When it comes to health administration, the health reform bill passed earlier this year is ushering in plenty of change. Indeed, the bill is being touted as the biggest overhaul to healthcare in the U.S. There are certainly are plenty of changes coming to healthcare, and there have been many attempts to explain healthcare reform, and what it means for the future of healthcare in the U.S.

Many, though, are more interested in what has already taken place. While many of the provisions in healthcare reform will not take place until 2014, there are already some items that have already taken effect. Some of the changes to healthcare reform may already be impacting your wallet. We are in the neighborhood of the six-month anniversary of the signing of the healthcare reform bill, and it is time to take stock. Health administration officials, as well as members of the general public, have it in their best interests to understand what is already in effect. Here are 10 health care reform items effective in 2010:

1. Adult Children Remain on Parents’ Policy Until 26

One of the provisions of the health care reform bill already in effect is that adult children can remain on their parents’ health policy until they are 26. Prior to the new law, states set their own ages for taking children off parental policies, usually sometime between 21 and 23. Now, if the dependent does not have the ability to get insurance through his or her own employer, it is possible to remain on the parents’ policy. This rule only applies to new policies, although health insurance companies have to provide coverage on existing policies (but it can be separate and might be expensive).

2. No More Lifetime Caps on Coverage

Starting in September 2010, insurance companies can no longer put lifetime caps on coverage. This means that insurance policies can no longer come with limits on lifetime payouts, many of which were capped at $1 million or $2 million prior to the passage of the law. For most people, the lift on caps is not a big deal, but for those with medical catastrophes, that limit comes up pretty fast. Starting in 2014, the annual caps that some companies put on coverage will be abolished as well.

3. Children Under 19 Cannot be Excluded for Pre-Existing Conditions

One of the biggest issues with health insurance coverage is the pre-existing condition. Starting this year, children with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage. The rule is already in effect for those whose plan dates are October. The rule is in effect starting on the next plan date, so if your plan date is October 1, then your renewal will not exclude children under 19 due to a pre-existing condition. January 1 and July 1 plan dates will be phased in during 2011, and most of the population over 19 will be included in 2014.

4. Adults with Pre-Existing Conditions Have a New Option

If you have a pre-existing condition, and you are 19 or older, you can still be denied healthcare coverage until 2014, when many of the reform rules take effect. However, if you have a pre-existing condition and want coverage, you can buy into a health insurance plan offered by the government right now.

5. “Doughnut Hole” Closes

The infamous “doughnut hole” caused by Medicare legislation in 2003 has cost seniors quite a bit as they struggle to pay for their own medications after reaching a certain amount. There is a gap in prescription drug coverage until seniors have spent more money out of pocket. The new bill closes this gap in the future, and offers immediate assistance with paying for prescriptions right now.

6. Early Retirees Get Help

One of the issues facing early retirees is paying for health insurance now that they no longer have an employer’s plan — but are too young for Medicare. The healthcare reform bill provides help for those in this situation. Right now, it is possible for early retirees (aged 55 and older) to have access to health coverage until they qualify for Medicare. The program works by providing assistance to employers so that they can extend coverage to early retirees.

7. Free Preventative Healthcare

Much has been said about how the U.S. health care system is more about “sick care”, since prevention gets so little play. However, healthcare reform requires that new plans have to cover certain preventative services starting on September 23. Some of the covered services include cancer screening, cholesterol and diabetes tests, blood pressure checks, vaccines for a range of illnesses, well-child visits up to the age of 21, pap smears, and mammograms for those older than 40.

8. Funding for Community Health Centers

Early funding for some community health centers is provided for by the healthcare reform bill, starting in fiscal year 2010. Community health centers offer valuable services for some underserved members of rural and inner-city communities. Early funding is a great help for these communities, which are slated to receive an additional funds over the course of five years.

9. Small Businesses Get Special Tax Credit

For small businesses interested in providing healthcare coverage for their employees, there are special small business tax credits available starting in calendar year 2010. Tax credits of up to 35% of premiums paid are being offered right now for small businesses. In 2014, though, the tax credit increases. It is expected that small businesses will receive up to 50% in tax credits when more of the law’s provisions take effect. In order to get the 50%, though, employers will have to pay directly, rather than use an agreement that reduces salary.

10. No More Recissions

One of the practices that have many upset with health insurance companies is that of recission. Recission takes place when the health insurance company drops your coverage when you get sick, in order to avoid paying for your treatment. Effective six months after enactment, this rule bans health insurance companies from dropping you just because you get sick. It is a way to ensure that you continue to receive the coverage you have paid for.

Bonus: More Transparency

One of the more immediate provisions of the healthcare reform bill is that health insurance companies have to be more transparent. Insurers must post their balance sheets on the Internet, and disclose executive compensation, as well as other costs. There are hopes that such a requirement will put pressure on health insurance companies when it comes to setting premiums.

Gendercide is the systematic killing of members of a specific sex, male or female, for any number of reasons and through a variety of methods. In the 1985 book, Gendercide: The Implications of Sex Selection, Mary Anne Warren drew an analogy between the concept of genocide and the deliberate extermination of women through female infanticide, maternal death, witch hunts and other abuses against women. but, new studies show that gendercide is just one of many symptoms of inequalities, even in America.

Despite the increase in international health care concerns and administration, many countries continue to practice gendercide through a variety of methods. The following 25 studies and infographics about gendercide may open your eyes to the various methods used for discrimination of various populations.

Gendercide, Men and Women

1. The Women’s Crusade vs. Wars and Casualties: According to this blog entry, global statistics show that “more girls and women are now missing from the planet, precisely because they are female, than men were killed on the battlefield in all the wars of the 20th century.”
2. Gendercide: The State of Study: This paper explores the early articulation of Mary Anne Warren’s gendercide framework, and the conclusion explores whether gendercide remains as prominent now in political-military conflicts and social institutions worldwide as in the past.
3. Recognizing ‘gendercide’: This article looks at gendercide from male and female perspectives, with links to resources that show rape as a weapon of war and to the killing of 8,000 Bosnian non-combatant men and boys as policy.
4. Genocide and Humanitarian Intervention: Incorporating the Gender Variable: This paper, written in 2002, notes that women are gendercide targets (including maternal mortality), but “battle-age” men are targets as well, often presaging a full-scale genocide.
5. Percentage of Pregnancies Aborted by Country: Abortion is a hotly debated issue in the U.S., although this data shows the U.S. in the middle of all countries listed, with Russia leading by 52 percent of all pregnancies aborted and Panama coming in last at .02 percent. U.S. rates at 22.6 percent. This table is just one of many located at this Johnston Archives site, although no tables exist for gender-based abortions.
6. Impact of female feticide on gender disparities in child health and survival in India: This recording produced by Johns Hopkins suggests that elimination of sex-selective abortion could lead to an increase in excess female infant and child mortality.

