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Elder Care: Health/Disease
Consumer Guide:
How
to research a medical topic online
Reputable, National Health
Related Websites:
www.healthfinder.gov
Healthfinder, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
is a gateway to more than 1,800 agencies and organizations. Using a
health gateway is often the best first step in a search. Healthfinder
will direct you to preselected, targeted site's unlike general search
engines that do not always produce relevant results. If you're a novice
Web surfer, explore the sites's databases and guides to common health
matters, and the hot topics in the Health News section.
www.medlineplus.gov
The National Library of Medicine, the world's largest medical library,
developed this site, where you can access: information about more than
400 diseases and conditions; a guide to pharmaceutical drugs; links
to National Institutes of Health clearing houses', and other helpful
resources.
www.cdc.gov
Stop here for news about threatening diseases, traveler's health, immunizations,
bicycle safety, dog bites, food-borne illnesses, AIDS, sexually transmitted
infections, and more. M.J. Toooey, deputy directory of the Health Sciences/Human
Services Library at the University of Maryland, enjoys the Hoaxes and
Rumors sections, which debunks myths and corrects misinformation.
www.intelihealth.com
The Harvard School of Medicine stores an array of carefully reviewed,
reliable materials here for all to see. For example, search for information
on "stroke" and you will receive basic fact sheets, numerous
feature articles, news reports and a diary to help keep track of your
blood pressure. Two site programs can be especially useful. Symptom
Scout asks questions about symptoms and offers clues for diagnosis.
Topicdoc searches MEDLINE, which has a database of 11 million articles,
to target the most promising studies. The University of Pennsylvania
School of Dental Medicine also oversees a large body of material about
dental health and peiodontal disease.
www.mayoclinic.com
Click on this site, affiliate with the well-known Mayo Clinic, and you
will feel at ease with the organized layout. Check full in-depth articles,
and the editorial content also makes you feel secure. The site offers
an index of diseases listed A-Z, 11 Condition Centers (Alzheimer's for
example), and eight Healthy Living Centers (such as Women's Health).
If you're faced with various medical tests and treatments, consult the
Helath Decisions Guide section, which walks you through options. Do
note, however, that the slant on informations is potentially limiting,
since Mayo Clinic specialists provide most of the content.
www.medem.com
The American Medical Association, along with six other physician speciality
groups, founded this site. Other specialty groups, founded this site.
Other specialty groups and state medical societies now contribute information.
You'll find straightforward, peer-reviewed articles on common ailments.
However, the library's rare conditions section may disappoint. "The
library has good, credible information, but it's not research-oriented,"
says M.J. Tooey. "If I were interested in lung cancer, I'd get
an overview here, then go to a cancer-specific site to answer more complex
questions".
www.webmd.com
WebMD is part of an ambitious project by a national health-care company
to link patients, physicians, hospitals, and health insurers in an electronic
health network. It has experienced cutbacks but remains heavily used.
The Disease and Conditions section helps you zero in on a specific health
problem. Search topics by three different interests: Health and Wellness,
New Diagnoses, and Living with Illness. Keep your eyes wide open when
reading "sponsored" sections, since commercial pressures may slant information.
www.4women.gov
Part health encyclopedia, part women's advocate, this National Women's
Health Information Center site draws on thousands of publications from
a federal clearinghouse. It also has valuable special-category sections,
such as minority health, women with disabilities, and a roundup of men's
health materials.
www.kidshealth.org
Physicians from the Nemous Foundations, a group that operates children's
hospitals and speciality centers in Florida and Delaware, are the driving
force behind this comprehensive library of health articles.
www.mentalhelp.net
This comprehensive guide offers more than 40 Issues and Disorders Centers
and more than 25 Information Centers (such as Child and Adolescent Development,
and Marriage and Family Therapy). Other related sites: National Mental
Health Association(www.nmha.org),
American Psychological Association(www.apa.org),
and National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov).
