New Resources

Ear, Nose, and Throat

• Video Explains Importance of Hearing Research
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

  A new 4 ½-minute video for the public, WHY?, explains the importance of hearing research. The NIDCD-sponsored video is for individuals and organizations to use to increase understanding about how scientific discovery has significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities. More

  Next Steps
  This video is downloadable from the Web in both open captioned and uncaptioned formats. It also can be obtained from the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse at (800) 241-1044 (voice) and TTY/TDD (800) 241-1055. For more information please contact Marin Allen, Ph.D., by e-mail at marin_allen@nih.gov.

Immune System

• Lupus Booklet Explains the Disease, Treatment, and Research
  Format: Booklet
  Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  Handout on Health: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, a booklet explaining in plain language what lupus is, how it is treated, and how it is being studied by scientists, has been revised and reissued by the NIAMS. Copies are available to share with patients, support groups, and outreach event coordinators.

  Next Steps
  To order free copies, please call the NIAMS Clearinghouse toll-free at (877) 22-NIAMS or view the information online at www.niams.nih.gov.

Alcohol / Alcohol Abuse / Alcoholism

• Free Curriculum Materials for Science Teachers
  Format: Curriculum
  Institute: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

  NIAAA now offers two free packages of curriculum materials for middle school science teachers:

  • Better Safe Than Sorry—Preventing a Tragedy: A Science and Health Curriculum.
    
    
  • Understanding Alcohol: Investigations into Biology and Behavior.
  More

  Next Steps
  To order the curriculum materials, visit the Publications section of the NIAAA Web site or go directly to www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Science/main.htm.

• New Video Presents Underage Drinking-Prevention Message
  Format: Video
  Institute: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

  As part of a public education campaign about underage drinking, NIAAA is offering a free public service announcement (PSA) video directed at young people, The Party's Over, and other public education campaign materials. There are free radio PSAs for parents of young people and a one-page fact sheet, The FACTS About Youth & Alcohol. More

  Next Steps
  To view the video and the other materials online, or to find out how to order free copies, visit www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/PSA/underage.htm.

Basic Biomedical Research

• Curiosity Creates Cures: The Value and Impact of Basic Research
  Format: Pamphlet
  Institute: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

  Whether they investigate how medicines work, study the life cycle of bacteria, or crunch numbers in a computer, scientists across the globe are united by a compelling desire to better understand how life works.
  
  A new colorful pamphlet, Curiosity Creates Cures: The Value and Impact of Basic Research, issued by NIGMS, explains how basic biomedical research leads to enormous economic payoffs as well as new medicines, technologies, and scientific tools. It mentions the importance of scientific collaboration and the use of model organisms, and lists recent Nobel Prizes. It spotlights some basic research, including in Alzheimer's disease, blood clots, cancer drugs, 'flu shots, anthrax, and the way embryos implant in a woman's uterus.

  Next Steps
  To order free copies of this publication or download a PDF file, visit www.nigms.nih.gov/news/publist.html.

Bones, Joints, and Muscles

• Lupus Booklet Explains the Disease, Treatment, and Research
  Format: Booklet
  Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  Handout on Health: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, a booklet explaining in plain language what lupus is, how it is treated, and how it is being studied by scientists, has been revised and reissued by the NIAMS. Copies are available to share with patients, support groups, and outreach event coordinators.

  Next Steps
  To order free copies, please call the NIAMS Clearinghouse toll-free at (877) 22-NIAMS or view the information online at www.niams.nih.gov.

Cancers

• Cancer Clinical Trials Listings Easier with Expansion of PDQ Database
  Format: Database
  Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  Finding information on cancer clinical trials just became easier, with additional information added to the NCI’s Physician’s Data Query (PDQ) online database. Until now, cancer patients, their families, health professionals, and patient advocates could find the majority of cancer trials listed on PDQ. To learn about some additional trials, they needed to visit a related site, the National Library of Medicine’s ClinicalTrials.gov.
  
  However, PDQ now includes all trials from ClinicalTrials.gov. NCI designed PDQ to make the most current, credible, and accurate cancer information available to health professionals and the public. PDQ contains peer-reviewed summaries on cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, and supportive care; a registry of cancer clinical trials from around the world; and directories of physicians, professionals who provide genetics services, and organizations that provide cancer care.

  Next Steps
  For more information, see www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/pdq.

