New trend findings of “underinsured” patients based on successful resolution of more than 48,000 cases by national, non-profit Patient Advocate Foundation in 2008

Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) – a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases – today released their annual Patient Data Analysis Report (PDAR), which includes detailed analysis of general and specific healthcare access and insurance trends at the national and state-specific level. Regarded as a thorough and reliable resource by policymakers, healthcare providers, stakeholders and other members of the healthcare community, this expert data analysis offers a comprehensive summary of issues impacting Americans’ access to healthcare.

PAF is on the frontlines of the healthcare access battle millions of Americans fight every day. Last year alone, PAF received in excess of 9.5 million contacts from patients, family members and care professionals requesting information and assistance. PAF’s professional senior patient navigators successfully managed 48,369 cases for patients that required direct, sustained mediation and arbitration services. Globally, more than sixty percent of all patients who contacted PAF in 2008 reported debt crisis issues as their primary concern. Ninety-three percent of these patients were insured through plans, but were still unable to obtain physician-prescribed healthcare despite coverage, reflecting an alarming trend of medical debt crisis issues in the nation’s healthcare system. Nearly eighty percent of PAF patients are cancer patients. The remaining twenty percent have chronic diseases including diabetes, COPD, hepatitis, asthma and osteoporosis.

“Each year, PAF is able to help more Americans gain access to the healthcare services they need, but we continue to see thousands of patients and family members struggle with rejected insurance claims, citing denials based on pre-existing conditions. In 2008, we have seen a dramatic increase in job loss and unemployment, as well as a shifting of cost burdens such as accelerated co-payments to the patient, creating significant access issues for patients nationwide,” said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, founder, president and CEO of PAF. “These challenges, in combination with caps on services, pharmaceutical products and medical devices and reduced annual benefit caps, pose serious risks for patients that can lead to life-or-death delays in treatment.”

PAF collects data from each patient case received throughout the year from PAF’s professional senior patient navigators. In addition to providing analysis of national healthcare trends, the PDAR highlights PAF’s 13-year history in resolving complex health insurance issues, such as benefit denials and appeals. Originally published in 1997, this data has been increasingly requested by lawmakers, MedPAC, congressional offices, academics and advocacy organizations. Since its inception in 1996, PAF has touched more than 30 million American lives.

“PAF proudly publishes the annual PDAR to provide an up-to-date snapshot of healthcare in America including vital healthcare and insurance trends that we hope can serve as a reference for healthcare policymakers and other stakeholders as they work to address the global healthcare crisis America now faces and reform the nation’s healthcare system,” added Davenport-Ennis.

For more information about Patient Advocate Foundation or to request a copy of the 2008 PDAR, please visit www.patientadvocate.org or call toll free (800) 532-5274.

Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.

Source: Patient Advocate Foundation


10th Annual State of the Air Report Publishes Local Air Quality Grades Online

The 10th annual American Lung Association State of the Air report released finds that six out of ten Americans — 186.1 million people — live in areas where air pollution levels endanger lives.

State of the Air 2009 acknowledges substantial progress against air pollution in many areas of the country, but finds nearly every major city still burdened by air pollution. Despite America’s growing “green” movement, the air in many cities became dirtier. The State of the Air report, found at www.stateoftheair.org, includes a national air quality “report card” that assigns A-F grades to communities across the country. The report also ranks cities and counties most affected by the three most widespread types of pollution (ozone–or smog, annual particle pollution, and 24-hour particle pollution levels) and details trends for 900 counties over the past decade.

“This should be a wakeup call. We know that air pollution is a major threat to human health,” said Stephen J. Nolan, American Lung Association National Board Chair. “When 60 percent of Americans are left breathing air dirty enough to send people to the emergency room, to shape how kids’ lungs develop, and to kill, air pollution remains a serious problem.”

The report finds that air pollution hovers at unhealthy levels in almost every major city, threatening people’s ability to breathe and placing lives at risk. Some of the biggest sources of air pollution, including dirty power plants, dirty diesel engines and ocean-going vessels, also worsen global warming.

“The more we learn, the more urgent it becomes for us to take decisive action to make our air healthier,” added Nolan.

Many cities, like Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore have made considerable improvements in their air quality over the past decade. People living in some of these cities however, are breathing even dirtier air than what was reported in the Lung Association’s 2008 report. Only one city – Fargo, N.D. – ranked among the cleanest in all three air pollution categories covered in State of the Air.

Ozone

Sixteen cities making this year’s 25 most ozone-polluted list experienced worsened ozone (smog) problems than last year’s report found. Fifty-eight percent of people in the United States live in counties with recorded unhealthy levels of ozone air pollution, measured against the tighter standard in effect since March 2008. The new standard showed that unhealthy ozone levels are more widespread and more severe than previously recognized. The report’s review of the past 10 years identified consistent improvements in ozone in some cities, most notably Los Angeles, which has long been recognized for its serious ozone problem. By contrast, two cities, Dallas-Ft. Worth and Las Vegas, have higher ozone levels than 10 years ago. The report reviewed all previous data against the new EPA standard to appropriately trace the trends.

Ozone is the most widespread form of air pollution. When inhaled, ozone irritates the lungs, resulting in something like a bad sunburn. The health effects of breathing ozone pollution can be immediate. Ozone can cause wheezing, coughing and asthma attacks. Breathing ozone pollution can even shorten lives.

“More than 175 million Americans live in areas with unhealthy smog levels–that’s 80 million more than we identified in last year’s report,” explained Charles D. Connor, American Lung Association President and CEO. “We at the American Lung Association believe that the new ozone standard is not yet strong enough to protect human health–an opinion nearly all scientific experts share.”

Particle Pollution

State of the Air grades counties for both 24-hour and year-round particle pollution levels. Particle pollution is a toxic mix of microscopic soot, diesel exhaust, chemicals, metals and aerosols. It is the most dangerous and deadly of the outdoor air pollutants that are widespread in America. Breathing in particle pollution can increase the risk of early death, heart attacks, strokes and emergency room visits for asthma and cardiovascular disease.

One in six people in the United States lives in an area with unhealthy year-round levels of fine particle pollution (termed annual average levels). Nine cities in the list of the 25 most polluted by year-round particle pollution showed measurable improvement, including five cities that reported their best year-round levels since the Lung Association began tracking this pollutant: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Atlanta, York, Pa., and Lancaster, Pa. The annual average level of particle pollution worsened in a dozen cities, including Bakersfield, Calif., Los Angeles and Houston.

