We have sourced a number of websites that we find helpful and informative for health, fitness and support information.

General
Family Doctor Provides a wealth of reliable health information written by doctors in New Zealand.

Aged
Age Conern- NZ :This nonprofit, charitable organisation promotes the quality of life and well-being of older people.Their website lists nationwide centres and services, highlights current affairs and government policy relating to older people, and provides many resources including their newpaper, Positive Living. It offers opportunity for e-mail feedback.The site provides links to many related websites. Age Concern runs several projects, outlined on the website.

Alcohol
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) :Although this is an Auckland AA site, contacts for centres throughout NZ are given plus a 24 hour 0800 telephone contact. The site offers background about the AA organisation, provides all meeting details within Auckland, and links to many resources.

Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Education (FADE) :The FADE website has sections on health and safety in the workplace and training for teachers; FAQ; an ordering system for a variety of resources; describes various drugs, their effects and risks; news and links; membership options and a novel debating section.

Allergy
The Allergy Centre :New Zealand based support group for people affected by allergy.

Food Anaphylactic Children :Austrailain site on practical tips for children with food allergies.

The American College of Asthma and Allergy :Includes articles on house dust mites ,latex allergy,food allergy and the control of asthma during pregnancy.

Arthritis (rheumatology)
Arthritis Foundation of New Zealand : Voluntary organisation and the site offers comprehesive information on treatments to ease symptoms of arthritis. The site includes contacts throughout NZ; a special youth section including a forum section; links to arthritis information sites and a e-mail feedback option. As a charitable organisation, it includes information on fundraising.

Asthma
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of NZ :All Kiwi site written especially for us. Also provides basic information on asthma societies around the country.

Bowels and digestion
Abdominal and Bowel Problems- The National Institutes of Health :This is an excellent site by The National Institutes of Health,containing many useful articles about common bowel ,liver and digestive conditions.

Cancer
Growth House, Inc : Designed for American users but contains information and advice for care of cancer sufferers that is relevant to New Zealand.

Breast Cancer Resource Centre :This site from the American Cancer Society Breast Resource Centre,contains good resources for further reading and in depth understanding.

Cancer Information- The American Cancer Society :This is an excellent site,providing in depth and readable information about various types of cancer.

Cancer- The National Cancer Institute :The National Cancer Institute has an excellent site for more in depth reading and information- there are doctor and patient sections as well.

Child Health
Virtual Children's Hospital : Detailed information about most childhood conditions.

Barnados :Barnardos children's charity aims to help New Zealand children reach their full potential. They offer a variety of childcare services, and protection for children at risk.
Their website offers information on the organisation, its childcare services and research and offers links to other support groups. The site outlines how to become a caregiver, and how to make donations. Resources and subscription are also available.

Diabetes
American Diabetes Association : Very comprehensive and has a 'Youthzone' section.

Diabetes -NZ :Diabetes NZ's website has a comprehensive section describing the condition, its range of treatments and care, and a diabetes dictionary. It has many links to related websites ranging from highly technical, to very user-friendly. It includes a separate kid's section and product supply section. The contact section has an e-mail address as well as an 0800 number.

Diabetes- The National Institutes of Health :This is an excellent site by The National Institutes of Health,with good in depth articles about many aspects of diabetic care.

ENT (ear, nose and throat)
American Academy of Head and Neck Surgery : Comprehensive patient information.

Family Planning
Family Doctor : Written for New Zealand and is accurate and easy to read.

Heart Disease
Heart Foundation of NZ : Resources for patients with various heart conditions.

Heart Children NZ : Support for parents of children with congenital heart conditions.

Hepatitis
British Liver Trust : General easy to read information on liver disorders including hepatitis A, B and C. There is also discussions on diet and liver disease.

Immunisation
Immunisation Action Coalition : Good educational information and good search facility.

Immunet : New Zealand focus with a good article which addresses many of the reoccuring issues around the age old question 'To vaccinate or not- That is not the question'.

