Guide Looks at Aging and the Heart
The National Institute on Aging has released “Aging Hearts and Arteries: A Scientific Quest,” which provides an overview of cardiac research findings. The free booklet looks at the links between aging and cardiovascular diseases. To download or order a copy, visit
www.niapublications.org/pubs/hearts/aginghearts.asp
Sex Differences in Lung Ca Highlighted
A report on a meeting about sex differences in lung cancer that was sponsored by the Society for Women's Health Research is available on the Internet at
www.womenshealthresearch.org/events/sam_houston.htm
Smoking Cessation Web Site
Smokefree.gov offers information about quitting smoking and suggestions on preparing to quit, actually quitting, and staying quit. The site also includes links to Web sites and government reports for health professionals as well as clinical trials in smoking cessation that are recruiting patients. Patients can call the National Network of Tobacco Cessation Quitlines for advice and printed materials at 800-784-8669.
Educational Campaign on Pertussis
The National Association of School Nurses has begun a campaign called “Pertussis Tools for Schools” to educate school nurses, teachers, parents, and teens about the signs and symptoms of pertussis. In 2004, nearly 20,000 cases of the bacterial respiratory infection were reported, which was the highest number in more than 40 years. For more information on the campaign, visit
Food Safety for Pregnant Women
The Food and Drug Administration has launched a campaign to educate pregnant women about the potential risks of foodborne illness. “Food Safety for Moms-to-Be” includes a Web site offering food safety tips in English and Spanish and an educators' kit for health care professionals. For more information, visit
www.cfsan.fda.gov/∼pregnant/pregnant.html
Seniors' Guide to Smell and Taste
The National Institutes of Health now offer information about the sense of smell and taste in a senior-friendly format. Seniors can learn about how these senses work, how smell and taste decline with age or illness, and what older adults can do to cope with the loss of these senses. For more information, visit
Patient Guide to Recovery
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is offering a free brochure aimed at helping patients plan their follow-up care after they leave the hospital. “Planning Your Recovery” provides tips to help people become actively involved in their recovery. To download the brochure, visit
www.jcaho.org/general+public/gp+speak+up/index.htm
Spanish-Language Stroke Video
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has released a Spanish-language video aimed at educating Hispanic communities about stroke prevention and treatment. “Ataque Cerebral: Conozca los Sintomas y Actue a Tiempo” is divided into three 5-minute segments: preventing stroke, knowing the signs, and acting in time. To obtain a single free copy, call 800-352-9294 and ask for a Spanish-speaking information specialist.
Talking With Children About Cancer
The American Society of Clinical Oncology offers several online resources for how to talk to children and teenagers about cancer. The organization's Web site includes information on how a child understands cancer, cancer and siblings, and additional resources for teens and young adults. For more information, visit
Guide to Quality Health Care
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released the booklet “Guide to Health Care Quality: How to Know It When You See It” to help consumers identify high-quality health care. To download a copy, visit