The Internet is a rich source of health information. Not all of it is accurate or up-to-date, so you will need to use a little critical thinking when analyzing what you find, but there are many sites with doctor-approved data on a wide variety of illnesses, injuries, and ailments, as well as information on proactively maintaining health and wellness.
This site features information for the practitioner, student, and patient in different areas of traditional Chinese medicine. It also provides current events and news concerning laws that affect the practice of traditional Chinese medicine.
News and information for herbalists and the general public. You can sample articles from HerbalGram, the American Botanical Council’s journal, search for articles (HerbClips) on specific topics, research a variety of herbs (by clicking Healthy Ingredients), and much more.
An excellent site for learning more about massage therapy and careers in massage therapy. If you are looking for a massage therapist near you, the search tool at this site enables you to search not only by location but also by type of massage—for example, reflexology, hydrotherapy, or healing touch.
www.mayoclinic.com/health/alternative-medicine/CM99999
Mayo Clinic offers competent medical advice on complementary and alternative medical treatments. You can explore alternative and complementary treatments by disease, discover the potential benefits of massage and other manipulation and touch therapies, and get the straight story on herbs.
NCCAM constantly monitors and assesses the effectiveness of alternative and complementary therapies and posts the information on its website. Here you can sort out effective therapies from dangerous quackery.
You can get information on proper nutrition, nutritional supplements and vitamins, complementary treatments for specific conditions, expert opinions, a reference library, and the latest health news. This site offers a comprehensive list of supplements and herbs, explaining what each of them does, any interactions they might cause, and precautions.
At this site, beginners as well as experts will find everything they need to get started with aromatherapy and master the oils and techniques that are most effective.
http://aromatherapyencyclopedia.blogspot.com/
This aromatherapy blog is more like a full-fledged website that happens to be hosted on a blogging service, including not only articles but also Q&As and a dictionary of terms.
This blog provides information about the field of alternative medicine from a legal and business perspective. Topics include clinical research, chiropractic, dietary supplements, ethical issues, health trends, hospital policy, and insurance.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EkwukyMV9o
Beverly Burns of UCSF’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine explores traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, meridians, and chi, from the series UCSF Mini Medical School for the Public. (Also see other videos in this same series for topics including Ayurvedic medicine and healthy aging.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXgVz4ZqAxo
An excerpt of a monthly show produced for the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, this segment gives an overview and demonstration of acupuncture. (Also see other videos in this same series for topics including reflexology and rolfing.)
http://feeds.feedburner.com/healthbeat
Chiropractic OnLine Today’s HealthBeat podcasts have something for both patients and professionals. Narrated by Dr. Todd D. Eglow, HealthBeat provides news of interest from the chiropractic and general health communities.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/NatureCuresClinicPodcasts
Drs. Greg Eckel and Greg Nigh, naturopathic physicians and licensed acupuncturists, discuss a wide range of topics related to health and disease. They also answer medical questions submitted by listeners.
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2414447769
This group is for practitioners of alternative health and medicine, and also for people looking for alternative treatments to help with their health conditions.
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2414447769
This group is for animated and opinionated discussion of the veracity of various alternative medical practices. All opinions are welcome!
http://community.livejournal.com/naturalliving/
This community focuses on improving and protecting the Earth, mind, body, and spirit through finding ways to live more naturally and organically.
http://groups.myspace.com/NaturalCures
This group is for people who are trying to cure their illnesses using natural methods. The illnesses are wide ranging, from cancer to acid reflux, and so are the cures they discuss, including herbal medicine, acupressure, reflexology, and chiropractic treatment.
At this site you can choose a cancer type or topic, learn about treatment options, find help and support, access research information and other resources, and learn how to donate and volunteer.
This is the site for the latest information in cancer research and treatments and easily earns our Best nod for this category. Learn about the latest treatment options, even if they’re not promoted by the mainstream medical community. Take advantage of this tremendous library of cancer information and resources, collected and made available by the Rory Foundation and the Joyce Foundation.
CancerCare.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to dispersing information and providing support services for all those affected by cancer. Learn where to go for financial assistance, drug assistance programs, home care, and hospice alternatives. Discussion forums help you connect with others who are dealing with similar issues and concerns.
Exceptional electronic support for kids with cancer and their families through personal websites and mailing lists. Provides a place where kids who have cancer can post their own Web pages.
This site offers private one-on-one Internet mentoring and support to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients through its mentor-matching program. Visitors can read the stories of breast cancer survivors and access a message board offering breast cancer information resources.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) coordinates the U.S. government’s cancer research program. NCI’s website is for cancer patients, the public, and the mass media; on it, you will find news and information on many of its programs and resources, general cancer information, and news about clinical trials.
Sponsored by a drug manufacturer, you will find a thorough explanation of the functions of the prostate, information on how to keep the prostate healthy, and alternative treatments for people diagnosed with prostate diseases.
A site from the Susan G. Komen Foundation dedicated to detailing research, community projects, and news about breast cancer prevention and control. Find out more about the foundation’s popular Race for the Cure running event at this user-friendly site.
At this site, people with cancer can create a free blog to keep their friends and families updated on their treatment and recovery progress.
http://medicineworld.org/cancer/cancer-blogs-list.html
Medicine World maintains a list of cancer-related blogs, organized by type of cancer. Browse this list to find a blog related to the type of cancer you want to know more about.
This blog, sponsored by National Public Radio, is written by award-winning journalist Leroy Sievers, detailing his fight with cancer. It contains both news and personal commentary.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/2159_breast-cancer.htm
This series of videos shows how to examine your own breasts for early signs of breast cancer, with expert tips from a physician.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/2158_skin-cancer.htm
This series of videos details the causes and symptoms of melanoma (skin cancer), including how to do a self-exam, how to avoid risk factors, and when to see a doctor.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/12864
Listen to new and archived teleconferences from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society concerning leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma.
www.youtube.com/OncologyPodCasting
Oncology Podcasting provides the latest news and information on cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
http://community.livejournal.com/breastcancer/
This community provides general information about breast cancer and serves as a support and networking center for people who are surviving it.
http://groups.myspace.com/yellowbracelet
A community for people who support the Lance Armstrong Foundation with the Livestrong bracelets, and for anyone who has lost someone close to them to cancer.
This site provides discussion forums for various types of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and others.
Home of the American Academy of Pediatrics, this site is primarily designed for pediatricians, parents, and childcare workers to keep them informed of the latest health care issues related to children.
www.who.int/child-adolescent-health
Created and maintained by the World Health Organization, this site promotes the health and well-being of children and adolescents around the world. Here, you can browse three areas: infant, child, and adolescent. You can also browse sections on prevention and care, nutrition, and development.
Staying in the spirit of world-renowned pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock, this site is dedicated to providing parents with the expert information they need to raise healthy, happy children. Search this site for medical information, product alerts, and parenting advice from some of the world’s top experts in childcare.
Created by the medical experts at the Nemours Foundation, KidsHealth has trainloads of information on infections, behavior and emotions, food and fitness, and growing up healthy, as well as cool games and animations! This site is sectioned into three areas for Parents, Kids, and Teens.
Primarily provides news and information about the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, but also provides helpful information for parents on nutrition and care of their children. Features areas designed especially for children that include games and other activities.
Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, Riley Hospital for Children is consistently ranked as one of the top children’s health care facilities in the United States. At this site, you can learn more about the hospital and its pediatricians, find general information about childcare and common childhood diseases, email a patient, and take a virtual tour of the hospital.
http://pediatricsnow.blogspot.com/
This is the blog of Dr. Gwenn, a pediatrician who blogs about children’s health issues, both clinical and practical.
http://discoveryhealth.clinicahealth.com/~CJohns/blog/
Dr. Christina Johns, MD talks about what it takes to raise healthy and happy kids, focusing on both mental and physical health.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/612_child-health-safety-parents-guide.htm
A wide-ranging and thorough series of videos that explain ways that adults can safeguard the well-being of children in their care in areas such as sanitation, accident prevention, interaction with animals, choosing a day-care center, and much more.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GL6CnEBmBg
Who advocates for children’s issues? In today’s world of managed care and limited government support, pediatric health care is increasingly out of reach for many families. Irv Kaufman of San Diego’s Children’s Hospital discusses the challenges ahead. Part of a Health Matters series.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/16352
This series of video podcasts teaches how to breastfeed your baby successfully. Most of the videos are from Dr. Jack Newman, the author of The Ultimate Breastfeeding Answer Book.
