New Resources

Communication Disorders

• Updated Plan for Communication Disorders Research Now Online
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

  Approximately one in six Americans has a communication disorder, which can include problems with hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language. As the population ages and the chances for disease and injury survival improve, the number of citizens with communication disorders is likely to increase.
  
  NIDCD’s updated strategic plan for research on communication disorders is now online. The three-year plan provides updated U.S. statistics on communication disorders and details the research progress, needs, and extraordinary opportunities in communication sciences. It was developed with the assistance of a working group of the National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NDCD) Advisory Council, an advisory group of the NIDCD composed of leaders in health and science and members of the general public. More

  Next Steps
  To read the strategic plan, go to: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/StaticResources/about/plans/strategic/strategic06-08.pdf.

Community Outreach

• NIH News in Health: Read About Genetic Testing, SIDS, and Teen Health
  Format: Newsletter
  Institute: Office of the Director (OD)

  The February issue of The NIH News in Health, the monthly newsletter bringing you practical health news and tips based on the latest NIH research, is now available online at http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/. More

  Next Steps
  You can read the current issue of The NIH News in Health online by visiting http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/. At this site, you can view past issues and set up your own free e-mail subscription to The NIH News in Health.
  
  If you would like free print copies for display in a medical office, clinic or library, contact the editor, Harrison Wein, at weinh@od.nih.gov or (301) 435-7489.
  
  The newsletter’s content is not copyrighted. If you are an editor who wishes to use The NIH News in Health material in your publication, please acknowledge The NIH News in Health as the source and send copies of your publication to Dr. Wein.

Diabetes

• New Beginnings: A Discussion Guide for Living Well With Diabetes
  Format: Brochure
  Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  The National Diabetes Education Program has published a guide to facilitate group discussions about diabetes by providing questions, group and individual exercises, and role-playing exercises. New Beginnings: A Discussion Guide for Living Well with Diabetes was developed to expand the themes and educational opportunities brought up in The Debilitator, an independent film created by Millennium Filmworks.
  
  The film and New Beginnings focus on an often-overlooked aspect of diabetes—the impact that emotions can have on how people give and receive information about diabetes, whether they seek help, and, ultimately, what influences them to take action to control or prevent diabetes.

  Next Steps
  You can order a free copy of New Beginnings: A Discussion Guide for Living Well with Diabetes by calling the National Diabetes Education Program at (800) 438-5383. You can also download a copy from the NDEP Web site at www.ndep.nih.gov/new/new.htm.
  
  To purchase the film The Debilitator or to order multiple copies of the discussion guide, call the Public Health Foundation at (202) 218-4400 or visit www.phf.org.

• Diabetes and Cardiac Health: Learn the Risks During American Heart Month
  Format: Brochure
  Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  About 65 percent of people with diabetes will die from heart attack or stroke, yet two out of three don’t know of their increased risk. Be Smart About Your Heart: Control the ABCs of Diabetes is a campaign to promote the importance of controlling three risk factors: A for A1C test, to measure blood glucose control; B for Blood pressure; and C for Cholesterol.
  
  Make the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular disease during American Heart Month in February. Be Smart About Your Heart: Control the ABCs of Diabetes can help people track their ABC numbers and reach their ABC goals. An alternative version of the brochure, Take Care of Your Heart. Manage Your Diabetes, has been adapted for American Indians and Alaska Natives and is available in 15 Asian and Pacific Islander languages. Si Tiene Diabetes, Cuide Su Corazón, a bilingual brochure (Spanish and English), is available for Hispanics and Latinos.

  Next Steps
  You can order your free copy of any of these materials by calling the National Diabetes Education Program at (800) 438-5383. You can check out the array of other materials offered, order copies of these brochures, or download PDF versions at www.ndep.nih.gov/campaigns/BeSmart/BeSmart_index.htm.
  
  
  

Genetics/Birth Defects

• NIH News in Health: Read About Genetic Testing, SIDS, and Teen Health
  Format: Newsletter
  Institute: Office of the Director (OD)

  The February issue of The NIH News in Health, the monthly newsletter bringing you practical health news and tips based on the latest NIH research, is now available online at http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/. More

  Next Steps
  You can read the current issue of The NIH News in Health online by visiting http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/. At this site, you can view past issues and set up your own free e-mail subscription to The NIH News in Health.
  
  If you would like free print copies for display in a medical office, clinic or library, contact the editor, Harrison Wein, at weinh@od.nih.gov or (301) 435-7489.
  
