Thursday, May 31, 2007

"Safer Sunning" Resource in Spanish and English

The brochure, "Safer Sunning in Seven Steps", available online only in text format, describes the dangers of harmful rays from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds and who is at extra risk. The seven steps to safer sunning include tips for using sunscreen products and how to check the skin for signs of skin cancer. This resource, developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is available in English and in Spanish.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Healthy Weight Resources for Children

"Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition" (We Can!) is a national program designed for families and communities to help children achieve a healthy weight. We Can! provides families and communities with a variety of resources and materials focused on three behaviors: improved food choices, increased physical activity, and reduced screen time. Patient materials include a tipsheet for parents, a parent handbook, tools for calculating Body Mass Index, worksheets for logging "screen time" and blue "We Can!" wristbands. Some of the materials are available in Spanish. This program was developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in collaboration with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Cancer Institute.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed a patient education resource on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The color tri-fold "Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Guide for Patients" gives readers a brief overview of how CFS is diagnosed, managed, and treated. Also included is contact information for organizations that can provide further information on CFS.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Health Literacy Online Tutorial

A new interactive health literacy tutorial, entitled "Health Literacy: New Field, Now Opportunities" is now available online at no cost. The four sections of this interactive tutorial, developed by World Education and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine/New England region, include: "Health literacy challenge", "Who are the health literacy practitioners", "Successful Strategies and Practices", and "Applying what you have learned".

Listen to the stories of three people who are having a difficult time with information on mammography and breast health, medication compliance, and details related to their job-sponsored health benefits program. Learn about providers who work to help them navigate their way, and test your knowledge regarding the strategies and practices that can assist persons of all literacy levels.

"Health Literacy: New Field, New Opportunities" includes sound and requires the use of Flash plug-in.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Cancer Resources in Urdu

Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and one of the 23 official languages of India. It is estimated that over 100 million people speak Urdu worldwide. Cancerbackup, a British organization whose mission is "to give cancer patients and their families the up-to-date information, practical advice and support they need to reduce the fear and uncertainty of cancer" has produced four cancer-related fact sheets in English and Urdu. The four fact sheets, available in .pdf format, are "Breast Cancer", "Chemotherapy", "Radiotherapy", and "Surgery".

Friday, May 4, 2007

PTSD Resources in Arabic and Chinese

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies announces three new fact sheets on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) available in Chinese and Arabic. Each fact sheet is available in .PDF format and includes the following titles: Children and Trauma, Mass Disaster and Trauma, and Trauma, Loss and Traumatic Grief.