Free Resources Archive

Birth defects affect 1 in every 33 babies born in the United States and are a leading cause of infant mortality, illness, and disability. Though diagnosis and treatment of these conditions has improved dramatically, the focus of public health efforts is to reduce the number of birth defects that occur. National Birth Defects Prevention Month is intended to raise awareness about the prevention of birth defects and to educate the public about concrete steps a woman can take before and during pregnancy to increase her chances of having a healthy baby.

This directory of resources, from Congenital Disorders Sourcebook, 4th Edition, provides information on organizations that provide information, support, and advocacy for families affected by birth defects.

Comprehensive information about the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of birth defects is available in Congenital Disorders Sourcebook, 4th Edition.

The federal immigration station on Ellis Island, a modest spit of land in New York Harbor, a short distance from the Statue of Liberty, was opened on January 1, 1892. In the first thirty-two years after Ellis Island opened its doors, the facility processed about twelve million men, women, and children—about 75 percent of all immigrants who entered the United States during that time. For millions of Americans, Ellis Island became the symbol of the entire immigration experience. Today it is estimated that over 100 million Americans can trace their ancestry to the immigrants who first passed through the Port of New York at Ellis Island.

This chapter from Defining Moments: The Dream of America—Immigration 1870-1920 discusses events leading up to and following the opening of Ellis Island, and it’s role in the American immigrant experience.

Additional information about the greatest sustained wave of immigration in U.S. history, plus biographies of the key players and related primary source documents, can be found in Defining Moments: The Dream of America—Immigration 1870-1920.

A woman born in the United States today has a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during her life. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month focuses attention on the disease and is chance to raise awareness about the importance of screening and the early detection.

This directory of resources from Breast Cancer Sourcebook provides information on organizations that provide information, support, and advocacy for people with breast cancer.

Comprehensive information about the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer is available in Breast Cancer Sourcebook, 5th Edition.

Prostate cancer starts in the prostate, a small gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men, after skin cancer. But this cancer can be treated successfully, and nearly 100% of men diagnosed today will still be alive in five years. Early detection and treatment can save lives, so routine testing is important.

This chapter from Cancer Sourcebook provides a wealth of information on prostate cancer, including a description of the disease, its symptoms, diagnostic tests, stages, treatment, and more.

Comprehensive information about the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of many different types of cancer is available in Cancer Sourcebook, 8th Edition.

Celebrated on the first Monday in September, Labor Day honors the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the nation; it also celebrates the accomplishments of the labor movement in achieving increased wages and legal protections for workers. Labor Day has been a national holiday in the United States since 1894.

The path leading up to the creation of the holiday included great hardship for many workers. Information about labor conditions for workers and the development of the labor movement in the latter part of the 19th century is included in this chapter from Defining Moments: Workers Unite! The American Labor Movement.

Additional information about the history of the American labor movement, plus biographies of the key players and primary source documents, can be found in Defining Moments: Workers Unite! The American Labor Movement.

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month calls attention to the dangerously high rates of obesity in American youth. The program’s goal is to build awareness about childhood obesity and encourage action. 1 in 5 children in the United States are overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

This selection from Diet Information for Teens, 4th Edition, provides information on weight-loss and nutrition myths.

Comprehensive information on nutrition, vitamins and minerals, the elements of food, smart eating plans, weight-related concerns, and a range of health conditions related to diet is available in Diet Information for Teens, 4th Edition.

In July 1945, World War II was nearing an end but fighting continued between the United States and Japan. On August 6, 1945, following Japan’s refusal to accede to its surrender order, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki, Japan. In Hiroshima approximately 80,000 people were killed immediately, along with 40,000 in Nagasaki. Many tens of thousands more people would die in the following months and years from radiation sickness and cancer. The two bombings remain the only time nuclear weapons have been used in warfare. Since 1947, the city of Hiroshima has held an annual Peace Ceremony on August 6th to commemorate the bombing and mourn the victims.

Information about the customs and traditions associated with the Hiroshima Peace Ceremony is available in this entry from Holiday Symbols and Customs, 5th Edition.

Holiday Symbols and Customs, 5th Edition covers a diverse selection of more than 350 holidays and festivals from the United States and around the world, with information on more than 1,200 symbols and customs associated with these special events.

Each year in the United States, thousands of infants, children, teens, and adults suffer from cleft and craniofacial conditions. Some are born with congenital anomalies like cleft lip and palate, others with more complex, life-threatening craniofacial conditions.

Dealing with a congenital condition can be very difficult, especially for new parents. Helpful information is provided in these two sections from Genetic Disorders Sourcebook: “When Your Baby Has a Birth Defect” and “Tips for Parenting a Child with a Disability.”

Comprehensive information about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of congenital conditions is available in Genetic Disorders Sourcebook, 6th Edition.

At the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction, Congress crafted three amendments to the U.S. Constitution that gave essential civil rights to African Americans. The 13th Amendment, passed in 1865, abolished slavery throughout the United States. The 14th Amendment, which became law on July 9, 1868, guaranteed the rights of full citizenship to all Americans, regardless of race; it also guaranteed all U.S. citizens equal protection under the law and prohibited anyone from taking away a citizen’s rights without due process. The 15th Amendment, passed in 1870, guaranteed the right to vote regardless of race.

This chapter from Defining Moments: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 describes some of the history of securing voting rights for African Americans.

Additional information about the events before and after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, including biographies of the key players and related primary source documents, can be found in Defining Moments: The Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. According to Dr. David Gremillion of the Men’s Health Network, “There is a silent health crisis in America. … It’s that fact that, on average, American men live sicker and die younger than American women.” This month gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to make their health a priority: to exercise regularly; to eat healthy; and to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.

This selection from Men’s Health Concerns Sourcebook, 5th Edition, provides information on two related topics: Preventing Heart Disease at Any Age and Heart Healthy Eating.

Comprehensive information about the issues in men’s health, including facts on gender-specific health differences, leading causes of death in men, reproductive and sexual concerns, genetic disorders, mental health concerns, and alcohol and drug abuse is available in Men’s Health Concerns Sourcebook, 5th Edition.