Roughly 3 in 10 Americans live in counties with unhealthful spikes of particle pollution which can last from hours to days (termed 24-hour levels). Thirteen cities had more days–or more severe days–of spikes than in last year’s report. Eleven cities have improved continually since the 2007 report.

Emerging research has redefined the severity and immediate health impacts of particle pollution and ozone, as well as an expanded definition of specific groups at great risk. New data show that women in their 50’s may be particularly threatened by air pollution and that diesel truck drivers and dockworkers who are forced to breathe exhaust on the job may face a greater risk of developing lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. California researchers have tripled their estimate of the number of people that particle pollution kills each year in their state.

“The science is rock-solid. We now know that air pollution can impair the lung function of even the healthiest people,” said Norman H. Edelman, MD, American Lung Association Chief Medical Officer. “Air pollution worsens asthma and is a direct cause of heart attacks, which makes people living with lung and heart disease especially vulnerable.”

Low income people and some racial and ethnic groups often face greater risk from pollutants. Pollution sources like factories and power plants may be closer to their homes. Many live near areas with heavy highway traffic or have poor access to health care, which makes them even more vulnerable. Some racial and ethnic groups have a higher prevalence of diseases like asthma or diabetes, which compounds the ill effects of air pollution for these groups.

“We need to renew our commitment to providing healthy air for all our citizens–a commitment the United States made almost 40 years ago when Congress passed the Clean Air Act,” Connor said. “After four decades, we still have much work to do. America needs to cut emissions from big polluters like coal-fired power plants and ocean-going vessels. We need to fix old dirty diesel engines to make them cleaner and strengthen the ozone standards to better protect our health. We also need to improve the decaying infrastructure of air monitors. America must now enforce the laws that help us improve our nation’s air quality.”

As America faces the challenges of air pollution, global warming and energy, the American Lung Association urges Congress, the EPA and individuals to choose solutions that help solve all three challenges together. Some steps that sound like good solutions for one problem can make air pollution worse.

Americans can make personal changes to improve air quality immediately and ultimately impact climate change as well: drive less; don’t burn wood or trash; use less electricity; and make sure local school systems require clean school buses.

NATION’S CLEANEST CITIES
Cleanest U.S. Cities for Short-term Particle Pollution (24 Hour PM2.5)
*Cities below had equal scores.

Alexandria, La.
Amarillo, Texas
Austin-Round Rock, Texas
Bismarck, N.D.
Brownsville-Harlingen-Raymondville, Texas
Cheyenne, Wyo.
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Corpus Christi-Kingsville, Texas
Fargo-Wahpeton, N.D.-Minn.
Farmington, N.M.
Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo.
Grand Junction, Colo.
Longview-Marshall, Texas
Midland-Odessa, Texas
Oklahoma City-Shawnee, Okla.
Portland-Lewiston-South Portland, Maine
Pueblo, Colo.
Redding, Calif.
Salinas, Calif.
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif.
Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, Calif.
Santa Fe-Espanola, N.M.
Sioux Falls, S.D.
Tucson, Ariz.

10 Cleanest U.S. Cities for Long-term Particle Pollution (Annual PM2.5)
*Cities listed in rank order. Duplicate position numbers indicate ties.

1. Cheyenne, Wyo.
2. Santa Fe-Espanola, N.M.
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Great Falls, Mont.
4. Flagstaff, Ariz.
6. Farmington, N.M.
6. Anchorage, Alaska
8. Tucson, Ariz.
9. Bismarck, N.D.
9. Salinas, Calif.

Cleanest U.S. Cities for Ozone Air Pollution
*Cities below had equal scores.

Billings, Mont.
Carson City, Nev.
Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
Fargo-Wahpeton, N.D.-Minn.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Laredo, Texas
Lincoln, Neb.
Port St. Lucie-Sebastian-Vero Beach, Fla.
Sioux Falls, S.D.

Nation’s Most Polluted Cities

10 U.S. Cities Most Polluted by Short-term Particle Pollution (24 Hour PM2.5)

*Cities listed in rank order. Duplicate position numbers indicate ties.

1. Pittsburgh-New Castle, Pa.
2. Fresno-Madera, Calif.
3. Bakersfield, Calif.
4. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif.
5. Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman, Ala.
6. Salt Lake City-Ogden-Clearfield, Utah
7. Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Yuba City, Calif.-Nev.
8. Logan, Utah
9. Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City, Ill.-Ind.-Wis.
9. Detroit-Warren-Flint, Mich.

10 U.S. Cities Most Polluted by Year-Round Particle Pollution (Annual PM2.5)

*Cities listed in rank order.

1. Bakersfield, Calif.
2. Pittsburgh-New Castle, Pa.
3. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif.
4. Visalia-Porterville, Calif.
5. Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman, Ala.
6. Hanford-Corcoran, Calif.
7. Fresno-Madera, Calif.
8. Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.
9. Detroit-Warren-Flint, Mich.
10. Cleveland-Akron-Elyria, Ohio

10 U.S. Cities Most Polluted by Ozone
*Cities listed in rank order.

1. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif.
2. Bakersfield, Calif.
3. Visalia-Porterville, Calif.
4. Fresno-Madera, Calif.
5. Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, Texas
6. Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Yuba City, Calif.-Nev.
7. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
8. Charlotte-Gastonia-Salisbury, N.C.-S.C.
9. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz.
10. El Centro, Calif.

Visit www.lungusa.org to search local air quality grades by zip code and to send messages to Congress and the Obama Administration to urge action to protect the air we breathe.


Swine Influenza Outbreak – How to Stay Healthy

As world health leaders work vigorously to consider action to combat the outbreak of swine influenza, the Consumer Specialty Products Association says taking simple precautions can help consumers stay healthy.

“The swine influenza outbreak is something everyone should take seriously,” said Chris Cathcart, CSPA President. “There are several preventive measures consumers can take to keep themselves and their families healthy now and throughout the year to help prevent the spread of dangerous germs.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the spread of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is “thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing or people with the influenza.” The CDC says “germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.”

