If you've just been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be upset, scared and full of questions. Although your doctor and health-care team are the best sources of information about your condition, there are a host of other resources. If you 're seeking general information about diabetes, look for official organizations and government agencies designed to provide up-to-date factual information to the public.
The American Diabetes Association
Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association started as a medical group, strictly for doctors and health-care professionals. By the 1950s, the ADA had grown to include a magazine designed for consumers and opened local offices to raise public awareness. In the 1960s, growth continued and local offices started promoting summer camps for children with diabetes. In the 1970s, the ADA opened its doors to the general public. In 1994 it established the ADA Research Foundation to raise money to fund diabetes research. The American Diabetes Association offers an online site with easy-to-understand information about diabetes prevention and treatment, with in-depth articles about Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes.
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse is a division of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. Government-sponsored, the NDIC offers information about diabetes for patients and physicians, online and published in booklets and brochures, which are copyright-free and can be given away at health fairs and community events. The NDIC also maintains the National Library of Medicine's referral listings to help you find a health-care professional in your area -- doctors and dietitians who specialize in working with diabetes.
National Diabetes Education Program
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIDDK and more than 200 other organizations formed a partnership to create the National Diabetes Education Program. Designed for professionals and patients, the NDEP aims to provide a personalized experience with a search tool that allows you to find information relevant to you based on your age, race and type of diabetes. Publications are available to download free, and resources include the latest available statistical information.
Mayo and Cleveland Clinics
Two large research facilities/hospitals that offer well-written and concise information about diabetes are the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic. Written specifically for the layperson, these institutions' websites offer an array of diet, exercise and lifestyle tips to make living with diabetes easier. Although websites can answer general questions, offer online support and remind you that you are not alone in your fight against diabetes, these resources should in no way be a substitute for seeing your own doctor regularly.