Immunisation Advisory Centre :Contains details about the current New-Zealand childhood vaccination schedule.Also has other good sections including information and questions and links to other sites.

Infertility
American Society of Reproductive Medicine : Excellent information in the form of fact sheets and frequently asked questions.

Mental Health
Mental Health Foundation-NZ :This is a non-profit foundation with a vision of a mentally healthy country.This site provides an index system for conditions leading to extensive information for each, including specific links and contacts. E-mail and telephone contacts are listed for all staff and offices. The site has a virtual bookstore for journals, book lending, tapes, videos and statistics. The site has a news and links section as well as a glossary of terms.

The Anxiety and Panic Internet Resource : Concentrates on anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder.

Mental Health.Com :This site edited by a Canadian Psychiatrist is an excellent starting point for more detailed reading on a wide variety of mental health issues.

Schizophrenia Fellowship-NZ :The Fellowship is a voluntary organisation helping people cope with schizophrenia and related disorders.The site has contacts for 18 NZ branches, including e-mail addresses; links to many international sites; a FAQ section; and a section on Family Rights. All available resources are listed and their newsletter is online. They have a press section, listing recent media attention on the condition.

Neurology
Brain Injury Association :Provides information, advocacy and support to people with brain injury and their families.

Epilepsy- NZ :Epilepsy NZ's website offers comprehensive information on the condition; links to other websites including a summary of each website; a first aid section; and a list of contacts throughout NZ. It offers specific information about children with epilepsy, and information on membership and donations.

British Epilepsy Association : Comprehensive site for patient information.

Migraine Information Centre :The American Medical Association has excellent information about migraine and the latest research.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation-NZ :This Auckland based charity foundation's site has exhaustive information on the condition and provides recent research, events and news.It gives links to other MS sites; contacts for donations and volunteers; personal perspectives on the condition; has a kids page; and has an email, message board and feedback section.

Muscular Dystrophy Association :The Association is run by those affected by Muscular Dystrophy and related Neuromuscular Conditions to provide accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information, advice, on the condition.The site provides contact information including an e-mail address and 0800 number; links to articles in their "In touch" newsletter; and a donation section.

Stroke foundation- NZ :This is a nonprofit foundation to help people with a stroke and their families and caregivers, by providing information, support and rehabilitation.The site has sections on how to understand and prevent strokes including a self-assessment chart. The pages for health professionals includes links to medical websites and resources. There are contacts for 4 national offices, including an 0800 number and e-mail addresses. There is a section for resources and donations.

Pain
Pain.com : Very comprehensive site with a patient orientated section.

North American Chronic Pain Association of Canada : Extensive information on all types of chronic pain.

Sexual Health
SHineSA South Australia : General information on sexual health.

New Zealand Herpes foundation : Provides information on this condition, its treatment and advice. Its news section includes FAQ, current research and personal stories.The site offers a free information pack to be posted on request; gives links to several other sites and provides a reading list. There is an e-mail address for contact as well as lists of sexual health clinics and support groups throughout NZ.

HIV and Aids- The Body :This is a world class HIV and AIDS information resource,with in depth insight from many experts.

Skin
NZ Dermnet : Numerous information pages about skin disorders.

Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine New Zealand : Home grown with links to other sites.

Sports Medicine Australia : Information on injury, nutrition, podiatry and fitness.

Pushplay :Site of the Hillary Commision supporting sport and fitness.

Travel Medicine
Centres for Disease Control : Extensive information on most aspects of traveler's health.

Fit for Travel : Good general information about specific areas of travel.

Urology
Mens Health- The Urology Page :The Urology Page has good explanations of body parts and includes information about how the kidneys function ,and an explanation about erection problems.

Urology- The National Institutes of Health :This is an excellent resource from the National Institutes of Health with information on many urology and male health topics.

Women's Health
Mayo Clinic : Information on conditions and healthy lifestyle.

Youth / Teens
Youthline :A forum for young people to exchange ideas and support each other, get professional support by email and browse a huge range of links and information including Youthline locations and services.

Urge / Whakamanawa : Youth health and information service.