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Problem Area: Problems of Health,...
Online Activities
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Go to the sites listed and find the specific areas mentioned in the capsules below.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
This U.S. government homepage includes news, consumer and personnel information, research and data, and publications.
Look at the News column and scroll down to Features. These are articles about recent government action and legislation pertinent to health and human service issues. Spend a little time exploring these based on your own interests. What do you think is the most pressing health-specific issue in the United States today?
- World Health Organization
This homepage includes access to epidemiological and world health reports as well as organizational information.
Click on Health Topics. Select a topic based on your own interests. Write a brief report on what you learn by reading the contents of that link.
- Centers for Disease Control
This is the homepage of the center. It includes a traveler's health section and training and employment resources. Through this site you can access the National Center for Health Statistics, which "promotes actions and policies to improve the health of the American people." The Health Statistics site includes coming events, reports on health products, a data warehouse, frequently asked questions, and more.
The CDC came into the spotlight for many Americans when AIDS was discovered. Click on About CDC. This will provide you with a glimpse of what the organization's mission is and how the CDC functions. Based on what you have read, write a short report on the CDC.
- Doctors Without Borders U.S.A.
This group "delivers medical relief to populations in danger due to war, civil strife, epidemics, or natural disasters." Every year over 2,000 volunteers of 45 nationalities work for the group. Click on About Us to learn more about the group. The homepages are dedicated to general information and updates and helps to demonstrate that health-care issues are a global concern. Click on “ ‘Top 10’ List of the Year’s Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories”. How many of these were you aware of? How important do you think it is that these stories are told?
- American Psychological Association
Homepage with fact sheets on mental illnesses and news. Also lists publications and information about services to members.
Click on Public. Pick a couple of recent issues showcased here, click on them, and investigate further. As a health-related concern, mental disorders are sadly misunderstood. Do you think the average American could benefit by learning more about psychiatry?
- National Institute of Mental Health
This site contains information on government research grants and a registry for studies seeking volunteers. Includes consumer education pamphlets. Click on For The Public for a list of mental disorders. Click on some of them to learn more. Do you know someone with a serious mental disorder? Do you think this person is stigmatized as a consequence of having this kind of health problem? What if the average American knew more about mental illness... would this help?
- American Medical Association
This is the homepage of the principal professional and advocacy organization for doctors and the medical profession. Includes information on programs and educational resources.
The AMA is the principal representative body for physicians in America. Select Patients -- About AMA. Take a look at this organization's stated purpose and mission. The AMA has been criticized for opposing a national health care policy in the United States. From your investigations of this site, see if you can better understand why the AMA takes this stance.
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
The Alliance's homepage contains advocacy updates, stories, book reviews, and updates on medications.
Click on What's New. Pick a couple of the highlighted news items and explore their contents. Do you think it is a positive thing that there is an organization that represents people who suffer from various kinds of mental disorders? Do you know anyone who suffers from one of these disorders? Are they aware of the NAMI?
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