Noteworthy Articles and Blogs

7. Female infanticide, Living oppressed or dying in vain: While this article brings up some valid points, the graphic is not cited, nor are many of the points in the article. The two links lead to Christian articles that may or may not be biased in their statements.
8. Female Feticide: This Frontline article provides the information that the previous blog lacks — facts about the sale of ultrasound machines to countries displaying loss of female infants by census. Feticide is another word for abortion (or, termination of pregnancy, also known as TOP), usually performed during or after the second trimester.
9. GE Business Dilemma: Ultrasound Technology and Feticide: Offered by GE, this article and links to further articles, prepare GE’s background into accusations connecting their machines to female feticide in India.
10. Female Infanticide, Two Case Studies from India and China [PDF]: While this study is cited informally within the body of the text, it appears to be more of an opinion piece based upon reports offered from Gendercide Watch, a resource noted in the “resources” category below.
11. Gendercide, International Women’s Day and The Economist: This article, published in From Poverty to Power, critiques a piece carried by The Economist this year entitled, Gendercide. This graphic, one of two contained within this article, shows a decline in males per 100 females in South Korea, and upticks in males per 100 females in China, India and Northwest India.
12. Saving the World’s Women: This seven-page article in The New York Times online presents numerous studies, with the raw conclusion that women seem to be worth more when they earn more money or become educated.
13. A Cutting Tradition: The New York Times focuses on female circumcision, and notes that, while male circumcision demonstrates health benefits, there is no medical value in female circumcision.
14. Pharaonic Circumcision (infibulation): This article, which centers on Islamic ruling on male and female circumcision, focuses on the mutilation and possible sterilization involved in this extreme female circumcision practice.
15. Silence greets ‘gendercide’ of women: This article, written in 2009, predates The Economist’s article noted above; however, the author focuses on the book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the same authors of the seven-page article in The New York Times, also listed above. Of note is attention to U.S. women, who continue to be victims of gender violence, mostly based upon economic disparities.

Recent U.S. Issues

16. International Infant Mortality Rates: This study does not mention gendercide, nor does it include China or India. The graph shows the rate of infant deaths per 1,000 births in industrialized nations. The U.S. infant mortality rate was more than twice that of six other industrialized countries in 2004, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Sweden and Finland. However, this rate decreased from the 1998 figure of 7.1 deaths per 1,000 births in the U.S.
17. The Black-and-White World of Walter Ashby Plecker: The story about Plecker is well known in the Amherst, Virginia area, where Plecker focused undue attention to the Monacan Indian population in that region. Plecker’s case against the Native American in Virginia did not end until 1997, when Governor George Allen repudiated Plecker’s policies (including The Racial Integrity Act) and implemented a law through which Native Americans could receive corrected birth certificates, free of charge.
18. Unequal Pay: The Equal Pay Act was made law in 1963, almost fifty years ago. Yet, women still earn less than men, with a wage gap that has narrowed by less than half a cent per year as shown by this graphic.
19. Death By American Bombing and Other Democide: Although this site represents an entire resource for democide (death by government, relating to genocide), this page focuses on the number of individuals killed worldwide by American war movements.

Resources

20. Aegis: “Preventing Crimes Against Humanity” is the tag line for this site, which focuses on human rights and genocide, including gendercide.
21. Crimes of War: This project is a collaboration of journalists, lawyers and scholars dedicated to raising public awareness of the laws of war and their application to situations of conflict.
22. Gendercide Watch: This entire Web site is filled with case studies, links and resources about gendercide, with a focus on women and an increasing focus on men. Note: Many links on this site return a “404.”
23. Journal of Genocide Research: This journal promotes an interdisciplinary and comparative peer-reviewed approach to the study of genocide. Portions of articles available through Google Scholar.
24. P.A.P. Statistics: Human rights statistics abound here, ranging from abortion to xenophobia.
25. Women Watch: This section of the United Nations site is devoted to gender disparities worldwide with an emphasis on women.

The healthcare field in America is constantly changing. With new technologies, medical advances, and financial challenges it is very difficult for organizations to stay ahead of the curve. This holds especially true when it comes to hospitals in America. However, we’ve compiled a list of 20 hospitals that are the best at what they do. How hospitals make this list is by being highly rated by medical professionals and patients in a variety of important areas. These areas include mortality rates, patient care, facilities (resources and upkeep), patient safety, and more. Hospitals that have achieved rankings in specific medical specialty areas (cardiology, cancer treatment, etc) are also highly valued on this list. These are the best hospitals because they are, quite simply, top-notch when it comes to health care. If you need to find a hospital because you or a loved one has become I’ll, then at least one of the following 20 should certainly be considered. This list groups the hospitals by region so you can easily browse for the best facilities closest to you.

Northeast

1. Hospital University of Pennsylvania — Founded in 1874 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also known as the City of Brotherly Love, this hospital is often lauded for it’s commitment to researching innovative treatments for new diseases. In addition to being ranked #8 on the U.S. News & World Report of the Best Hospitals in America, this hospital boasts a fantastic helicopter fleet called PennSTAR, which serves to transport critically injured patients to the hospital.
2. Johns Hopkins Hospital — Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this teaching hospital and biomedical research facility saw the inception of many medical specialties including child psychiatry, cardiac surgery, urology, neurosurgery, and pediatrics. Johns Hopkins has the distinction of being ranked the number one hospital in America for 20 straight years, a fact that is never lost on it’s hard working healthcare professionals.



3. Massachusetts General Hospital — This hospital first opened its doors in Boston in 1811. Since then, this Harvard Medical School teaching hospital has been consistently grouped with the best in the country. Patient care is the number one priority for MGH professionals. To that end, MGH has over 905 beds and serves around 45,000 patients every year.
4. NYU Medical Center — New York City, “The Big Apple,” is home to one of the top hospitals in the country. Founded in 1841, this hospital has a history of having some of the best physicians in the world on its staff. In fact, one of the first surgeons to work for the NYU Medical Center was John Revere, son of famous patriot Paul Revere.



5. Yale – New Haven Hospital — New Haven, Connecticut is home to Yale University’s hospital. YNHH has received consistent acclaim for its excellence in specialty medical areas that include cancer, diabetes and endocrine disorders, digestive disorders, ear, geriatric care, gynecology, heart surgery, and more.
6. New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell — NYC has another best hospital on this list; one that many consider to be among the most comprehensive hospitals in the world. Having the resources of two Ivy League institutions for support also helps this hospital to stay ahead of the curve in service and emerging medical technologies.

South

7. Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Founded in 1874, in the great city of Nashville, Tennessee, VUMC boasts an impressive medical resume with a large number of expertly trained medical care professionals committed to giving patients the best care available. Recently, VAMU has received recognition for pioneering several medical systems, including the keeping of electronic records.
8. Duke University Medical Center — Since 1930 Durham, North Carolina, has been home to one of the top Hospitals in the South. Duke University Hospital is a “full-service tertiary and quaternary care hospital” that operates 924 acute care beds and 19 psychiatry beds. Thousands of patients each year are treated here, and the hospital plans on continuing expansion.



9. The Methodist Hospital — Located in Houston, Texas, this hospital was ranked #20 in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report of America’s best hospitals. Its specialties are recognized around the world as some of the best in the field. These include cardiovascular surgery, cancer treatment, and epilepsy treatment. The Methodist Hospital has a successful affiliation with New York-Presbyterian, another hospital on our list.
10. H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa — Tampa, Florida is home to one of the best centers for cancer research and treatment. Cancer remains one of the most deadly diseases around today, and persons working at this hospital make its treatment their priority.

Midwest

11. Ohio State University Hospital — Columbus, Ohio is home to one of the best hospitals in the country. The Ohio State University hospital has made research core to its mission, and having support from one of the largest research institutions in the world has helped significantly with this goal. Additionally, this hospital has received high rankings for a variety of specialties including cancer, rehabilitation, and gynecology.
12. Mayo Clinic — You can find one of the best hospitals in America, in Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo clinic has consistently been ranked #2 in the country, behind only Johns Hopkins, because of its commitment to patient care and research. The Mayo Clinic also ranks in the top three for many specialties including, diabetes and endocrine disorders, digestive disorders, neurology, and neurosurgery.



13. Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University — Founded in 1902 in St. Louis, this hospital has been on the U.S. News & World Report hospital honor list for the last 18 years. Barnes-Jewish hospital is well-regarded in many specialties including cancer care, lung care, transplant services, and heart care. In fact, this hospital has the distinction of pioneering many procedures such as ablation therapies and valve repair/replacement.
14. University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers — Ann Arbor, Michigan, is where you’ll find another one of the best hospitals in the country. this hospital has been pioneering treatments and caring for patients since 1850. UMH has received high rankings in the specialty areas of Ear, Nose, and Throat, Neurology, and Neurosurgery.



