To simplify your efforts, you might ask yourself the following questions and seek answers for your specific travel plans:

1. Do you need a passport and visa? If you’re traveling across U.S. borders, this information is helpful in your identification and can ease travel snags. You may need to plan for these documents up to six months before you travel.
2. Do you need immunizations or vaccines? Learn this information, ideally, about two months before your trip.
3. Do you have any health issues that you need to address before travel? Learn more about what you may need for your current health issues and about other problems that you may encounter during your trip. This site also contains information about travel kits you might pack to address specific problems.

Other issues include whether or not you need travel insurance and if your destination is under any travel advisories or warnings. These advisories can occur at the last minute, even on the day you plan to leave…so plan ahead.

About Travel Advisories

Advisories are public notices issued by government agencies to provide information about the relative safety of traveling to and from foreign shores. Advisories can range from epidemics to natural disasters and from environmental issues to political upheavals. If your travel is necessary, be sure to check with officials locally and learn about the consulate available at your destination so you are prepared with a plan of action.

Note that advisories issued from the United States Department of State are called warden messages. U.S. embassies or consulates within foreign countries may issues advisories, which then are relayed to the U.S. Department of State and broadcast to U.S. citizens. The U.S. Department of State provides a list of U.S. embassies, consulates and diplomatic mission Web sites that you can peruse well before you plan your trip.

Traveling With Others

Finally, traveling with the elderly or with children poses special problems. Learn more about how you can make the trip enjoyable for yourself and for your companions. Everyone who travels with you must follow the same immunization plans, obtain passports and heed the same advisories. But, other issues may occur that you cannot possibly fathom. Web sites devoted to these issues, such as International Travel, Passports, Visas and Children & Family Issues can help you iron out those problems in advance.

Finally, the following list of ten excellent international travel sites can help you determine what you need to do when you make your plans.

Governmental Travel Health Links

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers’ Health: The CDC is interested in saving lives, protecting people and saving money through prevention. They offer topics that range from information about destinations to vaccinations, diseases a way to find a clinic and resources and training.
2. Foreign & Commonwealth Office Travel & living abroad: The country advice offered by this UK site is full of useful information for countries throughout the world. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers support to UK travelers in emergencies, and a range of services for businesses including document legislation.
3. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Traveling and Living Abroad: This guide out of the Canadian government offers travel reports and warnings, information about consular services and more positive outlooks such as how to handle children and travel and a safe travel planner.
4. Government of Western Australia Department of Health’s Healthy International Travel: This link leads to information from another perspective half a world away. Look at how this governmental health agency approaches international travel risks.
5. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration: The Transportation Security Administration protects the Nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. Although the TSA has come under fire recently for various harsh measures on travelers, they provide information on this site to help make your encounters with TSA more tolerable.
6. U.S. Department of State Travel: A quick and easy guide to worldwide caution, including travel warnings and alerts, is provided in the left column on this intensive overseas travel site. Other helpful information includes tips for traveling abroad, advice for older travelers, and information about child abduction to child adoption.
7. U.S. Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security: OSAC provides daily news, reports, events and incidents that can effect travelers and expatriates. They include a resource library and searches by countries and cities.

Other Helpful Travel Links

1. International SOS [PDF]: This document contains information about a 24-hour worldwide assistance and emergency evacuation service for travelers and expatriates. Only members enrolled through a corporate membership or standard group members and paid for by the subscriber are eligible for services.
2. Johns Hopkins Travel Center: This site is maintained by Supply Chain Shared Services and has been developed to provide faculty and staff with up-to-date information regarding University travel policies, services, and information. Look for travel warnings, useful sites and information about various agencies.
3. Nations Online: Nations Online Project collects travel warnings around the world to help travelers and citizens to take their own decisions about their travel plans.
4. UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Office of Global Health Travel Requirements for UNC Public Health Students: Although intended for public health students, this page carries some great tips and information for anyone who travels. Scroll down the page to find a list of necessary items to take when traveling.
5. World Health Organization’s Travel and Health: WHO carries general information about how to travel safely and provides specific information on infectious diseases and current updates on international health regulations. They also approach various issues such as food safety in attempts to educate the traveling public.

To help “clear the air,” we have collected 20 myths about air pollution making their way across the information spectrum. While some are put forth by bloggers with a passion for the topic, others are submitted by actual and accredited scientists. As always, it is up to you the reader to learn as much as you can and arrive at your own decision, hopefully a tad better informed than when you went in.

Myths About Worse Air Pollution

Feel that more regulations and laws need to be passed regarding air pollution? Then the below are good arguments for it.

1. Air Pollution is Getting Worse
   Climate of our Future is a blog where a discussion on climate change is shared. Deborah is from the San Joaquin Valley of California, where she has seen air pollution get worse in her lifetime. She cites examples of children being forced to play in door and asthma statistics as support. There is also an excerpt from Climate.org.
2. US Air Quality Getting Worse, Not Better
   But what about overseas? Fair Home, which is based in the UK, quotes from the American Lung Association that the state of the air has roughly 60 percent of the American population living in areas that contain highly polluted air. The same report also mentioned that these areas not only hurt the residents but are also high contributors to global warming. Worsening things is that 16 of the 25 cities to make the top of the list have worse air conditions than the previous year, meaning air pollution is increasing instead of decreasing.
3. Cleaner Air = Longer Life
   That is the statement as put out by a European Commission-funded study released earlier this year. They concluded that reducing pollution in major European cities could add 22 months to life expectancy and save 31.5 billion euros in health costs and missed work. They also reported the worst European offenders/tourist attractions, and the top three were Bucharest, Budapest, and Barcelona.
4. Benefits of Carbon Offsets
   Although some parts of air pollution are necessary, why not use resources to offset them elsewhere? This is the premise of carbon offsets, and it is reported on further by Green America. The math, benefits, and options are all outlined.
5. Cap and Trade Would Have Worked
   As reported on by The Brookings Institution, the government released a report regarding the Cap and Trade legislation of 2010. It stated that the future emission of all the carbon dioxide would cause about $100 billion in damage over the next decade and much more in the years after. If passed, the legislation was reported to have global cumulative benefits of $1.5 to $1.7 trillion dollars.
6. Secondhand Smoke is Bad for You
   This page by the American Cancer Society outlines the dangers of being exposed to secondhand smoke. Using reports by the EPA and others, they estimate that each year 46,000 deaths from heart disease are suffered by non-smokers who live with smokers and that 3,400 lung cancer deaths occur in non-smoking adults. There are also other statistics and tips for avoiding secondhand smoke.
7. Biking is Better
   Biking is often touted as a way to reduce air pollution from cars and buses. But did you also know that you are less likely to breathe in air pollution when biking? That is the conclusion of a study from Epidemiology and reported on by Forbes.
8. Air Purifiers are all About CADR
   The CADR, or clean air delivery rate, is often boasted by makers of air purifiers as the standard for which to purchase one on. However, with so many pollutants and dollars at stake, it is not the only means in which someone should choose which purifier to buy, if they buy one at all. AllerAir has more on what to look for in an air purifier.
9. Carbon Dioxide Should be Regulated
   In 2009, the EPA finalized its ruling that carbon dioxide was a greenhouse gas and should be regulated. As reported on by Time, the threat of CO2 “is real and should be acted on today.” The article also examines proposed and previous regulations, along with what they will mean.
10. Fighting Air Pollution Creates Jobs
    If it’s all about the economy, why can’t people be hired to help fight air pollution? The Clean Air Council reports that the EPA report entitled “Power Plant Mercury and Air Toxics Standards” will prevent 91 percent of mercury emissions from power plants annually leading to fewer premature deaths, heart attacks, and even hospital visits. They also stated that it would provide 31,000 new short-term construction jobs and 9,000 new permanent utility jobs.

