Legal and Policy Blogs

1. 15 and Counting: This blog is part of an organized effort that calls on governments to meet their commitments on sexual and reproductive health.
2. Reproductive Freedom: The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) offers this blog about reproductive rights.
3. AKIMBO: The International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) uses this blog to publish perspectives on world events and policies affecting women’s health and rights.
4. Center for Reproductive Rights: The Center is a legal innovator seeking to fundamentally transform the landscape of reproductive health and rights worldwide. Their ReproRights Magazine is updated and online.
5. Change Happens: The SAFER Blog: Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER) is the only organization that fights sexual violence and rape culture by empowering student-led campaigns to reform college sexual assault policies.
6. Choice USA: This blog gives emerging leaders the tools they need to organize, network, and exchange ideas to build a youth centered pro-choice agenda and mobilize communities for reproductive justice.
7. Egg Donation & Surrogacy Law Blog: Theresa M. Erickson is one of the few attorneys in the United States who practices exclusively in the area of Family Formation Law.
8. Gender & Sexuality Law Blog: This blog is populated with entries from the Columbia Law School.
9. Health Care Justice Blog: A resource about inequity and barriers in the U.S. health care system.
10. National Women’s Law Center: This group cuts to the core of women’s issues and reproductive rights — with special attention given to the needs of low-income women and their families.
11. Radical Doula: Miriam Zoila Pérez is a doula, writer, blogger and reproductive justice activist.
12. Reproductive Rights Prof Blog: Caitlin E. Borgmann provides resources, news, and information of particular interest to law school professors who teach and write in the area of reproductive rights.
13. Reposses Reproductive Justice: RepoRepro is the blog of Law Students for Reproductive Justice.
14. RH Reality Check: RH Reality Check is an online community and publication serving individuals and organizations committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights.
15. Surrogacy & Egg Donation Issues: Erikson Law Professional Corporation offers a blog that covers issues from adoption to surrogacy.

Political, Religious and Professional Advocates

16. ACLU Reproductive Freedom: This project’s mission is to protect everyone’s right to make informed decisions free from government interference about whether and when to become a parent.
17. Catholics for Choice: CFC was founded in 1973 to serve as a voice for Catholics who believe that the Catholic tradition supports a woman’s moral and legal right to follow her conscience in matters of sexuality and reproductive health.
18. Emily’s List: A community of progressive Americans dedicated to electing pro-choice Democratic women to every level of political office.
19. Living as a Prochoice Christian: Pro-choice Christian who wants to reduce the need for elective abortions through comprehensive sex education, reformed adoption and better support for pregnant women.
20. Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health: PRCH is a doctor-led national advocacy organization using evidence-based medicine to promote sound reproductive health policies. They believe in reproductive choice for everyone.
21. Reproductive Partners Fertility Blog: A group of physicians offer their perspective on reproductive fertility, health and issues.
22. The Republican Majority for Choice Blog: This blog is by an organization of Republicans who support the “traditional Republican tenets of limited government and personal freedom.”

Education and Health

23. AAUW Dialog: Since 1881 the American Association of University Women has been the nation’s leading voice promoting education and equity for women and girls.
24. Academic OB/GYN: Use this blog to learn more about the perspectives of an academic OB/GYN.
25. Advocates for Youth: The blogs on this site speak for efforts to help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.
26. Bioethics Reproductive Tech: Learn about reproductive technology from this blog produced by Bioethics.
27. Guttmacher Institute: The organization advances sexual and reproductive health worldwide through an interrelated program of social science research, public education and policy analysis.
28. OpenForum: This blog is supported by the community of Health and Human Rights: An International Journal.
29. The Pro-Choice Public Education Project: PEP is a national reproductive justic organization with an educational platform focused on reproductive justice and more.
30. Women’s Health: Learn more about topics that range from birth control to female reproductive health.
31. Women’s Health News: A medical librarian uses her blog as a format for women’s health news, politics, information and resources.

Planning and Choices

32. Abortion: This blog is about abortion clinics, abortion law, resources, information the pill and more choices for women and couples.
33. Abortionclinicdays: Pro-choice blog written from abortion clinic worker perspectives.
34. Choice 2.0: Central North Carolina Planned Parenthood supports views and opinions that support women’s reproductive rights.
35. NARAL Blog for Choice: For 40 years, NARAL (National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League) Pro-Choice America has been the nation’s leading advocate for privacy and a woman’s right to choose.
36. National Abortion Federation Blog: News about reproductive choice from the President and CEO of this foundation.
37. NYC Unrated & Unfiltered: This is the blog of Planned Parenthood of New York City.
38. Sex. Justice. Change. Rochester/Syracuse Region Planned Parenthood writes about local and national sexual health and reproductive rights issues.

