Government Resources

1. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: AHRQ’s mission is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of American health care.
2. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry: ATSDR serves the public by taking public health actions and providing health information to prevent exposures and diseases related to toxic substances.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The CDC provides health and safety information to the public, researchers and scientists and policy makers, among others.
4. Department of Health & Human Services: HHS is the government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.
5. Food and Drug Administration: The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, the nation’s food supply, cosmetics, products that emit radiation, and tobacco products.
6. Healthfinder: Use this site to find services and information, to use personal health tools and to learn about health hazards and diseases.
7. MedlinePlus: MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the NIH and other government agencies and health-related organizations.
8. National Institutes of Health: NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency.
9. Office of the Surgeon General: The Surgeon General provides Americans with the scientific information on how to improve health and reduce illness and injury.
10. Rural Assistance Center: This government resource carries information about rural health.
11. Womens Health: This federal government resource focuses on women’s health and well being.

Public Health Associations

12. American Association of Public Health Physicians: AAPHP was founded in 1954. It serves as the voice of physician directors of state and local health departments.
13. American Public Health Association: The APHA is an organization of public health professionals that has been working to improve public health since 1872.
14. American Social Health Association: For almost 100 years ASHA has provided information about sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STD/STIs).
15. Association of Schools of Public Health: The ASPH promotes the efforts of schools of public health to improve the health of every person.
16. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials: ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia.
17. Health Resources in Action: This is a nonprofit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts dedicated to promoting public health and advancing medical research.
18. National Association of County & City Health Officials: NACCHO supports efforts that protect and improve the health of all people and all communities nationwide.
19. Public Health Foundation: PHF is dedicated to achieving healthy communities through research, training, and technical assistance.
20. Society for Public Health Education: SOPHE is an independent, international professional association made up of health education professionals and students.
21. South Asian Public Health Association: SAPHA maintains one of the largest and most active network of professionals committed to South Asian health issues.

Public Health Magazines and Journals

22. American Journal of Public Health: AJPH is dedicated to publication of original work in research, research methods, and program evaluation in the field of public health.
23. Berkeley Health Magazine: This is the magazine produced for the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health.
24. BMC Public Health: This is an open access journal publishing original peer-reviewed research articles in the epidemiology of disease and the understanding of all aspects of public health.
25. Carolina Public Health Magazine: This University of North Carolina magazine contains news about faculty research, public health professionals and partnerships.
26. Emory Public Health Magazine: The Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center of Emory University is an academic health science and service center focused on health care and public service.
27. Johns Hopkins Public Health Magazine: This is the online magazine of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
28. Journal of Public Health: The Journal of Public Health invites submission of papers on any aspect of public health research and practice.
29. Perspectives in Health Magazine: This magazine is published by the Pan American Health Organization.
30. Public Health: The Royal Society for Public Health is an independent, multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of collective human health and well-being.
31. The Open Public Health Journal: This is an open access online journal which publishes original research articles, reviews and short articles in the field of public health.
32. UCLA SPH Magazine: The University of California offers news and more from their School of Public Health.
33. Yale Public Health Magazine: This magazine originates from the Yale School for Public Health, offering information about this topic from around the globe.

Public Health Policy

34. Global Health Policy Center: The Center for Strategic & International Studies offers a strategy for U.S. engagement on global health issues.
35. Journal of Public Health Policy: This journal is committed to providing a source of scholarly articles on the epidemiologic and social foundations of public health policy.
36. Kaiser Family Foundation: This group tackles topics such as health reform, Medicaid, Medicare and insurance.
37. National Association of Public Health Policy: NAPHP’s mission is to improve the health of the people of the U.S. by helping to develop health policy.
38. National Health Policy Forum: This group’s mission is to cultivate a learning community among key senior staff in Congress, its support agencies, and the executive branch of the federal government to improve health policy-making processes.
39. Public Health Policy: This site highlights the work of Dr. Kumanan Wilson and other researchers into this increasing important area of study.