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4479440772
This group is for people interested in the activities of Child Family Health International (CFHI), a global family of professionals and students who work at the grassroots level to promote the health of the world community.
http://community.livejournal.com/meet_other_moms/
This community is designed for mothers and mothers-to-be who would like to network with and get advice from other moms to share stories and support.
http://groups.myspace.com/parentsoftheworld
This group is for parents and parents-to-be, a great place to get and give advice about parenting and child health and well-being.
Beyond Indigo is a company in Minnesota that provides “grief support, products, and services to individuals and companies who assist people who are grieving.” You can share your grief and hardships with others and obtain valuable advice on the message boards, take online quizzes, submit your story of loss, and even post a memorial to your loved one.
The website of Hemlock Society founder Derek Humphry. It includes pages on the Euthanasia Research and Guidance Organization; the World Federation of Right to Die Societies; and acts, laws, and news about euthanasia.
GriefNet is an Internet community of persons dealing with grief, death, and major loss providing an integrated approach to online grief support. GriefNet is supervised by Cendra (ken’dra) Lynn, Ph.D., a clinical grief psychologist, death educator, and traumatologist. The site has a special area for kids who are dealing with the death of a loved one.
A comprehensive site with information for just about everyone who faces losing a loved one. Find a hospice location near you and learn more about the hospice concept at Hospice Net. Also, learn more about the role of caregiver, the bereavement process, and what patients can do to control how they die. Though this site does not contain an area specifically for children, it does contain a Children area, where parents can learn how to communicate with their children about death and dying.
This blog is home to an advice column about preparing for death. As gruesome as that sounds, there is much practical and judgment-free information here, including how to get your estate in order, how to prepare your loved ones emotionally, and how to plan your own funeral.
This blog is dedicated to providing information about choosing a hospice facility and delivers articles about ownership, management, location, staffing, facility size, and other considerations.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/6782
Camille Adair-Norwick explores death and dying as a lifelong practice. Dialogues and interviews with leaders in the field are included in this weekly podcast. She is also the director of the documentary film SOLACE: The Soul of Living and Dying.
http://community.livejournal.com/courage_project
A bereavement care support and discussion group for people who are dealing emotionally with issues of death and dying.
http://groups.myspace.com/criminology
This group is for people interested in the study of scientific fields relating to death and dying, including everything from forensic science and archeology to criminal investigation and cadaver research.
Patients can locate a cosmetic dentist, learn the basics of cosmetic dentistry, and submit a before-and-after image of their smile in the photo gallery. Professionals can learn more about the professional organization’s research credentialing information. Reporters can find all the information they need to write their next feature article on cosmetic dentistry.
This site features a host of resources for dental professionals, including information on DAT (Dental Admissions Testing), a discussion forum, and a calendar of events and meetings. Patients will find a search tool for tracking down an ADA member dentist, games and animations for kids, oral health education videos, and so on.
ADHA is “the largest professional organization representing the interests of dental hygienists,” and most of the content at this site is specifically for hygienists, including information about education, careers, continuing education, and membership. Consumers can click the Oral Health Information link in the navigation bar to access articles on oral health. A special area is featured just for kids.
Dentists and other dental practitioners can visit this site to include themselves in the directory and to subscribe to newsletters and articles. Consumers can visit the site to find a dentist, orthodontist, or other dental professional or consult with featured specialists online. Patients should check out the Patient’s area for featured articles on dental care. There is also a game room for kids, a list of specialty centers, case studies, and an area just for parents.
This site invites dentists, athletes, and coaches to learn more about dental issues relating to sports, including lost teeth, smokeless tobacco, and concussions. This site offers an overview of sports dentistry for the uninitiated, explains the importance of dental health in athletic performance, provides statistics on sports dentistry, promotes custom-made mouth guards, and explains the health risks of smokeless tobacco.
www.dentalaggregator.blogspot.com
An aggregator is a site or service that pulls together posts from various sources. This page pulls information from various dental-related blogs all over the world. You never know what you are going to get—some dentist’s private rant about a personal issue or a news article about a recent scientific breakthrough.
http://dentaldude.blogspot.com/
General musings about dentistry, science, and the world around us from the desk of Dr. Hans Skariah, Senior Dentist at the Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga (Ontario, Canada).
www.expertvillage.com/information_588_dental-health.htm
This series of how-to videos shows various aspects of dental care and hygiene, such as when and how to use an oral irrigator and a gum stimulator, how to detect and prevent periodontal disease, and how to floss properly.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=io58WspNDXE
Board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon Stephen L. Wheeler discusses the latest techniques in dental implant reconstruction.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/17508
This podcast series provides dental professionals with important information about running a practice and working in the dental industry.
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2233494361
ASDA is a student organization that more than 87 percent of all dental students belong to. This group is for networking and sharing of information among its members and the public.
http://community.livejournal.com/dental_nursing/
An online community for dental nurses to share stories, anecdotes, questions, and concerns.
http://groups.myspace.com/dentalhygieneisokay
This group is for dental hygienists and anyone else who wants to talk about dental care.
The American Diabetes Association website offers the latest information on diabetes and living with the disease. If you or a loved one suffers from diabetes, make this site your first stop to learning more about the disease and available treatments.
www.cdc.gov/diabetes/faq/basics.htm
The Center for Disease Control presents this diabetes question and answer area, where you can learn what diabetes is, the types of diabetes, common causes, successful treatments, and so on. The site also features links to other diabetes pages at CDC and other websites.
An online community for kids, families, and adults with diabetes, featuring message boards, chat rooms, and questions and answers from medical professionals. Site features a family support network, an area for parents that includes parental humor, a separate section for grandparents, an online booklet on how to deal with diabetes at school, and information on scholarships and financial aid.
Search the recipe archives of Diabetic Gourmet Magazine for all diabetic recipes. The site also provides a great resource for additional information on diabetes, including the Diabetes 101 tutorial, tips on healthful living and exercise, and forums where you can communicate with others who suffer from diabetes and related conditions.
A “gold mine” of straight talk and encouragement for people living with diabetes, this blog covers a wide range of topics such as drug safety, blood testing, and diet.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/3561_diabetes-diet.htm
In this series of videos, you can learn lots of basic information about diabetes types, diagnoses, and treatments, as well as how to put together healthy, nutritious meals that are good for diabetics, taking into consideration not only sugars but also sodium, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=adHdKIGH9Ro
In this video, Dr. Dahlman discusses type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes from a holistic perspective, focusing on improving the condition by regulating diet.
www.dlife.com/dLife/do/ShowContent/dlife_media/downloads/podcasts.html
These podcasts provide information, inspiration, and connection for people with diabetes, through interviews, advice, and how-tos.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/14451
Dr. Alan Rubin’s Healthcast tells you what you need to know to live a long, quality life. The focus is on patients with diabetes and thyroid disease, but everyone can benefit from listening. Dr. Rubin is the author of Diabetes for Dummies.
http://community.livejournal.com/type1diabetes
http://community.livejournal.com/diabetes
These two communities are for people who have type I and type 2 diabetes, respectively. They are separate communities because the treatments and prognoses are often different.
http://community.livejournal.com/diabetic_kids/
This group provides information, networking, and support for parents of diabetic children.
Ask the Dietitian is an advice column hosted by registered dietitian Joanne Larsen. Topics range from nutrition and vitamin-related issues to eating disorders such as anorexia. Check out the Healthy Body Calculator to determine your target weight and nutritional and exercise needs. Covers diet and vitamin topics from A to Z, alcohol to zinc.