CSPA recommends consumers take the following precautions to help keep themselves healthy:

  • Clean and disinfect surface areas frequently.
  • Use disinfectants or sanitizers properly by following label directions to kill germs on commonly touched surfaces such as telephones and keyboards, and doorknobs and countertops.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to avoid contaminating commonly touched surfaces.
  • Limit close contact with others who have a cold or the flu.
  • Avoid contact with others when you have a cold or the flu. When possible stay home from work or school and keep your germs to yourself.
  • For more information, visit www.aboutgerms.com.

Source: Consumer Specialty Products Association


Nano-Silver Swine Flu Protection

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Apr 28,2009

American Med Tech, Inc. offered a specially assembled home protection kit for swine flu based on the germ killing power of silver.

“We spent the entire weekend assembling swine flu kits from existing inventory already boxed in pre-paid overnight FED-EX boxes,” said David B. Phillips, Ph.D. CEO.

Additionally, Dr. Phillips reports: “We have been selling our nano-silver based medical hygiene products for the last 5 years. Our silver ion based products were developed as a cure for the highly contagious skin disease Molluscum Contagioisum and to protect the delicate skin of diabetics. The problem with washing your hands with normal hand cleaners to kill swine flu virus is that they contain harsh chemicals. Your hands may be clean immediately after washing, but the harsh chemicals make your skin vulnerable to infections minutes afterward. Silver ions are used in hospitals and medical equipment to kill germs and virus non-invasively and is completely safe for children and older people. “

Finally, Dr. Phillips told reporters today: “Swine flu is transferred by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Even touching your hair if it has virus that has settled on it and then touching your nose can infect you, so we have protection for your hair, hands, nasal and oral cavities as well. All our products are hypo-allergenic.”

“We have had inquiries from all over the globe today. We will focus on protecting the U.S. residents first.”

The company has 1,000 kits available now and is now running 3 shifts this week to keep up with the expected demand. Inquiries can be made at www.rebuildermedical.com, the sales arm for American Med Tech, Inc.

Source: American Med Tech, Inc.


IROs Help Determine Medical Necessity of Growth Hormone Therapy

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Apr 27,2009

Today the human growth hormone (HGH) industry approaches $2 billion a year. It claims benefits for enhancing athletic performance, anti-aging and stimulating growth. Unfortunately, many of these remain unproven says NAIRO, trade association of independent review organizations (IROs) whose members see daily requests from health plans asking about the medical necessity of growth hormone therapies (www.nairo.org).

Because of its dangers, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tightly controls HGH and prohibits doctors from prescribing it for any use the agency has not specifically approved. For example, if doctors prescribe the drug to enhance athletic performance or reverse aging they are breaking the law.

“There’s much confusion about growth hormone therapy, even among healthcare professionals,” said Joyce Muller, NAIRO president. “Health plans wanting to determine the approved uses and standard of care for the drug should consult an IRO.”

Limited Approval for Children

The FDA has approved HGH for children to treat rare genetic conditions, such as Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) or Pituitary Dwarfism where it has shown therapeutic benefits. In all cases, HGH treatment requires the assistance of a pediatric endocrinologist. Although it has some rare side effects, treatment with synthetic (recombinant) HGH is generally safe. FDA approved uses include idiopathic short stature, growth-hormone deficiency, and chronic kidney disease.

Anti-aging and Performance Enhancement Unproven

In 2002, the National Institute on Aging sponsored the most comprehensive single study on the anti-aging effects of HGH. It discovered marginal benefits and significant side effects. It warned that HGH should be limited “to controlled research studies” and not widely prescribed.

Despite professional sports outlawing HGH, the belief persists that it makes athletes stronger and faster. Nevertheless, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support this.

The FDA approves HGH in adults only for relatively rare diseases–adult growth hormone deficiency and the wasting syndrome of late stage AIDS. In these treatments, after diagnosing patients with extensive blood tests doctors must monitor them closely.

Unapproved used of HGH can lead to increased health problems including diabetes, heart problems, liver problems, kidney problems, cancer, or death. Moreover, purchasing HGH online is risky because of the possible lack of quality control by manufacturers not approved by the FDA that can result in contamination by other drugs or steroids. Additionally, HGH misuse and its related side effects can increase health plan administrative and litigation costs that cause consumer premiums to rise.

“Health plans should be cautious about approving HGH therapies,” Muller said. “Because HGH carries sanctions for indications not approved by the FDA, health plans must consider the medical necessity of each case carefully to protect themselves, their providers, and their members. IROs can help them determine whether there’s a real medical need.”

Source: NAIRO


Hospitals are cutting services and staff, while more patients are in need of assistance

Six out of ten hospitals nationally are seeing a greater proportion of patients without insurance coming through their emergency departments, according to a new survey from the American Hospital Association (AHA). At the same time, nearly half of hospitals reported they have cut staff. Recent employment information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms that hospital employment is no longer growing and that the number of mass layoffs for hospitals reported in February was more than double what it was a year ago.

The majority of hospitals reported that fewer patients are seeking inpatient and elective services; however, many hospitals are seeing more patients covered by Medicaid and other public programs for those in need. Need for hospital-subsidized services such as clinics, screenings and outreach is increasing even as charitable contributions are down for many hospitals.

“Today’s findings signal what many of us in health care are concerned about: people put off care when they lose their job, which can complicate health care issues for many down the road,” said AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock. “At the same time, the fact that hospitals are cutting staff challenges the notion that hospitals are recession-proof.”

The survey also found that the economy is affecting hospitals with nine in 10 hospitals making cutbacks to help weather the economic storm. At the same time, more than one in five hospitals reported reducing services their community depends on, such as behavioral health programs, post acute care, clinics and patient education.

“Community need for care remains high and in these tough times, communities turn to their local hospital,” Umbdenstock said. “Hospitals are walking a tightrope, trying to balance the growing needs of their communities with today’s economic challenges.”

Despite taking these steps, the majority of hospitals are seeing a moderate or significant decline in their financial health in 2009 versus the same period in 2008. Many hospitals are struggling to make ends meet with over 40 percent expecting losses in the first quarter of 2009, jeopardizing their mission of caring for their communities. The majority of hospitals reported that fewer patients are seeking inpatient hospital care or elective care, further shrinking the resources hospitals rely on to meet the health needs of their communities. Financial measures such as days cash on hand that are important to creditors are slipping. If key measures fall below a certain level, creditors can require immediate repayment of borrowed money.