Myths About Better Air Pollution

Feel as if you now know it all about air pollution? Then have a look at these counterpoints to the above on the very topic.

11. Air Pollution is Getting Better
    The Institute for Energy Research is a not-for-profit organization that conducts research on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets. Here, they report on an EPA air quality trend that showed the air quality in the U.S. has significantly improved since 1990 and even 1970. However, the bad news was that very few others reported on it.
12. Air Quality is Better
    But what do scientists have to say about it? Scientific American reports that air quality has been steadily getting better leading to reduced levels of major contaminants. The Clean Air Act and other benefits are also discussed.
13. Carbon Offset Upset
    Although the experts at Wired believe that carbon offsets were a good idea, even they are admitting that the benefits are an illusion. They report that the emission trading plans are the equivalent to the subprime mortgage debacle. Other tidbits include the reality of the Kyoto Protocol, which was intended to seriously curb air pollution by 2012, has only amounted to about six and a half days’ worth of lower carbon emissions.
14. Bigger Programs Lead to Bigger Failures
    This is based on a report by The Guardian on the United Nation’s climate program which was dedicated to paying industries in developing countries to reduce climate change emissions. The result was that the fund was being routinely abused by chemical, wind, gas, and hydro companies claiming credits for projects that should not qualify. It resulted in no genuine pollution cuts leading to the argument that programs like this don’t work.
15. Cap and Trade is a Jobs Destroyer
    Feeling down that the Cap and Trade Bill of 2010 didn’t get passed? Then take a look at this report by The Heritage Foundation. Nicolas Loris explains the Waxman-Markley Bill in layman’s terms and why it would have been disastrous for jobs. A ten part series, they allege that it would increase the tax of doing business in America while doing little to cut actual air pollution.
16. Secondhand Smoke Not Necessarily a Killer
    John Stossel’s report for ABC a few years ago was so popular, it can still be read here. He counter argues that while being exposed long term to secondhand smoke can have negative health impacts, the legislation regarding it has gotten out of hand. There is also http://www.davehitt.com/facts/ this report examining the original EPA study on secondhand smoke and resulting ones.
17. Secondhand Smoke Figures are Hyped
    Check out this entry from Science Daily to get the low down on this claim. They use an often cited, yet not proved statistic from a U.S. newspaper in 1998 that said the secondhand smoke experienced in a vehicle was 23 times worse than in the home. Although riding in a car with a smoking smoker wasn’t discussed as a good idea, the site did put out the call that this particular statistic was untrue and should stop being quoted.
18. Carbon Dioxide Regulation Bad for Economy
    Setting aside the assertion that allowing the government to regulate a naturally occurring gas has dire consequences, what are the fiscal costs? The folks at American Solutions analyze the EPA’s ruling of carbon dioxide and put the cost at over $140 billion, and that’s just by 2014. They also put forth other arguments against carbon dioxide regulation.
19. Fighting Air Pollution Kills Jobs
    This statement is reported on by Bloomberg. When asking over 200 companies and industry groups as to which regulations were the biggest obstacles to doing business, the answers involved 111 regulations, 57 of which were issued by the EPA. Among the rules they complained about were pesticide permits, air-pollution standards, the Wall Street regulatory overhaul, and a proposed rule that restricts the use of multi-head shower fixtures.
20. Bush Better for Air Pollution Than Clinton
    Although Obama’s record on air pollution is yet to be finalized, can it be true that George W. Bush was a better president for the air than Bill Clinton? As reported on by Fox News, a policy analyst who wrote a report titled “Index of Leading Environmental Indicators” noted that levels of most air pollutants decreased at a faster rate in the Bush administration than they did during Clinton’s. Other facts and figures are included.

Remember that the above 20 myths about air pollution are only an addition to serious study regarding the topic. With air pollution regulation and results constantly in fluctuation, facts and statistics change as fast as the air we breathe and should be treated as such.

To help better your understanding, we have listed the below top 50 YouTube videos on environmental health. They are all free for the viewing, commenting, and sharing. Whether it’s to learn a little more on environmental health or more about opposing viewpoints, everyone has something to say.

Top YouTube Videos on Environmental Health by a Group

Because there are many groups dedicated to environmental health and the like, check out these entries from them.

1. Greenpeace Through the Lens
   Perhaps no organization is more known than Greenpeace when thinking of environmental health. In this short video, a professional photographer recalls his experiences with the organization, including some of its many historic images. You can also see loads more from Greenpeace on YouTube.
2. World Water Day
   Learn more about what the water crisis is and who is in most need. Charity Water uses both old and new methods to describe the dilemma. This video was made in particular reference to the day of awareness in 2011.
3. A New Sound: Green for All
   How can all this environmental health help the economy? The organization Green for All shares how a new green economy can be of benefit to everyone. Clean energy jobs, such as manufacturing, are shared as the solutions.
4. Because We’re All Connected
   Some years back, the environmental health organization known as the World Wildlife Fund won their moniker from a giant wrestling industry. In this animated video, they show how everyone and everything is connected, thus showing the need for groups like them. A good choice for kids as well as adults.
5. Climate Change – Wildlife & Wildlands
   Visit here for one of the many environmental health videos from the Environmental Protection Agency. This particular video has to do with climate change and its effect on the environment. Reported on by kids for kids.
6. The Bay vs. The Bag
   You don’t have to live in San Francisco to appreciate this video. It shows the battle between the Bay Area and plastic bags. With nearly four million bags used in the city every year, recycling is a big part of the solution.
7. Inside the Tornado
   One of the least understood aspects of environmental health, the tornado is one of the most unpredictable and deadly occurring natural disasters. With over 1,000 tornados a year in the U.S. alone, learn more about them in this video from National Geographic.
8. Working Toward a Healthier Planet for Healthier People
   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention get in on the environmental health fight. Their goal in this fight is to help others see how environmental conditions are related to chronic disease. They also have a link to their Health Tracking Network with more.
9. Breathe in, Breathe Out
   In another video from Greenpeace, the quality of the air is taken on. Amazing images from around the globe are shared. It is part of “The Campaign for a World We Can Breathe In.”
10. Environmental Health Department Informs of Hazards
    This particular channel is based in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In a report, they discuss environmental health hazards locally. A good stop to see how other countries see environmental health.

Top YouTube Videos on Environmental Health by an Individual

Individuals also weigh in on environmental health and related topics.