This excellent site provides general information on healthful diets, nutrition topics for disease prevention, performance improvements in sports, nutrition facts, diet news, and alternative diets. Also features free diet and recipe analysis and tools for tracking your weight and exercise.
eDiets has a goal of “building a global online diet, fitness, and motivation destination to provide consumers with solutions that help them realize life’s full potential.” This is an excellent site for learning the basics of popular diets, including the Glycemic Diet, the Eating for Life Plan, and the Mediterranean Diet. Site features a tabbed navigation bar that provides quick access to News, Diet, Fitness, Recipes, Community (support groups, mentors, experts, chat rooms, and success stories), and Help & Support.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Library runs this Food and Nutrition Information Center. This site features sections on dietary supplements, food composition, dietary guidelines, a Consumer Corner, and a searchable directory of topics from A to Z. The site also provides access to printable documents for your own use or for distributing to classes and groups.
A new federal resource, this site provides easy access to all online federal government information on nutrition. Obtain government information on nutrition, healthful eating, physical activity, and food safety. Provides accurate scientific information on nutrition and dietary guidance.
This blog contains many posts about news articles relating to diet fads and trends. Do carb blockers really work? What about cellulite reduction creams? Hoodia? Herbal Phentermine? Read all about these and more, from a critical scientific perspective, including health risk assessment.
This site posts articles from various contributors, all relating to diet and nutrition. Their premise is that the basis of weight management is good nutrition and exercise, and that different things work for different people, so they seek to present a variety of techniques and information. They have a great motto: “The best diet is the one you don’t know you’re on.”
www.expertvillage.com/information_589_diet-nutrition.htm
This series of videos covers a variety of topics relating to diet and nutrition, including using water to detox your body, creating a food diary, and setting weight loss goals.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KprHi48xxE
Diet.com investigates whether the nutrition labels on five different products are accurate, using their actual weight when compared with what the package says it is.
http://health.discovery.com/podcasts/podcast.html
From this site you will find links to podcasts of some of the most popular health-related radio shows from the Discovery Health satellite radio channel.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/2932
This podcast is about “a fatboy trying to be less fat and using the world as his confessional booth. Topics include day-to-day struggles of the fatboy, health info, and some tech talk. Listen in and help keep a fatboy motivated!”
http://community.livejournal.com/dietingsupport/
This community is a support group for healthy weight loss. Members encourage each other, post recipes and tips, and share their weight loss successes.
http://groups.myspace.com/nutrition
This group talks about nutrition and all the facets that nutrition affects, including health, athletics, and rehabilitation.
Disability.gov is the U. S. government site that functions as a gateway to all information and resources that the government provides on the subject of disabilities.
A source for parents, teachers, and others to obtain information and resources relating to learning disabilities. Learn the basics, go into more depth, or view Dr. Silver’s Q&A list. Features a Kids area with some fun activities, as well as a discussion forum and a list of agencies and organizations where you can go for help.
People with vision impairment or their caregivers will want to visit this site for information on helpful products, events, and interesting articles. You can also purchase low-vision aids here, from writing aids to reading magnifiers. The site uses large type and offers an option you can click to make it even larger.
If you have a disability and are a U.S. citizen, you have rights to certain Social Security benefits, including potential disability pay, Medicare, and Medicaid. Here you can find information on the various benefits and links to the forms you need to fill out. If you know someone who’s scamming the Social Security Adminis tration, you can visit this site to report them.
WAPD is an activist organization devoted to “advancing the interests of people with disabilities at national, state, local, and home levels.” Features membership information, a newsletter, chat rooms, and a well-stocked directory of resources broken down by disability.
A nonpolitical service for people with disabilities, run by people with disabilities. Not only can you find information here on travel, money, health, and equipment, but you can also choose and correspond with a pen pal. The site also features a list of jobs and discussion forums.
www.newstatesman.com/blogs/crips-column
This blog is by Victoria Brignell, a radio producer for the BBC. She talks about her view of life from a wheelchair, as a disabled person.
www.disabilityisanart.blogspot.com
The poet and playwright Neil Marcus once wrote, “Disability is not a brave struggle or courage in the face of adversity…disability is an art. It’s an ingenious way to live.” This blog seeks to explore that concept, that living with a disability, like all living, is an art with its own aesthetic, grace, and mastery.
In this blog, a lawyer who specializes in Social Security talks about how he helps his clients work through the system to get disability benefits.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW6cKUoykK0
A short training film for people who transport people with disabilities. There are some points in it that not everyone may agree with, but it serves as an excellent springboard to discussion.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCqeFxDgacQ
A short, animated explanation of what learning disabilities are and how they can be dealt with—especially suitable for young audiences.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/17541
This series of podcasts profiles people from all over the USA on topics specifically of interest to the blind and visually impaired.
http://community.livejournal.com/disabledcooking/
In this friendly group you can get recipes and cooking advice for preparing easy-to-eat food for someone who is disabled, or preparing easy-to-prepare food if you yourself are disabled.
The FDA is in charge of testing and approving the manufacture, distribution, and use of pharmaceuticals. Here you can look up information on any medications that have come under the FDA’s scrutiny. This is an excellent site to research drug alerts and get the facts about potentially harmful or rumored-to-be-harmful medications and counterfeit medications.
Excellent site for researching specific prescription medications. Provides information on indications, dosages, side effects, warnings, interactions, and more. You can take a quiz to test your medical knowledge or submit a question to have it answered.
SafeMedication.com is a site created and managed by pharmacists to provide patients with the prescription information they need to take their medications properly, become aware of potential side effects, and avoid dangerous drug interactions. This is a great site to visit when you lose the prescription information your pharmacist sent home with you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb44O6kYKOI
Many people are choosing to buy prescription drugs online, but unless they are very careful, this can be a risky undertaking. This video explains the possible problems and risks and discusses how to minimize them.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFgtryL8PF0
This lengthy video (over an hour long), sponsored by the Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training program, explains the problem of prescription drug overuse and misuse and the huge surge in the problem in recent years. You will learn how abusers are getting their drugs and how law enforcement, doctors, and pharmacists are fighting the problem.
www.peoplespharmacy.org/podcast/
Health News Update, with Joe and Terry Graedon, brings you this week’s news on home remedies, drugs and pharmacy, the FDA, and general health issues.
The American Council on Exercise is the world’s largest nonprofit fitness certification and education provider. This site features Health and Fitness Information including Fit Facts, Health & Fitness Tips, a Fitness Q&A, an Exercise Library, and Healthy Recipes for nutritious meals and snacks. You can also track down local trainers who are ACE certified and shop for ACE apparel, videos, and other merchandise online.
A good site to visit for exercise information. You’ll find sections devoted to nutrition information, injury prevention, rehabilitation, health care, strength training, weight management, equipment, and so on.
When you want to get in shape and lose some weight, the formula is simple: burn more calories than you consume. This site features calculators that can help you do the math; it has a weight-loss calculator; a food calories and nutrition calculator; and a BMI, BMR, and RMR calculator. You can also find a fitness FAQ, fitness tutorial, and diet and weight loss tips.
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 one of the best fitness sites.
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk
This site, created by the United States Centers for Disease Control, encourages kids to walk to school and ride their bikes as part of an exercise program to keep our kids fit. In a time when kids are becoming more and more sedentary, this is just the approach we need.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is “a clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists. The PBIC serves anyone interested in pedestrian and bicycle issues, including planners, engineers, private citizens, advocates, educators, police enforcement and the health community.” Community leaders and interested citizens can learn specific steps to take to make their communities safe places to walk and bicycle.