Topical Women’s Groups

39. Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice: ACRJ organizes communities, develops leaders, and builds relationships to change policies for reproductive justice.
40. Feministe: Feministe is one of the oldest feminist blogs online designed by and run by women from the ground up.
41. Feministing: Feministing’s Community blog exists to provide a platform for feminist and pro-feminist writing, to connect feminists online and off, and to encourage activism.
42. Latina Institute for Reproductive Health: This blog voices efforts to ensure the fundamental human right to reproductive health care for Latinas, their families and their communities.
43. MS. Blog: This blog is all about women’s issues, reproductive rights and health and national advocacy.
44. National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum: This site focuses on bridging the many issues that confront API women and their communities.
45. Our Bodies Our Blog: This blog voices a mission to advance health and human rights within a framework of values shaped by women’s voices and a commitment to self-determination and equality.
46. Say It Sister! Say It, Sister! is a place where NOW (National Organization of Women) leaders speak their minds on women’s issues.
47. The Native American Women’s health Education Resource Center: NAWHERC works with a national, broad-based and diverse coalition of Native American, women’s health and civil liberties organizations. Sign up for news and listen to Dakota Talk Radio.
48. Women of Color Policy Network: This group is the only research and policy institute in the country focused on women of color housed at a top ranked public policy school.
49. Women’s Issues: This blog covers all women’s issues, including reproductive rights.
50. Women’s Rights: This blog covers all women’s rights, including reproductive health and choice issues.

Localized Public Health Issues

1. 2010 Public Health Farmers’ Market: A partnership of Columbus Public Health and Ohio State’s College of Public Health.
2. City of Houston – Hurricane Ike – Life’s Lessons: First Place Winner, Public Health / Public Safety 2010 TATOA Government Programming Awards.
3. Community Meeting 7.23.10: Barbara Worgess is the Director of the Public Health District for Coconino County, Arizona. Topic focuses on contaminated flood waters.
4. DEP Marcellus Gas Oil Drilling Hearing in Pittsburgh Pt 1: This is the first of 10 videos that portray how water wells are becoming unusable because of Marcellus fracking.
5. GetUp City Challenge: A local look at the support for the national 5-2-1 Challenge, or 5 servings of fruits and vegetables/day, 2 hours of screen time/day, 1 hour of physical activity/day.
6. Idaho North Central District: Public relations for this region’s public health programs, defining public health and describing services.
7. NGN Daily: Air Pollution and Biofuel: Democracy advocates and environmentalists are worried that the city’s current political system may be preventing improvements in Hong Kong’s air quality.
8. NPT Reports: Children’s Health Crisis — Overview: Nashville Public TV’s first documentary in the NPT Reports series serves as an overview of the state of Tennessee’s childrens’ health.
9. Oregon Public Health & Zombies: An interesting public service announcement for this state’s public health services.
10. Public Health: This public service video focuses on the B-cycle program available in Denver, Colorado.
11. The Daily Iowan: Siren Song of Alcohol: Dangerous drinking in downtown Iowa City has become so severe that alcohol-related calls are putting a strain on the Johnson Co. Ambulance Service.
12. The public health effects of Chicago’s coal emissions: A video by Progress Illinois at an environmental press conference at Chicago’s Dvorak Park.
13. This Is Public Health: University of New Hampshire students were assigned a project in their Introduction to Public Health class to capture pictures that represent public health and place.
14. UCSI University’s Public Health Campaign 2010: Students from this Malaysian University offer views from their ninth annual Public Health Campaign.

Government-Based Public Health Issues

15. 08-clintonAIDS: Secretary Clinton’s Video Message to the XVIII International AIDS Conference.
16. CDC Disease Detective Camp: The CDC Disease Detective Camp provides high school students with information to key aspects of the CDC and careers in public health.
17. CFS Patients Address the CDC: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients provide information about this disease and confront the CDC about recognition.
18. Community Resiliency – Public Health Emergency Discussion Series: this video is sponsored by HHS and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and response.
19. Get the Story: CDC’s Global Health Odyssey Museum: This film promotes the history of the CDC and the CDC museum located in Atlanta, Georgia.
20. Low-Carb Community Reaction To The USDA 2010 Dietary Guidelines Testimony On July 8, 2010: A total of 50 people presented testimony, including several members of the low-carb community.
21. Preventive Health Care Coverage Under Health Reform: First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius discuss health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
22. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin Pensacola Florida press conference 7-15-10: Questions about dispersants in the Gulf directed to the government at a press conference in Florida.
23. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy: The White House National HIV/AIDS Strategy, reiterated in July 2010.
24. USDA Food Safety Lessons go on the Road: The USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone plans to teach Americans how to safely prepare and handle food.