11. The Power of Recycling
    The EPA ran a contest for videos on “Our Planet, Our Stuff.” Check out the winner here. It is a simple video using only stuffed animals and voice over.
12. Environmental Health – The Role of Epidemiology
    Dr. Colin Soskolne is a professor at the University of Alberta. In this video for YouTube, he explains in an interview the role of epidemiology in environmental health. The science is focused on the role and spread of diseases.
13. The Big Questions: Environmental Health
    When Michigan State University asked what the biggest danger to environmental health was, the answer was habitat destruction. Jack Liu is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Here, he discusses the causes and solutions to this problem on environmental health.
14. Environmental Health
    The experts at eHow have an entry for just about everything, including environmental health. Ray Olson shares a few tips on how and why growing locally and other practices can help environmental health. Buying locally is also encouraged.
15. The World Sucks: Help it Suck Less
    These self-described nerds show how YouTube can actually be a force for good. The Vlogbrothers show how you can participate in the Video Volunteers project. A few jabs at the practice of YouTube are also shared.
16. Hummer vs. Prius
    This video is a sort of throwback to the whole PC vs. Mac commercials. Check out the “conversation” between the Hummer and Prius here. It is provided by Usepagroups.
17. Environmental Health Trust
    Dr. Devra Lee Davis is part of the Environmental Health Trust. Their goal is to educate individuals about controllable environmental health risks and policy changes needed to reduce those risks. In this video, common dangers such as asbestos and cellphone use are discussed.
18. Environment Health and Democracy
    Environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discusses the impact that changes in the environment can have on health. He spoke as part of the Seventh Annual Rhoda Goldman Distinguished Lecture in Health Policy at UC Berkeley. Coming in at just under an hour, you can see the entire lecture here.
19. The Incident
    Get a sort of free mini horror movie in this YouTube video. It is from the Environmental Health and Safety Department at Arizona State University. It shows what can happen when lab procedures go wrong.
20. Environmental Safety Health Officer Jobs
    Did you know that a passion for environmental health can lead to a career? In this short video, the career of environmental safety health officer jobs is discussed. The best way to seek the job is also shared.

Top YouTube Videos on Environmental Health for Peace

Because humans can be their own worst enemies when it comes to many things, check out these YouTube videos.

21. Peace Through Compassion
    Perhaps no living figure in history today has been a more vocal advocate of peace than His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. In this talk from UC Berkeley, he lays out the plan for peace in his own words.
22. An Interview with Mother Teresa
    In a rare interview, Mother Teresa takes the time to stop and answer questions sent in from American high school students. The interview was conducted in 1996 by Building with Books founder Jim Ziolkowski. Although subtitled, she gave answers in English and speaks often of love and compassion.
23. Into Darfur: A Young American’s Journey
    At 18 years old, Nick Anderson went into Darfur. In this video for YouTube, he recounts his experiences first hand on what it is like to travel there, the process, and the experience. See why he thinks job training and education are key to helping the people of Darfur.
24. On Our Watch
    Click here for a documentary about genocide in Darfur. Narrated by Sam Waterston, it was made by Refugees International. You can hear the words of actual refugees and see much more here.
25. Peace Corps in Namibia
    There are few organizations better known for their cause than Peace Corps. Chandra Almony takes a few minutes to chat about her experiences volunteering in this poor African village. There are also loads of other true volunteer stories here.
26. Stand up for World Peace
    This simple, yet effective animation is inching closer to one million hits. It encourages kids and teens to stand up for world peace. There are also many other similar videos by Maddogza.

27. Stop the Clash of Civilizations
    At just over two minutes, this video examines many of the stereotypes involving the clash of civilizations. It was made by Avaaz, which means voice or song in Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, and other languages. They have called for real Middle East Peace Talks.
28. Cuppycake Sam Speaks on World Peace
    This adorable little boy found both good and bad attention on YouTube. He now returns in this video to call for world peace. He also speaks about his chronic kidney disease and how not to judge others.
29. The Promise of World Peace
    This documentary explores the beliefs and origins of the Baha’i Faith, which has become the second most widespread religion on the planet. Weaving together interviews, historical documents, and footage from around the globe, this documentary takes us inside the Baha’i way of life and the daily struggle to promote peace and unity in a conflicted world. Check out a free clip here.
30. World Peace
    If you enjoy Penn and Tiller, adult language, and are tired of all the hippie talk, stop here. The magicians turned political commentators discuss their vision for world peace. Both parts of the show are available here, as well as their recommendation for true world peace policy.

Top YouTube Videos on Environmental Health for Animals

See how environmental health effects our animal friends in these YouTube videos.

31. Save the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium
    In response to proposed budget cuts to the zoos, gardens, and aquariums, this video was made in protest. It features the “letting go” of furry employees. There are also many other videos to view from the zoo.
32. Babies of the Arctic Need Love
    In a sort of dating style video, the National Sierra Club shares some of the Arctic’s cutest inhabitants. They are dedicated to keeping local wildlife safe from industrial and other threats.
33. Nissan LEAF Polar Bear
    For most people, a bear in the driveway would be cause for huge panic. However, in this entry from Nissan, a polar bear makes its way to thank a human being in person. If still panicky, special effects are used.
34. Black Tears
    See footage of the animals who were hurt through the BP oil spill. Images over the song “Mad World” are featured along with a commentary on the whole incident.
35. Gulf Oil Spill’s Impact on Fisheries, Sea Life
    Eminent marine biologist Daniel Pauly talks with OnEarth magazine about the expected impacts of the BP oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico. He also discusses the damage it will cause to ocean life and the hope that this disaster could provide an opportunity for rebirth. See it all on YouTube or follow the link to read the interview.
36. Apes in Danger
    Learn about orangutans that are being endangered overseas. The BBC follows those who rescue the animals in danger. Contains images some viewers may find disturbing.
37. Endangered Species
    So which of the animals are in danger of extinction? Check out this video for a short guide. Also includes relevant links and amazing images.
38. Saving Endangered Species
    Check out this report on the 15th meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Over 23,000 animals were discussed, along with policies for saving endangered animals. Provided by Al Jazeera, check out which animals won out.
39. Science and Animal Activism
    Marc Bekoff is a Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado. Here, he shares insights from a lifetime of studying animals. A ten minute lecture for the Farm Sanctuary Hoe Down is shared here.
40. The Kids ABC’s at the Zoo
    Okay, the video has little to do with environmental health. However, the popular choice can help kids of a younger age learn their ABC’s and animals. The cute song has earned over seven million hits.

Top Other YouTube Videos on Environmental Health

These videos fall into a special category of their own in environmental health.

41. Our Priorities for Saving the World
    If you had $50 billion, would you solve AIDS or global warming first? This and other questions are answered in this talk for TED by Bjorn Lomborg. Global priorities are evaluated and discussed in a top ten list kind of way.
42. Al Gore on Clean Coal
    The former Vice President is one of the most recognizable speakers on environmental health. In this clip, he discusses the premise of clean coal. You can also find many other clips from the same interview.
43. The Story of Stuff
    Created in part by the Tides Foundation, this controversial video takes on the topic of environmental health. Capitalism, socialism, and other solutions are all discussed. There are also similar videos for bottled water and electronics.
44. Story of Stuff, The Critique
    Want to hear the counter argument to the above? Then check out the counter video on YouTube here. It is provided by How the World Works and offers objections on points made in the above.
45. The American Denial of Global Warning
    As the debate over global warming continues, this video gained some popularity. Join scientist and renowned historian Naomi Oreskes as she describes her investigation into the reasons for mistrust of scientific consensus and probes the history of confusion about science. Part of UC television, it includes many polls.
46. John Stossel on Going Green
    This 20/20 reporter won his own show on the Fox Business Channel. Here, he speaks on the popular practice of going green. In six parts for YouTube, he wonders if the whole practice is all it is cracked up to be.
47. Biofuel From Algae
    Learn more about this alternative fuel from Living Green Channel. They share how algae is the fastest growing plant life, and as an organism it converts sunlight into oil. Scientists theorize that algal biofuel can produce a whopping 30 times more energy per acre than any other biofuel option.
48. Solar Panels
    In this piece for How It’s Made, the topic of solar panels is discussed. See how they are made in this video. There are also many other videos on solar energy here.
49. How Wind Turbines Work
    Get a cell shaded animation on how wind turbines make electricity. The propeller, shaft, generator, and more are all shared. A good choice for both kids and adults.
50. Home Made Wind Turbine
    You can learn about wind energy on YouTube or you can learn how to make your own here. Over one million viewers have stopped by to see for themselves. Magnets, coiled copper wire, and a few other items are needed to make one.