This site provides a list of resources for walkers of all fitness levels, especially beginners, and is maintained by an active, enthusiastic walker and marathon walking coach. The site features sections on power walking, race walking, marathon walking, injuries, stretching, nutrition, and treadmill walking. Also includes information about various walking clubs.
http://community.discoveryhealth.com/~jonathan/blog
Discovery Health’s fitness expert provides insights and tips for getting motivated to make your overall fitness plan a success.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/1167_running.htm
In this series of videos, you will learn running and jogging tips and techniques, including how to get started, what to eat and drink, how to select shoes, how to plan routes, and what stretches, warm-ups, and cool-downs to do.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/1145_advanced-weightlifting.htm
Ever wonder if you are doing your weight lifting routines correctly? This series of videos shows you how to do a variety of specific exercises for weight lifting and bodybuilding, such as squats, leg extensions, leg curls, calf raises, and lunges.
www.digitalpodcast.com/detail.php?id=4058
www.exertrack.com/exertrackmp3/exertrack_podcasts_default.htm
These two sites both offer exercise podcasts—that is, podcasts that coach you through fitness routines. You can play them on anything that plays MP3s, such as an iPod, digital phone, or Pocket PC, and take your exercise wherever you go.
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2218542825
A group to share information about fitness, supplements, nutrition, and weight workouts.
http://groups.myspace.com/BodyBuilding
This large community of bodybuilders discusses issues related to using weight lifting and other fitness training to achieve a muscular physique.
http://groups.myspace.com/exerciseFriends
This group helps people find one another locally to be fitness friends and partners, including organizing running and walking groups, aerobics and yoga classes, and bowling teams.
http://1st-spot.net/topic_firstaid.html
Find out how to treat basic injuries or conditions, such as heatstroke or frostbite, with the help of this site. You’ll also find basic first-aid guidance and answers to first-aid questions. This site also offers invaluable information about what to keep in a first-aid kit.
Everything you need to know about preventing emergencies and responding to emergencies when they happen. Find out what you need to pack in a first-aid kit for your home and learn how to prepare an emergency-response plan. The site features a special area for patients and consumers.
Learn about the preferred treatment for severe allergic reactions. Links to EpiPen, an auto-injector that administers epinephrine, the definitive emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions. Anyone who suffers from life-threatening allergies should bookmark this page.
www.healthy.net/clinic/firstaid
This site from HealthWorld provides quick access to treatment for animal bites, burns, choking, drug overdoses, shock, sunburn, and a host of other emergency health conditions.
http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr
The best way to learn CPR is to take a class that gives you hands-on training. The next best way is to turn to this site, which features animations and videos that show the basics. You can pull up CPR instructions to print and carry with you, check out some CPR facts, take a CPR quiz, watch a video demonstration, and learn variations for adults, children, and infants. You can even learn CPR for dogs and cats!
www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/firstaidandselfcare
Few organizations are more qualified to teach first aid and CPR than the Mayo Clinic. This site features links to an extensive list of first-aid topics covering everything from anaphylaxis to toothaches. Near the top of the list is a link for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Click the link to obtain instructions on how to perform CPR.
Information at this site is focused on preventing accidents, such as those involving cars and other machinery. You’ll find a phone number you can call to report someone who routinely lets his or her children ride without a seat belt. And you can learn more about preventing injuries from everyday situations, such as using sunblock to reduce the chance of skin cancer.
http://wordpress.com/tag/first-aid/
This blog by Rod Bourhard discusses various first-aid topics, including everyday first-aid procedures and emergency preparedness. You’ll learn how to treat a seizure, how to respond to various types of injuries, and when to call 911.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/152_first-aid-maneuvers.htm
This very practical video series shows how to perform CPR for both adults and children. You can learn about current CPR guidelines, how to tell if a victim is breathing, where to put your hands, how deep to make the chest compressions, and more.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/483_minor-injury.htm
This excellent video series covers a variety of first-aid procedures, including applying a sling, cleaning a wound, reducing swelling, and treating bee stings and blisters.
www.watchmojo.com/index.php?id=4283
An interview with a CPR specialist and teacher who briefly explains and demonstrates CPR techniques and precautions. Very nicely and professionally produced.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZL67Q2HQ7c
In this entertaining BBC video, the host demonstrates how lifesaving a first-aid kit can really be. He also shows how to start a fire using your car battery and a piece of wire wool.
This podcast is for professionals who teach CPR and first-aid training. Instructors can share ideas, tips for running their businesses, and the latest news.
www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice.aspx
At this page you can view and listen to various podcasts that explain how to deal with injury and other emergency situations such as heart attacks, shock, wounds and bleeding, and burns and scalds.
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8737072622
A group for all people who provide first aid, sponsored by St. John Ambulance, the UK’s leading first-aid charity, providing advice, answers, news updates, and information about training courses.
The American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM) is “the premier professional organization in healthcare administrative management,” dedicated to the professional development of health care administrators. This site offers information about the association and its member benefits, certification programs, job openings, advocacy and networking, and local chapters. If you’re in the field of health care administration and management, definitely check out this site.
A national professional organization representing more than 66,000 physical therapists across the nation, this group’s goal is “to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.” A calendar of events, continuing education resources, information about practicing physical therapy, a list of FAQs, and much more make this a valuable site for any physical therapist. Also provides some job leads.
IHI is dedicated to improving health care around the world. This site features information about IHI’s programs, a collection of articles on the hot topics in the world of health care, discussion groups, tools for connecting with other health care professionals, and tools for helping you track improvement in your health care business or organization.
Modern Healthcare “is the industry’s leading source of healthcare business news.” This service works hard to keep health care professionals, especially hospital administrators, informed about the latest developments and trends in the health care industry so they can stay ahead of the curve.
This content-rich, popular blog is “everything you always wanted to know about the health care system” in the United States. You’ll find news and information pertaining to insurance, administration, patient advocacy, hospitals, system reform, and more.
http://runningahospital.blogspot.com/2007/06/how-we-manage.html
This is a blog started by Paul Levy, the CEO of a large Boston hospital, to share thoughts about hospitals, medicine, and health care issues.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAHW7C7Hmhk
This video, produced by the New America Foundation, looks at the status of veterans’ health care. It looks at the system’s previous problems, its current state of relative efficiency, and the challenges facing it in the future.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/14795
This is an Atlanta-based, student-run podcast pertaining to public health news and issues. They provide information and analysis on a global, national, and community level.
America’s Health Insurance Plans is a trade organization that represents approximately 1,300 health insurance companies responsible for insuring more than 200 million Americans. Here you can learn more about the organization and access information for members and consumers.
When you need to find affordable health insurance, this is a great place to start looking. Enter a few pieces of information about where you live and the number of people in your family that you want to insure, click a button, and immediately receive a long list of quotes from various health insurance companies. If you find a quote that looks like it’s in the ballpark, you can enter additional details to apply.
www.healthinsurancefinders.com
When you don’t know where to look for health, dental, life, or travel insurance, go to HealthInsuranceFinders.com to get some suggestions. You can obtain quotes from several top providers.
The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud maintains this site to help insurance companies, service providers, and consumers avoid getting ripped off. Site content covers all types of insurance, but it provides a special area to inform consumers of health insurance scams and the warning signs they should watch out for. To access this area, click Consumers, Scam Alerts, and then click Health Insurance Schemes.
http://alankatz.wordpress.com/
This blog is written by an insurance agent to talk about his ideas about reforming the health care system. He is very articulate and posts a lot of solid information about the state of the industry.
This blog focuses exclusively on news and information related to health insurance. Many of the articles are California-specific but there is useful information for all.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xROXpTkb96o
What are the differences in health care plans, and which is best for you? This presentation provides some information on how health insurance works, defining terms such as copayment, coinsurance, coverage limits, and exclusions in simple language.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/CenterForMedicareAdvocacy
This podcast explains the basics of Medicare Part D and helps you navigate through the paperwork required to benefit from it.
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2208254618
This group is for proponents of a universal health care system in the United States. Members are encouraged to post news articles, events, and links relating to progress toward that goal.
This organization, based in Fort Worth, Texas, has one of the most complete resource listings available online for HIV/AIDS. Links are indexed by category for quick access. AOC also offers a variety of services; information on each is available from the website.
Sponsored by several public health service agencies, this site provides information about federally approved treatment guidelines for HIV and AIDS. Check out the What’s New page for updates on the latest news on antiretroviral agents, protease inhibitors, and other treatment possibilities. Check out the Treatment Information page for history, a glossary, and current treatment information.