• Obestity and Cancer; Check Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  People who are obese have an abnormally high and unhealthy proportion of body fat. Scientific studies have shown higher incidences of certain cancers in obese people. NCI explains more about the link between obesity and cancer and provides a chart to calculate your body mass index (BMI), which is a measure researchers commonly use to measure obesity. BMI is a formula based on weight and height, or the ratio of weight (in kilograms) to height (in meters) squared. BMI provides a more accurate measure of obesity or being overweight than does weight alone.
  
  National Institute of Health BMI guidelines for people 20 years old and higher are as follows:

  • under 18.5—underweight
    
    
  • 18.5 to 24.9—healthy
    
    
  • 25.0 to 29.9—overweight
    
    
  • over 30.0—obese.
  
  

  Next Steps
  For more information, please visit www.cancer.gov/newscenter/obesity1.

• Cancer Information Easier to Find on Redesigned Web Site
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  Readers interested in learning more about a variety of cancer topics will have an easier time searching NCI's Web site, which has been redesigned and enhanced with more imagery.
  
  For example, the new homepage presents information by specific cancer types and the clinical trial search form is only one click away. There's a new "Research and Funding" area that centralizes information about NCI's research programs and priorities in both the intramural and extramural programs. Intramural programs are those that occur on the NIH campus and extramural programs are funded by NIH but occur at universities and other learning centers. As well as being easier to use, the new site uses more art and imagery to increase its visual appeal. The NCI Web site now presents users with visual links to www.cancer.gov and various NCI communication components.
  
  The redesign effort was headed by NCI's Office of Communications, which used extensive user research as well as input from NCI staff. This is the first step of a long-term plan to build an NCI Web site for the entire NCI constituency.

  Next Steps
  Please visit the new site at www.cancer.gov or www.nci.nih.gov.

Community Outreach

• Curiosity Creates Cures: The Value and Impact of Basic Research
  Format: Pamphlet
  Institute: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

  Whether they investigate how medicines work, study the life cycle of bacteria, or crunch numbers in a computer, scientists across the globe are united by a compelling desire to better understand how life works.
  
  A new colorful pamphlet, Curiosity Creates Cures: The Value and Impact of Basic Research, issued by NIGMS, explains how basic biomedical research leads to enormous economic payoffs as well as new medicines, technologies, and scientific tools. It mentions the importance of scientific collaboration and the use of model organisms, and lists recent Nobel Prizes. It spotlights some basic research, including in Alzheimer's disease, blood clots, cancer drugs, 'flu shots, anthrax, and the way embryos implant in a woman's uterus.

  Next Steps
  To order free copies of this publication or download a PDF file, visit www.nigms.nih.gov/news/publist.html.

• Video Explains Importance of Hearing Research
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

  A new 4 ½-minute video for the public, WHY?, explains the importance of hearing research. The NIDCD-sponsored video is for individuals and organizations to use to increase understanding about how scientific discovery has significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities. More

  Next Steps
  This video is downloadable from the Web in both open captioned and uncaptioned formats. It also can be obtained from the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse at (800) 241-1044 (voice) and TTY/TDD (800) 241-1055. For more information please contact Marin Allen, Ph.D., by e-mail at marin_allen@nih.gov.

Mental Health and Behavior

• Autism Spectrum Disorders Booklet Available
  Format: Booklet
  Institute: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs), cause severe and pervasive impairment in a person's thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. These disorders are usually first diagnosed in early childhood and range from a severe form, called autistic disorder, through pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), to a much milder form, Asperger syndrome. They also include two rare disorders, Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder. NIMH has issued a booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments, along with information on how to obtain help.

  Next Steps
  To read, print, or order this booklet and other information on Autism Spectrum Disorders visit the NIMH Web site at www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/autismmenu.cfm or call the NIMH Information Center toll-free at (866) 615-NIMH (6464). You may also e-mail requests to nimhinfo@mail.nih.gov.

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Booklet Available
  Format: Brochure
  Institute: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is among the most common mental disorders that develop in children. Children with ADHD have impaired functioning in multiple settings, including home, school, and in relationships with peers. An estimated 3 to 5 percent of children have ADHD, or approximately 2 million children in the United States. This means that in a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least 1 will have ADHD. If untreated, the disorder can have long-term adverse effects into adolescence and adulthood. NIMH has revised its detailed booklet that describes the symptoms, causes, and treatments, and also gives information on where to obtain help.

