Government Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) runs hospitals and clinics that serve veterans who have service-related health problems or who simply need financial aid. If you're a veteran and would like to find out more about VA health care, call 1-800-827-1000 or visit their website.
Program Chief, Diabetes
Veterans Health Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
Phone: (202) 273-8490
Fax: (202) 273-9142
National Diabetes Education Program
NDEP is a partnership of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than 200 public and private organizations and provides a variety of information for individuals and organizations.
United States Department of Agriculture
USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
Includes excellent information on food and nutrition www.nutrition.gov including the new food pyramid, label information and dietary guidelines for Americans.
USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory
A site that provides tools for calculating calories, fat, carbohydrates for any food
Federal Drug Administration
The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nations food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.
Department of Health and Human Services
The Department Of Health and Human Services is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. The Department Includes more than 300 Programs, covering a wide spectrum of activities. Some highlights include:
Health and social science research
Preventing disease, including immunization services
Assuring food and drug safety
Medicare (health insurance for elderly and disabled Americans) and Medicaid (health insurance for low-income people)
Health information technology
Financial assistance and services for low-income families
Improving maternal and infant health
Head Start (pre-school education and services)
Faith-based and community initiatives
Preventing child abuse and domestic violence
Substance abuse treatment and prevention
Services for older Americans, including home-delivered meals
Comprehensive health services for Native Americans
Medical preparedness for emergencies, including potential terrorism.
NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Complementary and alternative medicine is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. The list of what is considered to be CAM changes continually, as those therapies that are proven to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional health care and as new approaches to health care emerge. This website can help you navigate through the hype and potentially dangerous therapies.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
An unfortunate complication associated with diabetes can be a higher risk for strokes. This website provides valuable information about preventing stokes, rehabilitation from strokes and many other resources.
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
ODS promotes scientific research in the area of dietary supplements which can have an impact on the prevention of disease and on the maintenance of health. In the US, these ingredients are usually defined as including plant extracts, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and hormonal products that are available without prescription and are consumed in addition to the regular diet. Although vitamin and mineral supplements have been available for decades, their health effects have been the subject of detailed scientific research only within the last 15-20 years. It is important to expand this research to include the health effects of other bioactive factors consumed as supplements to promote health and prevent disease. The site offers a database of published, international, scientific literature on dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and botanicals.
