Consumer Connections
ISSN 1535-7821 Vol. 27 No. 2 2011
News
Articles
Book Reviews
- The Mommy Docs' Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth
- What Nurses Know . . . Gluten-Free Lifestyle
- When Your Spouse Has a Stroke; caring for your partner, yourself, and your relationship
- Vitamin D for Dummies
- What Nurses Know… Multiple Sclerosis
- African-American Healthy: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Health
- The Healthy Home: Simple Truths to Protect Your Family from Hidden Household Dangers
Publication Information
News
Message from the Chair
Greetings everyone! We had a great meeting in Minneapolis with some wonderful programming. Thanks to everyone who participated and attended and let me also welcome our new CAPHIS members. Some great ideas were shared at the Board meeting and business meeting, and that leads to opportunities to become involved in CAPHIS. We’ve got many ways for all of our members to become more involved. If you are interested in any of the positions below, please e-mail me at janaliebermann@gmail.com. Please include a brief statement of your interest and any relevant background that you have in the area. I look forward to many exciting initiatives for us this year.
- Task force for listing of Consumer Health Libraries
- This group would consider options for collecting data on consumer health libraries. Some of the questions would be: to what extent of information would we want to gather? How would it be organized and be made available? Would it be database driven? How would information be added or updated? Is this even feasible?
- Task force to consider making CAPHIS List for members only.
- This group would discuss the pros and cons of making the CAPHIS List for members only, and present their findings at MLA 2012, possibly for a vote from the membership.
- Membership chair/ Membership committee
- The membership chair coordinates the CAPHIS membership, and plans the section shuffle. A committee will be tasked with assisting the membership chair with the section shuffle and other duties.
- Archivist
- The archivist role is to connect with MLA to send print copies of newsletters, any bylaws changes, awardee lists, and other items as mentioned in the section manual
- Program Planning Committee – co chaired by Chair-Elect
- Chaired by the Chair-Elect, this group works on program planning ideas.
- Program planner for 2013 conference
- This work will take place prior to the 2012 meeting due to the nature of the international scope of the meeting.
- Awards task force:
- This task force will investigate the possibility of offering honors and awards to CAPHIS members. Perhaps a Consumer Health Librarian of the Year award. Perhaps travel stipends to some members ($500) for registration, flight, hotel, or CE.
- Bylaws Chair/ Bylaws Committee
- This committee reviews the bylaws and submits suggested changes to the Executive Committee to be brought forward to the membership.
- Nominating Committee – chaired by Past-Chair
- This committee includes the candidate for the MLA Nominating Committee.
Submitted by: Jana Liebermann, CAPHIS Chair, 2011- 2012
Articles
News from the National Library of Medicine
Japan Disasters Topic Page
A new page of links to information on "Japan Earthquake, Tsunami, and Radiation Event - March 2011" is now available at http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/japan2011.html.
The resources on this page may help with understanding the health issues related to the devastating Japan earthquake, tsunami, and possible nuclear power plant disruptions. Resources from the National Library of Medicine, US federal agencies, and other key resources are listed for responders, health professionals, and the general public.
New “Health Resources for Haiti, Post-Earthquake” Topic Page
The "Earthquakes and Health" section of the National Library of Medicine “Health Resources for Haiti, Post-Earthquake” web page now provides resources on cholera.
http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/haitiearthquake.html.
This page also includes extensive resources on many other topics relevant to post-disaster health care in Haiti, including ones in French, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) PubMedhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed offers a toxicology subset created by NLM's Specialized Information Services (SIS) to facilitate searching for subjects in the area of toxicology.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/pubmed_subsets/tox_strategy.html
This subject subset can be selected via the pull-down menu under the PubMed “Limits” tab. It can also be placed in a search as “tox [sb]”. Example: lead AND tox [sb]
The PubMed database comprises more than 19 million citations for biomedical articles from MEDLINE and life science journals. Citations may include links to full-text articles from PubMed Central or publisher web sites.
New Enviro-Health Link Pages Released
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Division of Specialized Information Services (SIS) has released two new web guides.
- “Epigenomics” (http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/epigenomics.html) provides links to resources related to epigenetics and epigenomics, scientific areas focused on changes in the regulation of gene activity and expression which are not dependent on gene sequence.
- “Water Pollution” (http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/waterpollution.html) directs users to resources on drinking water, water pollution, bottled water, water regulations and standards, disinfection byproducts, and Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products as Pollutants (PPCPs).
- These resources provide pre-formulated PubMed and TOXNET searches as well as links to related databases and data repositories.
