Government Agencies

We realize that with chronic illnesses that may be rare, come and go, or not be visible to others at all, sometimes we need to aggressively seek alternative treatment or find underground resources.

But before we do, sometimes taking a look at the grandmother of all disease sites, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can give us a starting point.

The FDA is the U.S. government's office regarding and gateway to all things health- and medicine- related.

If you're looking for general information about the latest in health care policy, advocacy or research, head to the FDA for starters.

A government agency dedicated to chronic disease awareness, the NCCDPHP (yes, really!) provides educational materials on common chronic conditions and offers suggestions about preventive health measures to ensure good health.

Check out their resources on conditions including diabetes, heart disease and cancer; get more info from a wide variety of health-focused publications; and learn about some of the latest scientific advances being funded.

NIMH is a government agency devoted to "reducing the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior."

A comprehensive site for folks looking for general mental health information. Be sure to check out their special section on women and mental health .

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health is dear old Uncle Sam's medical research arm.

Subscribe to NIH's listserv and receive press releases or get your news in other formats.

Sometimes we overlook the obvious, yes?

A definite stopping (or starting) point for any health issue of today is the United States Department of Health & Human Services.