And if the above top 50 YouTube videos on environmental health aren’t enough, there are literally millions of other videos, articles, blog entries, and new stories on the topic featured everyday. They can feature everything from global reporting to what you can do in your own home to improve environmental health.

Videos

1. BBC Horizon — Pandemic: A Horizon Guide: In the wake of the swine flu outbreak, virologist Dr Mike Leahy uses over 50 years of BBC archive to explore the history of pandemics — infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites.
2. Diseases of Domestication — Pandemic Alert: Dr. Michael Greger, author of Bird Flu: A Virus of Our Own Hatching, presents some very startling facts which explains what mankind has changed over the last few centuries to put us at risk of a major pandemic.
3. Pandemics Happen: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt addresses the fact that pandemics have happened throughout history.
4. Pint Size History — The Black Death: The History Channel’s own pub historian explains why the Black Death made it so awful to live in the Middle Ages.
5. The History of Pandemics: A simple video with background music and text that covers pandemics from the Black Death to Avian Flu.

Timelines

6. AIDS Retrospective Slideshow: This is a pictorial timeline of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, offered by WebMD.
7. Epidemic Timeline: This timeline begins with the Bubonic Plague and ends in 1989-1991 with the measles.
8. Genealogical Research: A list that begins with measles in Boston in 1657 and ends with with worldwide influenza epidemic in 1918.
9. Major U.S. Epidemics: This list starts with Yellow Fever in Philadelphia in 1793 and ends with Swine Flu in 2009.
10. The History of Polio: This timeline begins in 1789, when British physician Michael Underwood provides the first clinical description of polio.
11. Timeline of Human Flu Pandemics: This timeline, offered by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, includes human cases of avian and swine flu viruses.
12. Timeline of influenza A(H1N1) cases: This interactive world map shows the cumulative spread of new influenza A(H1N1) cases as they were reported to WHO beginning 26 April 2009. These numbers relate to laboratory confirmed cases and deaths.
13. Timelines of Great Epidemics: Beginning with the SARS scare in 2002, this list goes back to the Plague of Athens in 430 BC.
14. Timelines of Historic Disasters & Epidemics: Natural and man-made disasters, from earthquakes to flu pandemics, have affected the lives of our ancestors and altered the course of history.

Web Sites

15. Obesity in America: A creation of The Endocrine Society and The Hormone Foundation, this Web site serves as a one-stop clearinghouse for information on the key scientific trends and advancements that may one day lead to a slimmer, fitter America, across all demographic lines.
16. Polio Today: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies publishes this site to raise awareness of post-polio syndrome and to be a resource for polio survivors.
17. The Colonial Spread of Disease in the Americas: This is a digital textbook wiki project that looks at smallpox, influenza, typhus and malaria.
18. The Great Pandemic: This site is devoted to the influenza pandemic that occured in the U.S. between 1918 and 1919.
19. The History of HIV and AIDS in America: AVERT’s Community Program offers a history of HIV and AIDS in America and from around the world in this site.
20. Trust for America’s Health: This site is all about preventing epidemics through education and preventive measures.

Syllabi, Scholarly Articles, Online Courses

21. A History of Influenza: This article was first published online in July 2008. Includes citations.
22. History of Epidemics and Plagues: This is an illustrated text that goes with Paul Bugl’s course on Epidemics and AIDS at the University of Hartford.
23. Impact of Pandemic Influenza on Public Health: This is a slide-only course offered at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
24. Pathophysiology of Infectious Diseases: The intent of the course is to provide a background into the clinical and pathophysiologic aspects of infectious disease of organ systems.
25. The History of Public Health and Epidemic Disease in America [PDF]: This is the syllabus for a course by the same name, taught by Dr. Margaret Humphreys at Duke University.
26. West Nile Virus Epidemics in North America Are Driven by Shifts in Mosquito Feeding Behavior: West Nile virus (WNV) has caused repeated large-scale human epidemics in North America since it was first detected in 1999 and is now the dominant vector-borne disease in this continent.

Articles

27. 1832 Cholera Outbreak in Philadelphia and Duffy’s Cut: A perspective on this epidemic from the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center.
28. Influenza of 1918 (Spanish Flu) and the US Navy:
29. Lessons from America’s Tropical Epidemic: This NPR article covers diseases that are associated with hot weather, such as yellow fever.
30. Native American Beliefs and Medical Treatments During the Smallpox Epidemics: an Evolution: This article exposes the way Native Americans treated smallpox in early America.
31. The Polio Vaccine: Freedom from Fear: The first polio epidemic hit the United States, killing and crippling thousands of Americans in 1916.
32. The Worst US Epidemics in Modern History: This article focuses on the epidemics that have had the most impact on the U.S.
33. Yellow Fever Attacks Philadelphia, 1793: This article at Eyewitness to History documents the deaths of over 2,000 people in this episode.

Shows, Exhibits, Web Sections

34. Contagion: This section of the Harvard University Library Open Collections Program focuses on a historical view of diseases and epidemics.
35. Epidemic! The Word of Infectious Disease: This portion of the American Museum of Natural History is reserved for an exhibit about epidemics on view in 1999.
36. Influenza 1918: This is a special American Experience show that you can watch online, focused on the “Spanish Influenza.”
37. 1918 Flu Pandemic: The History.com site contains information about various epidemics and pandemics. This one focuses on the 1918 flue pandemic.
38. Cholera: This section of the site, Virtual New York City, focuses on the cholera epidemic. Cholera reached North America in June 1832.
39. The American Epidemics: Polio: The Smithsonian offers a special Web section on polio and how it affected Americans in the twentieth century.
40. The Deadly Virus: National Archives offers a section filled with documents and photos chronicling the flu epidemic of 1918.