15. Cleveland Clinic — Cleveland, Ohio is home to the hospital with the best cardiology department in the country. This hospital was most recently ranked #4 overall in the nation, and has been providing patients with fantastic care since its foundation in 1921.

West

16. University of Washington Medical Center — Seattle is home to one of the best hospitals in America. Ranked #11 by U.S. News & World Report, with acclaimed specialty areas in rehabilitation, orthopedics, geriatrics, and more. This hospital is one of the best in the West, if not the world.



17. University Medical Center — In the desert of Tuscon, Arizona, you’ll find this fantastic hospital. This hospital was founded in 1971, and has received significant rankings in many categories including cardiothoracic and multidisciplinary transplants.
18. University of California, San Francisco Medical Center — This hospital is considered to be one of the best in the country in patient care, medical education, and health sciences research. Since its foundation in 1873, healthcare professionals working here have had a commitment to providing the best treatments possible to all those in need. Patients can also benefit from the extensive resources that being part of the University of California network provides.



19. Stanford Hospital and Clinics — In sunny Stanford, California one of the best hospitals in America continues to set an excellent example in the health care field. With over 40,000 visits yearly, 20,000 of them being inpatients, this hospital certainly serves the larger community.
20. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center — Located on UCLA’s beautiful sprawling campus, this hospital has received rankings in the top twenty in 15 of the 16 medical specialties ranked by the U.S. News & World Report every year for the last decade.

We’ve been hearing a lot about the swine flu, or the H1N1 virus. It was given pandemic status by the World Health Organization in 2009, and many people have been concerned about it. Of course, the H1N1 virus was not the first pandemic, and it certainly won’t be the last. If you want to be prepared for the next pandemic — and kept up to date — here are 50 tools and tips to bookmark so that you are ready for next time:

Government Information and Resources

One of the best places to go is the government if you are looking for up-to-date information on pandemics and tools to track outbreaks. Here are some government and public health information resources that can help you in the event of a pandemic.

1. PandemicFlu.gov: Just what it sounds like, this site is set up to help you keep up with the latest developments in a pandemic flu situation.
2. Office of Medical Services Pandemic Influenza Plan: This site provides the plan for dealing with widespread illness, developed by the U.S. State Department.
3. Department of Health and Human Services: Turn to the HHS if you are interested in the latest news and tips for dealing with any current public health emergency.
4. Centers for Disease Control: This site contains tips for protecting yourself and includes outbreak maps for pandemics.
5. UN Pandemic Influenza Contingency: See the United Nations plan for pandemic preparedness, and get tips on personal protection.
6. World Health Organization: This site offers alerts on global pandemics and coordinates worldwide responses. You can get helpful tips on protecting yourself, as well as helping to organize relief efforts.
7. Public Health Agency of Canada: Get information from Canada about public health threats and how to protect yourself from pandemics.
8. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: The European Union has its own web site devoted to helping to track pandemics and provide information.
9. American Red Cross: This is not a government resource, but the Red Cross does have valuable public health information and tips for what to do in a pandemic situation.

General Pandemic Preparedness

Be prepared for a pandemic, or any other health emergency. These sites offer helpful insights and tools for general emergency preparation.

10. Ready America: This is a U.S. government site that is devoted to emergency preparedness, and can help you get yourself ready in advance for the next pandemic.
11. Top 20 Ways to Prepare for a Pandemic: This helpful tip sheet is from the British Columbia Ministry of Health Services.
12. Pandemic Influenza: What You Can Do To Be Ready: The Minnesota Department of Health offers a handy list of things you can do to prepare for a pandemic.
13. Answers to Swine Flu Questions: Get the answers to the most important H1N1 questions from CNN.
14. Swine Flu FAQ: Not everything is covered in the CNN list, so you can read this FAQ from WebMD to get a little more information.
15. Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness: This site, while aimed at Oregonians, also provides helpful information for anyone else interested in tools and tips. Check your own state for something similar.
16. Flu Checklist: Use this checklist from the Red Cross to determine if you are ready for a pandemic.
17. Questions About Swine Flu: The New York Times provides a video about swine flu and how you can protect yourself from a pandemic.

Family Preparedness

You want to make sure that your family is properly prepared for a pandemic. Here are some helpful resources to help you make a plan for family preparedness.

18. Pandemic Influenza Planning: A Guide for Individuals and Families: Get help on how to create a plan, and learn the differences between protecting yourself from seasonal flu and a strain of pandemic flu.
19. Make a Plan: This emergency preparedness site helps you make a plan for emergencies, including a form to help you get started.
20. Family Emergency Planning: While this is aimed at members of the LDS Church through the Provident Living site, the tools and tips can help any family with emergency planning.
21. How to Swine Flu Proof You and Your Family: This is a helpful guide from eHow on how to get your family prepared for and protected from pandemic flu.
22. Talking with Children about a Flu Pandemic: Helpful tips and resources on explaining a pandemic to your children.
23. Preparing for Pandemic Flu: A Family Checklist Video: This video is helpful for families who are interested in preparing for pandemics.
24. Let’s Get Ready!: This resource from Sesame Workshop helps you get ready for emergencies with your family.
25. Pandemic Flu…What to do, what to do!: This is a kids’ page from the National Institutes of Health aimed at helping children learn about public health emergency preparedness.

Online Tools

Interested in keeping track of pandemics online? Want the latest information and emergency tips? You can use these online tools to stay updated during the next pandemic.

26. Google Alerts: Set up alerts using desired keywords to help you get the latest information delivered right to your inbox.
27. QuickShare My Emergency Information: This tools helps you create an email message with emergency information that can be easily and quickly shared with the important people in your life.
28. Twitter: Everyone is on Twitter. And it can also help you find tips and news updates on pandemics. Search keywords and use hashtags to find the latest.
29. Global Map of Pandemic Risk: This offering from Maplecroft is accessible through docstoc and can help you see where the biggest pandemic threats are.
30. CDCemergency: This is the Twitter account for the CDC’s emergency updates. Follow to get tips and resource hints from the Centers for Disease Control.
31. HealthMap: This global disease map offers an interactive resource to keep you updated on pandemics.
32. Where You Live: This interactive map from Flu.gov helps you find out what is happening where you are right now.
33. Widgets from HHS: The Health and Human Services deparment has widgets that can direct readers to the latest pandemic information.
34. Google Maps: Where there is a pandemic, there is a Google Map that can help you plot it out. Most recently, there was a Swine Flu map with confirmed and probable cases.

iPhone Apps

You can track disease outbreaks and pandemics with the help of your iPhone.

35. Outbreaks Near Me: This app from the Children’s Hospital in Boston helps you find local pockets of disease.
36. FDA Mobile: Get the latest health information and tips for protecting yourself while on the go from the Food and Drug Administration.
37. Mobile World Disaster: If you want to know immediately when disaster strikes, this iPhone app will keep you in the loop.
38. HealthMap: This is an iPhone app that can help you see, on your phone, exactly where health issues are most prevalent.
39. Diagnose the Disease: This app is designed to help you identify diseases. While not a true substitute for a medical professional, it can nevertheless provide some needed help and information.
40. CDC News Reader: Get the latest from the Centers for Disease Control — no matter where you are.
41. PEPID Elements Infections Disease & Travel Medicine: Keep track of where diseases are, and what you can do to protect yourself with this handy iPhone app.
42. Emergency Radio: This iPhone app lets you listen in to emergency radio stations from all around the country in order to get the latest information.

Pandemic Tips

You want to be adequately prepared, and you also want to be calm and collected. Here are some tips that can help you protect yourself in a pandemic situation.