Nearly all hospitals report that their ability to borrow funds to make improvements is getting worse or remains challenging. In a December survey, many hospitals reported that it was significantly more difficult or even impossible to access tax-exempt bonds and other sources of capital to make improvements. Nearly eight of 10 hospitals have stopped, postponed or scaled back projects such as facility upgrades as well as clinical and information technology planned or already in progress.

The survey, AHA’s second about the economic downturns impact on patients and communities hospitals serve, was sent to all 4,946 community hospitals in March.

1,078 responses were received, broadly representative of the universe of hospitals. A full copy of the report can be found at www.aha.org/economy. Video clips of hospital representatives sharing stories of how the economic downturn is affecting their patients and communities can be found on YouTube(TM) at www.youtube.com/AHAAnnualMeeting.

Source: American Hospital Association


Meningitis cases hit record low

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Apr 26,2009

Thousands of lives saved thanks to vaccine success

Cases of bacterial meningitis in children are at a record low thanks to NHS immunisation programmes, Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced

To coincide with World Meningitis Day, a new report by the Director of Immunisation, Professor David Salisbury, highlights the success of childhood vaccines against the three main strains of meningitis:

  • Since the Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine was introduced in 1992, cases of this disease, which can cause meningitis, have dropped by 99 per cent from about 800 cases a year to a record low of 12 cases last year in children under five.
  • Since the Meningitis C vaccine was introduced in 1999, deaths from the disease have fallen from as many as 79 to an average of less than one death a year.
  • In the two years since the pneumococcal vaccine was introduced, it is estimated that over 900 serious cases have been prevented, saving over 50 lives.

In the next three years, a vaccine against the last significant cause of bacterial meningitis, group B meningococcal disease, is a very real prospect. It means attempts to bring the disease most feared by parents to its knees could be in sight.

Meningitis and septicaemia can be difficult to spot in young children. The bacterial form of the diseases is fatal in one in ten cases and urgent treatment is required. Many of those who recover are left with long-term
conditions including hearing loss, brain damage, paralysis, and seizures.

Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, said: “In just over 15 years, thanks to the NHS immunisation programme, cases of meningitis are at a record low. This is thanks to decades of research by scientists and dedication of NHS staff, and with the support of parents.

“The immunisation programme continues to improve and, last year, the first vaccine against cancer was introduced. All girls up to the age of 18 can now arm themselves against cervical cancer – saving up to 400 lives each year.

“When the NHS was established 60 years ago, everyone knew someone touched by childhood disease. Today, thankfully, people barely know what polio and rubella are.”

Department of Health Director of Immunisation, Professor David Salisbury, said: “I am pleased to submit this report, published during European Immunisation Week, which highlights the great strides the NHS continues to take towards not just treating patients but preventing ill-health.

“According to the World Health Organization, vaccination sits alongside clean water as the public health measure that’s had the biggest positive impact on the world’s health.

“Thanks to our immunisation programme, 1000s of children, young people and their families have been – and will continue to be spared the misery of meningitis, polio, measles, and even cervical cancer.”

The UK’s three leading meningitis charities – Meningitis Research Foundation, Meningitis Trust and Meningitis UK – are raising awareness about World Meningitis Day on April 25.

Sue Davie, speaking on behalf of the charities, said: “We see the devastating impact of meningitis on people every day. There are vaccines for some forms of bacterial meningitis which are part of the UK childhood immunisation programme, saving many lives since their introduction.

It is really encouraging that a Meningitis B vaccine is in the pipeline but we must remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of the disease.”

Source: Department of Health UK


Electronic Pedigree Services Enable Small and Mid-Sized Drug Companies to Adopt “Smart” Drug Safety Technology

IBM and contract manufacturer and third party logistics provider Golden State Medical Supply (GSMS)  announced the two companies have worked together to help drug companies comply with stringent prescription drug pedigree regulations in advance of state and federal mandates.

Global counterfeit drug sales will grow at almost twice the rate of legitimate pharmaceutical commerce by 2010 according to estimates from the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest. The organization predicts that the counterfeiting business will generate $75 billion in revenues in 2010 – a 92 percent increase from 2005. California has lead the nation with landmark prescription drug regulations which aim to protect California consumers from these potentially lethal drugs.

Using IBM technology, GSMS is now able to act in accordance with California’s law which take effect in 2015, as well as new electronic pedigree regulations that are emerging in other states and countries. Having used IBM’s system in its own operations, GSMS is now offering pedigree compliance services to pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking a quick and proven way of addressing regulations taking effect in California and around the world.

The pioneering work with GSMS overcomes many of the previous obstacles to creating an effective electronic pedigree program faced by small to mid-size pharmaceutical companies. New improvements in technology, lower costs, as well as new industry standards for sharing and analyzing information are making it possible for drug companies of any size to ensure their drugs are authentic — while enabling the use of smart technology to track movement of drugs from the manufacturing floor to the pharmacy.

An electronic pedigree is an electronic record containing information on all the steps a pharmaceutical takes as it moves from the manufacturer, to wholesalers, and finally, to pharmacies or hospitals. California has mandated that these pedigrees be maintained in an interoperable electronic system so that all participants in the drug supply chain can access the electronic records.

“The pharmaceutical industry giants won’t have a problem complying with the California regulations, but many smaller players in the industry don’t have the resources to do it on their own,” said Jim Stroud, president and CEO, Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. “However, our company has been serializing at the saleable unit and RFID tagging at the case level since February of this year. The system IBM built for us will not only benefit GSMS, but also small and mid-sized drug manufacturers around the world.”

Serialized drug pedigree information is gathered by IBM’s WebSphere Premises Server software, and transmitted to IBM’s InfoSphere Traceability Server, which allows GSMS to manage and share information with trading partners to authenticate pharmaceuticals. The software is compliant with both GS1/EPCglobal’s Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) standard, and its Drug Pedigree Standard. In addition to using the IBM system for electronic pedigree, it can also address business needs such as chargeback resolution, targeted recall and expiration management.

“Now is the time for the pharmaceutical industry to inject technology into their operations to make the drugs we take safer,” said Katherine Holland, general manager, global life sciences, IBM. “The key to a smarter, safer drug supply is the use of a unique serial number on every bottle of medicine. Using IBM technology, GSMS can help drug manufacturers around the world address the growing threat of counterfeit drugs.”