1. Batten Disease is a rare, fatal, autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder. Early symptoms, appearing around age four-10, are vision problems and seizures. Eventually, children become blind, bedridden, and demented. Life expectancy varies.
2. Bubonic Plague: the World Health Organization (WHO) reports thousands of new cases every year, though there are still under 50 per year in the U.S. Symptoms are chills and fever, swollen lymph nodes, stomach pain, and cough. It is spread primarily by wild rodents so don’t handle dead (or live) rats on a picnic.
3. Buerger’s Disease (Thromboangiitis obliterans) is a disease associated with tobacco use especially in males 20-40 but also in females. It involves clots in the small and medium arteries and veins in the hands and feet and the symptom is pain in these areas. It often leads to amputation which can lead to early death.
4. Campylobacter means “twisted bacteria.” It is one of the main causes of food-born bacterial disease. It is transmitted fecal-orally, and in contaminated food and water. Symptoms last usually five-seven days, but there are around 100 deaths from it per year in the US.
5. Celiac Disease has an excellent prognosis for a long, healthy life if the patient follows a gluten-free diet, but if untreated, the disease can have life-threatening complications, such as autoimmune disorders and certain types of intestinal cancer.
6. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a degenerative neurological disorder that can’t be cured and always leads to death. The first symptom is dementia, which leads to memory loss, personality change, and hallucination. There are physical symptoms such as ataxia, change in gait, seizures. Symptoms are caused by the progressive death of brain cells, leading sooner or later (symptoms can continue for years) to death.
7. Drug-induced Diarrhea is one of your body’s natural defenses against invaders and the invader can be medicine. Sometimes the cause of chronic diarrhea, because it is a medicine, is not found in time to avoid a life-threatening situation.
8. Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever is named after the Ebola River Valley in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The virus damages blood vessel walls so platelets are unable to coagulate, leading to hypovolemic shock. Transmission is through bodily fluids.
9. Familial Mediterranean Fever is a hereditary inflammatory disorder. There are seven types of attacks. Most patients have their first attacks before they are 18. 75 percent experience joint attacks. Chronic renal failure may lead to early death. FMF is most common among Armenians.
10. Fatal familial insomnia, or FFI is a rare genetic condition where people lose the ability to sleep, and it can lead to coma and death.
11. Fatal Hiccups occurs when a bout of hiccups lasts for days, causing the sufferer to be unable to rest or get proper nutrition, which can result in death.
12. Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the causes of kidney failure. It involves scarring of the glomerulus, a functional part of the nephron.
13. Haff Disease is the development of swelling and breakdown of skeletal muscle (rhabdomyolysis) with risk of acute kidney failure within 24 hours of ingesting fish. Most cases have been in Russia and Germany and followed consumption of burbot, eel and pike, but 6 cases have been reported in the US (1997) involving buffalo fish.
14. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is also known as House Mouse Flu because it’s transmitted by infected rodents through droppings, urine, or saliva. Six states have reported 30 or more cases since 1993. Symptoms include tachycardia and tachypnea which can lead to cardiovascular shock. As a side note, The US researched Hantavirus among other agents as potential biological weapons before suspending its program.
15. Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by rapid early aging. Patients look normal as infants, then fail to gain weight. They develop external characteristics of aging. Accompanying this is a hardening of the arteries that can result in early heart attack or stroke.
16. Infectious Diarrhea is diarrhea caused by an infection by bacteria, virus, or parasite. It usually last seven days when not treated by antibiotic. In the developing world, infectious diarrhea causes four to six million deaths per year, mainly among children.
17. Legionnaire’s Disease, or Legionellosis, does not always occur in outbreaks such as among American Legionnaires in Philadelphia in 1976, but isolated cases occur. It leads to pneumonia and in five to 30 percent of cases, death.
18. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) affects females of childbearing age. It involves the disorderly growth of smooth muscles (leiomyoma) in the lungs which results in the obstruction of small airways. May be misdiagnosed as asthma or other common lung disorders. A chronic disease which may not be fatal for decades. Treatment is through lung transplant.
19. Marburg Virus, or just Marburg, originated in Central and East Africa and is also known as the green monkey disease because it originated with primates. It’s spread through bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, excrement, and vomit. Symptoms, from headache and fever to hemorrhaging and delirium, last one to three weeks, then the afflicted person either gets better or dies.
20. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is caused by deposits in the kidney and membrane thickening. Type II of the disease will progress to end stage renal disease within ten years.
21. Menkes Disease is also called copper transport disease, or kinky hair disease. It affects copper levels in the body, leading to copper deficiency. Onset is usually during infancy. Symptoms can include developmental delay and mental retardation. Death may result from rupture of blockage of arteries in the brain.
22. Norovirus is an RNA virus that causes 90 percent of epidemic nonbacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis around the world. It affects people of all ages. It is transmitted in faecally contaminated food and water, by person-to-person contact, or by contamination of surfaces. There are a few hundred fatalities in the US every year.
23. Nuclear Factor Kappa B Essential Modulator (NEMO) is a condition discovered in 2007, found only in males, that results in immunodeficiency. Symptoms include repeated infections, conical teeth, fine hair, and abnormal bone growth. Treatment is through bone marrow transplant.
24. Prion Diseases are transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, a family of rare neurodegenerative disorders that affect both humans and animals. They have long incubation periods, progress rapidly, and are always fatal, causing the brain to become sponge-like. One example is Mad Cow Disease.
25. Santavuori-Haltia Disease is a rare, inherited, biochemical disorder involving the build-up of certain chemicals in body tissues due to deficiency of an enzyme needed to process them. Closely associated with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, it begins in infancy, causes developmental delay, impaired intelligence, progressive dementia, lowered life expectancy.

Because we are a society that likes to see how we are doing in relation to others, healthcare rankings are becoming rather commonplace. If you are interested in seeing how healthcare is addressed around the world, here are 25 rankings, including infographics, that can help you make sense of your place in the world of healthcare:

Healthcare Infographics

These interesting infographics help you visualize various healthcare rankings, and can help you see just where your country of residence sits.

1. Global Health-Care Snapshot: Presents a ranking of countries by how much they spend as a percent of GDP. Includes comparisons of costs in 1980 and in 2006 so that you can see where health care costs have grown the most. Includes helpful information on how people are insured in developed countries, and tabs that illustrate life expectancy and infant mortality.
2. Health Care Expenditures: An International Comparison: This infographic ranks different expenditures on healthcare by country. Expenditures considered include nursing homes, administration, medications, hospitals and more. An interesting way to break down healthcare costs.
3. U.S. Healthcare Quality: Get a look at how countries are ranked in terms of health care quality. This infographic looks at different factors related to quality, and ranks different countries.
4. National Health Care Spending Levels: A Global Comparison: Ranks different countries on their levels of health care spending, figuring it as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). Also breaks down spending in different categories.
5. Global Health Indicators: The World Health Organization offers an interesting look at progress made in healthcare over a period of years. This infographic ranks different countries, and shows where the most improvement has been made.
6. Share of Government Expenditures on Health Care: This ranking shows which countries spend the most on healthcare. It rankings government expenditures, but does not really rank the quality of healthcare.
7. World Health: Interested in seeing which countries are most efficient in their healthcare expenses? This infographic shows rankings for efficiency in healthcare, illustrating how many people can be treated with expenditures in healthcare in each country. A great idea of who is getting the most bang for their healthcare bucks.
8. Cost of Care: This controversial infographic ranks countries by how much is spent on healthcare in relation to life expectancy. This infographic shows which countries have more effective healthcare expenditures, as shown by better life expectancy.
9. Number of Health Workers: You can get an idea of which countries rank better in healthcare by looking at this infographic. See where there are higher densities of healthcare workers, leading to better health outcomes.
10. Growth Rate of Healthcare Costs, 1990-2007: A visual ranking of different countries around the world and how their healthcare costs increased over a 17 year period. A way to quickly rank countries according to healthcare cost increases.
11. Adult Mortality Rate: A stark ranking for different countries, according to the likelihood of death between the ages of 15 and 60.
12. The World’s Best Countries: An interactive infographic that allows you to see where different countries rank in various categories. One of them is health care. See where the U.S. stands in terms of healthcare in relation to other countries.
13. World Hunger: Considers world hunger, and ranks countries according to how well their people are fed. An interesting look at this aspect of health.
14. GLOBAL poverty distribution – infant mortality as a poverty indicator: This infographic shows the prevalence of poverty in concert with infant mortality. Where there is poverty, there is often less access to healthcare and health services. This infographic offers a great ranking of poverty — and insight into areas of the world where healthcare is probably lacking.

Healthcare Rankings and Studies

Learn more about different rankings offered by different organizations, as well as find studies related to healthcare comparisons.

