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National Poison Prevention Week
(03/15/10) More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the 61 Poison Control Centers across the country. More than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home. Do you know what to do if a child eats or drinks something poisonous? This week, during National Poison Prevention Week, learn how to prevent and react to poison emergencies. Keep the national poison control number, (800) 222-1222, readily available, and share this Poison Safety Checklist in your community.

Take Action with the HRSA.

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When you are in your doctor’s office, there is no such thing as a dumb question. To get the most out of your doctor’s visit, you need to be actively involved.  Remember that it is your health, you call the shots.  

The Foundation believes that the more you know, the healthier you'll be.


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 The National Health Council’s public education program, “Putting Patients First®,” is designed to help you take charge of your health care.  Three easy steps you can use from their program are:

  1.  Ask questions. There’s no faster way to understand your symptoms, your treatment, your do’s and don’ts. So, ask your doctor, your nurses, your therapists. Ask why, how and why not. Don’t be shy. Remember they all work for you. They’re there to answer your questions.

  2. Educate yourself. Read up on your condition and your medicines. Your library and the internet can provide a wealth of information. Smart patients stop acting like patients—and become partners in their health care treatment.

  3. Network with others. Whatever your condition, there are others out there, just like you. In fact, it’s assured that there is a national agency to help with your condition. Groups like the American Heart Association and the National Osteoporosis Foundation can put you in touch with people who know what you are going through. Many of these groups are National Health Council members and you can find them on the Council’s website

For additional information, please check out the following resources found on the National Health Council’s website.

  1.  How to Bring out the Best from Your Health Care Team provides eight easy to help prepare you for your next doctor’s visit. 
     

  2. Making Your Health Plan Work for You details steps for how you can navigate through your health plan.
     

  3. Patient’s Rights and Responsibilities encompasses the rights and responsibilities you have as a patient and what you should expect from your care.

 

 

About UHFTips

UHFTips is offered by United Health Foundation to provide support so people's health decisions are more informed and more evidence-based.

We encourage you to refer this site to others who may have similar questions.

Content on this site may be used freely.


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Please take a few moments to read a message about
UHFTips from

Dr. Reed V. Tuckson.