43. Wash your hands: You want to be as clean as possible. One of the best things you can do to protect yourself from a pandemic is to properly wash your hands.
44. First Aid kit: Put together, or purchase, a First Aid kit that can be used in a number of situations, including a pandemic.
45. Have a stockpile: Before a pandemic hits, make sure you have some food storage, as well as emergency money. You should also have other items on hand, in the event you are in the house for an extended period of time.
46. Telecommute: If you have a job that can be performed, at least temporarily, from home, ask about telecommuting to avoid being involved in the spread of a pandemic.
47. Consider a facemask: If you are truly concerned, you can find CDC approved facemasks to help protect you from a pandemic.
48. Stay healthy: Maintaining healthy diet, exercise and sleep habits can keep your immune system in good shape, helping you ward off pandemic illness.
49. Be educated: Learn about what to do, and how to do it. Get information from reliable sources so that you are prepared for a pandemic situation.
50. Don’t panic: It is very important to realize that pandemics have been happening throughout history. If you prepare properly and take precautions, you can reduce your chances of falling victim.

We may sometimes scoff when celebrities start promoting causes, or trying to raise awareness of certain situations or diseases, but the truth of the matter is that in some cases we may not even be made aware that something exists without a little celebrity intervention. When it comes to somewhat rare diseases, the issue becomes even more obscure for many. The bottom line is that the fame that celebrities have can shed light on diseases that you might not have heard of. And if you, or someone you love, ends up with that disease, you’ll probably be glad if a celebrity, somewhere, is willing to bring his or her clout to the cause. Here are 10 diseases made famous by celebrities:

1. Testicular Cancer (Lance Armstrong): Very people were willing to talk about testicular cancer before Lance Armstrong came along. However, when Lance Armstrong, the famous road racing cyclist, admitted that he suffered from the disease, the condition achieved instant celebrity. Armstrong’s determination to continue excelling at his sport, and his subsequent record-breaking, seventh win at the Tour de France, provides inspiration for cancer survivors everywhere. Since then, Armstrong has become more than a spokesman bringing awareness of testicular cancer; he has started his own foundation, the Live Strong Foundation, for all types of cancer research, and single-handedly started a fashion trend for rubber bracelets to raise awareness of a cause.
2. Colorectal Cancer (Katie Couric): Katie Couric is known for her former role on the “Today” show, as well as for being the first female anchor for a network nightly news program. But she is also known for bringing colorectal cancer to light. It took her many years after her husband’s death to begin speaking about colon cancer, but she began to become more outspoken as her pain began to heal. She put together a special series for the “Today” show on colon cancer, and continues to be a spokesperson for the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, which she helped found. The alliance is one that focuses on efforts to get the entertainment industry involved in spreading the word about this common, but not often talked about, cancer.
3. Sickle Cell Disease (Kiki Shepard): A little-known disease that affects predominantly black women is sickle cell disease. In order to bring awareness to this disease, Kiki Shepard routinely holds a celebrity bowling event to raise funds. Shepard is known as the long-time co-host of the television program “It’s Showtime at the Apollo.” She is also known as the “Queen of Fashion” in some circles. She has done acting and voice acting as well. Sickle cell disease falls into main types, including Sickle Cell Anemia, Sickle-Hemoglobin C Disease, Sickle Beta-Plus Thalassemia and Sickle Beta-Zero Thalassemia. Shepard’s bowling evening routinely brings out such stars as Tatyana Ali, James Pickens, Jr., Loretta Devine and DJ MC Lyte.
4. Parkinson’s Disease (Michael J. Fox): This degenerative disease did not get a lot of play on the national airwaves until Michael J. Fox revealed that he suffers from the disease. This is a disease that eventually results in the inability to move, and it also results in an inability to communicate clearly. There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are treatments that can slow its progression. Michael J. Fox made drew even more attention to Parkinson’s — and created a controversy — when he appeared in ads about the disease and stem cell research, as well as appearing before Congress to give testimony, without taking the medication that keeps his tremors in check. He did so in order to provide a visual of what Parkinson’s disease does to the body.
5. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig): You probably still haven’t heard of ALS. But that’s because, for the most part, no one calls it that anymore. Instead, you probably know ALS as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. At the time that Lou Gehrig had to stop playing for the Yankees, due in part to the ravages of ALS, he was one of the most well-known and beloved public figures. As a result, the entire diseased was sub-titled with his name. The ALS Association still works to raise funds to help those with the disease, and ease the symptoms. Like so many other diseases, there is no cure for ALS, but there is hope that Lou Gehrig’s Disease might some day be defeated.
6. Thyroid problems (Oprah Winfrey): Many of us are unaware of the gland in the body known as the thyroid gland. It is large as endocrine glands go, but you would probably be unimpressed by its size. It is located in the front part of the neck. The thyroid and its gland can cause a number of problems, including issues with weight. In 2007, Oprah Winfrey brought awareness of thyroid problems to the forefront by sharing that she had been diagnosed with a thyroid gland problem. While there are different reasons for thyroid problems, the bottom line is that once this is identified, many health and weight problems can be better managed.
7. Craniosynostosis (Jorge Posada): Jorge Posada is one of the best loved and recognizable players for the Yankees baseball team today. He has been acknowledged a great catcher and a fairly consistent hitter. Posada also has a child affected by craniosynostosis. This disease is defect of the brain that involves closure, prematurely, of the joints between the joints of skull. Surgery can be used to help alleviate the problem, but it is expensive. Posada set up a foundation designed to help provide emotional support and financial assistance to families affected by this problem.
8. Neuroblastoma (Tom Hanks): One of the most devastating diseases that affects children and infants is neuroblastoma. This is a type of cancerous tumor that attacks nerve tissue. The disease can cause a number of issues, including abdominal swelling, rapid pulse and breathing problems. Surgery can be attempted in order to help the condition, and other therapies are available. Tom Hanks has long been a spokesperson for raising awareness of neuroblastoma on behalf of the James Fund. Hanks was inspired by a young boy’s fight with neuroblastoma (which ended with his death at the age of eight), and wrote the forward to a book authored by the boy’s father.
9. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (Montel Williams): One of the reasons that multiple sclerosis (MS) is so well-known today is due to the efforts of former talk show host Montel Williams. When Williams shared that he was afflicted with MS, it managed to become more prominent on the national scene. Williams started his own foundation dedicated to fighting MS, and providing funding for organizations and research that attempt to find a cure for the diseases and look at ways to slow the disease. He also wrote a book about his fight with the disease. MS is one of those diseases that cannot be cured, but that can be countered with certain lifestyle choices and actions to help slow the effects of progress.
10. Autism (Doug Flutie): We hear about autism quite a bit these days. But it wasn’t always that way. Diagnosis of autism, and the recognition that there are different forms of the condition, have made leaps since Doug Flutie, Jr., the football player, first started a foundation in an effort to help his autistic son, and others like him. Autism has since become more recognized, and a number of conditions have been put on the “autism spectrum”. Flutie’s foundation provides emotional and financial support for families who are affected by autism. Without Flutie’s efforts, autism may not have the resources that it has today.

With the new iPhone release, it is clear that more than ever can be done with this device. Indeed, the new sophistication of the iPhone means that it can be all about your health, and doing what you can to remain healthy. Additionally, with the new ability to be more connected than ever before, the iPhone offers you the chance to get the latest health information, and to keep track of where you are most likely to see health threats. Whether you want to keep track of your own symptoms, or whether you want to know how to watch out for others, here are 10 useful iPhone apps that can help you track disease outbreaks.

1. Outbreaks Near Me

Get the latest information on local disease outbreaks. Right now, the most popular use of this app is to track the swine flu. This iPhone app is a “grassroots” epidemiology effort based on HealthMap. It is possible for you to check the app and see whether a disease outbreak has been reported in your area. You can upload your own information and create your own reports using Outbreaks Near Me.