A network of medical librarians can assist you with your questions
about medical and health Web sites, says Jean Shipman, secretary of
the Medical Library Association Board, and director of the Tompkins
McCaw Library, Virginia Commonwealth University. She suggests contacting
the National Library of Medicine at 800/338-7657 or www.nnlm.gov
AgeLine Database from AARP
Books and articles about life at 50+
ALS:
When a Loved
One Has ALS: A Caregiver's Guide
This is a newly released guide for caregivers published by the Muscular
Dystrophy Association (MDA). The 60 page guide, first published in 1997,
has been updated to reflect new information about MDA's services and
recent research findings. The books are free to every family affected
by ALS. To order go to your local MDA office or go to this website.
ALS(Lou Gehrig's Disease)
Arthritis:
Arthritis Foundation
Information, resources, chat room. Local office: 657 Mission Street,
Suite 603, SF, CA 94105. M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
CDC Website
on Arthritis
NOAH
Website on Arthritis
Arthritis/ John
Hopkins Hospital
Cancer:
Guidelines for
Evaluating Cancer Web Sites (Moffitt Cancer Center) Guidelines on
how to critically evaluate cancer websites. Addresses issues of content,
source/authority, design, navigability and confidentiality
The American
Cancer Society
Information and resources. Input your zipcode and get resources in the
area you need services in. The Alameda County Chapter: 1710 Webster
Street, Oakland, Ca (510 832-7012) hours: M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Women's Cancer Resource Center
Services include free therapy, information and referral hotline, legal
services, resource library, peer support groups, in-home support services.
Housed at 5741 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland 94609. (510) 420-7900 (for
TTY call (510) 548-9288); Spanish speaking callers use (510) 548-9286
ext 309. e-mail: info@wcrc.org
People Living
With Cancer
American Society of Clinical Oncology's site dedicated to helping patients
and their families find accurate, reliable and oncologist-approved information
about cancer
National Cancer Institute
National Alliance of
Breast Cancer Organizations
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Medline
Information on Lung Cancer From the National Library of Medicine
Abramson Cancer Center of the University
of Pennsylvania
Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy
Cancercare
A national non-profit organization whose mission is to provide free
professional help to people with all cancers through counseling, education,
information and referral, and direct financial assistance.
Cancerpage
A website recommended by AARP.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease):
Medline
database on COPD
American
Lung Association fact sheet on COPD
Aging Initiative
The website provides a wealth of information about the EPA’s efforts
to protect the environmental health of older persons, including Chronic
Lung Disease.
American
Lung Assoc of California
Diabetes:
American Diabetes Association
National Institute of Diabetes &
Digestive & Kidney Diseases
CDC on Diabetes
Medline Diabetes Database
Veterans Health Administration
on Diabetes
The Fall Prevention:
Temple University Fall Prevention Project
- Check it out!
Some things you can do to reduce your risk of falling
- In-Home Safety
Check
Hearing Impairment:
Hearing
Impairment Links
Untreated
Hearing Loss Linked to Depression, Anxiety, Social Isolation in Seniors
from: National Council on Aging, Inc.
Self Help For Hard of Hearing People
Center for
Hearing and Deafness/University of Buffalo
American Academy of Audiology
American Tinnitus Association
National Association of the Deaf
Sound
Advice on Hearing Aids / Federal Trade Commission Heart Disease
Heart Disease:
American
Heart Association
Mended Hearts
For more than 50 years, Mended Hearts has been offering the gift of
hope and encouragement to heart patients, their families and caregivers.
National Coalition for Women with
Heart Disease
International Task Force for
Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease
Medline
information on Heart Disease
UC Irvine Heart Disease Prevention
Program
Yale University
School of Medicine, Heart Book
Coronary Heart Disease
Explained, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Web MD, Heart Disease
Center
Health Care Centers:
Over 60 Health Center, Services include: extensive health and social
services, preventive education and screening services. 1860 Alcatraz
Ave, Berkeley 94703 (510) 601-6060 M-F 8:30 -12p m. and 1 p.m - 5 p.m.