Public Health Education

25. 21st Century Tools for Health Leadership: New Media: UC Berkeley Center for Health Leadership shows how new media applications are transforming public health and health delivery in developing countries.
26. An Iconography of Contagion: Public health infectious diseases displayed and discussed include pneumonia, malaria, gonorrhea, syphilis, and AIDS.
27. Education breeds public health improvement: Mia Chabot describes how her Peace Corps work in Africa addressed nutrition, sanitation and public health.
28. FAQ’s to UNC Health Policy and Management Residential Master’s programs: Dr. Bruce Fried answers frequently asked questions to the residential MHA, MSPH and MPH programs at University of North Carolina.
29. Important Figures in 19th Century Public Health: This video covers significant figures in the development of 19th-century pulic health policies.
30. Leaving to Return: A Safe Day in the Life of a Public Health Field Worker: Produced by the New York Department of Health, these safety tips are appropriate nationwide.
31. Suicide Prevention from a Public Health Perspective — Part 1: This series, up to part 6, was uploaded recently by Drexel Public Health.
32. U-SEEE Podcast: About the Fellows Program: Funded by the CDC and sponsored by the University of Minnesota, this video talks about its program for students in public health.
33. Using YouTube in Community Health Education & Practice PART ONE: Presented at the 12th Annual Public Health Nursing Conference.
34. What is Public Health to You? Maryville University provides a presentation for public health awareness.

Specific Public Health Topics

35. Ask the Expert: The Oil Disaster and Public Health: Center for American Progress offers questions and answers about the Gulf Oil disaster.
36. Improving the Lives of Women Through Public Health Initiatives: The connection between human rights and good health among some of the world’s most impoverished and neglected women.
37. No Sanitation, Public Health at Risk: The lack of public toilets in Rajasthan’s Karauli market poses severe public health and economic challenges for residents.
38. Pesticides tied to ADHD in children: Marc Weisskopf, assistant professor of environmental and occupational epidemiology at Harvard, discusses the results of this study.
39. Malaria interventions and Public Health 1: Tony Kiszewski, assistant professor of Public Health Entomology at Bentley University, researches malaria interventions.
40. Violence Prevention Campaign: B1Example (Boston Public Health Commission) provides Naeyjalite’s story about violence prevention.
41. Women Abuse & Social Conformity: Social experiments focused on reactions to battered women in public, sponsored by the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Public Health Solutions

42. Clean Water Project Started by a Public Health Education Peace Corps Volunteer in Moldova: An educational solution provided by a volunteer.
43. Fit for Life: In the Mix is the Emmy award winning PBS documentary series for teens.
44. MAPE members make sure vacationing Minnesotans drink clean water: Kyle Johnsen monitors and protects Minnesotans as a Public Sanitarian in Fergus Falls.
45. Non-Invasive, Non-Destructive and Remote Identification of Depleted Water Trap Seals — Part 1: This five-part series addresses the role of dry traps in the 2003 Amoy Gardens SARS epidemic, a plumbing failure identified by WHO as implicated in 321 cases resulting in 42 deaths.
46. Reinventing Physical Education: Jake Glover, in this TEDxPennQuarter, discusses his findings as a clinical exercise specialist.
47. Two grads launch start-up company to remove herbicide from water: NewWater will offer a biocatalyst-based drinking water filtration technology that can reduce atrazine concentrations to acceptable levels.
48. Universal Yoga at University at Buffalo: Sponsored by UB’s Division of Student Affairs and UB’s School for Public Health and Health Professions.
49. Vegetative Filter Strips May Deter Pesticide Runoff: The Center for Agriculture at UMass Amherst is studying how to improve methods that deter pesticide runoff and protect water supplies.
50. Water, Health and Sanitation: A TEDxCarletonU video that covers problems and solutions to improve water quality and decrease the incidence of water-borne diseases.