The CDC provides “leadership in helping control the HIV/AIDS epidemic by working with community, state, national, and international partners in surveillance, research, and prevention and evaluation activities.” This site acts as an information kiosk for a variety of topics on HIV and AIDS. You can check out the A–Z Index to find information on a specific issue or navigate by categories, such as African Americans, Basic Information, Statistics & Surveillance, Testing, Prevention Programs, Research, Funding, and Women. The site also features questions and answers, brochures, slide shows, software, journal articles, and reports. The home page lists links to the most current articles.
Children with AIDS Project of America is a publicly supported 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, providing support, care, and adoption programs for children infected with HIV/AIDS. Find details on services and fees, register to become an adoptive parent, and learn how to help the cause.
InSite features one of the most comprehensive collections of medical information about HIV/AIDS on the Web. Directed more to health care professionals than to the average person, this site is packed with the most current articles and research about HIV/AIDS, including testing and treatments. Health care professionals who deal with HIV/AIDS will want to bookmark this site for repeat visits. If you’re an HIV/AIDS patient or your loved one has been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and you want to learn as much about available testing and treatments as possible, you’ll find just what you need to begin your in-depth research at this site.
UNAIDS is the United Nation’s AIDS site, where you can learn about AIDS hotspots and find out what the UN is doing to combat the spread of AIDS and assist AIDS survivors. This site features valuable statistics about AIDS around the world.
This blog focuses on AIDS news, advocacy, research, activism, and opinion. Several people contribute to its content, which includes press releases and commentary on public events that affect those who are HIV positive.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzQQiCPWSYA
Awaiting Tomorrow is an urgent call to action by people living with HIV/AIDS in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to confront the disease that is ravaging communities throughout Africa.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaVm3moZo_g
This video dispels some of the common myths about HIV and AIDS, including things like “HIV Doesn’t Cause AIDS” and “You Can’t Contract HIV Through Oral Sex.”
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/7807
This set of podcasts focuses on HIV/AIDS therapies and studies in the news. Doctors who are running trials explain the data from their research and what it might mean to patients.
This website and community provides a way for HIV-positive people to interact with one another, including profiles, networking, groups, galleries, polls, and games. Registration is required to participate in some areas.
http://groups.myspace.com/untilorg
Until There’s a Cure is a national organization dedicating to eradicating HIV/AIDS by raising awareness and funds. This group’s purpose is to raise awareness and provide a forum for related conversation.
The Association of American Medical Colleges site lists and provides links to accredited U.S. and Canadian medical schools, major teaching hospitals, and academic and professional societies. It provides the latest information on news and events, includes AAMC publications and information, and presents research and government relations resources. It also includes information and links to education, research, and health care.
www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody
This site takes you on a virtual tour of the human body and mind. You can build your own skeleton, stretch muscles, arrange internal organs, take the senses challenge, play the nervous system game, and much more. The site also explores issues dealing with psychology and the functioning of the human brain.
The Student Doctor Network (SDN) is “a nonprofit website, dedicated to the pre-health and health professional student community,” whose mission it is to help students select and prepare for various professional careers in health. The site includes plenty of useful resources, but also acts as a forum where professionals and students can meet to exchange information.
www.nlm.nih.gov/research/visible/visible_human.html
Three-dimensional representations of the human body, with visualizations of the dissectible human, software tools, and other areas.
http://casesblog.blogspot.com/
The blog of clinicalcases.org, with medical, tech, and other interesting stories. It is designed primarily for the health care professional.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/2951_osteopathy.htm
Osteopathy is a system of conventional medicine with a holistic perspective, practiced by medical doctors with specialized training. This video series provides an overview of what osteopathic medicine and therapy is all about.
This site contains a huge number of medical animations and drawings that can be used in medical education. They are for sale for commercial use, but you can watch them for free via the website.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/14076
Audio Medica brings informally spoken comments from the world’s most significant medical experts to the ears of practicing doctors and medical professionals about the latest findings from important clinical trials.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/6065
Physicians and other health care professionals are invited to listen in on one-on-one conversations. Although this podcast is directed at an audience with a high level of medical expertise, it is interesting for all.
www.publicbroadcasting.net/wuky/.jukebox?action=viewPodcast
Dr. Greg Davis interviews guests about the latest medical research taking place in the UK and abroad.
http://community.livejournal.com/nurse_students/
This group is for networking and support for people who are currently in training to become nurses or for those who have already graduated from a nursing program.
http://groups.myspace.com/rnsnow
http://groups.myspace.com/UltimateNurse
These two groups are for nurses who love their jobs, love their profession, and love life. They connect nurses of all types and specialties with one another and provide a space to discuss best practices.
This site contains an extensive directory of links to medical history sites and resources on the Web. At the top of the page are medical history categories, including organizations in the history of the health sciences, history of the health sciences libraries and archives, organizations and museums with history of the health sciences interests, and important figures in health sciences—their lives and works. Each category contains multiple links to different sites. If you’re doing research on medical history, this should be your first stop.
Click on the History of Medicine link on the left at this site to get to the goodies. There are nearly 60,000 images, including portraits, pictures of institutions, caricatures, genre scenes, and graphic art in a variety of media, illustrating the social and historical aspects of medicine.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqQELCIRnqs
This fun clip showcases the Indiana Medical History Museum, on the campus of Central State Hospital, where you’ll find cool stuff like brains in jars, headless skeletons, and lots of information about medical history into the early twentieth century.
http://medicalhistory.podbean.com/
This fascinating podcast series focuses on medical historical data and commentary, with wide-ranging themes such as eighteenth-century disease theory, stories of appallingly bad doctors and bad care of the past, tales of how mental illness used to be understood and treated, and more.
Created and maintained by the American Academy of Family Physicians, this site has the basic information you and your doctor need to know about all aspects of adult and child health. There are separate sections for men’s and women’s health, seniors, healthy living, and parents and kids. Much of the content is also available in Spanish.
This is the website of the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The site opens with an index of health conditions, a symptom checker, and a first-aid guide to place a virtual medical bag full of tools at your fingertips. Or you can begin your search using the navigation bar at the top of the page, which contains links for Diseases & Conditions, Drugs & Supplements, Treatment Decisions, Healthy Living (articles and tips), Ask a Specialist (Q&A area), and Health Tools (BMI calculator, calorie calculator, self-assessments, and quizzes).
Brought to you by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus features articles on more than 700 health-related topics, information on prescription and over-the-counter medications, a health encyclopedia, a medical dictionary, current news stories, a searchable directory of doctors and dentists, interactive tutorials, information on clinical trials, and other information and resources. An excellent site!
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health provides an often overlooked goldmine of health information for health care providers and consumers alike. Here you can find information on the latest proven treatments for a variety of conditions, learn about clinical trials and alternative treatment options, and find health hotlines and prescription drug information. This site also features information about grants, the latest news and events, scientific resources, and visitor information.
Have you ever read a health article or had a friend suggest a remedy that sounded too good to be true? Then check it out at Quackwatch before you shell out any money or risk your health to try it. Here you will find a skeptical friend to help you sort out what’s true from what is not when it comes to your physical well-being.
You’ll find articles, news, and tips for improving your health and well-being. Searchable database packed with information, including definitions of diseases, prescription information, and treatments. A comprehensive encyclopedia of health and medicine.
http://njn.net/newspublicaffairs/healthreports/
This news program takes Emmy-Award-winning journalist Sara Lee Kessler to such diverse locations as trauma centers, pharmaceutical labs, clinics, operating rooms, biocontainment units, classrooms, and patients’ bedsides.
From National Public Radio: in-depth reports on medicine, staying healthy, and the major issues surrounding health care. The best of Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and other award-winning NPR programs.
This is the weekly talk radio show sponsored by the IU School of Medicine and WFYI, the NPR affiliate in Indianapolis, Indiana. It covers various medical and scientific topics, focusing on educating the public.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/13513
In this podcast, a few skeptics and their listeners take a hard look at the hucksters, liars, snake-oil salesmen, thieves, and other scoundrels that try to sell questionable health-related products.
http://community.livejournal.com/ask_a_nurse/
In this group you can ask health questions and get free answers from health care professionals. Both professionals and nonprofessionals can join, but only professionals may answer questions.