Hypertension:
Hypertension/American Heart
Association
Hypertension Education
Foundation
Medline
database info on high blood pressure
An
Introduction to Pulmonary Hypertension, Mayo Pulmonary Hypertension
Clinic
Incontinence:
Elder Care "How To" Survival Guide:
Focus: incontinence
Incontinence information
from the How To Care/Elder Care Survival Guide
Incontinence.org
National Association for Continence
Information, books, "Resource Guide" Of products and services. Referrals
to local support groups. P.O. Box 8310, Spartanburg, SC 29305 1-800
252-3337 (BLADDER)
Multiple Sclerosis:
The National Multiple Sclerosis
Society
The national MS Society's two San Francisco Bay Area chapters offer
a wide range of support and services for persons with MS and their caregivers.
Programs include short-term individual counseling, respite grants, caregiver
wellness retreats, financial assistance for equipment purchase or repair
and equipment lending libraries. The MS Society also publishes free
booklets in English and Spanish on a variety of topics. Contact the
Northern California Chapter at 800-fightms or 510 268-0572 or visit
them on the web. Residsents of Santa Clara County may contact the Silicone
Valley Chapter at 408 988-7557.
Osteoporosis:
National Osteoporosis
Foundation
Foundation for Osteoporosis Research
and Education
Osteoporosis Online
Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases
- National Resource Center
Osteoporosis - Women's Health Channel
Parkinsons:
American Parkinsons
Disease Association
My Parkinsons
My Parkinsons is a free resource for people with Parkinson's disease,
their healthcare providers, and their caregivers. Patients and caregivers
can ask questions of the site specilists and participate in forums,
chat rooms and live education events. Health care providers can access
healthcare management tools and clinician only forums and chat rooms
to share information and experiences.
Stroke:
National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke
AARP, Ageline
A database to research any illness including stroke
UCLA Stroke Center
Mayo Clinic Web
Page on Strokes
Medline information
on stroke
Stroke Information Directory
The Brain
Attack Coalition
The Brain Attack Coalition is a group of professional, voluntary and
governmental entities dedicated to reducing the occurrence, disabilities
and death associated with stroke.
Stroke-TIA.org
An educational resource on stroke and tansient ischemic attack (TIA)
Patient
Information on strokes from 'docguide'
Medical news and information for patients or friends/parents of patients
diagnosed with strokes.
Stroke
information on Yahoo
The Internet Stroke Center
On-line stroke support and information
A non-profit, family based organization
The Stroke Center Trials
Directory
National Center
on Health Statistics/Stroke
Vision Impairment:
AARP:
Shedding some light on Macular Degeneration
National Association for Visually Handicapped
The National Eye Institute, National
Institutes of Health
American Council of the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind
Lighthouse International
Lighthouse International is a leading resource worldwide on vision impairment
and vision rehabilitation. Through its pioneering work in vision rehabilitation,
services, education, research and advocacy, Lighthouse International
enables people of all ages who are blind or partially sighted to lead
independent and productive lives.
Visions, Services for the Blind
and Visually Impaired
National Library Service for the Blind
and Physically Handicapped through a national network of cooperating
libraries, NLS administers a free library program of Braille and audio
materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the US by postage-free
mail.
Talking Tapes
Textbooks on Tape is a non-profit educational library serving those
who have difficulty reading print materials because of learning disabilities,
physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities visual impairments.
Choice Magazine
Listening Choice Magazine is a free audio anthology for a special audience
of blind, visually impaired or physically handicapped subscribers. CML
was created in 1962 by the non-profit Lucerna Fund to offer the best
of contemporary magazine writing, completely without charge, to adults
unable to read standard print.
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
National Federation of the Blind
Voice of the Nation's Blind
Resources for Rehabilitation
Providing free Christian publications
and programs for persons with visual impairments
www.jewishBraille.org
The Jewish Guild for the Blind
The Jewish Guild for the Blind is one of the countrys foremost vision
care agencies.
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