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Birth Control On the Net you can find out everything you always wanted to know about birth control (but no one ever bothered to tell you). You can find general information about all methods of contraception (including abstinence). Learn about drugs, contraceptive devices, useful statistics, family planning, and much more. Web:
Centers for Disease Control The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. (The CDC was originally established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center.) The CDC offers national programs for the prevention and control of communicable diseases, conducts research and directs quarantine activities when necessary. They also offer health-related information for people who are planning to travel outside the U.S. Web: Children's Health If you have kids, there will be lots of times when you will need health advice. Here are some Web sites to assist you. You'll find information on a large variety of topics relating to pediatric health, childhood conditions, and acquired and congenital diseases, as well as advice and tips. The Usenet group is for the general discussion of children's health. Hint: If all else fails, ask your mother. Web:
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Children's Mental Health Here is an excellent collection of articles that deal with many different aspects of children's mental health. If one of your children has a problem, this is a great place to look for information, advice and ideas. Read about adolescent development, depression, lying, teen pregnancy, sleep problems, mental retardation, and more. Even if your kids are doing fine, you will still find it worthwhile to browse this site for useful information. For example, did you know that children who watch a lot of television are more likely to have lower grades, read fewer books, exercise less and be overweight? Web:
Doctor-Marketed Web Sites Everyone wants to get into the act, and on the Net, that means doctors too. In a quest for the hearts, minds and dollars of people everywhere, various companies have created Web sites in the names of famous doctors. These Web sites offer news, information and advice on a variety of health-related topics. Here are sites marketed under the auspices of doctors: Andrew Weil (author and lecturer), Donnica Moore (TV personality), Dean Edell (radio talk show host), and Gabe Mirkin (radio talk show host). Web:
Finding a Doctor or Hospital I went to medical school, and I know. There is a huge difference in the skill of doctors, and it matters a lot. I put in a lot of effort to find a good doctor for myself. I asked around for recommendations, then I made appointments with various doctors and interviewed them. Sure, I had to pay for those appointments, but it was worth it, as I was able to find the doctor I wanted. The best way to find a good doctor is to ask another doctor who is familiar with your area. The doctors in every community know which of their colleagues are good and which are bad. However, they are reluctant to give such information to outsiders, so you may have to be inventive to get a real recommendation. One last hint. Don't ever forget that you are the customer. The doctor works for you. Web:
Go Ask Alice "Alice" is a pseudonym for a number of people in the Health Education and Wellness Program at Columbia University in New York City. The "Go Ask Alice" Web site features answers to questions submitted by readers. The questions are oriented toward students and cover sex, relationships, drugs, fitness, emotional health and other topics. You can browse through the many questions that have already been answered, or submit a question of your own. (The name "Go Ask Alice" is taken from the song "White Rabbit", recorded by Jefferson Airplane on their 1967 album "Surrealistic Pillow". The song deals with the superficial similarities between taking drugs in the Sixties and the book "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland". I assume the people at Columbia University chose this whimsical name in order to convince themselves that, even though they are old, they are still cool.) Web:
Health Care Politics Talk and General Discussion What happens when an irresistible force (health care reform) meets an immovable object (the health care industry)? Join the ongoing debate and share your opinions and comments. Usenet:
Health News When it comes to medical problems, especially chronic conditions, it is human nature to look for magic cures and treatments. When it comes to answering health-related questions, the mainstream part of our culture worships at the altar of science (and rightly so). However, we often go too far, and it doesn't take much rational reflection to see that, as a society, we are obsessed with medical research, addicted to the rush that comes with each new "breakthrough". As a result, there is a constant stream of health-related news... day after day after day. Indulge if you must, but do so when you have lots of spare time. Reading health-related articles is like eating potato chips: it's hard to stop at just one. Web:
Health Resources When you are looking for health-related information, here are some excellent places to start. You can find information on specific diseases and conditions, as well as a lot of good advice on how to stay healthy. Web:
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Healthy Living In the long run, what you do for yourself will be the most important influence on your long-term health. My philosophy is to slowly build habits that lead to an enduring state of physical and emotional well-being. In my experience, this requires you to make a serious, ongoing commitment to yourself (and being a man, I understand commitment). I know that, as one of my readers, you are wiser and more sensitive than almost everyone else, and when I say that the most important factor governing your life is your attitude, I know you understand what I mean. For this reason, I offer these resources to help you find the path to health that works for you. In my experience, there is no single magic technique; anyone who says different is trying to sell you something. The reality of it is that you will have to practice a variety of good habits over a long period of time. (I use a combination of a good diet, regular exercise, yoga, vitamins and supplements, massage, and chiropractic adjustments.) The changes I am talking about do not depend on your husband or wife, your father or mother, your kids, or your best friend. They have to do with you, and the time to start is now. Web:
