Professional Organizations
We link to dozens of professional organizations, along with organizations
made up primarily of patients, each of which offers value through
its home website.
ARTHRITIS/RHEUMATOLOGY
Arthritis Foundation
The efforts of the Arthritis Foundation center on the three-fold mission of
the organization: research, prevention, and quality of life. At this site,
visitors can learn more about the Foundation’s activities, events, and advocacy
efforts, read about various medications, communicate with other sufferers,
and access tips for easier living.
Lupus Foundation
of America
The Lupus Foundation of America seeks to educate and support those affected
by lupus and promote efforts to find a cure for the disease. Visitors can learn
more about the organization’s aims and activities; visitors can also access
basic facts about lupus and link to additional publications.
Lyme Alliance
Finding out you have Lyme disease can be both a relief and a source of further
anxiety; relief because you finally know the cause of all your symptoms,
and anxiety-provoking because you probably know very little about the cause
of your troubles and travails. To supplement the information provided by
your physician, turn to the Lyme Alliance website to find out everything
you need to know about this health risk.
CANCER
American Cancer
Society
This colorful site is easily navigated, allowing patients with cancer to quickly
find information on their specific form of the disease, including explanations
of various treatment options, coping advice, discussion of treatment-related
side effects, and more. Spanish-language versions of much of the site’s content
are also available.
Colon Cancer
Alliance
The Colon Cancer Alliance provides cancer information, research news, advocacy,
and peer support through its home site. Read information on the genetic component
to colorectal cancer in the site’s “Resource Center,” contact other cancer
survivors and caregivers, and learn about important legislative, policy initiatives,
and clinical trials.
The Melanoma
Research Foundation
Melanoma patients and survivors founded the Melanoma Research Foundation to
fund melanoma research and raise public awareness about this form of cancer.
Access this site to find information on the organization’s activities, read
the latest research news, sign up to receive the Foundation’s newsletter, and
more.
National Ovarian
Cancer Coalition
This website is designed to provide patients and health care professionals
with a national resource focused solely on ovarian cancer and promote further
research. Visitors will find detailed explanations of the effects of this form
of cancer, the treatment options currently available, clinical trial information,
a searchable database of articles, and more.
DIABETES
American Diabetes
Association
The ADA funds research, publishes scientific findings, and provides information
and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health care professionals,
and the public; the Association also advocates for scientific research and
the rights of people with diabetes. This site provides detailed information
on the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes, as well as on the advocacy
and research efforts of the organization.
The Hormone Foundation
The Hormone Foundation is “dedicated to serving as a resource for the public
by promoting the prevention, treatment, and cure of hormone-related diseases.” It
offers information on diabetes, growth, hormone abuse, menopause, obesity,
osteoporosis, PCOS, the pituitary gland, the prostate, and the thyroid.
EATING DISORDERS
American Anorexia/Bulimia
Association
This website offers informative articles, eating disorder definitions and descriptions
of what to look for if a disorder is suspected, and other resources, such as
contact information for counselors, doctors, and help-lines. The AABA is a
collection of concerned members of the public and health care professionals
that are dedicated to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.
ANRED: Anorexia
Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders
This organization is dedicated to providing clear, understandable information
about the better-known eating disorders, as well as more obscure conditions
such as anorexia athletica and rumination syndrome. Aside from basic reference
information about each condition, the site offers statistics, answers to frequently
asked questions, facts about treatment options, and more.
HEART DISEASE
American
Heart Association
This site includes news, an interactive risk assessment tool, nutrition and
exercise information, as well as links to publications, statistics, CME opportunities,
and information on upcoming meetings. An excellent feature is the Heart and
Stroke Guide, which includes 20 pages of links to a variety of subjects. Listed
alphabetically, each link provides a monograph on the subject that then suggests
other links to related subjects.
Vascular Disease Foundation
The Vascular Disease Foundation is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated
to “increasing awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and management of
peripheral arterial disease.” Web content includes a chart comparing types
of leg pain, answers to frequently asked questions, news, and survivors’ stories.
WomenHeart
This organization was founded by women with heart disease, and is dedicated
to reducing death and disability among the eight million American women living
with heart disease. At this site, visitors can learn about the organization’s
aims and advocacy efforts, access news relevant to women with heart disease,
read recent research reports, and much more.
MENTAL HEALTH
Child and Adolescent
Bipolar Foundation
The Foundation is a parent-led, not-for-profit, Web-based membership organization
(free for families). Visit the Learning Center to access audio/video presentations,
conference reports, screening tools, and information on legal issues; the Community
Center houses message boards, online support groups, and chat rooms.
National Attention
Deficit Disorder Association
This organization maintains an outstanding website for people with ADD and
their caregivers. Visitors can access advice on legal issues and the impact
of ADD on work, school, and relationships. Research updates are also available,
along with a listing of support groups and personal stories by sufferers.
National Center
for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Online features include concise articles about the diagnosis and treatment
of PTSD, research updates and publications related to PTSD, published by the
Center, assessment instruments for PTSD, answers to frequently asked questions,
and information about the Center’s aims, methods, and activities.
National Mental Health
Association
The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the country’s oldest and largest
nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing all aspects of mental health
and mental illness. This site provides specific tips for those with mental
health problems; updates on the legislative advocacy efforts of the NMHA and
research news are also available.
NEUROLOGY
Epilepsy Foundation
The goal of the Epilepsy Foundation is to ensure that people with seizures
are able to participate in all life experiences, and to prevent, control,
and cure epilepsy. Learn more about Foundation-sponsored research and advocacy,
participate in an online community of people with epilepsy, and their friends
and families, and more, through this site.
Multiple Sclerosis
Association of King County
Ann Crickmer is a social worker with the Multiple Sclerosis Association; she
is the proprietor of this excellent site offering articles, advice, and support
for people dealing with multiple sclerosis. Users can learn about managing
pain, “alternative” therapies, sexuality and MS, a variety of drugs, and more,
or “Ask Ann” a question about coping.
National Parkinson
Foundation
This goal of this organization is to improve the quality of life of, and efficacy
of treatment provided to, people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Visitors
can access research news, legislative updates, information about diagnosis
and treatment of this condition, links to support groups and related online
resources, and much more.
RESPIRATORY DISEASE
National
Emphysema Foundation
The mission of this organization is “to improve the quality of life of those
who have contracted emphysema, asthma, and related diseases, through education,
research, and direct patient care.” Visit this site for information on the
organization and its activities, as well as for links to support groups, information
on emphysema and lung health, and much more.
Pulmonary
Hypertension Association
Learn about the activities of this organization through its home site, which
includes meeting schedules, background information about pulmonary hypertension,
and all of the usual trappings of an association website. There is a great
deal of information to be had, including data on clinical trials, insurance
matters, research funding, and the like.
SLEEP DISORDERS
National
Sleep Foundation
Visitors to this site can take a “Sleep Test” designed to assess their own
sleep patterns and determine whether a problem might exist. They can then conduct
further research on any condition, “Ask a Sleep Expert” any questions they
might have, access recent news and publications, find out about current advocacy
efforts, and much more.
SPORTS MEDICINE
American
Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
Visit this site for information about the Society’s TEAM program, a 40-minute,
low impact workout; visitors can access a .PDF exercise brochure or view the
included exercises online. A variety of supplemental brochures on sports medicine
are also available. If patients have additional questions, they can contact
the Society and have them answered by an expert, or use the site’s interactive
tool to locate a specialist in their area. |