Global Resources

40. American International Health Alliance: AIHA’s partnerships and projects focus on public health challenges in developing and transitioning nations around the globe.
41. Demographic and Health Surveys: The DHS program has collected, analyzed and disseminated data on population, health, HIV and nutrition through more than 200 surveys in over 75 countries.
42. Family Health International: FHI is a global health and development organization that has been improving lives since 1971.
43. Global Environment Facility: GEF unites 182 member governments, international institutions, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to address global environmental issues.
44. Global Health: This magazine’s goal is to improve the lives of people around the world primarily by reducing the burden of disease.
45. Global Health Council: The Global Health Council is the world’s largest membership alliance dedicated to saving lives by improving health throughout the world.
46. Health Action International: This organization works to increase access to essential medicines and to improve the rational use of medicines.
47. Health Volunteers Overseas: Health Volunteers Overseas is a private non-profit organization dedicated to improving the availability and quality of health care in developing countries.
48. USAID Global Health: USAID’s commitment to improving global health includes confronting global health challenges through improving the quality, availability, and use of essential health services.
49. World Federation of Public Health Associations: Founded in 1967, this organization is the only worldwide professional society representing and serving the broad area of public health, as distinct from single disciplines or occupations.
50. World Health Organization: WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system.

Patient Information and Electronic Health Records

The rise of electronic health records means that many patients can see their records, and it also helps to cut down on errors. Cost due to storage space is also reduced, and technology makes patient information easier for health professionals to access.

1. Allscripts: This company helps manage electronic health records and information. Offers a way to streamline patient records, and make sure that the right people have access to them. The idea is to help connect the health care system, which has been largely disorganized, with the help of electronic health records.
2. StreamlineMD specializes in electronic health records management for small and mid-sized health practices. It makes it easier to get access to patient information, as well as other functions like billing and clinical. Integrates the two for better outcomes. A great way for medical information to be shared. StreamlineMD also helps reduce errors and increase efficiency.
3. MDG Medical offers an electronic health records system that focuses on prescriptions. The idea is to connect the physician’s office to the pharmacy, reducing errors, increasing efficiency and lowering costs. Intelligent software helps keep medical information and manage data. Helpful in terms of making pharmacy much more patient friendly.
4. Glide Health helps healthcare professionals to manage medical information more effectively and efficiently. Glide health specializes in electronic health records, and helps enhance patient care, as well as helping patients have easier access to medical information. Integrates well with different systems, and is especially helpful in mobile healthcare situations.
5. Mitochon Systems offers web-based patient information and medical records. Provides a way for patients to connect to healthcare professionals, as well as allowing professionals to share patient records. This is an ad supported system, and offers free electronic medical records access. Simple and straightforward, this system is designed to provide better patient information exchange.
6. Rothman Healthcare Research looks to provide smarter electronic health records. In order to help prevent medical injury due to error, Rothman has created a system in which electronic medical data is not only available, but smarter. It analyzes the health records available and then provides a quick summary of the patient condition, with the major points of health and treatment easy to find at a glance.
7. Practice Fusion offers free online electronic health records. This company aims to revolutionize the way patient information and medical data is shared. Provides a streamlined way to provide more accessible and accurate medical records. Innovative system delivers medical information, and makes it more accessible for all.

Patient Care

With better medical data comes better patient care. Here are some startups revolutionizing the way patient care is conducted.