Source: IBM


Harvard Medical School announced the launch of a new website to help men with prostate cancer and other prostate conditions understand the issues related to their condition and make smart, well-informed decisions regarding treatment.

The website, www.HarvardProstateKnowledge.org, was created by Dr. Marc Garnick, an internationally-renowned expert in medical oncology and urologic cancer. This website is especially timely given all of the recent discussion on prostate disease and the complex information that men and their families have to sort through.

“Many men diagnosed with prostate cancer rush to a specific treatment,” says Dr. Garnick, “but most men have time to learn about all of their options. There are many possible actions, including active surveillance, which involves watching the cancer to see if it progresses and treating it at a later time. Since there can be dramatic implications for both health and quality of life, it’s important to be well-informed.”

The new website provides multiple perspectives on how best to treat prostate disease, including prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostatitis, as well as erectile dysfunction and low testosterone levels.

“The public continues to be presented with conflicting medical and scientific data regarding many aspects of prostate diseases, including prostate cancer,” Dr. Garnick notes. “We created www.HarvardProstateKnowledge.org as a tool to help men and their partners get the information they need to ask the right questions of their doctors.”

The site draws upon the expertise of the extensive medical staff within Harvard Medical School and its teaching hospitals, as well as that of international thought leaders on prostate disease. It includes interviews and group discussions with faculty experts and first-hand accounts from patients and their families. The website also features video and interactive tools and will be updated regularly.

An open website, www.HarvardProstateKnowledge.org is available free to the public, made possible through funding from several philanthropic families. Dr. Garnick is a clinical professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and editor in chief of Perspectives on Prostate Disease, a quarterly publication for patients. He is also the author of A Patient’s Guide to Prostate Cancer, and he maintains an active clinical practice at the Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Source: Harvard Health Publications


100 Genealogy Resources to Discover Your Ancestry

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Apr 23,2009

Research and discover your ancestry with these 100 tools to get you started building a family tree. Trace back as far as you can find and share your results with friends and family. Many of the forums in this list will also garner you a few new friends in the genealogy spectrum. Tracing your roots will give you insight into your family’s past and give you an edge in your own forensic education endeavors.

