1. Sponsorship. The sponsorship of the site should be easily identified and be a credible source such as a government agency (.gov), educational institution (.edu) or medical center or hospital.
   
2. Currency. The site should be updated frequently with the date of the update clearly posted.
   
3. Factual information. Information should be factual and verifiable. If the information represents an opinion, the source should be easily identified.
   
4. Audience. There should be a clear statement of the intended audience (consumer, medical professional).
   
5. Ease of Use. The site should be easy to navigate and be logically organized.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please send an email message to hshsl@umaryland.edu.

The Health Sciences and Human Services Library gratefully acknowledges the support of the Helena Foundation in the development of Diabetes Web Sites for Consumers.

General Information

• The American Diabetes Association - Diabetes Information
  
  The mission of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is "to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes." This site has information arranged by topic, which include background on the different types of diabetes, information for the newly diagnosed, living with diabetes, ADA programs, information for teachers and childcare, and research. Also available in Spanish.
  
  
• Ask NOAH About Diabetes
  

  NOAH: New York Online Access to Health provides access to sources from a variety of organizations. The diabetes page provides links to information on topics such as diabetes basics, complications and concerns, and care and treatment. Features include the Merck Manual chapter on Diabetes Mellitus, links to clinical trials, resources for young people, and Spanish resources (http://www.noah-health.org/spanish/illness/diabetes/spdiabetes.html).

• Beginner's Guide to Diabetes
  
  The Joslin Diabetes Center, an affiliate of the Harvard Medical School and the CareGroup hospital system, is a leader in the field in both basic and clinical research, and is devoted to educating both patients and professionals. This Beginner's Guide provides a list of resources from the Joslin web site for those newly diagnosed or who know someone newly diagnosed with diabetes. In addition to information on care, monitoring, and treatment basics, users can also access online discussion groups, an online diabetes library, and a publications catalog.

• The Diabetes Center

  Sponsored by the Mayo Clinic, "the mission of MayoClinic.com is to help people find the answers and the support they need to manage illness and stay healthy." The Diabetes Center at this site seeks to present the latest in diabetes care and lifestyle tips, and includes links to news articles, diabetes facts, and interactive health evaluations and lifestyle planners.
  
  

• Diabetes Public Health Resource - Frequently Asked Questions
  
  Sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this site provides simplified questions and answers to address topics such as symptoms of diabetes, risk factors, treatments, causes, and diabetes prevention. Links to other organizations are provided for additional information.
  
  
• The Healing Handbook for People with Diabetes

  This basic online text, by Aldo A. Rossini, M.D. and Ruth Lundstrom, R.N./NP C.D.E., M.S., of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, is in its third edition since 1995. It is arranged in chapters and takes the reader through a study of diabetes - "what causes it, how you can adapt your life style to it, and how to care for yourself now that you have it." It includes a glossary of medical definitions as well as useful illustrations and question-and-answer sections that clarify concepts and aid in understanding. Also available in Spanish and Hebrew.
  

• MedlinePlus: Diabetes

  MedlinePlus is a site produced by the National Library of Medicine that contains links to authoritative information on diabetes. Topics include alternative therapy, clinical trials, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, disease management, and research. This site also contains links to dictionaries, directories, legal information, organizations, and statistics. In addition, MedlinePlus provides links to pre-formulated MEDLINE searches that present citations to recent journal articles on diabetes. Look for the link to Interactive Health Tutorials on the Health Topics Page. These easy-to-read tutorials use animated graphics to explain procedures or conditions, including general information on diabetes and specific tutorials for diabetes eye and foot care. The Interactive Health Tutorials require Flash 5.0 to play on your computer.

• The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): Diabetes

  Sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the NIDDK "conducts and supports research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health." The diabetes page provides links to NIDDK online publications, Spanish language items and easy-to-read publications. Additional links to NIDDK newsletters, the National Diabetes Clearinghouse, organizational directories are provided.
  

Children & Adolescents

• Children with Diabetes
  

Children with Diabetes is an online magazine, created by a non-profit volunteer organization, that contains a wealth of information on diabetes and its management for children and their parents. The resource highlights the latest diabetes research and features information on schools, camps, nutrition, and diabetes health care products. The site also provides a forum for those with diabetes and their families to share information with others through a Message Board and Chat Rooms

• Life with Diabetes
  

From the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Life with Diabetes is a useful site for parents of children with diabetes for information on the daily care and treatment of diabetes, current research findings, reviews of books for children and adults, and additional links. Contact information is provided for users to ask questions and receive answers from experts.

