Praxis Post
This Webzine of medicine and culture has a collection of many interesting articles with original thinking on topics in medicine, psychology, politics, ethics, and the arts. You can find the latest medical news and alerts here, updated daily, along with reference areas specifically geared to physicians and patients. However, there is more than you would find on the typical medical website. Articles cover provocative subjects like the psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud, a sailor's emergency surgery on himself, why anti-HIV drugs owe a debt to Nazi persecution, what should a medical student tell a patient who wants to die, and whether patient advocacy groups are sometimes fronts for drug companies. In addition, there are opinions, profiles, reviews, poetry and humor by leading doctors, journalists, and scientists. http://www.praxispost.com

Seniors Wellness
Seniors Wellness offers useful and up-to-date health and wellness information for seniors and their caregivers. Here you can find links to the latest health news and topics such as aging; living longer and better; assisted living and long term care; death and dying; retirement; and recommendations for fitness, nutrition, sleep, and exercise. Users can find information on health concerns such as Alzheimer's; arthritis; mental health; Parkinson's disease; medicines; health insurance; and more. There are Helpful Hints (practical checklists on a wide variety of subjects). In addition, seniors can make use of bulletin board and chat services, the Wellness Weekly Newsletter, and the "Ask the Doc" section.

Senior Indian
This site, developed by a doctor specializing in geriatrics, provides detailed information to help senior citizens lead a healthy and happy life. According to the doctor, planning should begin early, maybe at age 40. Although the site was made for people in India, it has helpful information for all seniors. Along with comprehensive information on health, lifestyle, diet, nutrition, and fitness, the site offers advice on second careers, retirement, mental fitness, grandparenting, entertainment, and finances. There is an exercise program specially designed for seniors. Other services for seniors include advice on keeping a positive outlook, information on senior discounts and benefits, discussion about making a will, tips on how to interview for a second career, and horoscopes. For members the site provides a free e-magazine, Ask the Doctor online consultations, free email services, chat, and free classifieds. There is a section on geriatrics for physicians. http://www.seniorindian.com/

Live HIV/AIDS Webcast Channel
Richard Hollingsworth, a person living with HIV/AIDS, created this Live Webcast Channel to share his experiences and alert others to the dangers of AIDS. With cameras placed in his home and car, he invites visitors from all over the world to watch his life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as he and his family fight the battle against AIDS. Richard's journal and health records are also on the site. Seeing a real person with HIV has helped some people break down stereotypes and realize they are vulnerable too. Richard wants to save lives: "We've allowed the world into our lives in hopes of preventing another HIV infection." Richard knows eventually he will die, but the site will not die with him; the Webcast will continue with other volunteers who have HIV and AIDS. In addition to Richard's story, the site has stories about other people with AIDS and further discussion on the medical, social, and spiritual aspects of the disease. There are also physician and pharmacist resources, a schedule of webcasts, AIDS memorial pages, chat rooms, news about treatments and medications, a section on children and AIDS, and more. http://www.theaidschannel.com/

Support4Hope
This mental health support site is dedicated to helping sufferers through caring support. Its main focus is on bipolar disorder and depression. The site provides hosted chat rooms, discussion boards, crisis telephone numbers, alternatives to self-harm, WWW reference links, and more. http://www.Support4Hope.com

The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Information Home Page
For workers who spend a lot of time on computers, or others who use repetitive hand and wrist motions, carpal tunnel syndrome is a common problem. Here is a simple and straightforward website with information on the symptoms, causes, anatomy, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this form of repetitive strain injury. http://www.carpal-tunnel.com

SafeMedication.com
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) created this site to give to help patients use their prescription medications more safely. Here Internet users can get accurate, up-to-date information on more than 700 medications. SafeMedication.com visitors can access the MedMaster database, based on ASHP's drug information resources, which are developed independently by pharmacists and other medication experts. The information includes why the medication is prescribed, how it should be used, potential side effects and warning signs of adverse drug reactions, special precautions and dietary instructions, what to do if a dose is missed, and storage directions. The site also provides breaking health and medication news and tips to help prevent medication errors and antibiotic resistance. http://www.SafeMedication.com

FamilyPractice.com
This site devoted to family physicians has educational material including quizzes, interactive lessons, and more. FPs can earn continuing medical education credit here. There are 1,000 in-training exam questions, with detailed answers. The site provides access to materials from the American Board of Family Practice, linked to references, flowcharts and narrative, including clinical and research journals. The most interesting part is the interactive "Case of the Week" section, which has virtual patient encounters showing patient history, review of systems, physical exam, lab results, films, EKG strips, and an interactive dialogue with the patient. http://www.familypractice.com

Your Doctor in the Family
This site is presented as an "online guide to understanding and surviving the American health care system". It begins with an analysis of the emergence of managed care in the U.S. and how it affects users of health care services. An article called The HMO Death Watch discusses why many of these institutions are failing. Just like a real doctor in the family, "Dr. Rich" provides guidance for making critical decisions about your own health care: how you can become a more effective patient, and succeed in managing your doctor, managing your health plan, and managing your own health. One of the options presented to patients is employing a Personal Health Care Advocate, a new professional on the health care scene. There are health care news stories with commentary, and an examination of the true causes of the growing health care crisis presented with the hope of moving us closer to a solution. Also, since the Internet has much health-related information that may not be trustworthy, the site supplies a list of doctor-approved health-care links. http://www.YourDoctorintheFamily.com

