Alternative medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in April launched an online resource to give health care providers access to evidence-based information on complementary and alternative medicine practices and products. The resource includes safety and efficacy information, links to clinical practice guidelines, summaries of relevant studies, scientific literature searches, continuing education programs, patient fact sheets and the center’s “Time to Talk” toolkit on provider-patient communication. For more information, visit www.nccam.nih.gov.
Skin cancer
As a part of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the National Cancer Institute in May released its “Anyone Can Get Skin Cancer” brochure and “Lifelines” video, both of which discuss how to lower the risk of skin cancer and how to detect it. To view the resources or order a copy of the brochure, visit www.cancer.gov.
Environmental health
The National Association of Local Boards of Health in May released a new online resource. The Repository of Local Environmental Health Policies allows public health professionals to view codes and regulations on a variety of environmental health topics. The association will regularly post updates of new policies. For more information, visit www.nalboh.org.
Climate change
The George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication in May released a primer to help public health professionals communicate effectively with their communities about climate change. “Conveying the Human Implications of Climate Change” can be downloaded for no cost at www.climatechangecommunication.org.
Emotional health
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in May launched a toolkit to promote emotional health and prevent suicides in senior living communities. The toolkit includes materials for staff, residents and family members, such as a comprehensive “getting started” guide, an annotated resource list, training manuals and materials for emotional health workshops and fact sheets. To purchase, visit http://store.samhsa.gov.
Travel health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in May released the 2012 edition of the “Yellow Book,” a health guide for international travelers. Officially titled “CDC Health Information for International Travel,” the expanded book includes 13 new travel destinations and new sections on mass gatherings, study abroad, military deployments and maps of disease distribution. The “Yellow Book” is available in bookstores and can be downloaded for use on digital e-readers. All content is also available at www.cdc.gov/travel.
Bowel control
The National Institutes of Health in June launched the Bowel Control Awareness Campaign to foster comfort among patients and health care professionals in discussing bowel problems. The campaign offers resources such as fact sheets on fecal incontinence, booklets and fliers for health fairs, NIH bowel-control research information and links to professional and volunteer organizations. All resources are available on the campaign’s website, www.bowelcontrol.nih.gov.
Teen sexual health
Advocates for Youth in May released a documentary calling for fact-based conversations with teens about sexual health issues. “Let’s Talk About Sex” interviews parents, teenagers and health care professionals on their attitudes toward adolescent sexuality and its impact on teen health. Information and additional resources can be found at www.letstalkaboutsexthefilm.org.
Cancer
Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist John Kaplan in April released a documentary film, “Not As I Pictured,” detailing his experience with cancer treatment. Kaplan has pledged to give away 10,000 copies of the DVD — which includes an educational kit produced by the American Society of Clinical Oncology — to cancer patients. The film is scheduled to air on PBS stations nationwide beginning in September. For more information or to order a copy, visit www.notasipictured.org.
- Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association