This site offers a unique one-stop peer support community with over 150 message boards on various diseases, conditions, and health topics.
http://ehealthforum.com/health/medical_questions_symptoms.html
The Centers for Disease Control sponsor this site specifically devoted to men’s health and related issues. The site covers men’s health issues from A to Z, tips for establishing a healthy lifestyle, a quiz to test your health IQ, statistics, and links to related sites. The What’s New area keeps visitors posted concerning the latest developments in the health field that address the most persistent and serious health issues affecting men. Excellent information in a format that makes it easy to find just the information you need.
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. When dealing with just about any issue related to being a man, there’s no better site in this category.
Men’s Health Network (MHN) is a nonprofit 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. You can find out more about the organization, subscribe to its newsletter, and find links to other helpful sites.
www.blogcatalog.com/directory/health/mens-health
This page lists a variety of blogs related to men’s health topics, including bodybuilding, weight loss, cancer, prescription drugs, and disabilities.
http://blogs.webmd.com/mens-health-office/
This blog, written by Dr. Sheldon Marks of WebMD.com, provides advice and information on men’s health issues, from prostate problems to hair loss, as well as fitness and nutrition.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/3767_cancer-testicles.htm
This video series shows how to do testicular cancer self-exams and explains the signs of testicular cancer.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOk5f9_J93I
The informative video explains the process of TURP prostate surgery (transurethral resection of the prostate), for patients who may shortly be undergoing the procedure.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp-9K8nUHng
Professor David Neal, surgical oncologist, explains who’s most at risk of testicular cancer, the questions to ask if you’re diagnosed, and the treatment options.
http://community.livejournal.com/menzhealth/
This male-only community answers questions and provides education and support about health issues for men.
This excellent site provides information about all forms of depression, including bipolar depression, dysthymia, postpartum depression, and seasonal affective disorder. Tabbed interface helps you quickly move to your area of interest: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Medication, Special Topics, and Resources. The site also features online self-tests and workshops, discussion forums, and special sections for friends and family.
A self-help guide for those suffering from anxiety or panic disorders. This site addresses the causes of and treatments for panic attacks, phobias, extreme shyness, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and generalized anxiety that disrupt the lives of an estimated 15 percent of the population. If you or someone you love suffers from an anxiety or panic disorder, visit this site for relief and help.
More advanced individuals with Autism, Asperger syndrome, and Pervasive developmental disorder (MAAP) “is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and advice to families.” You can find the latest information about autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, locate additional resources near you, check out some free publications, and learn more about your legal rights or the rights of a loved one.
This extremely comprehensive site on the topic of ADD features a great collection of articles and fact sheets on ADD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), suggestions on organization and time management, insights and tips on how to deal with workplace issues, specific details about coaching, help with legal issues, and the latest information on current treatments.
Bipolar World is dedicated to those who are living with bipolar disorder. This site provides information about bipolar disorder and its treatment and enables visitors to communicate with others who are living with the disorder. Visit this site regularly to obtain late-breaking news about discoveries and treatments, read personal stories, find community support, and learn about legislation that can protect your rights. The site also features chat rooms and discussion forums.
If you’re a parent trying to raise a challenging child, visit ConductDisorders.com to connect with other parents who are willing to share their stories, support you, and offer advice from life in the trenches.
Dementia.com is a one-stop kiosk where you can obtain news and information on the latest discoveries and treatments for this often debilitating disease. Resources are grouped by categories, including About Dementia, Caring for Dementia, News, Literature, Community, and Resources. Click the Caring link for a brief primer on dementia along with tips. To take a quiz, click the Community link.
Find what you need to know about mental health, including the most common mental health disorders, diagnoses, and most-prescribed medications. Also check out the several links to related sites and information. This site also has an online magazine with editorials, articles, letters, and stories of recovery. If you or a loved one is suffering from a mental illness, you need information and hope; this Best of the Best site offers both in an easily accessible format.
The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has a mission: “To advance the clinical care and social welfare of U.S. veterans through research, education, and training on PTSD and stress-related disorders.” Even if you’re not a veteran, you can pick up plenty of useful and current information about traumatic stress disorder.
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
This site, created and maintained by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) offers information, help, and referrals for those suffering from a wide range of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. It also provides information for those concerned with body image and weight issues. NEDA is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States that focuses on eating disorders.
The NIMH site provides news about mental health research, reports, and clinical trials, both for mental health professionals and members of the public. Excellent place to visit for late-breaking news and discoveries related to a wide range of mental health issues. Valuable offerings on this site include the publications, which you can download for free. Each brochure is packaged as a PDF file that contains the bare essentials of what you need to know to understand a specific mental health disorder, effective treatment options, and the prognosis.
The SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center provides information about mental health via toll-free telephone services, an electronic bulletin board, and publications. You can get information about mental health programs including children and family services, suicide prevention, and protection/advocacy programs; check the Newsroom for recent press releases; and explore the Publications library full of free online articles on everything from health administration to youth violence prevention.
http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/learning_problem/ocd.html
Excellent overview of OCD written specifically to help children understand the disorder. Article describes obsessions and compulsions in an easily digestible format and goes on to explain various available treatments.
Learn about the different classifications of OCD and the treatments that have been effective. Find out the causes and symptoms of the disease, as well as how to get help. Find out whom to contact for more information.
http://psychcentral.com/disorders
A comprehensive list of mental health disorders along with quizzes, medications, book reviews, and other helpful resources. An excellent place to learn the signs, symptoms, and treatments for a wide range of mental health disorders.
Schizophrenia.com provides comprehensive information about schizophrenia, including an overview; a description of signs, symptoms, and causes; treatments; success stories; and much more. Site offers information that’s helpful not only for people suffering from schizophrenia but also for loved ones. You can take an early screening test online, check out the discussion forums, and keep abreast of the latest developments in treatment.
Possibly the longest-running psychology blog on the Net. Dr. Grohol is a pioneer in online mental health issues, and his blog is insightful and witty.
http://radio.weblogs.com/0108660/
Pulse is a free service, gathering new and noteworthy Internet resources for mental health providers, family members of individuals with mental illness, consumers of mental health services, and consumer advocates.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/3527_anxiety-disorder.htm
In this video series, you can learn how to identify signs of anxiety disorders and deal with the symptoms of anxiety. The disorders covered include panic, generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/3526_depression-signs.htm
Depression is much more than just being in a “bad mood.” This video series explains some of the basic signs of clinical depression, such as trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping, and social isolation.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/3867_adhd-diagnosis.htm
This video series explains attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and how to distinguish the behavior of a child with one of those problems from a child without it (that is, behaving as a “normal” child would). ADHD children listen differently, and giving instruction and discipline effectively for them is different as well.
www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/default.htm
This podcast delves into all things mental, including the latest research and expert commentary on our brains and behavior.
Cutting-edge site features a collection of podcasts and webcasts dealing with autism, including channels from the DAN! conference, Autism Technology, and Autism Today. Some channels are pay per view.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/7628
This podcast series covers a variety of mental health topics, including depression, Tourette’s Syndrome, discussing sexuality with your doctor, coping with insomnia, attention deficit, and more.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/14927
In this podcast series, Kelly Howell decodes significant discoveries about the brain, including interviews with authors, researchers, scientists, and other colorful characters.
http://groups.myspace.com/aboutautism
This group focuses on providing autism information to those with autism and those who support and care for them.
A site for health care professionals and consumers suffering from chronic pain, providing both with the opportunity to connect and learn more about pain-management techniques. Consumers can click the Patients link to search the database for a qualified pain-management professional and access a directory of links to other sites that provide more specific information about pain management.
This site offers a world of information on pain, including information about pain products and the companies that make them, pain resources, a collection of original full-text articles on pain and its management by noted pain professionals, and much more. Site offers CME/CPE/CE credit for health care professionals.