1. Prior to 1900-Present — Black Lung Disease: Hundreds of thousands of American miners have suffered and died from black lung disease (also known as “coal worker’s pneumoconiosis), a respiratory illness caused by the inhalation of coal mine dust. The combined failure of government, medicine, and industry to halt the spread of this disease — and even to acknowledge its existence — resulted in a national tragedy, the effects of which are still being felt today. Black lung disease usually affects workers over age 50. There is no cure for this disease, but it can be prevented by avoiding breathing in coal dust. After activism, Congress legalized the term “black lung” as a synonym for that disease in Title IV of the Coal Mine Act. It was the first time that Congress had mandated that an occupational disease occurring in a major industry must be eradicated. Congress also established the black lung benefits program, the first and only federal compensation statute to compensate victims of occupational diseases.
2. 1916, 1952 — Polio: Polio occurred primarily in July, August, and September and hit regardless of geographic region, economic status, or population density. Relatively few people showed any symptoms and even fewer died or experienced paralysis, but the physical effects were dramatic. Communities reacted with dread because no one understood how or why people got it, and because children were the most frequently affected. Over 7,000 deaths and more than 27,000 cases reported in America’s worst polio (infantile paralysis) epidemic in the U.S. New York City experienced the first large epidemic of polio, with over 9,000 cases and 2,343 deaths. When the epidemic in the United States peaked in 1952, polio had struck nearly 58,000 people, mainly children and young adults. In that year, the U.S. reported 57,000 cases with 3,300 reported dead. In the three years between 1955 and 1957, the incidence of polio in the U.S. fell by 85 – 90 percent with the widespread use of Salk’s polio vaccine.
3. 1918 — Spanish Influenza: More people were hospitalized worldwide during World War I (WWI) from influenza than from wounds, and this flu killed more people than the war itself — somewhere between 20 and 40 million people worldwide. US Army training camps became death camps with 80 percent death rate in some camps, and this pandemic is cited as killing more people in a single year than in four years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Symptoms in 1918 were so unusual that initially influenza was misdiagnosed as dengue, cholera, or typhoid. One observer wrote, “One of the most striking of the complications was hemorrhage from mucous membranes, especially from the nose, stomach, and intestine. Bleeding from the ears and petechial hemorrhages in the skin also occurred.”
4. 1941, 1962-65 — Rubella (German Measles): Rubella (which means “little red” and is also known as German measles) originally was though to be a variant of measles. It is a mild disease in children and adults, but can cause devastating problems if it infects the fetus, especially if infection is in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Children who are infected with rubella before birth are at risk for growth retardation; mental retardation; malformations of the heart and eyes; deafness; and liver, spleen, and bone marrow problems. Worldwide between 1962-65, this disease affected as many as 12.5 million causing deafness, blindness; approximately 30,000 babies in USA alone due to maternal rubella. Rubella can be prevented by the rubella vaccine. Widespread immunization against rubella is critical to controlling the spread of the disease, thereby preventing birth defects caused by congenital rubella syndrome.
5. 1957-1958 — Asian Flu: Victims of this flu strain (subtype H2N2) experience fatigue, aches and pains and fever that can last two weeks. Experts identified the pandemic first in wild ducks the Far East in February 1957 before it mutated with the existing human flu strain. The virus first made its way to the U.S. in the summer of 1957 where it would account for 70,000 deaths. Although infection rates were highest among children and pregnant women, the elderly suffered the highest rates of death.
6. 1961-1970 — Cholera: There are references to deaths due to dehydrating diarrhea — one of the symptoms of cholera — dating back to Hippocrates and Sanskrit writings. In 1961, the “El Tor” biotype (distinguished from classic biotypes by the production of hemolysins) reemerged and produced a major epidemic in the Philippines to initiate a seventh global pandemic in 1961. In the United States, cholera was prevalent in the 1800s but has been virtually eliminated by modern sewage and water treatment systems. However, as a result of improved transportation, more persons from the United States travel to parts of Latin America, Africa, or Asia where epidemic cholera is occurring. U.S. travelers to areas with epidemic cholera may be exposed to the bacterium. In addition, travelers may bring contaminated seafood back to the United States. The CDC carries information for travelers.
7. 1968-69 — ‘Hong Kong’ Flu: This flu (H3N2) often is confused with the common cold, but symptoms (high fever, joint pain, lack of energy) worsen and last longer. Symptoms normally cause a victim to become bedridden for up to two weeks. Named after the city where it was first detected in 1968, the virus returned in 1970 and 1972. The elderly were hardest hit. In the U.S., 34,000 fell victim to the Hong Kong influenza between September 1968 and March 1969, and almost one million people worldwide died.
8. 1981-Present — AIDS/HIV: This pandemic was first recognized by U.S. doctors in 1981, with cases in California and New York. The first cases were found among gay men, then injecting drug users. The name, “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,” or AIDS was created the following year, and in 1983 this disease was reported among non-drug using women and children. By 1984, scientists identify HIV (initially called HTLV-III or LAV) as the cause of AIDS. As late as 2007, around 33 million people are living with HIV, according to revised estimates. According to the Avert site, more than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981. Africa, where it is agreed that the disease originated, has over 14 million AIDS orphans.
9. 1989-90 — Flu: In the last official epidemic during the winter of 1989-90, 600 people per 1,000 fell ill and 26,000 people died in the UK. Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection which can have very serious complications, especially in ‘at-risk’ populations. These groups are more likely than the general population to experience complications following influenza, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media (ear infection) and sinusitis that may require hospitalization. Many flu strains can be prevented by vaccination, but there is no cure.
10. 1989-1991 — Measles: This pandemic started in Maryland and spread rapidly throughout all the states within the continental U.S. It was a resurgence that occurred among pre-school aged children and it increased sixfold to nine fold over the median annual incidence (1.3 per 100,000 population) reported from 1981 through 1988. The measles epidemic is a consequence primarily of the failure to vaccinate preschool-aged children at appropriate ages; among children aged 16-59 months who developed measles during this resurgence, only 15 percent had received measles vaccine as recommended (CDC, unpublished data).