15. The world health report 2000 – Health systems: improving performance: In 2000, the World Health Organization famously published a ranking of all the health systems in the world. This is one of the most cited global healthcare rankings — even though many protested at the ranking of the U.S. at 37.
16. World Health Report 2008 [PDF]: A look at the state of world health in 2008, and including rankings of how the citizens of different countries feel about their access to health services.
17. Mercer 2010 Quality of Living: This survey looks at different factors, including healthcare, that affect quality of life. It looks at different ways to rank countries, and ranks cities according to quality of life.
18. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: An International Update on the Performance of American Health Care: This interesting study from the Commonwealth Fund offers a look at how the U.S. ranks in healthcare performance as compared to other developed countries. It looks ranks different countries in different areas of healthcare performance, and examines why the U.S. system costs so much.
19. HIV/AIDS and Women’s Health: Includes rankings of different countries and their efforts to deal with the problem of HIV/AIDS and women’s health. An interesting look at where the biggest issues are.
20. Maternal and Perinatal Conditions: This report ranks countries with regard to the type of care women — especially pregnant women — get. It’s an interesting look at what can be done to improve conditions in the developing world.
21. Global mortality, disability, and the contribution of risk factors: Global Burden of Disease Study: An interesting global ranking of mortality and disability, and how different countries are affected by the burdens associated with these issues.
22. The Public Versus The World Health Organization on Health System Performance: An interesting ranking of the WHO rankings. A look at how the public views global healthcare rankings.
23. Surgery and Global Health: A View Beyond the OR: A look at global healthcare and surgery. Considers where the best surgical advancements are, and addresses the lack of surgical care as a factor in global healthcare rankings.
24. Multiple-informant ranking of the disabling effects of different health conditions in 14 countries: A study that looks at how different countries rank when their health conditions are seen as contributing to different disabling situations.
25. Priority setting in health care: Lessons from the experiences of eight countries: A rather interesting look at how different countries rank in healthcare outcomes, based on their priorities.

The following list is organized in alphabetical order by surname.

1. Denis G. Baskin, PhD is research professor of Medicine and Biological Structure, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition at Washington University. His work centers on how diabetes and obesity alter brain mechanisms that regulate food intake and body weight.
2. Marc Bessler, MD, is an obesity expert at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, assistant professor of surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and director of the Columbia University Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery. His specialty is surgical management of morbid obesity.
3. Dr. George Blair-West is a Life Fellow of the Obesity Prevention & Treatment Society and in 2009 was elected President. He is author of the best selling book, Weight Loss for Food Lovers: Understanding our minds and why we sabotage our weight loss.
4. Kelly D. Brownell, PhD, a Yale University obesity expert, wrote Food Fight: The Inside Story of the Food Industry, America’s Obesity Crisis, & What We Can Do About It. His research group focuses on causes and prevention of obesity and other nutrition problems.
5. Denise E. Bruner, MD is one the nation’s leading bariatric specialists. She regularly lectures and attends medical educational seminars for physicians around the world. She is a frequent guest on both television and radio programs, and is quoted in numerous publications.
6. Dr. Wayne Callaway is the author of four books and numerous scientific articles, and has been a widely quoted interpreter of scientific data for the media and the food industry on nutrition and obesity. He has been quoted widely for his expertise in weight loss metabolism.
7. Karen Chapman-Novakofski, PhD, RD, LDN has won numerous awards, is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, and has served as ad hoc reviewer for many other food, health and aging journals. Her focuses are on geriatric nutrition, diabetes, osteoporosis and pulmonary disease.
8. Dr. Tim Church is the director of the Laboratory of Preventive Medicine at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana. He has particular interest in the role of exercise in the modulation of nontraditional CHD risk factors such as C-reactive protein, heart rate variability, and visceral fat.
9. Professor Michael Cowley is a Monash University physiologist. His research into weight management, obesity and diabetes has led to significant medical breakthroughs and drug design, and he was awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year in 2009.
10. Tony Ferguson PhCMPS is an Australian pharmacist who developed a weight loss program that uses a combination of low GI foods and protein. Since developing the program, Tony has helped over 600,000 people change their eating habits and work towards a healthier future.
11. Professor Paul Gately has 20 years research experience in the field of childhood obesity. He has developed the Carnegie Weight Management (CWM) program, based at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, that has helped over 5,000 young people lose weight.
12. Steven B. Heymsfield, MD is Executive Director, Clinical Sciences, at Merck pharmaceutical company, and has been named the new executive director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, or PBRC. Dr. Heymsfield has co-authored Institute of Medicine and National Academy of Science reports, including several related to body composition and obesity in the military.
13. Susan L. Johnson, PhD is associate editor of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior and associate professor and director, The Children’s Eating Laboratory, University of Colorado Denver. Her primary research is related to factors that influence the development of children’s food intake and eating patterns.
14. Dr. Jim Levine, MD and his colleagues in the NEAT (Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis) lab at the Mayo Clinic have pioneered an “Office of the Future” — a fully functioning office that bears a marked resemblance to a gym.
15. David Ludwig, MD., PhD developed the Children’s Optimal Weight for Life (OWL) Program, a multi-disciplinary care clinic dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of children who are overweight/obese. He pioneered the use of a low-glycemic diet in combating obesity.
16. Robert Lustig, MD, UCSF obesity expert and pediatric endocrinologist, is a nationally-recognized authority in the field of neuroendocrinology, with a specific emphasis on the regulation of energy balance by the central nervous system. He is the Chairman of the Obesity Task Force of the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society.
17. Professor Michael McMahon, of the Nuffield Health private healthcare chain in the UK, is an obesity expert and laparoscopic surgeon. Professor McMahon was the first surgeon in the UK to perform laparoscopic (minimally invasive) Gastric By-pass surgery.
18. Dr. William Muinos runs a weight-loss program for children at Miami Children’s Hospital. He completed a fellowship in Pediatric Gastroenterology at Emory University where he focused his research activities on nutritional support for children with congenital heart disease and failure to thrive.
19. Dr. Gerard Musante is noted for his achievement, The Structure House, a place where nutrition, exercise and pscyhology are used in a treatment approach designed to transform the eating habits and lifestyles of overweight individuals. He also authored the book, The Structure House Weight Loss Plan.
20. Judith S. Stern, ScD, is a distinguished professor in the Departments of Nutrition and Internal Medicine/Division of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of California, Davis. Along with Dr. Richard L. Atkinson she was founder of The American Obesity Association (AOA), which merged with The Obesity Society in 2006.

News and Opinions

Learn more about the news and opinions in international health and medicine. Great news sites with information and views from around the world of global health.

1. The Pump Handle: A great look at international health trends.
2. Open Medicine: An open access peer reviewed journal and blog that offers a look at the latest in international medicine.
3. Unacceptable: A look at global health and medicine, and an interesting look at different issuers and headlines.
4. The Lancet Global Health Network: Helpful headlines related to international health and medicine, from one of the world’s respected medical journals.
5. Global Medicine Review: A look at what is happening in the world of international medicine and global health. Includes podcasts.
6. Global Health at MIT: Get a look at international health and medicine from the folks at MIT.
7. FasterCures: Looks at international medicine, as well as word on what can be done to improve global health.
8. Speaking of Medicine: Latest news, breakthroughs and information from the world of international health.
9. Poverty News Blog: A look at the impact that poverty has on different aspects of life, including health, in various countries.
10. Global Voices: Get a variety of views on international health.
11. Global Health Connections: A look at interesting connections in global health.