  1. Genetree: You belong here—Genealogy for the electronic age. Genetree lets you forgo traditional genealogy research methods (dusty books and more library visits than you can shake a family tree at) for a free electronic database that helps you find your connections all over the world!
  2. Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation: Growing the Genetic Family Tree One Branch at a Time—Also offering an online genealogy search engine, the SMGF site focuses primarily on DNA. Going off of a DNA database of samples submitted by volunteers, the site offers “participation kits” that lets you join the database, helping family find you even as you’re finding them.
  3. mitosearch—This no frills search engine is ideal for those who want to quickly begin their genealogical research. You can also compare yourself to users of the site, offering a useful way to find new friends—and even old family.
  4. WorldGenWeb Project—While offering search engines like many sites, WorldGenWeb is much more specific, hosting specific websites for different regions across the globe. These regions are easy to search, and maintained by volunteers—and the site is always looking for those willing to help others in their genealogical quests.
  5. The Federation of East European Family History Societies—Named one of the 101 best sites for genealogy, this site offers a little of everything for genealogical researchers. Hosting resources for different regions and featuring heritage websites of different members, this site’s primary focus is more academic in nature, offering links to various genealogical journals and conferences from around the world.
  6. Access Genealogy: A Free Genealogy Resource—Another no-frills site, Access Genealogy has resources broken down into very specific areas. These include cemetery records, military records, census records, Bible records, and more!
  7. The Ancestry Insider—This site has one very specific purpose: to analyze all aspects of Ancestry.com and Familysearch.com. Sometimes this means defending them, and sometimes it means criticizing them…in all of their actions, however, the site serves as a valuable resource for keeping the world of genealogical research honest.
  8. FamilySearch—The aforementioned FamilySearch offers a quick, registration-free search for ancestors. It also helps you find your nearest family history center—ideal for those eager to pursue genealogy, and not knowing where to begin.
  9. Ancestry.com—Also featuring a free family search, Ancestry.com offers a good mixture of quick searches and in-depth records. Additionally, it offers “recent buzz” about genealogy from sources like the LA Times and USA Today, helping you keep track of rising trends in genealogy.
  10. DistantCousin.com: Archive of Genealogical Data and Document Images—While it does offer the online surname search you’ve come to expect, DistantCousin.com packs in some pleasant surprises. These primarily include image records (such as newspapers, obituaries, and school yearbooks), which supplement the directories in helping you find ancestral information.
  11. Family Tree Magazine—This site provides an ideal beginning for researching your genealogy. It features free how-tos, free downloadable forms, an active forum and a monthly podcast, in addition to offering deep discounts on the print magazine.
  12. FamilySearch Labs: Future Tools to Dig Up the Past—User participation is at the forefront of FamilySearch Labs: as they put, they need your input to “refine new ideas” about genealogy technologies that “aren’t ready for prime time.” More of a site for the leisurely researcher, this offers you an opportunity to find a diamond in the rough—one of these unmarketed projects may hold the key to your genealogy!
  13. Find a Grave—As the name implies, this site’s specialty is in helping you find images of graves, whether of famous people or of your own ancestors. As an added bonus, there’s a discussion forum and a macabre online store of grave-related paraphernalia.
  14. Heritage Quest Online—This no frills site offers quick access to census records, books, and specialized databases. Having been around for 10 years, Heritage Quest is a genealogy search that you can trust.
  15. Internment.net: Cemetery Records Online—This site offers transcriptions from over 5,000 cemeteries across the world. In addition to offering regional searches and an informative blog, Internment.net also lets you publish your own transcriptions online.
  16. MortalitySchedules.com: free search through census mortality schedules—Specializing in offering information above and beyond what was put into census data, this site offers a new way of exploring genealogy. Searches are broken down by state, rather than region, making your inquires more specific.
  17. GenealogyBank.com: Explore Your Family in History—Boasting the largest newspaper archive for family history research, this site is an invaluable resource for your research. Offering monthly, annual, and trial subscriptions, this site’s ready access to over 2400 historical newspapers and documents will keep you coming back for more.
  18. Footnote: The Place for Original Historical Documents Online—Offering a search by names, events, or dates, this site also features a high level of user participation. Featuring over 2500 uploads by members per week, this membership site offers a chance for you to join an entire community of genealogy enthusiasts.
  19. Newspaper Abstracts: Finding Our Ancestors in the News!—As the name implies, this site lets you search newspapers by state, county, and event. Precise information is supplied about the paper itself, making it easier for you to obtain the full article.
  20. We Relate—As “the world’s largest genealogy Wiki,” this site features pages for over 2 million people. The highlight of the site is its community portal, combining the features of information encyclopedias and social networking sites.
  21. FamilyLink.com: growing closer—One of the top 500 Web companies in the world, FamilyLink is a social networking site with over 31 million users. In its quest to help family members find each other, FamilyLink has defined over 150 million relationships since its inception in 2007.
  22. WorldVitalRecords.com—This searchable database features over a billion available records. Hosting several major collections as well as the latest in genealogy news, this site is an all-purpose stop for your research.
  23. Bureau of Land Management: General Land Office Records—This government-run site provides access to Federal land conveyance records for all Public Land States. This includes image access to over 3 million Federal land title records issued between 1820 and 1908, offering a visual tour of both federal and family histories.
  24. The USGenWeb Project: Land of the Free…Genealogy—This easy-to-navigate site provides access to free genealogy websites at all levels. This includes state, county, and even national searches, making this volunteer-run site an impressive wealth of info.
  25. USGS: Geographic Names Information System—Another government site, USGS epitomizes the no-frill site. This resource lets you search, by name, for various landmarks, from woods to bars and everything in-between.
  26. Special Collections and Family History—This specialized site lets you search by groom and bride marriages to delve further into genealogical history. It also lets you browse by counties and states, letting you track Cupid’s arrow through your family history.
  27. Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names Online—Offering a unique way of searching for genealogical history, the Getty Thesaurus specializes in finding information about family when you have too little or—ironically—too much information. You can search by multiple names (ideal for families that experienced a name-change), but you can also search by limited info—if you know a city a relative lived in but do not know what the corresponding state is, it will search all possible matches, helping you narrow things down.
  28. Genealogy Insider—Sponsored by Family Tree Magazine, this blog offers non-stop genealogy news from around the world. For researchers on the go, you can subscribe to their RSS feed for updates, and even follow them through Twitter.
  29. Now what? Expert Answers to Your Genealogy Questions—Another Family Tree blog site, this page focuses primarily on what to do after your genealogy has been researched. These focused entries include how to read old documents, converting old slides to digital formats, and even which for-pay database sites are really worth it.
  30. Family Tree Magazine Forum—This links you directly to Family Tree Magazine’s active community of forum-goers. The primary focus is on questions regarding various software and databases, from how to conduct surname searches to how Google Earth can help trace ancestry.
  31. The Ships List—A very specialized site, The Ships List focuses on passenger manifests on various ships, helping you to trace the comings and goings of your ancestors. Additionally, the site features immigration reports, newspaper records, ship pictures and more, giving you a 3-dimensional view of your high-seas legacy.
  32. Ellis Island: FREE Port of New York Passenger Records Search—Originally envisioned by Ronald Reagan as a simple restoration project of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, this project eventually yielded a searchable database of immigration records. Requiring no subscription at all, this site is ideal for retrieving information about your ancestors’ arrival to America.
  33. CastleGarden.org—Offering a wonderful complementary service to the previous site, Castle Garden offers Ellis Island-related immigration information for the years 1830 through 1892. Subscription-free and easy to navigate, this site lets you begin searching immigration records immediately.