1. A Global Look At Women’s Attitudes Toward Domestic Abuse: Nothing makes it OK for a husband to hit his wife, but for some reason there is a large percentage of women that think it is somehow acceptable as shown in this graphic from Global Health Magazine. The U.S. is not represented on this graphic.
2. Adult Prevalence of Smoking, 2005: This map, produced by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, shows that the heaviest smoking populations reside in northern Europe and Asia, with North America coming in third at 16-32 percent of the population. The lowest number of tobacco consumers reside in South America and Africa.
3. Burning Fuel: While the focus is on the U.S., this graphic makes an interesting comparison to fuel consumed by cars and humans. The graphic teaches information about calories, energy and gas consumption, all eye-openers to those who may not realize how much they feed their cars AND their bodies.
4. Confirmed H5N1 Avian Flu Cases since 2003: This map shows the countries, area or territories that have hosted individuals who contracted the H5N1 Avian Flu since 2003. The largest number of cases occurred in Indonesia with 141 and 115 deaths, followed by Vietnam with 109 and 54 deaths.
5. Glass Half Empty: The coming water wars are documented by this graphic, which shows that only 2.5 percent of all water on earth is fresh. National rivalries over fresh water could harbor “the seeds of violent conflict” according to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2000. In the past 50 years, over 1,831 water-related interactions occurred between countries, and the vast majority ended peacefully. 21 involved actual military violence.
6. Global Health Indicators: The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report revealing some encouraging signs of progress in world related health issues over the past 10-15 years. While this article points to the positive, look at how America fares in healthcare costs (highest) and how Africa fares across the boards, as the latter country lacks improved sanitation, access to health workforce and has the lowest life expectancy at birth.
7. Global Mortality: This graph exposes a select comparison of leading causes of death for the years 2004-2030. Non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and stroke remain the number one killers, followed by communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
8. Our Favorite Drugs: This graphic shows that pharmaceuticals pose the greatest dangers to communities, over marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. In 2007, 13 percent of all arrests made in the United States were drug-related.
9. Progress Against Polio: This animated graphic shows that in 2008, only four countries in the world remain polio-endemic. These include pockets in northern India, northern Nigeria and along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
10. Scientific Evidence for Health Supplements: This graphic shows all the popular health supplements currently on the market, and whether or not they contribute to the health of an adult who eats a healthy diet. Tops on the list include folic acid, green tea, omega 3, vitamin D and St. John’s Wort.
11. Share of General Government Expenditure Spent on Health Care: This map shows the global picture of how much money governments worldwide spent on health care in 2006. Most of North America and Australia top the list, with India ranking as one of the countries at the bottom of the list.
12. Strategic Implications of Global Health: Two graphics on this page show the health care capabilities in countries across the globe outside the U.S. The second graphic shows projected deaths by cause for high-, middle- and low-income countries. This article also provides links to the full report on these topics.
13. The Fries that Bind US and The Magic Bean Shop: A visible representation of McDonald’s and Starbucks. McDonald’s has over 31,000 restaurants in 118 countries and, currently, the lowest ranking of any other fast food chain in customer satisfaction. Starbucks connects some of the poorest countries in the world with the richest through its use of coffee beans, milk, sugar and paper cups. They have 6,200 stores worldwide with three new stores opening daily.
14. The Global Obesity Problem: This map shows the obesity problem worldwide, with the U.S. topping the list at 30-40 percent of the population over the obesity scale. Canada, parts of South America, Australia and Western Europe follow, with India being one of the lowest ranked countries for obesity.
15. The Global Tobacco Trade: Offered by Princeton University, this graphic shows that the global tobacco black market is booming, with big tobacco companies in the forefront. “Lured by untapped markets in developing nations…and desperate to avoid soaring import taxes in countries like America, big tobacco is fueling a big business, and all of it is off the books.”
16. World Health: The end goal for most countries in the world is to keep citizens healthy at the lowest possible cost. This graphic looks at 12 countries around the world that examine how far the money they spend goes toward affecting their citizens’ health. The U.S. spends about $2,500 more than Norway to treat approximately the same number of people.
17. World Hunger by the Numbers: Almost one in six people in the world suffer from lack of proper food. Two out of three of the world’s hungry live in seven countries, including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and China. But, at the same time, one in eight Americans receive food stamps, and 3.2 million of those recipients reside in Texas. Wyoming holds the lowest number of food-stamp recipients at 32,000.

