We link to a variety of professional organizations,
along with organizations made up primarily of patients, each of which
offers value through its home website.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Alzheimer’s
Foundation of America
The mission of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)
is “to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting
dementia, and to their caregivers and families—through member
organizations dedicated to improving quality of life.” This
website provides visitors with information about AFA services, updates
on events and conferences, and information about Alzheimer’s
disease covering statistics, diagnosis, symptoms, research, treatment,
and cost. Visitors will also find information about how to prevent
AD, including discussion of the “Four Pillars of Building a
Better Memory.”
Caregiver Support Services Organization
An online support resource for those caring for an individual with
Alzheimer’s disease, this website offers assistance through
its various services, publications, online assessments, and online
support group. Upon registration for membership, visitors can obtain
a copy of The Caregiver Book, receive the Organization’s quarterly
newsletter, and access Internet support group meetings. Caregivers
can measure their stress levels by filling out brief online questionnaires,
measure their “Caregiver Capacity,” and complete a caregiver
assessment designed to take a complete look at an individual’s
caregiving needs. A collection of links to additional online resources
is also available.
CANCER
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): People Living With
Cancer
Visitors can participate in live chats, utilize the “Find an
Oncologist” database, post messages on the message boards,
search the drug database, and browse links to other pertinent online
information on this site hosted by ASCO. This site is “designed
to help people with cancer make informed health care decisions” by
providing detailed information on more than 50 types of cancer and
their treatments. The site organizes thorough and practical information
under five headings: “Understanding Cancer,” “Cancer
Type,” “Coping,” “Community Center,” and “Knowledge
and News.”
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
For more than 20 years, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
has been a “global leader in the fight against breast cancer
through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach
programs,” its website states. Here, visitors will find information
on local outreach activities like the Komen Race for a Cure, an audiovisual,
interactive Breast Self-Exam resource that explains how to conduct
better breast self-exams, frequently updated message boards for sharing
advice and support, and an interactive program for information on
risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options, and more. Visitors can
enter their zip code to find their local Komen affiliate, participate
in the monthly opinion poll, or shop online at the Komen Marketplace.
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
(IFFGD)
A nonprofit education and research organization founded in 1991,
the IFFGD addresses the issues faced by patients living with gastrointestinal
functional and motility disorders. Read a summary of gastrointestinal
functional and motility disorders with links to related articles,
browse a calendar of events and a list of titles in the IFFGD Publications
Library, and reference a glossary of terms related to the gastrointestinal
tract and its associated disorders.
National Heartburn Alliance (NHBA)
Advice from experts, self-care tips, dietary advice, and information
about the National Heartburn Alliance and its mission can be found
at this site. Visitors can browse an extensive list of answers to
common questions related to general heartburn, lifestyle changes,
and medication options for heartburn relief. They may also read about
heartburn, its causes, symptoms, and treatments, myths and facts
about heartburn, heartburn’s hidden effects, nighttime heartburn,
and how stress, weight, smoking, and alcohol affect heartburn. Special
holiday recipes are offered that will enable heartburn sufferers
to enjoy some of their favorite holiday foods without having to worry
about heartburn. Visitors may download free informational brochures,
and sign up to receive the NHBA’s free online heartburn newsletters.
HYPERTENSION
American Society of Hypertension (ASH)
This website includes a calendar of events and conferences, ASH Annual
Meeting information, news, hypertension guidelines, and information
about related clinical trials. Though much of the information is
directed toward the health professional, information for the general
public is also available in the “About Hypertension” section.
Here, patients can link to WebMD for information about hypertension,
download an ASH pamphlet entitled “Understanding Hypertension,” and
obtain high blood pressure information from the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute.
Blood Pressure Association
Compiled with the input of people who have high blood pressure, this
UK-based site looks at medications used to treat high blood pressure,
lifestyle adjustments that can reduce the risk of hypertension, the
effects of dietary sodium on blood pressure, and general issues related
to high blood pressure. The “Information” section includes
an explanation of high blood pressure, information on blood pressure
measurement, instructions for the proper use of blood pressure monitors,
data on treatments for high blood pressure, suggested lifestyle changes,
the facts about commonly prescribed medications, a review of risk
factors for hypertension, and special considerations for high blood
pressure in pregnancy. Under “Latest News,” find current
news stories, research information, and a news archive listing articles
from the past year.
MINORITY HEALTH National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Via this website, the National Center on Minority Health and Health
Disparities (NCMHD) advances its efforts to “conduct and support
basic, clinical, social, and behavioral research, promote research
infrastructure and training, foster emerging programs, disseminate
information, and reach out to minority and other health disparity
communities.” Visitors can find out about NCMHD-sponsored programs
and initiatives, link to government and nongovernment online resources
related to minority health, register for upcoming conferences and
events, and read recent press releases on the latest research, news,
and developments in this area.
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
To help improve the health and wellbeing of Hispanics, the National
Alliance for Hispanic Health offers this online resource listing
the latest health-related news, events, and publications covering
current issues and developments in Hispanic health. Visitors can
donate to the Alliance, register to become a member, read the Alliance
Reporter—the online newsletter from the Alliance—and
browse a vast collection of resources and publications for health
facts and statistics illustrating current health trends in the Hispanic
community. With a grant from the Office of Minority Health, the Alliance
launched the National Hispanic Digital Community—an interactive
Web-based forum where community-based organizations, health professionals,
and consumers can discuss topics relating to Hispanic health and
build meaningful partnerships.
OBESITY
American Society of Bariatric Physicians
While much of the content on this site is focused toward the physician,
a listing is also provided for patients of organizations and agencies
dedicated to raising obesity awareness. The groups represented on
this page of links “were selected on the basis of the value
of the information presented on overweight, obesity, and related
conditions.” Visitors can link to 18 associations and government
resources and subscribe to Obesity Meds and Research News, an online
newsletter that provides updates on obesity research and weight loss
drug development.
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