  34. The National Archives—This site preserves the 1-3% of documents and materials produced each year by the US Government, forever. In addition to providing valuable information about family histories and military records, this site features amazing information on budgets and rules, as well as a wealth of informational resources.
  35. Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild: Bringing Our Ancestors Home. Reuniting Our Families—Another highly-specialized site, the ISTG page offers you an opportunity to search the records of immigrant ships spanning nearly 400 years. As an added bonus, the site helps link you up with genealogists living in the cities of your ancestors, allowing you to form ties across the globe in tracing your family history down.
  36. Genealogy Today: Because Your Ancestors Are Waiting!—This site’s focus is on very specific searchable collections, in addition to their genealogy search. These collections include funeral cards, railroad employees, and even criminal records!
  37. Family Tree Connection—Offering subscriptions for as little as $2.50 a month, Family Tree Connection offers it own special blend of highly specific databases. These include school records, church memberships, employment and tax records, and even old telephone directories!
  38. AfriGeneas: African Ancestored Genealogy—Devoted to African-American genealogy, Afrigeneas offers interactive chats with other members in addition to its vast array of searchable records. The specialty of the records is finding the last slaveholder and first African in every family, offering an amazing link to the past.
  39. Documenting the American South Homepage—Sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this site features uniquely southern perspectives on history and culture in America. Offering text, images, and other material, this site is invaluable for students, teachers, and genealogy researchers alike.
  40. Lowcountry Africana—This specific site is dedicated to documenting families and heritages of African-Americans in “the historic rice-growing areas of South Carolina, Georgia and…northeastern Florida.” This site offers a valuable mixture of informative articles, key websites, and research materials.
  41. Afro-Lousiana History and Genealogy—Run by Dr. Gwendolyn Hall (professor emeriti of history at Rutgers University), this site features a search engine derived from her own extensive research. Tracing the genealogy of African-Americans in the Louisiana area from 1699-1860, this site is amazing for scholars and genealogical researchers alike.
  42. American Battle Monuments Commission—This government-run site has a very specific purpose: letting you research information about soldiers interred overseas. Offering a wealth of information, this site specializes in overseas-interred soldiers from World Wars I and II as well as the Korean War.
  43. Civil War: Soldiers and Sailors System—Another government-run site, this page focuses on quick searches for simple information regarding sources on both sides of the Civil War. In addition to specific searches, the site features specific soldiers, sailors, regiments, battles, and more.
  44. American Civil War—The focus of this site is community interaction. It features interactive battle maps, forum discussions, insightful polls and links to the most recent Civil War information.
  45. eHistory—Run by the Department of History at Ohio State University, this site features a rare treat: a searchable database of “The Official Records of the War of Rebellion” (the Civil War). In addition to this awesome resource, eHistory features book reviews, timelines, maps, and more Civil War info than anyone can process in a single sitting.
  46. United States Department of Veterans Affairs—The primary focus of this governmental site is allowing you to search for the gravesites of deceased service men and women. Additionally, it offers info about military burials—from honors and burial benefits to (and this is most important to genealogy) obtaining military records and medals.
  47. The American Civil War: forging a more perfect union—The official National Park Service Civil War web site, this site serves as an all-purpose destination for information regarding the Civil War. This information comes in the form of info about Civil War parks, Civil War lesson plans, and information about how you can participate in preserving historic American battlefields from the Civil War.
  48. Library of Virginia: Military Records and Resources—This site has a single purpose: allowing you to search military documents, including payrolls and pension records. Serving more as an informational hub than a database itself, this site prominently features useful search engines and collection guides to help in your genealogical research.
  49. Louisiana State Archives: Genealogy and History Section—An utterly no-frills site, these archives are invaluable for those researching ancestors in Louisiana. This site requires no subscription or other forms of registration, allowing you to search immediately!
  50. New York State Archives: Where History Goes on Record—This site focuses on military service persons, allowing you to search by regiment, specialty, and race. In addition to these searchable archives, the site provides countless pages of information on the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I and more.
  51. Pennsylvania State Archives—Like its name implies, this site offers you access to various sections of Pennsylvania’s Archives Records Information Access System. Highlights for genealogy researchers include archives for National Guardsmen, Civil War vets, Revolutionary War files, and more.
  52. Archives and Manuscripts: Texas State Library and Archives Commission—Like it sounds, this site focuses on various Texan documents, such as maps, Confederate pension applications, and even the (not yet fully prepared) records of George W. Bush. This site is an amazing resource for those tracing their ancestors through the Lone Star state.
  53. Archives of Maryland Online—This site provides quick access to over 471,000 historical documents from Maryland’s government. The ability to search fiscal, land, military, and even probate records will help you track your ancestry to and through the great state of Maryland.
  54. Arizona Department of Health Services: “Leadership for a Healthy Arizona”—The ability to search through Arizona’s birth and death records is this site’s primary specialty. For those tracking ancestry through Arizona, this site is an awesome resource, complete with information to contact them quickly if you need help.
  55. The Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection—This no-frills site provides exactly what it sounds like: a searchable archive of Colorado’s newspapers. The site also lets you browse papers as well—an ideal solution for those who don’t have full information before beginning their search.
  56. Florida Memory: State Library and Archives of Flordia—This specialized collection offers a sunshine state’s worth of info about Florida, including World War I service cards, Florida’s early constitutions, Spanish Land Grants, and more. Of particular note to art-minded genealogical researchers is The Florida Folklife Collection, offering 88 individual series documenting Florida’s cultural and historical contributions.
  57. Illinois State Archives—This Illinois-specific site offers a wealth of information on Illinois war veterans. Additionally, the site links to records in a variety of Illinois universities, offering a selection of academic resources beyond measure.
  58. Maine.gov: Official Website of the State of Maine—Obviously focused on Maine records, this site offers genealogical research drawing from court, census, land office, military, and local records. One nice feature of this site is the ability to instantly consult librarians, making your own genealogical research that much smoother.
  59. Making of America—This digital library focuses on the social history of America from the antebellum period to the reconstruction period. You can search for specific terms or people, or simply skip to a subject search, making this no-frills site as navigation-friendly as it is browser-friendly.
  60. Massachusetts Archive—While offering a vital records search, this site primarily focuses on Massachusetts history, from 1841-1910. This site is backed up by the actual archive in Massachusetts, making it a natural stop for those whose research takes them to Massachusetts.
  61. Minnesota Historical Society: People Finder—Also named one of the 101 best genealogy websites by Family Tree Magazine, this site has all your needs covered when it comes searching Minnesota records. This includes searchable birth and death records, a census index, immigration resources, and more.
  62. Missouri State Archives: Research Room—While it is more famous for its documents about Jessie James and Harry Truman, these archives boast an impressive amount of searchable information. Their records (County, Judicial, Land, Military, and more) are paired up with an impressive set of photography and digital resources.
  63. New England Historic Genealogical Society – What separates this New England-centric searchable archive apart from the rest is its frequent updates. As of this writing, they’d added seven databases within the last month, which range from the census and cemetery records you’d expect to immigration sketches and Bible records.
  64. Oregon State Archives—In addition to providing an easy surname search through their archives, this site offers lots of information about Oregon itself. This includes historical and county records, as well as provisional and territorial records, providing your genealogical quest with maps, images, and much more.
  65. Washington State Digital Archives—Another no-frills site, the Washington State Digital Archives offers an easy search engine that peers through over 64 million records. While offering the standard collections as well (browse through birth, death, contractual, institutional records, and many more), it also offers rare audio records, helping to bring your past to life.
