This collection is a work in progress. Please email us at familysupport@aed.org to suggest additional resources.
Trust It or Trash It?
This is a useful tool from the Genetic Alliance to help people evaluate the quality of health information.
http://www.trustortrash.org/
HealthyChildren.org
Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics has a website that you can register for which will tailor advice and health care topics relevant to you? It also has information about developmental milestones.
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx
KidsDoc Symptom Checker
This tool from HealthyKids.org allows parents to click on a diagram of a kid's body in the place that corresponds with where the child hurts, has a rash, etc. Then it gives possible problems, diseases, etc., with pictures for some, and advice on whether to go to the emergency room, call the doctor, or take care of the issue at home. The site also lists over-the-counter medicines that should help.
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/Symptom-Checker/Pages/default.aspx
The Medical Information Binder: A Must-have for Family Caregivers
Find out about this easy and retrievable method for keeping all the medical information on a loved one who has a lot of health needs or is disabled. This article from the National Family Caregiver Association will tell you how always to have the most recent and important medical information available at any time for visits to the doctor, emergency room or a respite provider.
http://nfca.typepad.com/takecare_spring_2010/the-medical-information-binder-a-must-have-for-family-caregivers.html
Healthy and Ready to Work
Health impacts all areas of life, including employment. Here is a website that focuses on promising practices for healthy individuals with disabilities with information on medical home, transition, and family partnerships.
http://www.hrtw.org/hrtwu/index.html
Health Services in Your Community
This website from USA.gov has links to local services for individuals with disabilities such as a directory of doctors and dentists, public health clinic locations, rural assistance for health and human services, state and local disabilities services, state mental health resources, and nursing home comparisons.
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Health/CommunityServices.shtml
Health and Wellness Help
The Maternal and Child Health Library has a whole section on health and wellness. There is also have a community services locator.
http://www.mchlibrary.info/knowledgepaths/kp_community.html#Health
EPSDT Program
Have you heard of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Program? It is a program for young children who receive Medicaid and it provides health care services and monitors developmental stages to assure a healthy start in life.
http://www.hrsa.gov/epsdt/overview.htm
Promoting Health and Wellness
Would you like to know some of the ways to keep your family healthy? The new National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a Disability and Health Team whose "focus is promoting the health [and wellness] of people who are living with disabilities." From the website you can read publications, stay up-to-date with national current disability news and events, and connect to national organizations working to create healthier lifestyles for people with disabilities.
http://www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/dh/default.htm
Talking with Your Doctor
As students with disabilities prepare for transition to adulthood, an important step is learning how to talk to their doctor or health care provider and take control of their own health care services. This website has information and videos on how to do that.
http://hctransitions.ichp.ufl.edu/gladd/
Strategies for Successful Medical and Dental Visits
The New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council has these ideas for caregivers in checklist form to help make medical and dental visits easier for individuals with disabilities. It includes things like asking for a "get acquainted" visit.
http://ebulletin.us/archive/2009/april/04_09_note_pads/note_pads.pdf
United Healthcare Children's Foundation Grants
Did you know that United Healthcare Children's Foundation can give grants to families who have a child with a disability to help pay or partially pay for medical services or equipment that may not be fully covered by insurance?
http://www.uhccf.org/apply_applicant.html
Leading Health Indicators and Disability
What are the Top Ten health issues in our country? This web page has data that provides an important look at the health status of Americans with disabilities as it relates to the Healthy People 2010, an initiative under which the U.S. health plan is updated every 10 years.
http://www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/dh/hplhidata.htm
National Council on Disability Report on Healthcare
This report, the Current State of Healthcare for People with Disabilities, is an in-depth look at healthcare and disabilities. For instance, did you know that most federally funded health disparity research does not include people with disabilities? This report is very long; use the introduction and table of contents to find sections of particular interest to you.
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2009/HealthCare/HealthCare.html
National Health Law Program
Knowing the laws that pertain to your health is a good thing. Want to know more? This website has news and information about health laws.
http://www.healthlaw.org/
Visit the Health section on KIN's Laws You Should Know page.
http://www.familysupportclearinghouse.org/knowledge/
legal/Pages/lawstoknow.aspx#health