8. Keas allows patients to take charge of their care. Includes wellness and care plans designed to help patients reach their goals. Additionally, it provides helpful ways for you to understand the data you are getting from clinics and labs. Can also be useful for healthcare professionals looking to create individualized health and wellness plans for patients. A great way to learn more about patient health.
9. Vital Data Technology is all about coordinating patient care from the emergency through the entire hospital stay. This enhances patient care by helping healthcare professionals more effectively manage medical emergencies. It helps share data from the moment a patient enters the emergency room until she or he leaves. Can also provide professionals with instant answers to care questions patients might have.
10. eMedical Lending offers patients more choice when paying for healthcare services. Streamlines patient data and options, and provides patients with the information they need to make more informed choices about paying for medical care. Works with professionals to help ensure that billing and payment are in order, and that patients are better able to afford their care.
11. Proxim Diagnostics works to create better diagnostics using evolving technology. Solutions should increase the accuracy of results. Clinical diagnostics that offer more relevant and accurate information would be a great help in reducing costs, and giving patients a clearer idea of what can be expected in treatment.
12. Treatment Online provides a way for those with behavioral issues to get access to better information about mental illness and treatment. Anonymous and professional, you can learn more about your health and wellness. Also a great resource for physicians who are looking for individual solutions for their patients.

Communication and Collaboration

Members of a health care team can work better with each other, thanks to technology. Here are some startups that could help with communication and collaboration over distances.

13. Zin Medical combines vMetrics with the Cleveland Clinic and NASA to create an amazing monitoring device that works with wireless networks to help healthcare professionals stay in contact with their patients’ vitals. Get updates from all over, as well as share information with others. A great way to stay connected to patients and promote collaboration between members of a health team.
14. nViso looks at ways to communicate cross-culturally. This interesting company works to help add another layer of understanding to emotions. While originally designed as a marketing tool, it can be used in healthcare as well. It can be used to help healthcare professionals gauge patient distress, and even translate cultural cues based on the facial recognition technology used. A great way to empower patients and provide healthcare professionals more information in a medical setting.
15. VSee allows better sharing and collaborations. Perfect for mobile clinics, and for healthcare professionals who need to have long distance meetings with patients. Also allows video conferencing so that collaboration can take place easily amongst several health team members. Includes file and application sharing for electronic health records and more.
16. Covia Labs is perfect for first responders and others in situations the require better operations coordination. Push to talk features and other helpful applications help you integrate better, collaborate more effectively, and streamline medical communications while sharing information.

Imaging

Imaging technology can provide patients with better access to what is really going on. Here are some imaging startups with some great ideas.

17. Twenty20 specializes in small, HD video cameras, known as CountourHD. Originally made for sports, this camera also has plenty of other uses, including for surgery. It can also be used for help with getting images of patients to family and friends, and can work as a visual way to monitor patient symptoms and progress. It could be a great tool for use in collecting enhanced medical data so that better decisions can be made.
18. Interventional Imaging has developed a disposable catheter that is meant to provide high resolution images of what is going on inside the arteries. This cool device can be put right inside a blood vessel and communicate with the system. This allows for high resolution medical data from right inside the body, improving patient care, and providing patients and healthcare professionals alike with the information needed to help make informed decisions about care.
19. VasoLux offers real time assessments of tissue without the need for biopsy. Less invasive for patients, and full of good information for healthcare professionals. Medical data in high resolution with the help of advanced optical technology. Can help with the identification of different disease states, and can help with decision making with regard to most promising treatments.
20. FiatLux Imaging offers free advanced software for MRI and CT imaging. This technology is cleared by the FDA for clinical use, and it is available for non-clinical folks as well, enhancing access to one’s own body and medical data. It is also possible to put the images on computers and mobile devices, making it possible for images to move about, and be more efficiently shared with patients and others. A great advance in imaging and data sharing.

Healthcare IT

These are the innovators that keep the information flowing. Healthcare IT startups make it possible for more patients and health professional to get better access to medical data and information.