Massage Just by using your fingers, you can turn someone into a noodle. Massage is a delicious and therapeutic way to alleviate the effects of tension and ill health. Discover new techniques and methods of massage along with recommendations for oils and additional accoutrements that can take massage to a new level. Web:
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Mental Health Mental health is something we take for granted when things are going well. However, we are very much creatures of the mind, and when our minds do not work well, our suffering can be tremendous. One of the things that can help you the most when you are dealing with mental illness is reliable information. These Web sites can help you understand various mental health conditions and treatments. Web:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) provides major support and direction for medical research relating to infectious, immunologic and allergic diseases that afflict people worldwide (including AIDS). Its Web site is a point of access for information about its myriad activities and research accomplishments. Web: National Institutes of Health The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is one of eight health agencies of the U.S. Public Health Service. The general aim of the NIH is to "uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone" (boldly going where no medical man has gone before). More precisely, the NIH conducts research in its own laboratories, and supports a lot of research in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and other institutions. Web: Quackery and Health Fraud Health and feeling well are so important to us that when things go wrong we may consider any alternative, even those based on unsound principles or deception. Eventually, all of us die, and throughout the course of a lifetime, we will get sick from time to time. Thus, it is no surprise that the world of health has always had quacks and fakes. Moreover, there are many "alternative" therapies that are simply not effective, but still practiced widely. These Web sites contain information and links that will help you recognize health fraud and make informed decisions about health care for yourself and your family. If someone you know has a serious illness, do take some time to learn about the frauds, so you don't end up making a bad decision. Web:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) The most serious sexually transmitted disease is AIDS, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the term "sexually transmitted diseases", or STDs, covers a lot of ground. There are more than fifty diseases and conditions that are spread through sexual activity, among them chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, genital warts, syphilis, candidiasis (yeast infection) and trichomoniasis. The microorganisms that cause STDs are generally spread through either physical contact or the exchange of body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid or blood. Some STDs are minor, but in general, these are conditions that need to be treated, as they can lead to sterility, chronic infection, infertility, cancer and, in the worst cases, death. Here is the information you need to understand how you catch these diseases, what happens when you are infected, and how to get rid of them. Web:
Snakebites In North America, snakes are not nearly as dangerous as most people believe. North American snakes seldom bite humans, and even when they do, the bites are rarely fatal. However, if you do get bitten by a snake, you may be in need of some hard information quickly. If so, here is the place to look. If you happen to be bitten by a snake in a different part of the world, my advice is to check these sites, then catch the first plane for North America. (By the way, unless you are acting in a movie, it is never a good idea to suck out the venom with your mouth.) Web:
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Stress Stress, stress and more stress. I'm so tired of stress I could scream. But when I'm finished screaming and I want the real lowdown, I turn to the stress Web sites. Here is information on the reasons and biological basis for stress, the physiology of stress, how to manage stress, and hints on how to relax. (My hint is to stop reading about stress.) Web:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the principal U.S. federal governmental organization devoted to health care. HHS is huge, being the largest grant-making department in the government. HHS contains several hundred agencies and organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. The HHS Web site provides information about the HHS's programs, organizations and activities. Web: Women's Health Women have a number of special health considerations. Here is a fine collection of resources related to women's health. Read about pregnancy, birth and midwifery, breast cancer, menopause, osteoporosis, rape and sexual assault, abortion, safe sex, fertility, sexual harassment, AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health, Pap tests, and much, much more. Web:
World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) operates under the auspices of the United Nations. The goal of WHO is the "attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health". (What do they mean by health? "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being -- and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity -- in which each person in the world has at least two Harley Hahn books.") I have an idea for you that I know will sound a bit odd. Every now and then, take a few moments and look at the WHO press releases. You will find out a lot of interesting information and get a real feeling for what is happening around the world. Web: |
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