  66. Wisconsin Historical Society—Offering a searchable genealogy index as well as a genealogy service that can help you immensely, this site’s other focus is on Civil War records. They prominently feature Civil War service records, rosters, and other key information about Civil War vets.
  67. AncestralFindings.com—For those weary of various pay databases charges, this searchable genealogical index prominently features an assortment of free databases. It also includes loads of practical information, such as how to interview family members in order to dig up information about your familial past.
  68. American-French Genealogical Society: A genealogical and historical organization for French-Canadian research– This site’s specific mission is to preserve vanishing Franco-American traditions by helping users trace down their own ancestors through Canada’s emigrant past. Offering a mailing list, lending library, and other archival sources, this site will help trace your Canadian ancestry.
  69. Cyndi’s List of Genealogical Sites On the Internet—Just like it sounds, this site is Cyndi’s compiled list of sites, broken down by both region and circumstance (adoption, orphans, even oral history). What’s impressive here is not the site layout (though there is something to be said for its pleasant simplicity), but the sheer amount of sources she has found, making this a site you should bookmark immediately.
  70. The Genealogy Register—Providing thousands of links to surname, census, military, passenger records (and many more), this no-frills site gets you right into the action. It also has specific city directories and a helpful messageboard.
  71. Genealogy Spot– While offering links to various records on and offline, this site’s specialty is helping beginners start their genealogical search. It also offers a sobering reminder about double-checking the veracity of online searches, reminding researchers of the need to, well, re-search for corroborating info.
  72. Social Security Online: The Official Website of the U.S. Social Security Administration—A source that is often overlooked by genealogy researchers, Social Security Online has helpful guides to requesting records from various government agencies. And, of course, you can easily request help, on- and offline, for your search.
  73. Surname Genealogy Search—Billing itself as the first genealogy search that only needs your surname, the Surname Genealogy Search has been helping online researchers for almost 15 years. With one quick, you’ll have access to your surname referenced across the years and across the globe.
  74. Make Your Family Tree—After you’ve done some level of genealogy research, this site helps you form a family tree from your information. This site serves as a quick and easy guide for this crucial step of the genealogy process.
  75. Yourfamily.com: Online since 1996—Another decade-plus veteran site, Yourfamily.com helps you search for family, document findings, and even develop a family homepage. It also hosts a very specific message board, where you can request that folks help you track down specific people.
  76. rootsweb.com: Finding Our Roots Together—Another site ideal for beginners, rootsweb takes you through the entire genealogical process. It is also very community-oriented, hosting multiple pages for its own members, a mailing list, and a message board.
  77. National Genealogical Society—Founded over a century ago, NGS caters to novice and experienced historians alike. Their primary purpose is academic in nature, offering a wealth of trustworthy resources and online courses that will help hone your genealogical research skills.
  78. Caleb Johnson’s MayflowerHistory.com—This site is advertised as the “most complete and accurate” website for information on the Mayflower, Plymouth Colony, and the Pilgrims themselves. Now in its 15th year, this site is a treasure trove for teachers and genealogical researchers alike!
  79. The Linkages Projects—This site concentrates on its database on human communities from all over, offering over 150 ethnographic cases to aid your family research. Run by the University of California’s School of Social Sciences, this site is a scholar-friendly view of linked communities around the world.
  80. National Obituary Archive—This streamlined site lets you find obituaries from all over the world. Additionally, the site features family memorials, including a special section for September 11th memorials.
  81. JewishGen: The Home of Jewish Genealogy—As the name implies, this site focuses on genealogy research for those of Jewish heritage. In addition to its easy-to-use searches, the site features informative articles, active discussion groups, and links to various special projects.
  82. Kansas Interactive Genealogy—Short and to the point, this site features searches for genealogy, history, and travel regarding Kansas. You can easily add your own Kansas genealogy research to theirs online, helping out countless others with their searches.
  83. Lineages.com—For more than 25 years, Lineages, Inc. has traced over 100,000 family lines for their clients. In addition to searches, they offer information on helpful software and other products to aid you in your research.
  84. WWW Page Access Counter at Rootsweb—Part of the Rootsweb network of sites, this page offers a bevy of HTML tricks for creating your family history webpage. Offering visual examples of each trick, this is a great resource for soon-to-be webmasters.
  85. ProGenealogists: Trust Family History Research—This site primarily serves as a hub for other searches, offering you a convenient, one-stop shop for genealogy research online. Additionally, the site features a large amount of free resources, easy any researcher’s wallet in this rough economy.
  86. Ireland Roots—This free service has one goal: helping you uncover your Irish roots. Offering a healthy mixture of history, messageboards, and search resources, this site brings the luck of the Irish to your genealogical research.
  87. GenWriters: Writing for Future Generations—A very specific site, GenWriters helps you make the most of your written family histories. From quickstart resources to detailed bibliographies, this site has it all.
  88. FamilyTreeMaker—Run by ancestry.com, this site has everything you need to create your family tree. This includes software, tutorials, and a detailed set of frequently asked questions.
  89. Genealogy.com: Learning Center—This site offers how-tos, genealogy classes, and a wealth of other resources to help you research the past. Very newbie-friendly, this site walks you through every step of research, collaboration, and discovery.
  90. Genealogy Resources—This site offers 89 links to genealogy resources around the web. While offering no unique resources itself, this site belongs in any genealogy researcher’s web bookmarks.
  91. US National Archives: Records on Footnote—Representing millions of historic documents, this site gives equal exposure to documents, images, and indexes. Ideal for historians and genealogists alike, this site will keep you clicking again and again!
  92. Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter—A daily newsletter for genealogy enthusiasts, this site prides itself on “straight talk.” The blog-like format mixes in gentle humor with insightful news and commentary, making it an easy read for those who wish to stay informed about genealogy.
  93. National Archives Research Centers—As a break from all of the online research sites, this page has one focus: helping you locate national archives research centers all over America. For those willing to put their feet on the street for research, this site provides you with the very first step.
  94. Genealogy Resources—Another link repository site, Genealogy Resources provides dozens of useful sites to aid you in your research. Aside from the links, the big draw for this page is its collection of genealogy white papers, offering an invaluable archive for family researchers everywhere.
  95. The Genealogy Homepage—This no-frills link repository is helpfully broken down by region and subject. Operating for 15 years now, the Genealogy Homepage has received national attention through the New York Times, CNN, and has many more distinctions.
  96. University of Minnesota: Genealogy Resources—Focusing on genealogy information and resources for Minnesota, this site offers a mixture of helpful reference info and research about common surnames. While very specific, it is difficult to imagine a more thorough site for Minnesota genealogy.
  97. All Surnames Genealogy—The polar opposite of the more specific sites, this page provides an alphabetical list of all surnames. While it would likely be better to switch to more specific archives when you know more, this site is a great starting point, especially for beginners.
  98. Genealogy Resources by State—This government-run link archive does just what you’d imagine: linking you to specific genealogy resources for each state. This site allows you to research in relative comfort, as the links provided have been verified as reliable by the US government.
  99. KindredTrails.com–Linking the World Together With Roots—This site boasts of having the world’s largest family history library. With news, tutorials, and specialized collections, this site helps you find your family tree.
  100. WWW Virtual Library – American Indians: Index of Native American Genealogy Resources on the Internet—This Native-American-centric research site hosts information, links, and media regarding Native American matters. If you are searching for information about Native American ancestry (or just enjoy the historical information), this is the perfect site for you.

Now that you are on the right track to rediscovering where and whom you came from, share your family tree on a blog or in an email to encourage other genealogy enthusiasts to keep pursuing their roots too. You never know, you may even find a long lost cousin that way.


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