At this site, patients, caregivers, and health care providers are encouraged to partner in the fight against pain by promoting standards of pain care. The site’s table of contents includes pain assessment, regulatory issues, and education center. Also features a useful glossary of terms and some free guides you can order by registering.
StopPain.org is dedicated to helping patients alleviate their chronic, nonmalignant pain through all available and effective means, including pain medication, palliative care (in a home, hospital, or hospice setting), psychological interventions (including hypnosis, biofeedback, and psychotherapy), rehabilitative therapies (including physical and occupational therapy), injections, implants, and complementary therapies (including acupuncture and massage). Finding the information you need at this site can be a bit of a challenge, but the site features quality content, including a multimedia library.
This blog is from a philosopher working on issues involving pain. It is an interesting mix of pain science literature, articles relevant to philosophy of mind and ethics, and relationships between gender and pain, depression, anxiety, and other affective disorders.
www.expertvillage.com/video/6360_self-acupressure-treatment-wrist-point.htm
This interesting video explores the technique of acupressure—acupuncture without the needles—to minimize wrist pain, such as for carpal tunnel syndrome and joint stiffness.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/3492_osteoporosis.htm
In this video series, Dr. Susan Jewell discusses how to treat the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease with exercise, cold and hot packs, anti-inflammatory creams, pain killers, and minerals/dietary supplements.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OsEvc0RVog
Mark. S. Wallace, M.D. of the UCSD School of Medicine discusses the management of chronic pain in this program presented by the Stein Institute for Research on Aging.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/7570
This podcast by Dr. John Claude Krusz deals primarily with the causes and treatments of headache pain.
http://community.livejournal.com/fibromyalgia/
This group brings together people who suffer from fibromyalgia, a condition that results in chronic pain in specific locations in the body. Although it specifically deals with this condition, all those who suffer from chronic pain can find something of use here.
http://community.livejournal.com/migraines/
This community is for people who suffer from migraines and is a place to discuss migraine triggers, treatments, and coping strategies.
http://groups.myspace.com/chronicpainandfibromyalgia
A meeting place for friends, family and sufferers of chronic pain/auto-immune disorders (Lupus, MS, RSD and others) and fibromyalgia/MPS/CFS to come and make friends, discuss treatment options and just vent when they feel no one else is listening.
A website dedicated to sharing and exploring information related to sexuality and sexual issues, such as homosexuality, sexual conduct, and transgender issues.
This site is an honest affirmation of safe sex between consenting individuals, and primarily teenagers. Content is offered in both English and Spanish.
Visit Indiana University, home of the Kinsey Institute, where the sexual revolution of the 1960s found fuel, or at least permission, to begin. Here you can learn about the Kinsey Institute and its services and events, tour the library catalog and the gallery, view publications and other resources, and learn about educational opportunities at the institute.
Online magazine that celebrates the beauty and absurdity of sex through thought-provoking and funny articles on various topics relating to human relationships and sexuality. View photographs, read personal essays, check out Nerve’s fiction and poetry, check out the personals, get advice, or visit the message boards to view questions and opinions from other fans of Nerve.
This is the official website of Drs. Jennifer Berman and Laura Berman, experts in female sexual dysfunction and other areas of human sexuality that specifically affect women.
Billed as “sex education for the real world,” Scarleteen functions as an information kiosk and sexual myth-buster all in one. Site covers anatomy, safe sex practices, reproduction, infections, sexual politics, and more. The Crisis Hotline area provides excellent information for how to deal with abuse and other crises, and you can shop online for a few essentials, such as Scarleteen T-shirts and undies. Site also features discussion forums.
Online reading room for everything related to human sexuality. Guides on how to have better sex, sex and aging, STDs, safe sex, sexual dysfunction, and birth control. Discussion forums make it easy to obtain answers to your most pressing and personal questions. Follow links to intimategifts.com for online shopping. With its extensive coverage of nearly every topic relating to human sexuality, this is one of the better sexuality sites.
www.kinseyconfidential.org/podcast/
This podcast provides an opportunity to ask questions and have them answered by experts in sexual health and behavior from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University.
http://community.livejournal.com/sexual_health/
This group provides a forum in which people can ask questions about sexual health, no matter how scary or silly, and have them answered in a compassionate, matter-of-fact way.
http://community.livejournal.com/vaginapagina/
An empowering community geared toward education about vaginas, vulvas, and sexual/reproductive health, including emergency contraception, urinary tract infections, and pubic hair care.
Mark Gorkin, a licensed psychotherapist, known as “The Stress Doc,” offers a wealth of stress management resources. In addition to finding information about his speaking programs, visitors will also find lots of articles and links to help them get a handle on their stress.
The website 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. It also gives direct access to the Changing Times method of psychometric modeling and online stress reduction. The site provides a valuable tool for individuals who seek to tackle their own stress levels and to managers and executives who want to reduce stress in their organizations.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCja0X1wRPE
This three-part video series looks at the causes and effects of stress on the body and provides tips for managing the common stresses of life. (The URL refers to Part I; follow the links on that page to the additional parts.)
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/5815
This weekly podcast helps people deal with the stress-causing elements in their lives in a positive and proactive way. You’ll learn about goal setting, procrastination stress, time management, and more.
Find recovery resources for addictions of all kinds. This site focuses on the 12 Step program made famous by Alcoholics Anonymous and features a blog, chat room, and eCards that you can send to your friends.
When someone you love is on the road to self-destruction, you don’t have to simply stand by and watch. You can stage an intervention in the hopes of convincing your loved one to get help. Addiction Intervention Resources is “a national organization of professional intervention specialists, counselors, and consultants that provide fast and effective crisis management services through a proven protocol of education, action, and healing.” Here you can find out more about the organization and learn how it can help you stage an effective intervention.
Al-Anon is a self-help recovery program for family and friends of alcoholics. Included here is a program overview and a list of contacts and events. Subscribe to The Forum, Al-Anon’s monthly magazine, at this site.
From the home page, choose the English, Spanish, or French version of the text, and continue. You’ll find 12 questions you can answer to help determine whether AA might be helpful. You’ll also find local contact information and a special section for professionals.
Information on antitobacco campaigns, including up-to-date special reports on the dangers associated with teen smoking. The site also presents press releases and news items, fact sheets, and information on each state’s efforts in the fight against tobacco.
If you’re recovering from an addiction to crystal meth, visit this site to get help from others who are dealing with the addiction. Here, you can find a question and answer forum, recovery tips, and personal stories to help you get through the most challenging times.
This is the home page of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) organization. It offers information for kids, parents, and educators. Find out how law enforcement is cooperating in your community and elsewhere to stop drug use. This is a family friendly site.
www.mcneese.edu/community/alcohol/help.html
This is a fun site about a serious topic. Aimed at high school and college students, the site presents the facts about binge drinking, alcohol and health, and alcohol and drugs. After reading all the facts, you can do the self-assessment to determine whether you’re at risk. If so, the site offers an extensive list of resources to contact.
www.helpguide.org/mental/gambling_addiction.htm
Excellent guide defines “gambling addiction,” points out the signs and symptoms, explores the three phases that gambling addicts commonly experience, explains the negative effects of compulsive gambling, and reveals various treatment strategies that can help.
A searchable database of drug information makes this site one of the best places to start researching addictions to specific drugs. It also includes answers to frequently asked questions about drugs, a section of advice for parents, and a page specifically directed at teens.
Sexual Addiction Recovery Resources offers a collection of articles, information, and resources that can help sex addicts, their partners, and sex addiction counselors. Content is grouped by category, including For Addicts, For Partners, For Counselors, For Couples, and Support Groups.