This app was developed by researchers at Children’s Hospital in Boston, along with help from the MIT Media Lab. It does more than track swine flu — it can trace outbreaks from a number of infectious diseases.

2. Mobile World Disaster

If you are looking to keep track of what’s going on in the world, Mobile World Disaster news is a good choice. This iPhone app, developed by Crossgates AC, provides a helpful search feature, and includes Meta tags to make things easier for you. You can receive emergency updates about a number of disasters, from earthquakes to tornadoes to hurricanes.

And it’s not just natural disasters. Mobile World Disaster can help you stay on top of epidemics and pandemics. If you are concerned about travel to distant places, you can check to see what kinds of diseases you will have to worry about. This app also helps you track the spread of pandemics, and keeps you informed with the latest news. It’s no surprise that, right now, the most recent version has been updated with helpful information on Swine Flu.

3. Swine Flu News Tracker

Concerned about swine flu? Well, now you can keep track of the latest news with regard to swine flu. Crossgates AC has taken the same type of technology used for the Mobile World Disaster iPhone app and applied it specifically to swine flu. If you are more concerned about what is being considered the next pandemic (especially this fall as back to school is expected to see an increase in swine flu), this app can help keep you abreast of what is going on.

Swine Flu News Tracker includes information on where the latest outbreaks are, and what others are doing to combat the disease. Additionally, this iPhone app includes helpful information on how to protect yourself and your family from swine flu, and tracks where the disease is most prevalent in the world — so you can avoid it.

4. Influenza A (H1N1) Tracker

This is another iPhone app based on the public’s desire to keep up with the swine flu. This is a very simple application from Web it Up. This application is designed to help you keep track of where the swine flu is, how many people have been infected, and how many deaths there have been. It’s actually rather helpful, since the information is arranged by country.

For the United States, the information is further broken down according to state. If you are interested in knowing where the swine flu is most active, and where it is doing the most damage, it is relatively easy to find that information in a very simple format. This application also includes the assessment level offered by the World Health Organization.

5. FDA Mobile

This is a neat application straight from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If you are looking for the latest health news and disease outbreak information, you can have delivered straight to your iPhone. It is possible to get the latest on disease epidemics, and to track smaller outbreaks. Right now, of course, the main focus for many people is the swine flu. However, the FDA Mobile app can provide information for any disease that threatens to go pandemic. Updates with press reports of the spread of the disease, along with the latest WHO assessment, can be had quickly and easily.

You can also get access to non-outbreak related information. Find FDA warnings (searchable) on products and services. Find human clinical trials data, look for drug shortage information and get the latest news and releases, including the latest medical devices and treatments to be approved. This app is helpful on a number of levels that have to do with your health.

6. CDC News Reader

The Centers for Disease Control is one of the places to go if you want the latest disease outbreak information. You can get all of the latest happenings in the world of infectious diseases right on your iPhone. This news reader takes the top stories issued from the CDC, and sends them to you. This includes outbreaks, such as a multi-state E. Coli outbreak, and even the swine flu. If you want to track diseases and see where the danger lies, the CDC News Reader can keep you informed. A share feature can help you keep those you love in the loop as well.

In addition to tracking diseases, the CDC News Reader also provides other useful information, including emergency preparedness, environmental health alerts, travel notices and other updates. The application also includes a landscape mode, so that you can get a better view.

7. PEPID Elements: Infectious Disease and Travel Medicine

This iPhone application is ideal for the traveler. If you are concerned about what sort of disease you might get when you travel overseas, you can consult this iPhone app for an idea of what’s out there. Not only can this application help you figure out where you are most likely to catch something, but it can actually help you identify whether or not you have it. You can get advice on how to manage infectious diseases, and steps you can take to curb its spread.

This iPhone app also offers dynamic medical calculators and provides information on drug interactions, possibilities and more. The Platinum version, designed for physicians, also has helpful features that can help those who practice medicine better perform their duties.

8. Swine Flu Tracker

IntuApps has the Swine Flu Tracker. This can help you keep track of where the swine flu, and where it might be going. This application is aimed specifically at travelers who still want to globe trot — but in relative safety. Swine Flu Tracker makes use of Google Maps to help you monitor the spread of the disease.

In addition to providing travel warnings and information about the global spread of swine flu (including World Health Organization data), this app also includes helpful information on symptoms of swine flu, what to do if you think you have become infected. This interactive application also features information from the CDC and other respected sources, helping you sift fact from fiction when it comes to the most recent pandemic.

9. The Swine Flu Tracker

This final swine flu app is available from GPS Kit developer Garafa. The company uses its GPS savvy to create a disease outbreak tracker that can help you keep tabs on a number of diseases. Right now, swine flu is quite understandably the focus. However, the app is not limited to swine flu. Other infectious diseases can be tracked using this application, and it also includes information on the disease in question.

Using a map, you can visually see where there have been confirmed cases of the disease in question, as well as see where deaths have taken place. The application works world wide, so you can check up on different countries, and see the places you should avoid.

10. iEmergency

It isn’t exactly a disease tracker, but if you succumb to something, iEmergency can help. This iPhone app by KAVAPOINT is designed to provide your health and emergency information to others if you are incapacitated. The idea is that you can store your allergies, an emergency contact and other information on you iPhone, to be seen if there is a problem. You can even create a lock banner if your iPhone is password protected. There is also one touch emergency calling to make things easier to get in touch with your emergency contacts.

There really is no substitute for peace of mind. You never know when an emergency will come, and you can use this app to make sure you are prepared — and make sure that your loved ones are contacted and know what happened.

If you are looking for a career in the medical field, there is a wide array of choices. Indeed, medical careers range from physicians to insurance coders to medical sales professionals. There are a number of opportunities to be involved in a medical career, and to find fulfilling (and sometimes well-paying) work. Here are 50 medical blogs that can help you find your way in the medical field:

Medical Job Blogs

These are blogs that focus on helping you find a job in the medical field.

1. Non-Clinical Medical Jobs, Careers and Opportunities: Looks at different aspects of non-clinical medical work. Provides opportunities and leads, as well as helpful and information articles.
2. Jobs-2o: Blog, forum and job board that provides postings on medical job openings and career helps.
3. Premier Health Careers: Looks at medical and health care careers and includes job openings.
4. BioJobBlog: Features information on what is happening in the world of medical and clinical careers. Special emphasis on pharmaceutical careers.
5. Healthcare Executive Careers Blog: Offers insight into healthcare executive careers, as well as providing insight into job openings and how to find a job as a health care exec.

Doctor Blogs

Learn about what it’s like to be a physician, and get insight into what it takes to be a successful doctor.

6. Physician Careers Blog: Learn about how to prepare your materials and market yourself as a doctor. What it takes to get hired as a doctor.
7. GruntDoc: Looks at everyday doctoring — from the perspective of someone who once a doctor in the military.
8. Doctor Anonymous: Follow the life of a family care physician living in Ohio.
9. Surgeonsblog: Find out what it’s like to be a surgeon, and explore some of the issues involved in health care.
10. KevinMD: One of the best blogs focusing on the medical and health care world and the issues that doctors face.

Nursing Blogs

Learn about what it’s like to be a nurse, and how to become a nurse.

11. madness: tales of an emergency room nurse: Get a down and dirty look at what it’s like working as a nurse in the emergency room.
12. St. Vincent’s Hospital Darlinghurst – Male Nurses: An interesting look at male nurses and what goes on in their world, with an Australian perspective.
13. Misadventurous Melissa: Follows the adventures of someone who is a nurse and an attorney. An interesting career path.
14. Nurse Healers: Blog that highlights the healing aspect of nursing.
15. Psychonurse’s Padded Cell: Critical care nurse shares the ins and outs of her day.
16. Nurse Practitioner’s Place: Focuses on what it is to be a practicing nurse.