  Next Steps
  To read, print, or order this booklet and other information on ADHD visit the NIMH Web site at www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/adhdmenu.cfm, call the NIMH Information Center toll-free at (866) 615-NIMH (6464), or send an email to nimhinfo@mail.nih.gov.

Population Groups

• Diabetes Prevention Materials Reach Out to 41 Million U.S. Adults Verging on Diabetes
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  New diabetes prevention materials, designed to help the 41 million American adults who are at a pre-diabetes stage of health, are available free at NIDDK's National Diabetes Education Program Web site. Among the materials are tip sheets, radio public service announcements, and print advertisements. People wanting more copies can fill in an order form online. More

  Next Steps
  For the free materials visit www.ndep.nih.gov. If you have any questions about the multicultural campaign or the launch event, contact Joanne Gallivan at (301) 496-6110 or Joanne_Gallivan@nih.gov, or Jane Kelly at (770) 488-5196 or azk9@cdc.gov. Print ad slicks for local media are available from Jasmine Henderson at (202) 842-3600 or jhenderson@hagersharp.com.

Prevention of Kidney Failure

• Nephrologists May Use New Consult Letter Template
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  A new tool, Consult Letter Template, is available online to help nephrologists communicate with patients' primary care physicians. Developed by the Renal Physicians Association and NIDDK's National Kidney Disease Education Program, the template is for letters that will be printed or e-mailed. With drop-down menus and check boxes, nephrologists can efficiently delineate areas of care and quickly generate a consult letter to send to their patients' primary care physicians. No copy of the letters, and thus no patient information, is recorded on the template's Web sites.

  Next Steps
  To access this tool, visit www.nkdep.nih.gov/healthprofessials/tools/template.asp or www.renalmd.org.

Seniors' Health

• Age-Related Topics Covered in English, Spanish Publications
  Format: Brochures
  Institute: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

  The following NIA publications on aging-related topics are now available:
  
  New publications:
  

  • What's Your Aging IQ?
    
    
  • Connections Newsletter—issue on Alzheimer's disease prevention
  
  Updated publications:
  • Alzheimer's Disease Medications Fact Sheet (English and Spanish)
    
    
  • NIA Publications Catalog
    
    
  • Arthritis Advice Age Page
  
  Publications in Spanish:
  • El VIH, el SIDA y las Personas Mayores (HIV/AIDS in Older People)
    
    
  • Cuidado a largo plazo–Escogiendo el lugar correcto (Planning for Long-Term Care)

  Next Steps
  Publications may be ordered online at www.niapublications.org, apart from Alzheimer's disease publications which may be ordered at www.alzheimers.org. Any of the publications may be ordered by calling (800) 222-2225.

• Ten Seniors' Topics Now Covered on Senior Health Web Site
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Library of Medicine (NLM)

  NIHSenior Health, a Web site for older adults developed by NIA and the NLM, now covers 10 topics: Alzheimer's disease, Arthritis, Balance Problems, Breast Cancer, Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's, Colorectal Cancer, Exercise for Older Adults, Hearing Loss, Lung Cancer, and Prostate Cancer. More topics are being developed by various entities at the National Institutes of Health.
  
  The site features health topics and formats tailored for adults 60 and older, including a “talking” function which lets users choose to have the text read aloud. Other senior-friendly features include large print, easy-to-read information, open-captioned videos, and simple navigation. In developing NIHSeniorHealth, NIA and NLM brought together researchers who study cognition, as well as Web site designers and communications experts to fashion a site that is easy for older adults to read, understand, and navigate.

  Next Steps
  The Web site is at www.nihseniorhealth.gov.

Spanish Language NIH Health Information

• NIH Presents its Revised Spanish Language Portal for NIH Web Information
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL)

  NIH has updated its Spanish language portal for NIH information. The site includes links to all Spanish items on the various Institute and Center Web sites, such as publications, press releases, feature stories, and background information on medical subjects like clinical trials. It also links to MEDLINEplus, HHS's Healthfinder espanol and other government health information in Spanish, and enables visitors to submit questions and receive answers in Spanish.

  Next Steps
  The NIH Spanish Web site is at http://salud.nih.gov. For more information, please e-mail Sylvia Shaffer at shaffers@mail.nih.gov.