Global Health Policy

If you are interested in international medicine and health policy, these blogs can help you learn more about how international health policy is set.

12. Global Bioethics Blog: A look at the ethics behind different policies related to health and medicine around the world.
13. Global Health and Foreign Policy Blog: An interesting look, from the Johns Hopkins School, at global health and its impact on foreign policy.
14. Global Health Policy: Aimed at looking at the connection between international health and politics.
15. NextBillion.net: Looks at the impact of a growing world population and considers policies to deal with the health and medicine challenges that come with it.
16. The International Medical Market Place: Considers international medicine and its business development and policies.
17. Little Devices That Could: An emphasis on the latest advances in health technology from around the world, and international development.
18. SciDev.Net: Considers science, development and health policy around the world.
19. globalhealthpolicy.net: Explores questions of international health and medicine.
20. The CSIS Commission on Smart Global Health Policy: A look at the importance of a smart and practical approach to international health.
21. Global Health Council: Looks at policy and law related to global health and medicine.

Diseases

Learn more about the diseases that plague global medicine. Interesting look at what is out there, and how it affects us.

22. Flu News Blog: Find out where you are at most risk for flu — no matter where you are in the world.
23. Malaria Matters: Get an inside look at this international medicine issue.
24. Superbug: A blog about international medicine and the issues related to the next superbug, all thanks to antibiotic resistance.
25. Quinntelligence: Follow the exploits of this traveler looking at disease and vaccination.
26. CARE’s pandemic and avian flu blog: News and information about the spread of pandemic flu, especially avian flu.
27. Aetiology: An interesting blog about the spread of disease, with especial emphasis on HIV/AIDS.
28. UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases: Considers infectious diseases around the world.
29. Swine Flu Reporter: Keep up with swine flu, and other flue like diseases.
30. AIDSTruth.org: A look at HIV/AIDS news from around the world, offering a look at the truth about HIV.
31. ProMED Mail: Offers a look at the latest outbreaks of disease and provides information on international medicine alerts.
32. Vaccine Ethics: An interesting look at vaccinations, disease, and the ethics of vaccination.

Environmental Health

We often take clean water for granted. However, the environment presents a number of hazards for others around the world. These blogs look at environmental health, as well as water and food safety, on an international level.

33. Environmental Health News: Considers different aspects of environmental health around the world.
34. Food Safety and Environmental Health Blog: Avoid food borne illnesses, no matter where you are.
35. Global Food Security: Looks at food availability, safety, and its impact on international health.
36. WaterWired: Addresses a number of issues related to water, including health issues that arise from water problems.
37. Environmental, Health and Safety News: A look at health and environmental policy in the U.S., as well as around the world.
38. Waterblogged: A look at water policy, health and more around the world.
39. Food Poison Journal: A look at the issues related to food poisoning in international medicine.

Projects and Organizations

There are a number of international health and medicine organizations and projects out there. Here some blogs that can help you learn more about international health and medicine.

40. Global Health Delivery: A look at providing better global health help around the world.
41. Project HOPE: A look at efforts to bring hope in international medicine.
42. MSF Blogs: This allows you to get a look at what is happening with Doctors Without Borders. Also includes some entries in French.
43. So No Child Must Wait: A blog about a program that provides help for children who need surgery. Great international medicine and action blog.
44. GlobeMed: A look at a project meant to help stimulate conversations and action regarding international health and medicine.
45. Global Health Initiative: Read the latest on global health planning, projects and more.
46. PATH: An international health and medicine effort meant to help improve conditions.
47. Partners in Health: Focuses on serving the underserved when it comes to international medicine.
48. UNICEF Field Notes: Follow the adventures of those who work in the field for UNICEF as the organization strives to provide better health and other opportunities.
49. ONE: This project is devoted to health issues from around the world.
50. IntraHealth: This blog looks at developing nations, international medicine, and health development.

Type I Diabetes

1. Bitter-Sweet: Karen is an advocate for this people who suffer with this disease, blogging about food and exercise.
2. Blah Blah Bklyn: Look to this blog for musings on books, design, Brooklyn, aimlessness and Type I diabetes, among other topics.
3. Diabetes in Spain: Mike has lived 11 years with Type I diabetes, and he writes this blog for those with the same disease in Spain.
4. Diabetes Mine: A popular and long-running blog that focuses on life with Type I diabetes.
5. Diabetes Stories: Read about Riva, a Type I diabetic who was diagnosed with her illness in 1972. After a successful career, she now travels the country to educate and inspire others who have this disease.
6. Diabetesaliciousness: Kelly likes to add a lot of humor to advocacy about life with Type I diabetes.
7. Don’t Fear Diabetes: This blogger was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in 2007 at age 30.
8. I Run on Insulin: Alexis was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1992 at the age of 10, and advocacy is her passion.
9. Instructions Not Included: This blog contains Becky’s musings about being 25 with Type I diabetes.
10. Life with Type I Diabetes! Mike has had Type I diabetes since 7th grade, so he’s lived with this disease for about two decades now.
11. Living in Progress: Ginger has lived with Type I diabetes and Celiac disease for over ten years.
12. Living Life with Diabetes: Adriana is a 28-year-old female with Type I diabetes, diagnosed at age 7.
13. Ninjabetic: Follow this husband, father, writer, musician and Ninjabetic, who treats his disease with the skill of a Ninja.
14. Six Until Me: A thoroughly delightful well-written and comprehensive blog written by a Type-1 woman with diabetes.
15. Strangely Diabetic: This blogger was diagnosed a Type I diabetic in 1970, so you might find years of experience on this blog.
16. Tales of Rachel: Rachel is a thirty-something woman with a husband, “five ferocious felines” (they can blog, too) and diabetes.
17. Typical Type 1: Jacquie was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at age 12.

Type II Diabetes

18. Beat & Reverse Type 2 Diabetes: This blog is based upon 5 super foods, 200+ clinical studies, and the research of an ex-diabetic engineer and author of the top-selling diabetes book, Death to Diabetes.
19. Diabetic Mediterranean Diet Blog: Dr. Parker’s blog tackles the combination of the Mediterranean Diet and Type II diabetes.
20. Drug Free Type 2 Diabetes: This blog claims to have ways to deal with Type II diabetes without drugs. Sponsored by an RN with Type II diabetes.
21. Type 2 Blog: This blog is part of a larger site created by two sisters with diabetes.
22. Type 2 Diabetes: This is an About.com guide to Type II diabetes, reviewed by a medical team.
23. Type 2 Diabetes — A Personal Journey: Alan, an Australian native, focuses on his Type II diabetes and his amazing travels.
24. Type 2 Diabetes Blog: Get updates and news about causes, treatments, medications and healthy lifestyle choices.

Diabetics and Sports

25. Annetics: Anne is into Triabetes, or Triathlons for diabetics
26. Captain Blackbeard Did What? This woman learned she had diabetes when she was in college. Now, she trains for triathlons.
27. Diabetic Queen: “Queenie” is an avid gum-chewer, runner, athlete, shopper, reader, Sudoku-solver,” and she also has Type I diabetes.
28. Diabetics Can’t: This is the blog of a Type I diabetic who is in a quest to become a diabetic Ironman.
29. Ring the Bolus: This is one diabetic’s journey to control this disease through healthy habits and a “lot of sweat!”
30. Sugar Free Aloha: A female athlete who participates in what are known as Triabetes.
31. The Diabetic Athlete: This blog, which is “D-to-D: diabetic-to-diabetic” focuses on the needs of athletes with diabetes mellitus Type I.
32. The Incurable Runner: Jerry is a Type I diabetic runner, now a triathlete who is over age 50.
33. Type 1 Rider: This organization is dedicated to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic athletes, particularly those who ride and race bicycles.