Diseases, Disabilities and Disorders

1. AIDS Blog: This blog is part of the government’s Web site on AIDS. Expect news and commentary on HIB and new media, research and policy.
2. Disability Blog: Get the latest on disability-related news, information and trends from this blog — part of a larger government site that addresses disabilities.
3. Flu: The government devotes an entire site to various strains of flu, including news, PSAs and outreach.
4. National Cancer Institute: This site focuses on cancer research, news, clinical trials, statistics and topics that explain every type of cancer known to society.
5. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities: NICHCY focuses on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children and youth.
6. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: This government resource provides information to individuals who suffer from heart, lung or blood diseases, and includes recipes for healthy eating.
7. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA is focused on addictions to drugs and alcohol as well as on treatments and mental health services.

Fitness & Nutrition

8. Be Active Your Way: This blog, designed for active (or inactive) individuals aged 18+ is based upon the 2008 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ publication, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
9. Farmers Market Search: If you want to “eat local” and eat fresh food, this tool might help you to find the closest farmer’s market in your area.
10. Healthier US: The HealthierUS initiative is a national effort to improve people’s lives, prevent and reduce the costs of disease, and promote community health and wellness.
11. Healthy People 2010: This government site is a statement of national health objectives designed to identify the most significant preventable threats to health and to establish national goals to reduce these threats.
12. Let’s Move: This blog is part of a larger site devoted to tackling childhood obesity.
13. MyPyramid Tracker: This is an online dietary and physical activity assessment tool that provides information on diet quality, physical activity status, related nutrition messages, and links to nutrient and physical activity information.
14. Nutrition: This link leads you to the RSS News Feed within the Nutrition.gov site, where you can learn what’s happening in the government regulated food programs, including research.

Public Health

15. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: ATSDR serves the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances.
16. College Drinking: Changing the Culture: This site is geared toward several audiences, including administrators, parents and students at both high school and college levels.
17. Council on Environmental Quality: The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) coordinates Federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives.
18. Environmental Protection Agency: This federal organization monitors and reports on environmental issues that affect public health in five districts throughout the U.S.
19. Health Resources and Services Administration: HSRA is an agency that was established to improve access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.
20. HealthFinder: Use this resource to discover health information for a wide variety of topics. You also can locate a doctor, health center or organization at this site.
21. HealthReform: Health insurance reform is now part and parcel of American history…but, how will this reform affect you in the future? Find out here, with this site’s blog.
22. OSHA: The Occupational Safety & Health Administration seeks to protect workers from unsafe environments.
23. Public Health Matters: Learn more about the public health work involved with preventing and controlling infectious diseases from the Centers for Disease Control.
24. Ready.gov: This site helps citizens prepare for both natural and man made disasters.
25. State Offices and Agencies of Emergency Management: FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) offer a site for contacts in case of an emergency state by state, including phone numbers and Web site addresses.
26. U.S. Department of Health & Human Resources: This is the go-to site for learning how the government implements protection for the health of all Americans.
27. U.S. Food and Drug Administration: The FDA provides information on topics that range from food and drugs to medical devices, vaccinations and more with over 100 FDA programs.
28. USA.gov: This vast resource provides every site within the U.S. government as well as outside agency resources for topics that focus on health as well as on other matters.

Health & Science

29. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: AHRQ provides clinical information for consumers and patients as well as data and surveys and research findings. The focus is quality health care and patient safety.
30. Clinical Trials: This site is a registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world, including information on how to participate.
31. Health IT Buzz: Health & Human Services offers yet another blog, this time from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (IT).
32. Dietary Supplements Database (IBIDS): This database provides access to bibliographic citations and abstracts from published, international, and scientific literature on dietary supplements.
33. MedlinePlus: Use this government resource to answer your health questions. MedlinePlus contains extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest health news.
34. NIOSH Science Blog: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health offers a blog that focuses on home, work and the environment.
35. NIGMS Feedback Loop: This blog is from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
36. PubMed Central: This site contains archives filled with free biomedical and life science journal articles.
37. Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT): If you want to learn more about the reports, data and analyses that flows from the National Institute of Health (NIH), then this site is up your alley.
38. Science.gov: This link leads to this site’s focus on health and medicine, with links to various articles in topics that range from alternative medicine to procedures, surgery and other therapies.
39. The Sara Bellum Blog: From brain scans to virtual reality, scientists are doing cool things to learn more about addiction. This blog leads the way in learning about the science behind drug abuse.

Military

40. Department of Veterans Affairs: The VA’s mission is to provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned through military duty.
41. Walter Reed Army Medical Center Commanders Blog: This is an upbeat blog that mainly disperses information about ongoing events at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and nationwide news.
42. MHS Blog: The Military Health System blog focuses on a wide range of health categories from mental health to “Warrior Care” and the Wounded Warrior Program.