  The newsletter’s content is not copyrighted. If you are an editor who wishes to use The NIH News in Health material in your publication, please acknowledge The NIH News in Health as the source and send copies of your publication to Dr. Wein.

Heart and Circulation

• Diabetes and Cardiac Health: Learn the Risks During American Heart Month
  Format: Brochure
  Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  About 65 percent of people with diabetes will die from heart attack or stroke, yet two out of three don’t know of their increased risk. Be Smart About Your Heart: Control the ABCs of Diabetes is a campaign to promote the importance of controlling three risk factors: A for A1C test, to measure blood glucose control; B for Blood pressure; and C for Cholesterol.
  
  Make the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular disease during American Heart Month in February. Be Smart About Your Heart: Control the ABCs of Diabetes can help people track their ABC numbers and reach their ABC goals. An alternative version of the brochure, Take Care of Your Heart. Manage Your Diabetes, has been adapted for American Indians and Alaska Natives and is available in 15 Asian and Pacific Islander languages. Si Tiene Diabetes, Cuide Su Corazón, a bilingual brochure (Spanish and English), is available for Hispanics and Latinos.

  Next Steps
  You can order your free copy of any of these materials by calling the National Diabetes Education Program at (800) 438-5383. You can check out the array of other materials offered, order copies of these brochures, or download PDF versions at www.ndep.nih.gov/campaigns/BeSmart/BeSmart_index.htm.
  
  
  

Infectious Diseases

• Syphilis: This Ancient Disease Is Still Dangerous
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  Syphilis is a disease of ancient times that is still of major importance today. In the worst cases, syphilis can cause mental illness, blindness, deafness, memory loss or other neurological problems, heart disease, or even death. Caused by a bacterium, syphilis is most often transmitted sexually, but it also can be passed from mother to infant during pregnancy.
  
  The number of cases of syphilis in the United States increased from 5,979 in 2000 to 7,352 in 2004. Syphilis cases have increased dramatically in some populations, and the disease disproportionately affects African Americans. The presence of syphilis can increase a person’s risk of becoming infected with or transmitting HIV.
  
  NIAID has updated its Health Matters fact sheet on syphilis. Learn how to prevent the disease, recognize its symptoms, and why it can be difficult to diagnose. The fact sheet also discussed complications syphilis can cause in pregnant women, as well as treatment and details of current research by NIAID. More

  Next Steps
  You can learn more about syphilis by reading the fact sheet at www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stdsyph.htm.

• 36,000 People Die From the Flu and its Complications Every Year
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  Influenza (flu) is a respiratory infection that can cause fever, headache, and extreme exhaustion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in the United States, 100,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complications every year. CDC also estimates that 10 percent to 20 percent of Americans contract the flu each year, usually between November and March.
  
  NIAID has updated its fact sheet on the flu. The fact sheet gives the latest information on the symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the flu. Historical data are also given on important flu outbreaks since 1918. More

  Next Steps
  You can learn more about the flu by reading the fact sheet at www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/flu.htm.

• PID Is The Most Common Preventable Cause of Infertility
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  The scarring that results from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can lead to infertility, tubal pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, abscesses, and other serious health problems in women. PID is the most common preventable cause of infertility in the United States.
  
  ““PID” is a general term that refers to infection and inflammation of the upper genital tract. Women at greater risk for PID include those at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and those with a prior episode of PID. The usual causes of PID are the bacteria that cause STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
  
  The NIAID has published an updated fact sheet called “Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.” This fact sheet describes PID and discusses its symptoms, treatment, and prevention. More

  Next Steps
  You can learn more about PID by reading the fact sheet at www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stdpid.htm.

Seniors' Health

• Caring for a Family Member with Alzheimer’s: Spanish-Language Web Site
  Format: Web Site
  Institute: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

  Families can develop creative solutions to adapt to the physical and mental changes of a family member who has Alzheimer’s disease. A new Spanish-language Web site suggests ways to help a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease perform everyday activities, remain safely in the home, and celebrate holidays.

  Next Steps
  You can find this publication, Guia para Quienes Cuidan Personas con la Enfermedad de Alzheimer, online at www.alzheimers.org/pubs/careguide-spanish.htm.

• Progress Report on Alzheimer’s Disease 2004–2005
  Format: Brochure
  Institute: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

  The NIA has released New Discoveries, New Insights: Progress Report on Alzheimer’s Disease 2004–2005. The 80-page booklet features current knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including how the disease is being diagnosed and treated today, what causes AD, what factors increase the risk, and possible directions for future research.

  Next Steps
  You can also order this and other free publications on the NIA website at www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications or by calling (800) 222-2225.