Dentist and Orthodontist Blogs

Working on teeth can be an interesting career. Learn about it first time from these dentists and orthodontists.

17. The Tooth Booth Dental Blog: Learn about what is happening in the world of dentistry, and about a day in the life of a dentist.
18. Marty Jablow DMD: Find out about dentistry and what the issues involved in working with teeth.
19. About.com Dental Care: A great blog that focuses on different aspects of dental care and dentistry.
20. The Dental Implant Blog: Learn about what it’s like working with dental implants and how to use it as a career.
21. Exceptional Dental Practice Management: Learn about properly managing your dental practice.
22. Ask Dr. Straight Orthodontic Blog: Find out more about orthodontics and what goes into it as a career.

Radiology Blogs

One of the medical careers in highest demand is radiology. Learn about this exciting career path.

23. Dave’s Places in Radiology: A blog for imaging professionals, focusing on how you can do your job better.
24. Why?: The thoughts of an x-ray tech on life and radiology.
25. Radiology 101: Learn more about radiology as a career, and what it takes to make it.
26. Aunt Minnie: Keep up to date on the latest in radiology, and issues facing health care.
27. Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Medicine Podcast: Listen to the latest news in radiology and nuclear medicine, and learn about career tips and issues.

Alternative Medicine Blogs

Find a career in alternative medicine. Holistic healing and wellness can make a great career.

28. Next Generation Chiropractor: Looks at what it takes to be a chiropractor today, and offers helpful career and practice hints.
29. The Chiropractic Blog: Helpful information on how to improve your chiropractic practice.
30. Massage Geeks: A blog about massage therapy and how you can enhance your skills and practice.
31. Acupuncture Health Blog: Takes a look at practicing acupuncture and how it can enhance health.

Medical Assisting Blogs

Learn about becoming a medical assistant, and the health careers involved. Hygienists included in this batch of blogs.

32. Medical Assistant Net Career Blog: Get helpful hints on being a better medical assistant and finding job openings.
33. The American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistant’s Blog: Review job openings and post your own seeking employment wishes on this blog. Also includes helpful and informative articles.
34. the musings of a modern hygienist: Learn about what it’s like to be a dental hygienist.
35. Medical Assistant Jobs: Get a job in medical assisting. Learn helpful career tips, as well as see job postings.
36. American Dental Hygienists’ Association MySpace Blog: Find out about networking events and receive helpful information on being a hygienist.

Medical Billing, Coding and Transcription

There are jobs in the administrative end of the medical profession. This includes billing clients, doing insurance coding and transcription for doctors. Some of these jobs can even be done from home.

37. Medical Billing Blog: Provides career advice and tips on being successful as a medical biller.
38. Medical Coding and Billing Blog: Information about coding and billing, as well as helpful information on getting started in the business.
39. Your Medical Coding Career: Looks at how you can improve and sell yourself as a medical coder.
40. Medical Transcription Blog: Follow a career path as a medical transcriptionist.
41. Medical-Transcriptionist-Specialist.com: Learn about job openings and helpful tips to help you start a career in medical transcription.

Medical Sales

One career path you can follow in the medical field is to sell supplies and drugs to doctors and hospitals. Provide needed equipment.

42. Specialty Medical Sales Blog: Learn about how to be more successful at medical sales.
43. Medical Sales Recruiter: Find out what hiring managers are looking for in a salesperson.
44. Pharmaceutical Sales Blog: Sell pharma for a learning. Learn what employers are looking for, and improve your technique.
45. CafePharma: Provides insight into the pharmaceutical industry. Aimed at pharma sales professionals.

Student Blogs

Learn from students pursuing various medical careers.

46. Mexico Medical Student Blog: Follow the adventures of a medical student in Mexico.
47. Medical Student Blog: Learn about how to be a better student and about issues facing the health care profession.
48. RNLife.com: This nursing student blog looks at health care issues and addresses better practices.
49. Not Another Nursing Student Blog: Humorous look at what it’s like as a nursing student.
50. Ashley’s USF Blog: A helpful look at what it’s like to be a radiology student.

It’s summer vacation time, and that means travel and access to a great deal of unhealthy food. I know. I’ve been on three trips already this summer, and I’ve still got two more to go. It seems unfair: You work so hard to get rid of those pounds from the winter holidays, and then your summer vacationing somes and ruins all your effort. The good news is that it is possible to eat healthy when you are vacation. It may take a little planning and some extra effort, but it is worth the trouble. Here are 25 tips for eating healthy while on vacation:

Healthy Eating Tips While Flying

Most years, my family flies to New York to see my husband’s parents. However, the food you get at an airport — and even on the airplane — is not known for its nutritional quality. However, it is possible to increase the healthfulness of your eating even on an airplane.

1. Eat a healthy meal or snack before you leave. For shorter flights, you can eat a healthy meal at home, and then have no need of the food offered at the airport. Even for a longer flight, eating a healthy meal or healthy snack prior to arriving at the airport can mean that you aren’t as tempted to purchase something at the airport.
2. Pack your own healthy snack. Rather than relying on airline food, bring your own snack. Fruit, granola and whole grain crackers are all excellent options that do not require refrigeration. Plan ahead and carefully think about the type of healthy snack pack you want to put together.
3. Ask about alternatives. Many airlines offer alternatives to the “regular” meals and snacks. Find out whether or not your flight offers an alternative food tray. Many airlines have lower-calorie options and a greater variety of snacks. Of course, you may have to pay extra for these options.
4. Buy water before you get on the airplane. You probably know that certain liquid items are prohibited on airplanes. You won’t be able to bring your own bottle of water on the plane, but you can buy one in the terminal in order to remain hydrated. Beware of airline water, though. Water on airplanes has been contaminated in the past.
5. Stay away from the alcohol. While it may be tempting to enjoy a little in-flight drink, alcohol can dehydrate you. It is especially important when traveling to remain well-hydrated, so you should avoid alcohol, which will contribute to loss of moisture in your body.
6. Bring something to do. You will be less tempted to eat unhealthy foods if you have something to do. Many of us eat when we are bored. So, make sure you are occupied. Even when you are in the terminal, bring a book, a movie, music or some other activity to enjoy so that you are not tempted to head to the nearest Cinnabon and eat instead. (It also helps to have something for the kids to do on the plane as well.)

Healthy Eating Tips While on a Road Trip

The nice thing about a road trip is that you have a better chance of finding someplace that you want to eat that is healthier. However, there are some stretches where your choices are limited. Plan your route, though, and you will be more likely to find healthy food along the way.

7. Plan to visit farmers markets. You can find farmers markets in a number of cities these days. Local Harvest is a Web site that offers information on where you can go to find locally grown foods. See if your route intersects any farmers markets, and find out the hours. Then you enjoy fresh (and healthy) foods on your trip.
8. Pack a cooler. You can actually load up a cooler with sandwich fixings and other healthy foods. It can also keep your (healthy) drinks colder. When you bring your own food, you are more likely to maintain your healthy eating habits.
9. Go to the grocery store. Instead of relying on the gas station, or the restaurants near the hotel, head into to town and look for the local grocery store. You will have a larger selection of healthy options at the store.
10. Look for healthy options. Anymore, you can usually get a salad at any restaurant or gas station. Look for the healthiest options that you can. Look at food labels at gas stations and at grocery stores.
11. Stay away from soda. It’s tempting to buy a soda, but remember that soda calories can be hard on your health. Even diet sodas have that fake sugar that may not be as healthful. Water is a better option to help you stay hydrated.
12. Get good sleep. It may seem odd to consider sleep as an essential to healthy eating while on a road trip, but it is. And, being naturally alert will mean less of a need for energy drinks that may not have the best health benefits.
13. Pull over. Instead of eating while driving, pull over. You will digest better if you get a chance to walk around a little bit and stretch your legs. Plus, it can give you a little bit of natural energy.