Special Interests

43. Administration on Aging: The mission of AoA is to develop a system of home and community-based services that helps elderly individuals maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.
44. Child Welfare Information Gateway: This site covers a wide range of topics from abuse to adoption and much more.
45. Girl’s Health: The Department of Health and Human Services provides a site geared specifically to girls ages 10-16.
46. Kids.gov: Not only does this site serve as a health and fitness education center for kids, it serves as a portal to reach specific age groups and educators.
47. Medicare: This government site addresses all things Medicare, from health and drug plans to facilities and doctors.
48. National Center on Elder Abuse: This site represents the government’s commitment to helping national, state, and local partners be fully prepared to ensure that older Americans will live without abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
49. Organ Donor: Use this resource to learn how you can help others live a healthier life with your organ donations.
50. Women’s Health Resources: This site provides a wide variety of information for women, from abuse to cancer, exercise and fitness and reproductive health.

Applications and software like MacPractice can integrate different aspects of a healthcare practice, and add value for patients. Here are 25 iPad apps that can be used everyday by health professionals.

Reference

Whether you are looking for diagrams of the human body, or looking for a handy reference, these apps available for iPad can help you find exactly what you are looking for.

1. Human Body 3D Anatomy: This app is available for $2.99 and can be used to refresh yourself on all of the systems in the human body. It includes complete information on different systems, and uses 3D animations to make anatomy come alive.
2. iAnatomy: View cross sections of the body with actual CT scans of different areas. Includes cadaveric images, as well as helpful labels. Perfect if you are looking to refer to different scans and images. Cost is $0.99.
3. Skyscape’s Medical Bag: Features helpful reference information that you can take with you wherever you go, for $1.99. Includes a number of clinical tools, lab tests and medical calculators that can help you find the information you need.
4. Medscape: This remains the essential free reference app for healthcare professionals. Medscape offers clinical relevance, accuracy and more. It is still a trusted name in medical apps, and bringing it on rounds is a great way to have instant access to the information you need, including breaking medical news and the latest procedures.
5. Eponyms: If you are looking up different medical terms, this free app is invaluable. While this version is meant for student, veteran healthcare professionals can use it as a refresher.
6. Taber’s Medical Dictionary: Take medical reference to the next level with this app. Includes photos, care statements and more than 60,000 terms. You do have to buy a $49.95 subscription, but for those who are looking for a reliable reference to take with them, this is a great choice.
7. 3D Teeth: If you are a dentist, or if you are trying to determine whether a patient needs to see a specialist, you can use this app, available for $1.99, to view reference information about the mouth and teeth, see 3D images of teeth, and get information on different diseases.

Drugs

If you are looking for helpful iPad apps for use with drugs and dosing, these can be of great help.

8. Epocrates: Find drug references, interactions and more. A helpful drug reference resource from one of the most trusted names in medicine. Cost: Free.
9. Monthly Prescribing Reference: A free and helpful drug resource for doctors and other healthcare professionals. Includes information on interactions for prescription and over the counter drugs.
10. Skyscape RxDrugs Dosing Companion: This free resource can help you figure out dosing for thousands of generic and brand name medications. Carry with you as part of your regular rounds.
11. Davis’s Drug Guide: You can get this comprehensive guide for a $49.95 yearly subscription. Regularly updated so that the latest information is at your fingertips.
12. iMeds XL: This iPad app costs $3.99, and provides prescribing information. You can search by drug name or drugg class. Helpful information on interactions, side effects and dosing.
13. Psych Drugs: This free app focuses on drugs commonly used to treat psychological illnesses. A helpful app that can help you learn about anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and more.
14. MedCalc: Use this handy and free iPad app to figure dosing, and get access to a number of formulas. No more looking up formulas and then plugging them in to a calculator. This app will do the work for you — quickly and conveniently.

Diagnosis

Get help diagnosing a condition right on your iPad. No need to leave and look for information; everything you need can be seen right in your hands.

15. Diagnosaurus DDx: For $0.99, you can have access to this powerful diagnosis tool. Perform diagnosis at the point of care, using the easy reference system that offers information on a number of diseases and conditions.
16. Pedi STAT: Use this app, available for $2.99, to check symptoms, normal growth, and other essential information related to pediatrics and caring for children.
17. iRadiology: Review radiology concepts and images with this free app before or during rounds. A great resource for interns and residents — and even as a review for veterans.
18. NeuroMind: Look into the mind with this helpful and interesting free app that offers images, information and more that can provide you with insight into the mind.
19. Medical Lab Tests: Use this iPad app, available for $5.99, to review normal lab values, including more than 100 blood tests. Quick way to evaluate lab results.
20. ECG Guide: Use this handy iPad app to look at regular and abnormal ECGs, helping you get a handle on the situation, and diagnose different possibilities. Available for $0.99.
21. Mental Illness: Use this app, available for free, to help diagnose mental illness. Get a solid understand of mental illness, and offer better patient care as a result.

Patient Care

Enhance the way you care for patients with the help of these iPad apps. Portable medicine and increased technology mean that you can help patients understand their care better than ever better.

