http://www.nursingworld.org/
The ANA represents the nation's 2,600,000 registered nurses. The site lists addresses of state nursing assoications, meetings and events, and links to important reference sources.
AMA Atlas of the Body
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/7140.html
Dittrick Medical History Center
http://www.case.edu/artsci/dittrick/site2/
"The Dittrick Medical History Center is dedicated to the study of the medical past through a distinguished collection of rare books, museum artifacts, archives, and images. The Center originated as part of the Cleveland Medical Library Association (est. 1894) and today functions as an interdisciplinary study center within the College of Arts and Sciences of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio."
Finding Sources -- Nursing and Health Sciences
http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/p03_c07_s09.html
From Bedford/St. Martin's Press and Diana Hacker (editor of A Writer's Reference) comes this web guide to finding sources in the sciences. Starting with Databases and Indexes, it also offers Web Resources and Reference Books. A guide to documenting sources is included. Overall a balanced approach to finding all types of sources in academic subject areas.
HealthWeb: Nursing Education Programs
http://healthweb.org/browse.cfm?categoryid=1724
Heart, The - An Online Exploration
http://sln.fi.edu/biosci/biosci.html
"Explore the heart. Discover the complexities of its development and structure. Follow the blood through the blood vessels. Wander through the weblike body systems. Learn how to have a healthy heart and how to monitor your heart's health. Look back at the history of heart science." From the Franklin Institute Science Museum, Philadelphia, PA. (Resources for Science Learning)
National Heath Lung and Blood Institute: Information for Health Professionals [pdf, Macromedia Flash Player]
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/other/index.htm
Health care professionals and educators will be delighted to learn about this site, provided that