Free Resources

Spring is here! It’s a perfect time to get up, get out, get moving, and enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Moving more and sitting less has tremendous benefits for everyone, regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, or current fitness level. It’s important to note that lack of physical activity creates a great environment for developing health issues that many times could have been avoided.

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We typically think of stress as being a bad thing, which is not necessarily the case. All stress is not created equal, and stress responses are not always problematic. In fact, positive stress responses help us adjust to new situations, keep us alert, help us build resistance, enhance motivation, help us avoid danger, and improve cognitive function. Researchers have identified two different types of stress: ”distress,” which refers to negative stress (a breakup), and “eustress,” which refers to positive stress (starting a new job). Negative stress is the “bad” stress and is a major contributing factor to both physical and mental health problems.

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Women’s History Month is a perfect time to learn about the challenges that women have faced politically, socially, and professionally throughout American history, and celebrate the accomplishments of focused and passionate women. There are far too many to include here, so we’ve highlighted just some of the trailblazers that have made it possible to shift away from deeply embedded patriarchal cultural norms. These women have truly laid the groundwork and opened doors for future generations of American women.

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The contributions that African Americans inventors and scientists have made throughout history have had a tremendous impact in the world. It is important to note that historically African American contributions have been muted or undocumented as a result of slavery, and discriminatory laws and practices. In particular, there were numerous African American inventors during the Industrial Revolution (mid-19^th century through the early 20^th century) who have been left out of historical records resulting from the widely accepted racial bias during that time.  This is considered to be one of the most innovative eras in world history, with major advances in agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, and electricity, and although African Americans were contributing to these world-changing, modern inventions, they were not receiving the support, recognition or in some cases patents, that their white counterparts received.

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It’s that time of year again. With the best of intentions, approximately 40% of Americans (University of Scranton study), or roughly 130 million people make resolutions at the beginning of the New Year. Interesting but not surprising, an online poll by Statista indicates that 45% of New Year’s Resolutions are regarding improving health or weight loss and only 8% of those who make resolutions stick to it and say they achieve those yearly goals.

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In the United States, almost 40,000 people get HIV every year. Many people infected with HIV don’t know they have it. This devastating disease attacks the immune system and affects all parts of the body, eventually leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), it’s most deadly and advanced stage, for which there is currently no cure. Yet there is hope for the many Americans living with HIV infection or AIDS. Researchers are developing new and more effective drug combinations, and scientists are growing ever closer to a vaccine. Improvements in medication and earlier diagnosis mean that those infected with HIV are living longer, healthier, and more productive lives.

Established by the World Health Organization in 1988 and observed each year on December 1st, World AIDS Day is an opportunity for organizations around the world to raise awareness and advocate for progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care.

This chapter offering advice for coping with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis is from AIDS Sourcebook.

Comprehensive information about risk factors, prevention, transmission, and treatment of HIV and related complications, along with tips for living with HIV/AIDS, is available in AIDS Sourcebook, 7th Edition.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled. According to the American Diabetes Association, one in 10 American’s have diabetes and another 88 million have prediabetes.

This chapter, from Diabetes Sourcebook, provides an introduction to diabetes and it’s causes.

Comprehensive information about the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes is available in Diabetes Sourcebook, 7th Edition.

The teen years are especially important in the battle against diabetes. As young people begin to take more personal responsibility for managing their health, they make their own choices about what to eat and what activities to pursue. These decisions can have consequences that impact well-being throughout the adult years.

Currently, efforts to overcome diabetes are making little progress. According to recent U.S. statistics, the prevalence of type 1 diabetes appears to be increasing among children and adolescents.

This chapter, from Diabetes Information for Teens provides facts and statistics about diabetes.

Comprehensive information for teens about diagnosing and managing different forms of diabetes and preventing complications is available in Diabetes Information for Teens, 3rd Edition.

An estimated 1 in 8 woman born in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their 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 a chance to raise awareness about the importance of screening and 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, 6th Edition.

Anyone can get psoriasis, but it is more common in adults. Certain genes have been linked to psoriasis, so you are more likely to get it if someone else in your family has it.

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