TOXMAP and TOXNET TRI Updated
The National Library of Medicine TOXMAP (http://toxmap.nlm.nih.gov) and TOXNET TRI (http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?TRI) now include the 2009 Toxics Release Inventory data (TRI), the most current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data available. http://www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/current_data/index.html
20,446 facilities reported to the EPA TRI program in 2009, with 77,610 submissions. A complete list of TRI chemicals required to be reported to the EPA can be found at http://www.epa.gov/tri/trichemicals/index.htm.
TOXMAP maps the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) chemicals reported to the EPA, as required by the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). http://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/lcra.html TOXMAP covers on-site TRI releases only and also includes EPA Superfund data. http://www.epa.gov/superfund/
TRI contains information on the annual estimated releases of toxic chemicals to the environment and is based on data collected by the EPA. Mandated by the Pollution Prevention Act, TOXNET TRI data covers air, water, land, and underground injection releases, as well as transfers to waste sites, and waste treatment methods and efficiency, as reported by certain industrial facilities around the United States. TRI also includes data related to source reduction and recycling.
Environmental Health Student Portal Released
The Environmental Health Student Portal (www.kidsenvirohealth.nlm.nih.gov) introduces middle school students to environmental health science within the context of current middle school science curriculum standards. It is the newest edition to the family of NLM resources for students, with links to government and other selected sites.
The Environmental Health Student Portal provides a safe and reliable environment for teachers and students to study the following topics and their impact on health:
- water pollution
- climate change
- chemicals
- (coming soon) air pollution.
The Environmental Health Student Portal allows students to conduct research, play games related to environmental health, locate science fair projects, and view videos. Teachers can find relevant content and lesson plans from resources like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Health Science.
Tox Town Adds “Indoor Air” Topic
Tox Town, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) interactive guide to commonly encountered toxic substances, has added an “Indoor Air” topic.
Most people in the United States spend a significant amount of time indoors. The indoor air we breathe can be more polluted than outdoor air.
Visit the new Indoor Air location pages, in both Spanish and English, to learn about possible indoor air pollutants and how these pollutants can increase the risk of illness.
Indoor Air (http://www.toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/locations.php?id=136)
Aire interior (http://www.toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/espanol/locations.php?id=137)
Haz-Map Updated
Haz-Map (http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/index.html) now includes 1212 new chemical agents and twelve chemical categories with significance regarding occupational exposure.
The twelve categories of chemical agents include metals, solvents, pesticides, mineral dusts, toxic gases and vapors, plastics and rubber, biological agents, nitrogen compounds, dyes, physical agents, other classes, and other uses. http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/hazmap_cgi?level=0&tree=Agent
Haz-Map is an occupational toxicology database designed to link jobs to hazardous job tasks which are linked to occupational diseases and their symptoms.
The Haz-Map Jobs table is based on the 1997 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The Industries table is based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The Diseases table is based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9).
Information from textbooks, journal articles, and electronic databases was classified and summarized to create the database.
Submitted by Colette Hochstein, D.M.D., MLS, Division of Specialized Information Services, NLM
Book Reviews
Bohn, Y., Hill, A., Park, A. The Mommy Docs' Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth. Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2011. 544 p. index. ISBN 978-0738214603. $10.85.
Given the sheer volume of pregnancy books out there, do we really need another one? From these OB/GYNs – YES. Bohn, Hill and Park did their residencies together working in a hospital for low income patients then started their own practice over 12 years ago. They are well known to many moms through their highly successful blogs and are also moms themselves, asharing much of their stories of pregnancy and childbirth in the book.
The writing style is almost conversational which makes it easy and engaging. The usual information on the trimesters is covered but woven throughout are charts, drawings, anecdotes and myths/facts that are of interest to pregnant couples. Anecdotes are told to reinforce the normalcy of many worries that new mothers have. They also provide for some humor, which is often rare in pregnancy books.
Two chapters really stand out and make this book unique: Chapter 7, The Fourth Trimester where they go through those first few weeks at home, giving parents ideas on what to expect regarding feeding, sleeping, basic care, when to call the doctor, what is normal (which many new parents worry about); Chapter 11, Frequently Asked Questions and Frequently Repeated Myths covers questions they, as OBs have been asked, as well as myths they have compassionately debunked. These chapters alone make this an excellent addition to a consumer health library, or special collection on women’s health.
Reviewed by: Amy Six-Means, MLIS. Consumer Health Librarian Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC.Bower, Sylvia Llewin. What Nurses Know . . . Gluten-Free Lifestyle. Demos Health, 2011. 235p., index. ISBN 978-1-93630-307-6. $16.95.
