Heart disease
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in August added a new pamphlet to its series of Spanish-language publications designed to help patients compare treatments for common illnesses. The free, easy-to-read pamphlet, “Guía para pacientes que están en tratamiento de una cardiopatía coronaria estable,” helps patients being treated for stable coronary heart disease compare drugs for preventing heart attacks, heart failure or strokes. Download the pamphlet at http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/informacion-en-espanol.
Senior health
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Alzheimer’s Association have joined to provide a new, online resource to help families and caregivers address the many issues related to driving and dementia, including how to know when driving is no longer safe. Visit the website at www.alz.org/safetycenter.
Mercury
The United Nations Environment Programme now offers its mercury-awareness publication in French and Spanish, in addition to English. Online at http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/Home/tabid/197/Default.aspx, the publication raises awareness of the effects of mercury on human health, wildlife and the environment and examines strategies to manage and control mercury.
Medical Spanish
Duke University School of Medicine in December announced the development of Polyglot Med Spanish, a new iPhone app that helps health care professionals and students learn medical Spanish. To view a demo of the app, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBGQ--yAH-U.
Disability
Omnigraphics in November announced the release of an updated edition of “Disabilities Sourcebook.” The second edition of the book provides people with disabilities and their caregivers basic information about a range of issues, including birth defects, hearing and vision loss, speech disorders and learning disabilities. For more information, visit www.omnigraphics.com.
Traumatic brain injury
Transit Media in November announced the release of the documentary “Back Walking Forward” on DVD. The film puts a human face on the aftermath of traumatic brain injury. For more information, visit www.backwalkingfoward.com.
Smoking cessation
The National Cancer Institute in December launched SmokefreeTXT, a free text-message cessation service that provides encouragement, advice and tips to teens trying to quit smoking. The service provides text messages timed according to a teen’s selected quit date. Teens can sign up online at www.teen.smokefree.gov or by texting “quit” to “iquit,” or 47848.
Lung cancer
Lungevity Foundation in November announced the launch of the Caregiver Resource Center. Online at www.lungevity.org/caregiver, the resource provides online support for family members and friends caring for loved ones who are struggling with lung cancer.
- Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association