22. Blausen Human Atlas: This app, available for $19.99, is meant to help doctors and other healthcare professionals communicate with their patients. The idea is to help them share core concepts and more with patients, enhancing understanding.
23. MedSpeak: Communicate with Mandarin or Cantonese speakers with this application. Each version is available for $14.99 apiece. Learn how to properly communicate with patients that don’t speak English.
24. Medical Spanish (with audio): You can learn basic Spanish phrases. For $6.99 you can get the phrases you need to better communicate with your patients. Audio helps you work on proper pronunciation.
25. AirStrip OB: This free app is meant to help doctors and other healthcare professionals monitor a baby’s symptoms remotely. It is used in tandem with the patient, and can reduce trips to the hospital. AirStrip also has apps for Cardiology, Imaging, Critical Care and more.

1. Wash your hands for 15-20 seconds. This seems a no brainer, right? Wrong. A majority of Americans wash their hands for a mere 3 seconds—not enough time to remove bacteria, cold germs, and the flu virus from your skin. Wash your hands more frequently, including the wrists, fingernails, and the back of your hands for 15-20 seconds, a period which will at first seem like a lifetime. To get used to it, sing “Happy Birthday” while you wash—it’s a 15 second song.

2. Before you dive into that afternoon snack, drink water. The hypothalamus, which regulates our hunger and thirst mechanisms, sometimes sends a mixed signal. That hunger might be thirst, so quench it with a nice glass of water.

3. Don’t wear shoes indoors. Walking around the outside environment tracks in all kinds of bugs into your home, including germs, pesticides, dust mites, and toxins.

4. Change your sunscreen. Most sunscreens protect only against sunburn causing UVB light while leaving your skin vulnerable to UVA light, which can cause cancer. Look for the UVA blocking ingredient avobenzone.

5. Eat as a family. Scientists have reported that children who eat with their parents eat healthier than children who do not. Family meals also promote better communication and for most families, lower stress (!).

6. Stretch. The gym isn’t the only place for stretching. Having a flexible body improves circulation, range of motion and improves balance. Stretch as a family for a fun, healthy activity.

7. Use a humidifier. These little machines pump water vapor into your home, counteracting the colds, infections, dry skin, and allergies brought on by dry air.

Here are seven Twitter users that every self-respecting health nut should follow. These twitterers know their onions and keeping in touch with their inputs is sure to add to the sum of your knowledge on different health-related topics. You can make use of the “Lists” functionality on Twitter to stay tuned into your favorite Twitterers.

1) Randy Fritz – The gentleman operates on Twitter under the moniker “randyfritz” and has a devoted and growing list of followers last numbered at more than 22K. Not bad for a guy peddling a healthy way of eating in which those delicious childhood eatables such as broccoli, peas, Brussels sprouts and spinach take pride of place. Seriously speaking, if balanced and healthy eating is what you are interested in then you should be following Randy.

2) Dr Joe – Dr Joe is a fair dinkum Australian guy who cares about your health. He’s on Twitter, T.V and radio sharing insight on how to ensure physical and mental wellbeing. He calls his approach a Do It Yourself guide to health. Remember, the guy is a doctor and if he tweets a tenet on the drawbacks of excessive medical screening, you can take it as coming from authority. Follow him for all-round pointers and news on healthy living.

3) Luc Boissonneault – For all practicing and wannabe bodybuilders, Luc’s tweets and his blog are a source of useful and practicable information. The reason why he stands out from the horde of other strength enthusiasts on Twitter is because he is not peddling weight loss cures out there or promising ripped quads and pecs through secret moves. He shares useful information on bodybuilding and fitness through videos, articles, and tips from time to time.

4) American Medical News – The Twitter page of amednews.com keeps medical practitioners and the lay person updated on business, policy, public health and legal issues that impact medical practices. Any non-celeb twitterer with thrice as many “followers” than it “follows” is worth investigating.

5) Kevin Pho, M.D. – The guy is a self-proclaimed “Social media’s leading physician voice”. Maybe he is, maybe not; but he does a great job with frequent updates on Twitter culling information from authority online journals. So if breaking health and medical news interest you, you can join the legion of more than 18K followers this guy has.

6) WSJ Health Blog – The WSJ health blog has more than 14K followers and in return it has deigned to follow less than 200. I am of the opinion that such absurd follower / follow ratios are a great indicator of a twitterer’s authority on a subject. The page is frequently updated with tweets on news and analysis on health and the business of health. There’s worthwhile healthcare news for health nuts of all shapes, sizes, and interests.

7) Doug Penta MD – Boston-based Doug is your proverbial good doctor with loads of experience in obstetrics and gynecology and his site provides information on these subjects in twelve languages. Women’s health is an oft-neglected aspect of our reading on health subjects. If you’re a father / mother to be or have an interest in women health issues, follow Dr. Doug’s tweets.