This page is an introduction to online health-related resources from the US government and is comprised of the following major sections:

• Leading Causes of Death in America
• Health Care
• Health and Environment
• Alcohol, Smoking, and Drug Information

Leading Causes of Death in America

The leading causes of death in America are Heart Disease, Cancer, Accidents, and Infectious Diseases

Heart Disease

The American Heart Association provides an online version of their 1995 Heart and Stroke Guide. They also provide an extensive list of definitions and facts related to heart disease and strokes ranging from a description of American Heart Month and the relation between aspirin and heart attacks to the definition of ventricular fibrillation and a copy of the desirable weight table. You can test your knowledge about heart disease and related information with the Heart Quiz

The InterAmerican Heart Foundation is dedicated to promoting the creation of heart foundations in America, improving public knowledge about heart disease, and preventing heart disease and stroke.

Cancer

Services of National Cancer Institute's International Cancer Information Center include: the Cancer Information Service, accessible from anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico by dialing 1-800-4-CANCER; news about Breast Cancer and the BRCA1 gene, reported to be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer; and the Kid's Home at the National Cancer Institute which is designed especially for children suffering from cancer, HIV, and other illnesses. Highlights from the Kid's Home include: pictures drawn by young patients at the National Cancer Institute, a story about Phil the Pill, a boy who hated taking his medicine, as well as an information guide for parents, suggesting ways to talk to your children about cancer.

The American Cancer Society publishes an introductory online pamphlet entitled Basic facts about Cancer, which contains information and answers to common questions. Basic information about selected cancers including lung cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, and skin cancer is also available. The Breast Cancer Network contains information about the causes, means of detection, and treatments of breast cancer. There is also a section devoted to information about tobacco use and cancer

Accidents

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a program agency of of the Department of Labor, is dedicated to setting and enforcing workplace safety standards. Their online service includes information on filing a complaint with OSHA, free consultation services, and the Asbestos Advisor

The CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health was created to research and make recommendations for preventing work-related injuries. Their online service includes a fact sheet about the usefulness of back belts, information on the Health Hazard Evaluation Program, and a Guide to Chemical Hazards

Infectious Disease

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are dedicated to the promotion of a healthier quality of life through prevention and controlling of disease, injury, and disability. The National Center for Infectious Diseases is an agency of the CDC committed to the control of existing and emerging infectious diseases. A list of new, reemerging, and drug resistant infections and an online version of the Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases are available. On the CDC Hospital Infection Control Page is published information about preventing the spread of infectious diseases in hospitals, including Aerosols and HIV, Universal precautions and protective barriers used in infection control. The CDC prevention guidelines database provides information about preventing diseases. These guidelines can be viewed by topic or viewed by title. General immunization information is also available.

Information available online from the The World Health Organization includes vaccination requirements and health advice for international travel, recent outbreaks of infectious diseases, and the World Health Report which describes the status of world health and the activities of the WHO. Also available are 50 facts of health.

Health Care

The Department of Health and Human Services is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans. Current research and data are provided to help increase understanding of health and social services. The Administration on Aging and the Aging Network were created to provide support and services to our nation's older persons. AgeInfo is a service designed to disseminate information provided by the National Aging Information Center. The Health Care Financing Administration administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs and provides information on related topics. Information about Medicare about about Medicaid are available online.

Health and Environment

United States Food and Drug Administration regulates consumer products to ensure the safety and health of all Americans. Available online are safety requirements and product information for cosmetics, and information about human drug approval and new drug applications. The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition ensures food safety, promotes sound nutrition and protects consumers against fraud. Their online service provides consumer advice from the CFSAN, information about many food additives, pesticides and chemical contaminants, and food labeling and nutrition information.

The United States Department of Agriculture oversees many programs aimed at improving the quality of life for all Americans. The mission of the Food and Consumer Service is to ensure access to nutritious, healthful diets for all Americans. Programs and resources under the FCS include the FCS Food Source Network - a public forum for FCS related discussions, Food Research and Evaluation Data, Team Nutrition - the school meals initiative for healthy children, and the National School Lunch Week Proclamation. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ensures the health care of plants and animals as well as improving agricultural competitiveness and productivity. APHIS' Import-Export Directory contains information on import and export regulations. Also available online are traveler tips for bringing materials into the U.S. and biotechnology information including a section about genetically altered foods.

The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for executing Federal environmental protection laws. The EPA provides a list of programs aimed at environmental protection. These include the Acid Rain Program, Energy Star Programs, the Stratospheric Ozone Protection Program, Wetlands Protection. Consumer information is also available from the EPA, including: the UV Index document, the Energy Star Computer Products Listing, and the Radon Publications.

The U.S. Geological Survey's Environment Page advocates that understanding the conditions and functions of environmental systems and the factors that are changing them is an important function of the USGS scientific mission. Highlights of the USGS online service include The Global Change and Climate History Program, Environmental Affairs Program, and Radon Research.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Biological and Environmental Research supports biological and environmental research projects, including The Human Genome Project -aimed at characterizing the human genome, The Global Change Research Programs - aimed at measuring and predicting changes in the global environment, and the Protecting Human Subjects Program.

Alcohol, Smoking, and Drug Information

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services dedicated in part to promoting public and private prevention and treatment services so that they are available and accessible. The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, funded under the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, is the world's largest resource for alcohol and drug information. NCADI's online Services include PREVline, a forum for exchanging information about substance abuse prevention; and the NCADI's Prevention primer, a reference for prevention practitioners.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is an agency of the National Institutes of Health dedicated to bringing science resources to the problem of drug abuse and addiction. Accessible online from NIDA are The NIDA Division of Basic Research and The Neuroscience Consortium.

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