With over 1,500 consumer health books on gluten-free living available, what differentiates What Nurses Know . . . Gluten-Free Lifestyle? It is written by a registered nurse who was diagnosed with celiac disease as an adult and learned about the condition when there were only a handful of resources available. Author Sylvia Llewin Bower does an outstanding job explaining the differences between celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and gluten allergy, and how each is accurately diagnosed and treated.
The book is user-friendly and easy to read; when Bower quotes from journal articles she includes explanations of difficult-to-understand terms or phrases. There is an excellent glossary, a resource list, sample meal plans, cookbook recommendations, and information about gluten-free product vendors. The case studies about people of all ages feel authentic and supportive. Chapters combine information for adults and children, as multiple members of families are often affected; there is a specific chapter about raising a gluten-free child and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness’s Roadmap for the Accommodation of a Student with Celiac Disease.
While she is firm about maintaining a completely gluten-free diet, Bower also explains how to make meals nutritious, varied, appealing, and great-tasting. For example, readers may try a tuna sandwich between slices of crisp lettuce. A gluten-free lifestyle involves more than just food; this book answers questions about gluten in medications and cosmetics too. This is the sixth book in the “What Nurses Know” series; sidebars highlight important nurse-known facts, such as gluten flour dust can stay airborne for up to 24 hours after its use. This would be an excellent first book to hand to a newly diagnosed patient or parent.
Reviewed by: Cara Marcus, Faulkner Hospital, Boston, MA
Palmer, Sara, and Jeffrey B. Palmer. When Your Spouse Has a Stroke; caring for your partner, yourself, and your relationship. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011. ix, 206 p., index. ISBN 97800801898877. $19.95
This is the book I would want if my spouse had a stroke. A psychologist and a medical doctor from the physical medicine and rehabilitation departments at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Hospital team up to offer very practical advice for couples adjusting to life after a stroke. They do not provide brain diagrams, in-depth stroke physiology, or tips on simplifying hygiene and housecleaning – you’ll find those in other titles - but concentrate on helping spouse caregivers understand and meet the profound life challenges they will face after a sudden event changes everything.
Chapters discuss the importance of social and emotional support as a couple faces changing roles and changed abilities. Social support is called the “secret ingredient” in recovery, and several types of support networks are described. Tips are given to help spouses avoid “super-caregiver” syndrome and how to encourage the spouse with the stroke to participate in activities, decisions, and as a partner in the relationship. Couples can expect the recovery and the marriage to have ups and downs; physical and mental recoveries evolve over time and can cause their own problems as couples adapt separately to new health stages. Emotional and physical intimacy issues are covered, as are the effects of permanent or severe cognitive, behavioral, or communication deficits. The final chapter, “Till death do us part,” suggests long-term planning for the future needs of both spouses, including nursing home and end-of-life care, health care proxies, and advance directives.
Examples from real couples in their own words bring abstract scenarios to life and provide personal advice and encouragement. It is moving to read experiences of both partners and learn how they managed to reframe their lives together, find a balance of time and new activities, and discover the value of inner strength, social networks and professional support.
“When Your Spouse Has a Stroke” includes a resource section at the end, but its greatest value is in its well-written, practical and compassionate advice for new caregivers. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by: Nancy Crossfield, Owen Medical Library, Saint Agnes Medical Center Fresno, CARubin, Alan L. Vitamin D for Dummies. Wiley Publishing, 2011. 270 p. index. ISBN: 978-0-470-89175-9. $16.99.
News about Vitamin D is frequently making headlines, so it is not surprising that the popular “Dummies” series jumped on the bandwagon. Dr. Alan Rubin, endocrinologist and author of six other “Dummies” books, writes about Vitamin D in a conversational, easy to read style. The book follows the traditional series formula and uses icons to highlight important information. While the lack of references and the annoying use of phrases like “I recommend” and “I provide” may be confusing and biased, the book contains up-to-date information. In addition to the mention of guidelines and recommendations from 2010, recent research studies, and the role of vitamin D levels and diabetes are included. The book covers all the basics about Vitamin D-- what it is, why it is important to health, testing and how to get enough, as well as common misconceptions or myths. Sections about sunlight, pregnancy, children, and older women are especially helpful. As a part of the “Dummies”series, this title will be a nice addition to most consumer collections.
Reviewed by: Nancy O’Brien, Iowa Health – Des Moines, Des Moines, IA
Saunders, Carol, BA, BSN, MSCN. What Nurses Know… Multiple Sclerosis. DemosHealth, 2011. 144p. ISBN 978-1932603897. $16.95.
