Diabetes-Related Websites

American Association of Health Plans (AAHP), now America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)

http://www.ahip.org

AHIP’s history, membership information, mission and vision and statements of Board policy are explained on their website. The website also provides information about AHIP's initiatives. The website allows the user to research topics and find reports and statistics. Press releases and AHIP services and products can be found on AHIP’s web page. Membership information, conferences, training programs, and consumer help are also components of the AHIP website.

American Diabetes Association (ADA)

http://www.diabetes.org

http://www.diabetes.org/ada/dqip.asp

ADA’s website contains general information about the organization, including its history and professional activities. The site can also be used for research. Articles can be searched through the numerous magazines and journals available on the site. The ADA’s Clinical Practice Recommendations are available on-line. Information on how to donate, join, and subscribe to ADA is also available. The background of DQIP, along with the rationale, definitions, and a description of the measures can be found through the ADA website.

GlaxoSmithKline

www.gsk.com

One of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)

http://www.aace.com

The AACE web page contains information on the organization of the group, publications including press releases, services offered, sponsors, education, and clinical information. The site also includes an area for members only. Services include an endocrinology calendar and membership directory. The education area details the organization’s regional meetings, workshops, and clinical sessions. The clinical information has the AACE Clinical Practice Guidelines and a fellows’ clinical corner.

American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE)

http://www.aadenet.org

The AADE website is dedicated to the needs of diabetes educators. The site describes what is new in the organization, and includes the bylaws, position statement and frequently asked questions. There are numerous diabetes links that can be found when searching the site. Articles and abstracts from The Diabetes Educator can be researched. Products and publications, including t-shirts, tote bags and books, can be ordered from the AADE website.

American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS)

http://www.aofas.org

http://www.aofas.org/diabetic.html

The AOFAS web page details their organization’s mission. The site also contains news releases, patient education, a list of AOFAS members, and fact sheets. Patient brochures on diabetes education are available through AOFAS. The AOFAS web page provides advice on preventing diabetic amputations, foot ulcers, and shoes or orthotic devices for people with diabetes.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

http://www.cdc.gov

http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes

Information about the CDC’s organization and mission can be found on their home page. The site also features press releases and health topics including fact sheets and disease prevention. Statistical data and subscription information are available on the CDC website. More specific to diabetes, the CDC website contains diabetes-related press releases, diabetes frequently asked questions, and diabetes statistics.

Diabetic Retinopathy Foundation

http://www.retinopathy.org/index.html

The Diabetic Retinopathy Foundation’s website describes in detail microvascular disease and available treatments. The site emphasizes how to reduce one’s risk and also explains the patient’s responsibilities for eye health. The web page lists diabetes-related links that can be searched.

Hardin Meta Directory (MD) of Internet Health Sources

http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md/

The Hardin MD website is a directory that contains a listing of websites by topic – including one specific to endocrinology and diabetes. The websites are listed according to size and some are marked as the "best of the best."

National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

http://www.ncqa.org

http://www.ncqa.org/pages/policy/hedis/maps/dqip.htm

NCQA’s web page contains information for consumers, health care providers and organizations, researchers, employers, unions, and the government. The site details the organization’s accreditation and certification program, the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS), products, publications, and educational conferences. Through the NCQA website, information about DQIP can be found. The background and history of DQIP, along with a progress report and summary of the measures, is included in the site.

National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)

http://ndep.nih.gov/

The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is a federally sponsored initiative that involves public and private partners to improve the treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes, to promote early diagnosis, and ultimately to prevent the onset of diabetes. NDEP is sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Division of Diabetes Translation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The website contains materials that have been developed and/or adapted by the NDEP for patients, health care providers, and organizations that can be downloaded, as well as additional information about diabetes from the CDC’s National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the NIH.

National Eye Institute (NEI)

http://www.nei.nih.gov

http://www.nei.nih.gov/publications/retinopathy.htm

The NEI internet site provides information to researchers, health care professionals, the public, patients, educators, and the media. The website contains a searchable clinical trials database which includes ongoing and completed trials. News and events, such as conferences and meetings, can be found on the NEI web page. A pamphlet that contains information for patients on the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic retinopathy can be found through the site.

National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC)

http://www.ngc.gov

The NGC website is a public resource for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. By narrowing the search to diabetes mellitus, information can be found on screening for diabetes, nutrition recommendations, standards for medical care, and exercise programs for diabetics.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

http://www.niddk.nih.gov

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/diabetes.htm

The NIDDK’s mission, history, news, health information and educational programs, studies, and federal programs can be found on their web page. Specific to diabetes, there is a dictionary of diabetes terms, information on the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, and recipes for diabetics. The site also contains information about diabetes in minorities, diabetic eye disease, neuropathy, and end-stage renal disease. A foot care kit for preventing amputations in diabetic patients is available and bibliographic searches on diabetes can be performed through the site.

Taking on Diabetes (TOD)

http://www.TakingOnDiabetes.org

Taking on Diabetes was a five-year joint initiative of the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP), now America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The initiative combined the experience of the ADA in working with patients and health care providers with the special strengths of health insurance plans to promote screening, early intervention and state-of-the-art treatment for the populations they serve. The website highlights the four components of the Initiative: best practices dissemination, community partnership development, measurement and evaluation, and enhancement of purchaser-health plan relations. It features descriptions of Initiative activities and offers diabetes treatment, education, and screening tools for health plans, care providers, and patients.