A division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA offers help for those who are struggling with an addiction or a mental health problem. Upon reaching the opening page, click the I Need Help With… link. This opens a page with links to several tools and resources, including a Treatment Facility Locator, self-tests to determine whether you have a problem, and SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6ehAT8J_rc
A fast-paced, image-rich video that examines the biological and environmental causes of addiction as well as the conflict between old brain cravings and new brain reasoning. Addictions covered include both legal and illegal substances, eating disorders, obsessive sexual activity, and habitual gambling.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/1742_addiction.htm
Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol addiction and abuse in this video series. You can learn about the types of addictive drugs, the symptoms of addiction, and the ways that you can possibly help someone who is addicted.
www.muschealth.com/multimedia/Podcasts/index.aspx
Brought to you by the Medical University of South Carolina, these podcasts deal with issues of alcohol and drug dependency. Topics include the latest alcoholism treatments and marijuana abuse and treatment. From the main page, click By Health Topic and then click Alcohol and Drug Dependency.
http://groups.myspace.com/info
This group of more than 10,000 members provides support for those who struggle with alcohol addiction.
Are you planning a trip abroad? Then check out this site before you go to determine whether you need to be aware of any diseases you may encounter on your trip and recommended vaccines or medicines you should obtain before you leave. Visit the CDC travel site a few months before your planned departure. Some vaccinations require a series of shots over a long period of time to be effective.
Pick up travel tips for disabled individuals on the go and hear hotel/motel and restaurant feedback from people who’ve visited. Find out which chains are the best in terms of wheelchair accessibility.
MDtravelhealth.com, a travel health site created and maintained by David Goldberg, MD, features health advice for world travelers and the physicians who treat them. Information is updated daily and includes sections on Destinations, Infectious Diseases, Illness Prevention, Special Needs, Travel Health Clinics, Useful Links, and a FAQ. You can also sign up to have international health alerts emailed to you. The opening page features a clickable map of the world, which you can use to select your destination. When you choose a destination, you’re greeted with links to everything you need to know about preparing yourself for a disease-free trip.
Shoreland, a trusted resource of travel medicine practitioners, created and maintains this site to help world travelers remain healthy as they skip around the globe. Content at this site is organized into three logical divisions: Destinations from A to Z (Afghanistan to Zimbabwe), Traveler Information (an index of common diseases and conditions complete with prevention tips, vaccination information, and treatment guidelines), and Travel Medicine Providers (a searchable directory). You have to register to access this extensive database of travel health information.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/705_international-travel-tips-before-you-leave.htm
This video series covers many aspects of foreign travel, including several health segments such as reducing jet lag, eating and drinking, sanitation, and health and accident insurance when traveling out of your home country.
www.naturalark.com/herbenc.html
Search for information on a particular type of medicinal herb by clicking the appropriate letter, or start by reading short articles on how to use herbs, how to collect and store them, and so on. A complete herb site with an appropriate cautionary warning up front about the proper use of herbs.
This site offers a plethora of “natural” products and services aimed at helping you have a healthier lifestyle. You can research health issues, use a Supplement Planner to determine what vitamins are best for you, read customer reviews of products, and purchase vitamins and supplements online. Organic and kosher items are also available, as is information on homeopathy, aromatherapy, sexual health, and pet care. With its huge product line, excellent search tools, and simplified order forms, this site earns its place in the Best of the Best club.
Nature Made is a large manufacturer of vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements. You can learn about its products, shop online, research various wellness topics, and check out the wellness profile for your sex and age group. You can search products by name, category, and common needs. Find retail stores that carry Nature Made products in your area, and Ask an Expert for advice on health, wellness, nutrition, and vitamins and supplements.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/389_nutritional-supplements-guide.htm
This video series provides expert tips and advice on integrating supplements and vitamins into your diet. You’ll learn how to select supplements, how to understand the specs on the labels, and how to avoid overdosage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWpB2JvriJc
This video, provided by Austin Nutrition, explains the various sources of vitamins and minerals, including natural and synthetic vitamins, whole food vitamins, and whole foods.
Feminist Women’s Health Center is dedicated to building “a world where all women freely make their own decisions regarding their bodies, reproduction, and sexuality—a world where all women can fulfill their own unique potential and live healthy whole lives.” This site features information on birth control, abortion, menstrual cycles, breast care, menopause, and other issues specifically related to women’s health. Site also features special content for teenagers, a list of clinics and resources, a collection of inspirational poetry and stories, a news and views area, and Q&As.
The National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC), a nonprofit organization, is “the leading independent health information source for women. NWHRC develops and distributes up-to-date and objective women’s health information based on the latest advances in medical research and practice.” At this site you will find tool kits for common conditions, nutrition, health, and fitness tips, and many other resources.
Women’s Health features articles, advice, and treatment options for women who may benefit from various types of hormone replacement therapy. Health topics cover anti-aging, bone health, menopause, natural HRT, perimenopause, premenstrual syndrome, restore testing, hysterectomy, skin care, and a special area for men.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/3360_menopause-basics.htm
This video series explains what menopause is and how it affects the body. You’ll learn about the relationship between menopause and exercise, alcohol use, diet, smoking, vitamins, and hormone replacement therapy.
www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/3054
These podcasts discuss diet- and exercise-related fitness topics for women, from learning to balance fast foods with other meals to learning exercises to trim your torso.
http://community.livejournal.com/womenhealth/
This online community focuses on questions, education, and support of women and their health issues.
ABC of Yoga “covers a wide range of topics about the different aspects of Yoga such as the various yoga styles, postures, poses, and techniques.” The opening page presents sections on Learn Yoga, Travel (yoga vacations), News, Shop, and Community. You can use the tabs that run across the top of the site to navigate to the desired section or use the links below that for more precise navigation. Site covers basics, getting started, different styles, exercises and postures, and much more. You can also find a directory of links to other yoga sites. Very complete and attractively designed site.
Kundalini yoga focuses on awakening the spirit and increasing self-awareness of its practitioners. In some cases, the awakening experience of Kundalini can be quite intense and lead to complications. Here, you can find support and information to help you through the awakening and achieve the heightened awareness that Kundalini strives for. This site includes a survival guide, a list of Kundalini links and spiritual links, and a bibliography.
A clearinghouse for information on yoga and Vedanta. The site has yoga exercise tips, a guide to higher consciousness, and biographies of Swami Vishnu and his guru, Swami Sivananda. From the home page, you can access the Five Points of Yoga and the Four Paths of Yoga for a fairly extensive illustrated guide to positions, exercises, and philosophy.
This site has a lot of useful information. One of the highlights is the listing of both the Sanskrit name and English translation. Choose from a long list of asanas and read step-by-step directions on how to achieve these yoga positions. Also read about meditation.
Yoga Journal is a magazine, and you can subscribe to it at this site, but this site offers a lot of excellent information for free, even if you’re not a subscriber. The opening page features a collection of articles from the current issue along with a photo gallery, expert advice, an online poll, and a calendar of events. Near the top of the page is a navigation bar that provides quick access to the many areas of the site, including Basics, Poses, Practice, Health, Wisdom, and Lifestyle. The opening page also offers a Pose Finder, Expert Advice, and a tool for finding yoga classes near you. The site has an attractive design, is easy to navigate, and features excellent content, making it an easy choice for Best of the Best in the Yoga category.
www.expertvillage.com/video-series/1153_partner-yoga.htm
Doing yoga with a partner can be helpful in getting a more complete and intense stretch on certain muscles than you can do on your own. This video series shows how to perform many partner stretches in which you use the other person’s body for leverage and additional stretches.
Yoga Journal’s weekly podcast has grown into a full-fledged TV show; you can watch the episodes here as part of the new Yoga Journal TV.
www.sahajayoga.org/video_excerpts.asp
Several video excerpts appear here in which Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi talks about energy centers (chakras) and energy channels (nadis) in the human subtle system. This is part of a larger site that deals with sahaja yoga.
http://groups.myspace.com/NAMASTE
This group discusses yoga fitness and spirituality. From their introduction: “The ancient Yogis recognized long ago that in order to accomplish the highest stage of yoga, which is the realization of the self, or God consciousness, a healthy physical body is essential…The masters of yoga also teach us that personal growth is possible only when we fully accept our embodiment and when we truly understand that the body is not merely skin and bones but a finely balanced system of energies.”
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