Special Interests

34. A Shot in the Dark: This blog is written by a mother who has a son with Type I diabetes.
35. All Ways Jillian: This teen was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 5, and who faces the world with her “unsuper sidekick Diabetor, one bolus at a time.”
36. Children with Diabetes: This is an online community and forum for parents who have children with diabetes.
37. D-Mom Blog: D-Mom Blog is a website about parenting children with Type 1 diabetes, with plenty of resources.
38. Daddybetes: Dads can deal with child diabetes, and this blog shows how through knowledge and experience sharing.
39. Dear Diabetes: Not much is known about this blogger, but the diary to this disease is an attention-grabber.
40. Diabetes Self-Care: This blog is about living with an entire family filled with diabetes — a wife, husband and child.
41. Diabetes Sweeties: A blog devoted to struggles of parenting a child with Type I diabetes and a teenager.
42. Diabetic Foot Blog: Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) is dedicated to amputation prevention and healing in persons with diabetes.
43. Diabetic Seniors: This blog addresses all the diabetic information that most seniors might need in treating their disease.

Communities and Overall Information

44. All About Diabetes: This blog provides resources, news and ideas about how to deal with diabetes.
45. Blog-Abetes: This go-to site carries information diabetes conversations on all diabetes types as well as lifestyles and gender issues within this disease.
46. Diabetes Blog: Diabetes WellBeing offers a blog that explores all aspects of this disease.
47. Diabetes Forum: Members are provided with content and a community to connect them together, helping each other to better manage their diabetes.
48. Diabetes Self-Management Blog: Get tips and insights from health-care professionals and people with diabetes, share your thoughts, and ask questions on this blog.
49. Diabetes Update: This is the blog for Blood Sugar 101, a Web site that covers everything you’d want to know about blood sugar.
50. Tudiabetes: This is a diabetic community blog filled with blogs, resources, information and news, managed by the non-profit Diabetes Hands Foundation.

Health and Safety Apps

1. Calorie Counter by FatSecret: This is a simple tool that can be used in conjunction with the Fast Food Calorie Counter listed below.
2. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual for Mobile + Web: Control of Communicable Diseases Manual for Mobile + Web is ideal for public health workers and includes up-to-date information from the American Public Health Association (APHA) on identifying, managing, and preventing hundreds of infectious diseases, as well as news feeds and links to journal abstracts and citations.
3. Fast Food Calorie Counter: Use this app for yourself or to teach others how to eat healthy when they eat out and eat cheap. This app can help you mitigate the disastrous effects of too many fried, mayonnaise-drenched, delicious snacks.
4. First Aid: Do you know the Heimlich maneuver? Do you know CPR? If you have First Aid by your side, you’ll never have to wonder if you’ll know what to do when something horrible happens.
5. Fring for Android: This is the first Voip app for Android, allowing users to make free Skype, Google Talk, MSN, or SIP calls from any phone. It works just as expected, over EDGE, 3G, or Wi-Fi. Twitter also is integrated.
6. iMobile Care: This is an innovative first aid app that serves as a quick reference guide, while also providing location map, imaging, alarm and personalized features. It shows users how to deliver first aid during serious events such as accidents, choking, injuries, traumas, swine flu, burns, H1N1 among many critical situations.
7. Life360 Mobile: With a single touch of a button, check in and send an emergency “I’m safe” or “I need help” alert that we’ll broadcast to your entire family with Life360′s emergency messaging system. Because they send your message as a phone call, text message, and email, they can get your alert out in almost all circumstances.
8. Outbreaks Near Me: Created by researchers at the MIT Media Lab in collaboration with the Informatics Program at Children’s Hospital Boston, the application lets users track and report outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as H1N1 (swine flu), with their mobile phones in real time.
9. Safe Respond: Safe Respond is an Android home screen widget that, when activated, automatically responds to any incoming SMS messages with a customizable response.
10. Safety Net: When most emergency solutions require you to click buttons to activate an alert, SafetyNet’s goal is to create innovative solutions to make calling for help as simple as shaking your phone, even if the application is not running.

Communication Apps

11. Call Confirm: Also listed in the Android App store, this app raises up a confirm dialog on any calls. Number, photo and contact name on the incoming call help with your decision.
12. chompSMS: The interactive interface in this communications app includes chat style SMS bubbles, touchscreen keyboards and many other great features. The app is free, and they charge the same price per SMS message sent to any supported country in the world via the chompSMS network.
13. Fusion Voicemail Plus: This is a free service that lists all your voicemail messages on your SmartPhone screen from your mobile, home, office and any other voicemail box. You can scroll, listen to, call back and delete voicemails in the order of your choice.
14. Phonebook 2.0: Voxmobili combines instant messaging, social networks and life streaming applications into one single app. Phonebook 2.0 displays relevant contextual information to the end-user about their contacts such as location, up and coming birthdays, missed calls and status updates.
15. Steel: This app offers a new, touch-friendly user interface to the Android browser engine. It supports auto-rotation, full screen browsing, a virtual keyboard, advanced touch controls for zooming and flipping through multiple windows. Steel provides full integration with the Android platform.
16. Translator: A simple and free app that allows you to translate words, phrases, sentences and whole paragraphs of text between different languages. The app uses Google’s language translation service. It can even detect your source language and flip between source and translation phrase.
17. Yellow Pages: Download Yellowbook’s free app now to gain access to millions of business listings, with phone numbers, addresses, store hours and more. This app contains Google Maps and Street View and you can save searches to contacts.

Convenience Apps

18. AP Mobile: Get a steady stream of news from your city or state, view AP news videos and more. This app is better than a single-source news source, as AP Mobile lets you choose what you want to know from every news category you can imagine. Developed by The Associated Press for Android.
19. Astrid 2.11.0: Simply one of the best task lists around, with a recording dashboard and the ability to tag tasks, set priorities, and assign dates and several levels of reminders. Includes a stopwatch-like timer and syncs with Remember the Milk. By the time you read this, version 3.0 may have been released.
20. Better Keyboard: If you’re all thumbs or if a small keyboard frustrates you, consider this app. It has many usability enhancements, including a multi-lingual option, auto-suggest dictionary and a speech input update.
21. HandyCalc: This may be the only calculator you’ll ever need. Includes automatic suggestion and solving, which makes it easier to learn and use. Use this tool for currency conversion, unit conversion, statistics, variables and time calculations.
22. OI File Manager: If you want to stay organized, this OpenIntents file manager allows you to browse your SD card, create directories, rename, move, and delete files. It also acts as an extension to other applications to display “Open” and “Save” dialogs.
23. Voice Recorder: Record to an SD card and send data as attached file via Gmail along with timer & background recording. You can search by title and date, set recordings as ringtones and more.
24. Weather Channel: Know the weather before you head out the door. With the Weather Channel app, you just need wireless capacity to access severe weather warnings, forecasts and radar maps for your location and for across the world.
25. Where: This is an all-in-one app that provides you with anything you need and tells you how to get there. Hotel? Coffee? The closest government office? It’s all here, including weather, traffic and headlines.