Dr. Paul's Child Health and Wellness Information Site
This site provides parents and caregivers with free, 24-hour-a-day access to child health information, including articles, tips of the day, chats, and weekly columns. The information is updated regularly, helping parents and caregivers keep informed of recent developments. Topics covered include nutrition, injury prevention, growth and development, behavioral issues, and a wide range of important childhood illnesses and conditions. Users can send questions to Ask Dr. Paul. http://www.drpaul.com

NEEDID DID Support Network
This site is for survivors healing from childhood abuse who have Dissociative Identity Disorder. The site sponsors free online support groups, chat, discussion forums, articles, games for kids, and links to web resources. The support network is directed and run by its members, with professional advisors. There are also resources here for friends and families of individuals with DID. http://members.tripod.com/NEEDID/INDEX.html

MDAdvice.com - Ask A Doctor
This medical reference site has a health library, drug information, medical news, and health tips. "Ask An Expert" invites you to email health questions for advice from doctors. The site has chat support groups, message boards, and the free weekly HealthMail list. Other features are healthy recipes, a medical dictionary, access to journal articles, and a link to the AMA Doctor Search.
http://www.mdadvice.com

Planetrx.com
Planetrx.com is a complete online drugstore where you can buy prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins and herbs, medical supplies, and personal care products. But there is much more available here: a library of health information, including a wide range of diseases and conditions and a drug interaction database. If you are taking several medications you can type them all in and find out if there are problematic interactions between them. Users can find in-depth information on a variety of health topics; for each topic there is an introduction, an overview, statistics, a discussion of symptoms and causes, and information on diagnosis, conventional treatment, alternative care, follow-up, self help, and prevention, plus useful references and resources. In addition there are eCenters with information and recommended products organized by subjects such as baby care, cardiovascular health, mental health, weight loss, etc. The Health Answers section has advice, treatment options, and links to products for many conditions; users can send in questions and get private advice. My Planet allows users to create a secure, personalized page reflecting their own interests.


American Red Cross - Y2K
The Red Cross provides a list of simple emergency preparations a family should make, to be ready in the event of storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters as well as in preparation for possible service disruptions caused by the Year 2000 computer problem. Visitors can download a booklet, "Y2K: What You Should Know," in PDF format.


HealthScout - Personalized Health News For You And Your Family
HealthScout is an online service that delivers daily, personal headlines tailored to your health interests, once you sign up and fill out a personal profile. Users can connect with online communities of people who share the same health concerns. For the public, the site also offers drug encyclopedias, interactive checkups, and a directory of articles on more than 700 medical topics, including fitness, pregnancy, weight loss, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, blood pressure, osteoporosis and more.
http://www.healthscout.com

Repetitive Motion Injury: American Occupational Therapy Association
Repetitive motion injuries account for 34 percent of all lost workday injuries and illnesses, according to ergonomics experts. Carpal tunnel syndrome and other on-the-job injuries can occur from spending too much time at the computer. You can prevent repetitive motion injuries by proper positioning, taking frequent breaks, and doing simple exercises to relieve stress and pain. If you already notice problems, however, occupational therapy can help reduce pain and other symptoms while correcting the underlying causes. This website includes information on occupational therapy, and a free animated screensaver showing exercises for preventing repetitive motion injuries.
http://www.aota.org/otweek/bridges/rmi.html

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
The AANP, a professional association of naturopathic physicians, sponsors this website offering information on natural healthcare resources. The site explains what naturopathic physicians are, and lists medical schools, subjects studied, qualifications, and licensing. Learn about naturopathic medicine, its principles and practice, and its legal status in the U.S. and Canada. Visitors can read news articles, learn about the history and future of natural healthcare, and explore an online bookstore and library. Other resources include a message board, healthy recipes, job opportunities, and a database of naturopathic physicians.


Quitsmokingsupport.com
Tobacco use causes 3.5 million deaths every year, according to the World Health Organization. Smokers who start in adolescence and continue to smoke have a 50 percent chance of dying from tobacco. Quitting smoking is the most important lifestyle change a person can make to improve overall health and well-being. Those who want to quit will find help at this website. The site hosts a bulletin board, a discussion group, and chat rooms; visitors can read stories of ex-smokers' experiences and a list of people who quit smoking along with how much money they saved. There is an extensive list of links to support groups and quit smoking programs; health and medical information; educational programs for young people; tobacco news; smoking facts and statistics; a quiz; health advocacy and anti-tobacco activism; information on addictive behaviour and habit change; and helpful books, cassettes, and videos.
http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com

Sweat
This website shares Mikkel Aaland's worldwide journey researching and photographing Finnish saunas, Turkish baths, Native American sweat lodges, and more, in search of the perfect sweat. A history of sweating takes us from early Greek and Roman baths to current customs in Europe, Japan, America, and other places around the world. Aaland explores the cultural and religious aspects of sweat lodges and baths, and health benefits of sweating. There are also some pointers on building your own sauna or sweat lodge.
http://www.cyberbohemia.com/Pages/sweat.htm