This book is an excellent resource for the newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS) patient. Author Carol Saunders, BA, BSN, MSCN is a nurse specializing in the care of MS patients. She is a founding member of the International Organization of MS Nurses. This book is a testament to her rich background in helping families cope with a perplexing disease. Saunders’ writing style is warm and her explanations are thorough.
This book covers the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of multiple sclerosis. In lay terms, Saunders explains relapse and methods of managing. She includes a chapter on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The highlight of this book is her chapter on relationships. She writes “MS is there, but don’t let it be the center of your life.” This statement exemplifies the tone of the entire book. Saunders gives us the necessary information to cope with MS along with an encouragement to get on with life despite MS. At the end of the book, there is a glossary of MS terminology and a list of recommended resources.
This book compares favorably to resources like 100 Questions & Answers About Multiple Sclerosis and The Everything Health Guide to Multiple Sclerosis. Saunders is a compassionate nurse explaining your situation to you. Her style makes this book a quick and useful read for patients and their families.
Reviewed by: Margot Malachowski, MLS, Baystate Health, Health Sciences Library, Springfield, MAWalker, Jr. M.D. Richard W. African-American Healthy: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Health. Square One Publishers, Inc. Woodbine House, 2011. 148 pp.
Written by an African-American physician, this book is focused on the methods that African-Americans can implement to improve their health and well-being while being cognizant of the risk factors for chronic disease that they may face. While the preface notes that the book is a primer to “equip African Americans…with the best possible tools for illness prevention and wellness maintenance”, the text is written at a level well above the 6th-8th grade reading level for most patient education materials.
Although the research information is referenced it does not appear in the end of the chapter, but rather, in the end of the text itself. The author highlights in the first chapter the variables that affect African-American health including the socioeconomic, cultural, genetic and environmental aspects as well as the importance of prevention and disease management.
Specific chapters cover the aging process, the importance of Vitamin D3 intake, hypertension, cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, and a guide to dietary supplements to use as part of an integrative medicine program, including the use of dietary supplements.
This book would have been a more comprehensive text for African-American patients had there been more illustrations and actual examples of exercise and dietary suggestions. For those consumer health libraries whose consumer population includes African-Americans other books are also available on this topic including Reclaiming Our Health: A Guide to African American Wellness by Yale University Press Health and Wellness and Handbook of African American Health by the Guilford Press.
Reviewed by: Carol Ann Attwood, MLS, AHIP, MPH, RN, C, Patient and Health Education Library, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ.Wentz, Myron M.D., Dave Wentz, and Donna Wallace. The Healthy Home: Simple Truths to Protect Your Family from Hidden Household Dangers. Vanguard Press, 2011. 270 p. ISBN 0978-1-59315-655-8. $21.99.
Dr. Myron Wentz holds a Ph.D in microbiology and his son, Dave, is the Chief Executive Officer of USANA Health Sciences. Each chapter walks you through a different room in Dave Wentz’s home featuring both toxic and potentially toxic areas that can pose short and long term health problems. They begin with a short quiz entitled “How Toxic is Your Home?” that asks 4-7 questions to help you rate the hidden dangers at your house. A high score means high risk but the authors offer up a long list of solutions at the end of each chapter to help the reader make changes.
Small, shaded boxes appear on many pages which also offer simple solutions from “Maintain a good distance – at least ten feet in front or five feet to the side-between yourself and the microwave when it’s on” to “Wash products off your face as soon as you get home. A few additional chemical-free hours each day could add up to more than six years over a lifetime”.
Many of the boxes suggest taking a vitamin or mineral supplement. Dave Wentz’s company, USANA, is a manufacturer of nutritional supplements and health products so let the reader beware. The book is easy to read with lots of white space, cartoons, shaded boxes and call out boxes that break up most pages and helps to minimize the sometimes heavy science content. The book’s website http://www.myhealthyhome.com/ offers an interactive experience based on the book and all proceeds from book sales are donated to The Children’s Hunger Fund.
Reviewed by: Judy Griggs, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, Ohio
Publication Information
Statement
Consumer Connections (ISSN 1535-7821) is the newsletter of the Consumer and Patient Information Section of the Medical Library Association. It is published on the CAPHIS website quarterly. Notification of publication is sent via the CAPHIS listserv. CAPHIS is the largest section of the Medical Library Association.
Newsletter articles and book reviews are copyrighted; please contact the editor for reprint permission.
Submissions
Please submit items for Consumer Connections during the third quarter for publication in the following quarter.
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| March | April-June |
| June | July-September |
| September | October-December |
| December | January-March |
Please send submissions in electronic format to the editor:
Nikki Dettmar
e-mail: snydern@u.washington.edu
Telephone: (206)543-3409
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