Healthy Eating Tips for Eating Out

Inevitably, despite your best efforts, chances are that you will have to eat out at a restaurant at some point. While you are likely to take in more calories while eating out, there are some things you can do to eat a little healthier while at the restaurant.

14. Avoid the “special” sauce. At a restaurant, the “special” sauce usually comes on a meal that is loaded with calories of little nutritional value. Also avoid fried or battered foods.
15. Scour the menu for healthier options. Buzzwords on restaurant menus that indicate something of better health include steamed, broiled and grilled. Ask for the mixed veggies instead of the fries. Some restaurants will even identify the healthy choices on the menu.
16. Get water with lemon. Instead of getting a soda or some other high calorie drink (it’s never a good idea to drink your calories), ask for water. If you want a little flavor, ask for it with lemon. It adds a light, refreshing taste.
17. Ask for a smaller portion. Many restaurants will provide you with a half portion or a lunch portion if you ask. This can help you reduce your caloric intake. You can also split a meal, although some restaurants will charge you a couple of dollars if you plan to split something.
18. Get an appetizer. Appetizers are often smaller than regular meals. Order an appetizer and then ask that it come with the meal. The same is true of a side. Perhaps order a small appetizer and a side salad or soup, instead of getting an entree.
19. Stop eating. I know we’ve been told to clean our plates, but it is not always healthy. Eating beyond the point that you feel satiated is not a good way to enjoy good health. Just stop and let the server take your food away.
20. Take some of it with you. Instead of eating everything, have it boxed to take with you. You can eat for lunch tomorrow. Just be careful to make sure that it is properly refrigerated if necessary. Leftover safety is important when you travel.

Healthy Eating: Indulge

Even though you want to eat healthy while you travel, you are on vacation. And you still want to indulge. And that’s okay. Just remember to indulge in moderation. Here are some tips for indulging:

21. Consider healthy desserts. There are some healthy desserts, believe it or not. Look for restaurants that offer seasonal fare, and you are more likely to see desserts made from fruit and with other healthy ingredients.
22. Get the child portion. If you go to get ice cream or some other dessert, ask for the child portion instead of a large portion. It will have fewer calories.
23. Share. Instead of getting a dessert all to yourself, share it. That way, you each get fewer calories. While you may not be eating a healthy dessert, at least you’re eating less of it.
24. Look for local specialties. Is there a special food that your current location offers? Give it a try! After all, you are trying to enjoy something different. If it’s especially sinful, share it amongst yourselves.
25. Get a little exercise. Try to get in a little exercise while you are vacation to balance the extra calories you are getting (and clear out the arteries a little). You can do this by doing some active sight-seeing (walking tours, museums, etc.) or by hitting the hotel gym or swimming laps.

It is always helpful to be able to learn more about the human body. Whether you are studying for medical exams, brushing up on your knowledge or just want to know how your body works, it is possible to find out through open courseware. A number of universities and colleges offer free courses on the human body and how it works. Here are 50 resources that can help you learn more about the body:

Introduction to the Body

Before you dive into the minute workings of the body, it helps to have a basic overview of how the body functions. These classes will help you build a foundation with regard to the body’s development.

1. Human Growth and Development from Tufts University offers helpful information on the way the body grows and develops from birth to death.
2. Adolescent Health and Development from Johns Hopkins University provides an insightful look at how youth develop.
3. General Human Anatomy from the University of California Berkeley focuses on the basics of the body’s systems, and what goes on inside of it.
4. Introductory Biology from MIT provides an overview of biology. This is necessary for understanding how the body works as a biological entity.
5. Introduction to Cardiac Care from Columbia University offers a look at how the heart works, and a basic foundation for understanding heart disease.
6. Introduction to Clinical Pain Problems from Tufts University looks at the issue of pain and how the body deals with. A course that can help you learn about evaluating and treating paid.
7. Introduction to Health Policy from Johns Hopkins University can give you a basic understanding of how policy affects the way the body is treated in medical settings.
8. Issues in complentary and alternative medicine from The Open University provides an overview of health practices that fall outside the Western medical tradition. Also addresses how these practices work with the human body.

Body Systems

The human body is made up of different systems that have separate functions. Get an idea of what system is designed to do.

9. A Clinical Approach to the Human Brain from MIT offers a look at how the brain works. Includes information on the differences between a healthy brain and an unhealthy brain.
10. Gastroenterology from MIT provides a look at the gastrointestinal system and how it works.
11. Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology from Tufts University is designed to help you learn about diseases that affect the digestive system.
12. Renal Pathosphysiology from Tufts University explores the importance of the renal system — especially the kidneys. Provides an overview of how the renal system works, and how it can be affected by disease.
13. Cardiovascular Pathophysiology from Tufts University looks at the way the heart and the rest of cardiovascular system work.
14. Musculoskeletal Pathophysiology from Tufts University provides information on how the muscles and the skeleton work together. Also explores the effects of degenerative diseases on the musculoskeletal system.
15. Opthamology Grand Rounds from Tufts University provides interesting insight into how the eyes work. There is also special cases of eye care and disease from the New England Eye Center Grand Rounds.
16. Molecular Biology for the Auditory System from MIT provides a look at how the ears work.
17. Acoustics of Speech and Hearing from MIT looks at the ways the human ear transforms sound into something intelligible to the hearer.

Reproduction and Genetics

Learn about reproduction, as well as learn more about how genetics form the building blocks of the body and determine how it works.

18. Human Reproductive Biology from MIT looks at both the female and male reproductive systems. Looks at reproductive development, and diseases that can result.
19. Biology of Sex from San Diego State University provides materials that help you understand how sex works from a biological standpoint.
20. Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemology from Johns Hopkins University tracks how reproduction works, as well as devotes time to addressing issues related to infertility, contraception and public policy.
21. Preventing Infant Mortality and Promoting the Health of Women, Infants, and Children from Johns Hopkins University addresses the issues of how to better take care of those directly involved in child bearing and rearing.
22. Gene Expression an its Regulation from the University of Alberta probes genetic function, as well as the biological processes behind the way genes are put together.
23. Genetics from Tufts University focuses on genetics and how they can be applied to modern medicine. Also includes information on how genetic diseases work in the body.
24. Genomic Medicine from MIT addresses the concept of using genes to enhance medicine. Also addresses the latest genomic technologies.
25. Genomics and Computational Biology from MIT looks at the relationships seen in genes, and how to model them using computers.

Conditions, Illness and Disease

Different conditions of illness and disease can change the way the body works. Learn how diseases and other adverse conditions affect the human body.

26. Microbiology from Tufts University looks at the microbes that cause diseases. Learn how microbial pathogens work in the body.
27. Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases from Johns Hopkins University provides a look at understanding infectious diseases and looks at the development of acute infections.
28. Pathophysiology of Infectious Diseases from Tufts University follows the development of diseases, and the courses they take in the human body.
29. Images of Memorable Cases: 50 Years at the Bedside is a collection resource from Connexions that provides a look at medical diagnosis, providing interesting case studies in illness.
30. Diabetes Mellitus: Diagnoses and Pathophysiology from Tufts University provides helpful insights into diabetes and how it works in the human body. Looks at both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
31. Impact of Pandemic Influenza on Public Health from Johns Hopkins University looks at the development of different kinds of flu in the human body, as well as its rapid spread and how it affects societal response.
32. America’s Battle for a Cure: The Culture and Politics of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment from Columbia University provides a look at breast cancer, and the issues surrounding it. Also addresses the progression of the disease.
33. Biography of the AIDS Epidemic from Columbia University looks at the development of AIDS as a disease, as well as how it affects the human body.
34. Malariology from Johns Hopkins University looks at malaria and how it affects humans. Also looks at parasitic diseases in general.
35. Brain injury: Recovery from Psychology Wiki looks at he impact of brain injury, and treatments for helping someone recover.
36. Confronting the Burden of Injuries from Johns Hopkins University provides insight into the human body and how it (and the mind) reacts to injuries.