Clinical Trials

• CenterWatch: Clinical Trials Listing Service
  

CenterWatch is a Boston-based publishing and information services company "dedicated to providing patients and their advocates with a variety of information services about clinical research." In addition to trial listings, this site provides background information on the clinical trials process, a new trial notification service, and drug directories. Click on "Trial Listings" in the "Medical Areas" list, click on "Endocrinology" and choose a specific diabetes condition. The site provides access to information on U.S. government-funded clinical research studies as well as industry-sponsored trials that are recruiting patients in the U.S. and internationally.

• ClinicalTrials.gov
  


The U.S. National Institutes of Health, through its National Library of Medicine, has developed ClinicalTrials.gov to provide patients, family members, and members of the public current information about clinical research studies. To quickly search for diabetes clinical trials under "Trial Listings" choose "List by Conditions," "Alphabetically," "D," and then select a specific diabetes condition (Diabetes mellitus, Diabetes insipidus, etc.). Users can also search for clinical trials by specific trial location, age group, study type, or funding organization.

Exercise

• Physical Activity and Exercise
  



This resource from the Joslin Diabetes Center provides basic information on the use of exercise to treat diabetes. It discusses the benefits of exercise for people with diabetes, as well as the more general benefits of exercise, which include physical fitness, weight control, and psychological well-being. The resource also provides basic tips on starting an exercise routine.

• Exercise
  (http://www.diabetes.org/for-parents-and-kids/diabetes-care/exercise.jsp)

This section of The American Diabetes Association's web site provides links to "What is Exercise," "Overcoming Barriers," "Types of Exercise," and "Getting Started."

• NOAH: Exercise
  (http://www.noah-health.org/en/endocrine/diabetes/living/exercise.html)

This portion of Ask NOAH About Diabetes contains links to resources from a variety or organizations on diabetes and exercise. Resources include basic information on diabetes and exercise, exercising tips, food exchanges for exercise, and an exercise quiz.

Eye Care

• Diabetic Retinopathy--Information for Patients
  

The National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, "conducts and supports research that helps prevent and treat eye diseases and other disorders of vision" and also conducts "public and professional education programs that help prevent blindness." The site presents information to help people with diabetic retinopathy and their families and friends better understand the disease. It also describes the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

• Eye Care
  
  The American Diabetes Association provides this resource. It includes steps you can take to avoid eye problems.
  
  
• Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Eyes Healthy
  

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases provides this easy-to-read guide. It defines and illustrates the different parts of the eye and the various forms of eye damage that can result from diabetes. It also teaches patients how to prevent or delay eye damage from diabetes.

Foot Care

• Diabetic Foot Problems and Treatments
  

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons is the professional organization for podiatric surgeons whose mission includes "providing education to consumers on topics relating to foot health." This resource provides information on the causes of foot problems, foot deformities, foot surgery, and guidelines for footwear and foot care.

• Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime: A Guide for People with Diabetes
  

Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime is an illustrated guide provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This resource serves as a guide for developing an individual foot care plan and provides daily foot care advice to avoid serious foot problems. It also highlights problems that should be brought to the attention of a health care professional. Also available in Spanish.

Nutrition

• Nutrition
  The American Diabetes Association provides this website on nutrition.Sections include"What can I eat?" "Meal Planning," "My Food Advisor," "Weight Loss" and "Ask the Nutritionist."



• Diabetes and Nutrition
  

The American Academy of Family Physicians is the national association of family doctors whose mission includes the "education of patients and the public in all health-related matters." This resource provides a general overview of dietary considerations for people with diabetes and includes a sample exchange list for planning healthy meals and snacks. Also available in Spanish.

• What I need to know about Eating and Diabetes
  

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases outlines specific foods to include and to avoid in a healthy diet, illustrates correct food portions, and emphasizes the creation of a healthy meal schedule. Also available in Spanish.

• Diabetes in Pregnancy - Public Health Education Information Sheet
  

Diabetes in Pregnancy is a resource from the March of Dimes, an organization whose mission is to "improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality through programs of research, community services, education and advocacy." It is intended for women concerned about preexisting and gestational diabetes, and it addresses topics such as fetal risks, pregnancy complications, care of preexisting conditions, screening, diet and exercise, insulin, home monitoring, and psychosocial support.

• MEDLINEPlus: Diabetes and Pregnancy
  
  MEDLINEPlus is a site produced by the National Library of Medicine that contains links to authoritative information on diabetes and pregnancy. Topics include disease management, nutrition and specific conditions. This site also contains links to dictionaries and organizations. In addition, MEDLINEPlus provides links to pre-formulated MEDLINE searches that present citations to recent journal articles on diabetes and pregnancy. Resources in Spanish are also available.