21. Epic features fast and scalable software aimed specifically at medical practice. It’s meant for mid-size to large medical groups interested in better processes, and enhanced workflow. Includes clinical, access and revenue functions that can keep medical data and information properly organized and retrievable.
22. Cerner offers information technology solutions in healthcare, providing a system that makes it easy to enter health information and receive it. There is a special emphasis on financial outcomes, with applications that can help medical groups streamline their financial data, making it easier to get to for professionals and patients alike. Increases the safety, quality and efficiency of health care.
23. NextBio provides a way to process information and streamline it. It is a good way to integrate public health data with private health data. Then it makes connections that can lead to enhanced analysis and a more efficient and effective solution to a number of problems. It’s a great way to find alternatives, make discoveries and streamline information.
24. Explorys uses technology to integrate information and streamline health data and more. This startup aims to improve performance by using technology to take better advantage of medical data and information. A number of solutions designed to help coordinate medical data with possible discovers, and to help accelerate research so that more health answers can be found.
25. Talyst is designed especially for pharmacies. Keeps patient information, storage information and more so that it is easily accessible. Coordinates different systems, and even includes products for long-term care. Helps patients, and provides better pharmacy care.

The following list ranges from health alerts to nutrition and fitness to general news and information about various diseases and prevention measures. The links for this list lead directly to the Twitter page that focuses on that topic. Some links lead to official government Twitter pages while others lead to businesses, magazines or other authoritative resources on any given topic.

If you decide that certain Twitter resource isn’t for you, you can conduct a search at Listorious or Twellow to find other resources. For instance, if you want to find more resources for “Yoga,” simply type that term into either Twitter search engine to find more yoga resources.

Health Alerts

You might be the paranoid type, or you may simply want to know about drug and consumer product recalls as soon as they occur, weather that may affect you or how to be prepared for an emergency. If so, Twitter is the place to get quick updates about all these alerts:

1. Get immediate flu updates from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or from Flu.gov.
2. Learn quickly about product safety alerts and recalls from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
3. As an iGuard user, you can receive alerts about your medicines.
4. If you’re not an iGuard user, you still can receive the latest drug information.
5. Stay on top of food and drug recalls from the FDA.
6. Follow the latest in emergency preparedness for disease detection.
7. Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed about disasters in your area.
8. Get timely messages from an emergency notification system.
9. Dive into health and medical alerts on a daily basis.
10. Stay on top of severe weather and be prepared to handle everything from tornado warnings to hurricane season and from ice storms to other severe seasonal weather.
11. Learn about any disaster alerts in your area that concern weather or other natural disasters.

Nutrition

If you want to learn how to handle food safely, about what to eat at restaurants that might be healthy or how to cook healthy at home, the following Twitter users can lead you in the right direction. You also can learn about raw food, slow food and the foods that triathletes crave.

12. Learn how to handle food properly.
13. Learn how to eat healthy at restaurants.
14. Make healthier decisions.
15. What the dish on raw and super foods?
16. If you want to try the slow food revolution, here’s your chance.
17. Understand nutrition and how it affects your health.
18. Brush up on food safety, healthy recipes and sustainable agriculture.
19. Learn about daily healthy recipes.
20. Try a no-diet weight loss solution with food swaps.
21. Have fun with sustainable living, cooking and recipes.
22. Learn about triathlete nutrition for running, cycling and swimming.

Get Fit

Are you into running, cycling, yoga or weight lifting? There are Twitter users who can help you out with tips and advice. You also can learn about fitness for women, for men and find a personal trainer.

23. Get tips on all sports such as swimming, running, yoga and more.
24. Get specific tips for women’s fitness.
25. Men can pick up on fitness tips, too.
26. Build some muscle tone.
27. If you’re into running, you can find tips for beginners to experts.
28. Maybe cycling is your sport.
29. Keep an eye on crossfit 101, from nutrition to power lifting.
30. Get inspiration for your triathlon obsessions.
31. Learn how to build endurance and stay healthy.
32. Stay fit for the surf with real surf buffs.
33. Follow a wide range of yoga blogs.
34. Follow the advice of a personal trainer.

Get Information

One healthy way to use Twitter is to find information about various diseases or health problems such as addictions, anxiety or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD), heart problems and cancer. You also can learn how to donate a kidney or how to help heal a child’s smile.