Mental Health

The mind is an important part of the body. And, while the brain still remains in large measure shrouded in mystery, it is possible to learn to improve mental health and enhance the working of both mind and body.

37. Mental Health practice: Bonnyrigg from The Open University approaches issues relating to mental health. Also distinguishes mental illness from mental health.
38. General Psychology from the University of California Berkeley provides a good overview of how the brain works, and looks at mental health.
39. Clinical Psychology from the University of California Berkeley offers a look into the theory and practice of psychology and dysfunction.
40. Psychiatric Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University addresses mental illness and psychiatric disorders that can occur and affect the body as well as the mind.
41. Psychology of Personality from University of California Berkeley looks at how personality is developed, and how it works in humans.
42. Challenging ideas in mental health from The Open University provides a look at how mental health is addressed, including policy questions.

Nutrition and Fitness

What we eat and how we exercise impacts our bodies’ function. In order to understand how the human body works, it is important to understand the effects of nutrition and fitness.

43. Introduction to Human Nutrition from the University of California Berkeley looks at how the digestive system and the metabolism work, and how nutrients impact the body.
44. Critical Analysis of Popular Diets and Dietary Supplements from Johns Hopkins University explores how diet fads and the supplements we take affect the human body.
45. Principles of Pharmacology from MIT looks at different pharmacological agents affect the human body.
46. Principles of Drug Development from Johns Hopkins University looks at how drugs are developed, and the kinds of effects they have on the body.
47. Nutrition and Medicine from Tufts University addresses nutrition as part of the medical establishment, and looks at how it affects the human body.
48. Food and Nutrition Policy from Johns Hopkins University looks at how the policies adopted can affect human health.
49. Alcohol and Human Health from The Open University provides a look at how alcohol affects the human body and its function.
50. Improving aerobic fitness from The Open University provides insight into the helpful effects of fitness on the body.

Part of good health is having a positive attitude. Additionally, participating in conscious living — carefully considering your actions and how they impact yourself, others and the environment — can increase your health and reduce your stress. The main thrust of positive and conscious living is to help you simplify your life and focus more on how you can live better, in terms of health, spirituality and connectedness to the world around you. Here are 50 blogs that can get you on the path to positive and conscious living:

General Positive Living Blogs

Learn about creating an attitude adjustment in your life and view things with more positivity.

1. Positive Living with Patricia Raskin is a program on BlogTalkRadio. Listen to regular podcasts from Patricia and learn to live more positively.
2. Dan Massicotte’s Positive Living offers a number of posts and insights on living positively. Site also includes video and audio presentations.
3. Personal Growth Planet provides a look at ways you can give yourself a life makeover and improve your living.
4. Planet Positive Living offers a look at how you can enjoy a positive lifestyle anywhere in the world.
5. Hello! Self tries to empower people to change as they discover themselves and attempt to live more positive lives.
6. NextGen Parenting looks at positive parenting and living from a progressive standpoint.
7. Empowered Children focuses on helping parents teach their children positive living.

General Conscious Living Blogs

Conscious living encourages you to better examine your life and your choices. The idea is to live so that you are a better person, and so that you impact others — as well as the environment — in a positive way.

8. Planet Pink n’ Green devotes itself to the culture of conscious living, with an emphasis on creativity.
9. Balloon Juice focuses on conscious living from a liberal, “dirty hippy” perspective.
10. Raising Conscious Authentic Children helps parents learn how they can teach conscious living to their children.
11. Conscious Living TV provides video posts on conscious living, including travel, health and beauty, and green living.
12. Steve Pavlina offers a personal development and conscious living blog that can help you learn how to tap your inner self in order to live better.
13. LSReagan’s Blog shares stories from a journey to conscious living.
14. Poetic Alchemist writes poetry designed to help himself and others live more consciously.

Simplicity Blogs

Some believe that the key to positive and conscious living is to simplify your life. Here are some blogs that can help you learn how to downsize your life — and upsize your living.

15. Neat & Simple Living helps you learn how to organize your life and let your clutter go in order to simplify.
16. Simple Living America focuses on simplifying to find balance in a world that is often anything but.
17. My Simpler Life follows one person’s journey in creating a simpler life.
18. Simple Living in a Complex World looks at how you can simplify your life even as things get more complicated in the rest of the world.
19. Everyday Simplicity offers tips for living everyday in a simpler manner.
20. Finding Simplicity can aid you in your search for a simpler life.
21. Choosing Voluntary Simplicity addresses the idea of choosing a simple life and making better life decisions.
22. Tiny Choices shows you how little decisions you make can lead to simplicity in life.

Environmental Blogs

Part of living consciously is considering how your actions affect the environment. Here are some good blogs about environmentally friendly and sustainable living.

23. Eco Life Blog helps you learn how to live your life in a way that is more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
24. My Green Side is devoted to help you learn more about living in closer harmony with the environment.
25. Franke James offers an interesting look at living green and developing an environmental conscience.
26. Green & Clean Mom provides easy, everday things you can do to be greener.
27. Green Living Ideas focuses on helping you learn more about the benefits of an eco-friendly life.
28. Sustainablog is all about creating a greener world.
29. Treehugger offers one of the premier blogs on environmentalism and living better.
30. Eco-Libris provides information on how you can be more sustainable when reading books made from sustainable practices.
31. Crunchy Chicken looks at environmentalism in an irreverant way.

Food Blogs

What you eat can influence how you feel and your level of positivity. Additionally, the food decisions you make reflect your conscious living choices.

32. Down to Earth addresses a number of simple living issues, but focuses mainly on food, cooking and gardening as part of conscious living.
33. Sustainable Table offers daily cooking and food ideas for better living.
34. Sustainable Food Blog provides you with information on organic gardening, and cooking in a more environmentally conscious way.
35. Sustainable Food is a blog from Change.org that looks at food production, and what you can do to help it become more sustainable.
36. American Feast provides a sustainable food blog that offers information and recipes for preparing a number of fresh and health meals.
37. Eat. Drink. Better. addresses the need for improved eating habits for a healthier lifestyle.
38. Yale Sustainable Food Project takes readers on a journey through the creation of a sustainable way of eating.

Meditation Blogs

Part of living well is learning how to deal with stress and calm your mind and body. These blogs can help you learn how to deal with stress and anxiety, in large part through meditation.

39. Healing Meditation Blog helps you reduce your stress and use meditation in healing.
40. Meditation is Easy can help you learn to reduce your stress through simple meditation.
41. Learn to Meditate Blog brings you step by step through meditation exercises.
42. Stress Management Blog from About.com helps you learn various techniques, including meditation, to manage your stress levels.
43. Online Meditation Guru provides interesting information on different types of meditation, and how they can help you.
44. Your Best Meditation devotes itself to meditation techniques and ways you can benefit from meditation.

Holistic Health Blogs

Many believe that you can increase your results in positive and conscious living if you incorporate holistic health practices. These are practices that treat you as a whole person, and can improve your quality of life, as well as help you focus inward to live more consciously.

45. Natural Holistic Health Blog looks at a variety of ways that holistic practices can help you improve your health.
46. Chair Tai Chi helps you use this holistic exercise to improve your health.
47. Methods of Healing provides different natural and holistic remedies for different ailments.
48. Alternative Healing Blog offers a different look at creating better health.
49. Aromatherapy and Essential Oils provides information on how you can enhance your physical and emotional health using aromatherapy.
50. Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing Blog focuses on alternative health practices that can help you heal — and keep healthy.