The Health Education & Literacy Portal (HELP) provides a one-stop free virtual shop for vetted and authoritative health information on different public health topics.
When you or a loved one are confronted with a major health issue or you’re simply seeking to empower yourself with the knowledge to optimize your health, the type and quality of information you access can be a matter of life and death. Just like healthcare access and quality, access to authoritative health information is a product of the social and community environments and can be limited to underserved and minority populations. HELP seeks to democratize access to life-saving information.
Resources on HELP are updated frequently so please check back regularly and sign up for our newsletter so you’d be alerted when new resources are added.
Alcohol Addiction
Signs of risky or excessive drinking include drinking more or longer than intending to, trying to cut down but not being able to do so, and continuing to drink even though it causes anxiety and depression. This brochure provides some important information that can help you with alcohol problems. (Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
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Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease. Severe asthma attacks may require emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and they can be fatal. Asthma can be caused by the same substances that cause allergies. This fact sheet explains some of the causes and how you can reduce indoor allergens. (Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
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Autism
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental brain disorder that generally appears in the first two years of life. Some people are mildly impaired by their symptoms, while others are severely disabled. This fact sheet talks about how early intervention can improve communication, learning, and social skills. (Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
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Breast Cancer
A woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. Breast cancer occurs mostly in women who are 50 years old or older and those who live in areas of air pollution. This fact sheet talks about ways you can reduce the chances of developing breast cancer. (Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
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Cancer and Drinking Water
Drinking water in the U.S. comes from a variety of sources, including public water systems, private wells, and bottled water. Worldwide, nearly 2 billion people drink contaminated water that could be harmful to their health.. This fact sheet talks about the contaminants that can cause cancer. (Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
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Diabetes Booklet
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems, such as heart disease, nerve damage, eye problems, and kidney disease. This booklet gives four key steps to help you manage your diabetes and live a long and active life. (Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Hypertension and Stroke
High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a major risk factor for stroke because it adds to your heart’s workload and damages your arteries and organs over time. About 87% of strokes are caused by narrowed or clogged blood vessels in the brain that cut off the blood flow to brain cells. This fact sheet gives advice on how you can reduce high blood pressure. (Source: American Heart Association)
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African Americans and Hypertension
African Americans in the U.S. have a higher prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) than other racial and ethnic groups. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, and it is known as the “silent killer.” This fact sheet covers recommendations and explains what happens if left undetected or uncontrolled. (Source: American Heart Association)
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Hypertension and Sodium
Most people eat too much sodium, often without knowing it. Reducing the amount of sodium in your diet can help you lower or avoid high blood pressure. When there’s extra sodium in your bloodstream, it pulls water into your blood vessels, increasing the amount of blood inside your blood vessels.This fact sheet talks about the recommended sodium intake and what foods to avoid. (Source: American Heart Association)
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Hipertensión
La presión arterial alta significa que la presión en las arterias es más alta de lo que debería ser. Otro nombre para la presión arterial alta es hipertensión. La presión arterial alta no controlada aumenta el riesgo de problemas de salud graves, incluidos ataques cardíacos y accidentes cerebrovasculares. Esta hoja informativa habla sobre quién está en mayor riesgo y recomendaciones sobre cómo reducir el riesgo. (Source: American Heart Association)
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Hypertension
High blood pressure means the pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be. Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke. This fact sheet talks about who is at greater risk and recommendations on how to reduce the risk. (Source: American Heart Association)
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Hipertiroidismo
El término hipertiroidismo se refiere a cualquier condición en la que se produce demasiada hormona tiroidea en el cuerpo. Si hay demasiada hormona tiroidea, todas las funciones del cuerpo tienden a acelerarse. Esta hoja informativa explica algunos de los síntomas y cómo se trata. (Source: American Thyroid Association)
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Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which there is too much thyroid hormone produced in the body. If there is too much thyroid hormone, every function of the body tends to speed up. This fact sheet explains some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and how it is treated. (Source: American Thyroid Association)
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Lung Cancer
The health of our lungs depends on a healthy environment. Air pollution and cigarette smoke are the biggest threats. This fact sheet talks about outdoor and indoor pollutants that can contribute to lung cancer. Download this fact and get more information on these pollutants and find out other sources of more information. (Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
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Children and Traumatic Events
Every year, children and adolescents experience disasters and other traumatic events. Caregivers and family members can help by creating a safe and supportive environment, remaining as calm as possible, and reducing stressors. This fact sheet talks about how children and adolescents react to traumatic events and ways adults can help. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
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Perinatal Depression
Perinatal depression is depression that occurs during or after pregnancy. The symptoms can range from mild to severe. In rare cases, the symptoms are severe enough that the health of the mother and baby may be at risk. This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of perinatal depression and how you or a loved one can get help. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
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Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. There is no sure way to prevent skin cancer, and some risk factors can’t be changed, such as age, skin color, and personal history of the disease. This fact sheet explains the risk factors, early detection, signs and symptoms, and treatment for skin cancer. (Source: American Cancer Society)
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Suicide Prevention
Suicide is a major public health concern and a leading cause of death in the United States. Suicide affects people of all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities. Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it can be preventable, and knowing the warning signs can help saves lives. Download the suicide fact sheet to learn more. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
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Tobacco
There is no safe way to use tobacco. All types of tobacco products contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Quitting tobacco can be hard. This fact sheet gives you information on the different types of chemicals and various cancers they cause. (Source: American Cancer Society)
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