35. Obesity news for professionals is at your fingertips.
36. Brush up on breast cancer news.
37. Learn more about medicine daily.
38. Learn how to fight diabetes.
39. Learn about 100 types of arthritis and related conditions.
40. Live healthier with tips on how to prevent heart disease.
41. You can learn about all types of addictions on Twitter.
42. Autism in young children is a favorite topic…
43. …as is the Aspergers community.
44. How about donating a kidney?
45. Learn how you can heal a child’s smile.
46. Gain insight into mental health research.
47. Get tips on eating disorders, anxiety issues, PTDS and other emotional and mental health issues.
48. Stay up to date on health technology issues.
49. Connect with others seeking healing resources.
50. Gather health and wellness information along with preventative tips and tools.

1. The ultimate Public Health movie list Who knew that movies could be a tool to promote public health? Educate yourself and others with films like Erin Brockovich, Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me among others.
2. BAM!Emeril Lagasse isn’t the only one to BAM his way into the hearts of America – the CDC is trying it out too. The BAM web-page (short for “Body and Mind”) has kid and adult-friendly information on diseases, nutrition, activities and safety.
3. Healthy People 2010This organization works to inspire and help communities and individuals to take steps towards healthier lifestyles.
4. Brain PopThis fun and innovative website has information on Diseases, Injuries and Conditions (“what happens when things aren’t working right?”) as well as genetics, body systems, nutrition, and personal health advice. There are also free health movies. Even though the information is serious, the tone and look are fun enough to make health into an engaging enjoyable subject.
5. Household ChemicalsLearn About Chemicals Around Your House is the name of this website that has an interactive house tour to teach kids about dangerous chemicals in their homes. Help the parents in your community protect their children by informing them – this makes it easy.
6. Pandemic for kidsTalk to any public health expert and you’ll hear that we are overdue for a pandemic, or epidemic, of epic proportions. Emergency management specialists are working to prepare individuals, families and communities, but most people are resistant to facing the risk of possible future pandemics. This site has tips targeted towards children, but helpful to parents and professionals also.

Swine flu, caused by the H1N1 virus, started from Mexico, spread into the U.S, and has since then spread all over the world, particularly in Asia.

Here we present 7 free web apps to track swine flu anytime, anywhere –

1. HealthMap – This free application provides real-time information on disease outbreaks from around the world. The data is gathered from various sources from all over the internet and presented in the form of an interactive map. You can use the application to track the outbreak and spread of swine flu on a global level, country level, and city level. You can receive alerts if there is an outbreak in your vicinity. The application accepts feeds from users and you can add to their database if you find that there has been a swine flu incident that has not been covered on HealthMap.

2. Addict-O-Matic – This search site does a great job of collating news items from social media portals for a given search term. A search for “swine flu” will yield recent entries on the subject from diverse sites such as YouTube, Twitter, Digg, and various blog search engines. The results are presented sitewise in a clean customizable layout. Worth bookmarking as it is a neat single-window viewpoint for news related to swine flu.

3. Google News – The news aggregator that most other aggregators on swine flu use for reference. Possibly the largest resource for information from diverse sources including news sites, blogs, and scientific journals. Get updates online or sign up for news alerts that can be delivered to your mobile phone.

4. Google Flu Trends – A heat map that provides near real-time information on swine-flu activity from several countries. Here’s an interesting read on how the application actually works. The application estimates swine flu activity based on the number of queries from a given region and historic records of flu activity in that region.

5. Swine Flu Map – This interactive map offers a neat timeline that you can manipulate with the help of a slider. You can check how the flu has spread from Mexico affecting countries on the way to becoming a pandemic. You can view stats on confirmed cases and deaths for each country at a given period in time.

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – An exhaustive resource on all the information you can hope for on swine flu including weekly updates from all over the U.S. There is information of use to specific use such as pregnant women, senior citizens, and travelers.

7. Wellsphere – A good source of information on all things health-related including swine flu. The information is well categorized. It includes breaking news on swine flu, questions and answers, discussions, pictures, videos, tips, and more. You can unearth a lot of information on swine flu by using different key phrases such as “swine flu symptoms”; swine flu treatment”, “swine flu vaccine”, etc.