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	Navigating the Health Care System Advice Columns from Dr. Carolyn Clancy AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy, M.D., has prepared brief, easy-to-understand advice columns for consumers to help navigate the health care system. They address important issues in order to help people become informed health care consumers.

Back to School
Tips for parents about making sure children get the right medical appointments and medications.

New Guides for Spanish-speaking Patients
New Spanish-language guides serve as helpful resources to understand and compare treatment options.

Column Library:

Date	Title
8/03/2010	Treating High Cholesterol
7/06/2010	Why It’s Wise to Use a Health Advocate
6/01/2010	How to Avoid the Round-Trip Visit to the Hospital
5/04/2010	Healthcare-Associated Infections: They Can Happen to You
4/06/2010	Same-Day Surgery: What You Should Know
3/02/2010	Comparing Blood Pressure Medicines
2/02/2010	Comparing Diabetes Drugs
1/05/2010	Comparing Medical Treatments for Antidepressants
11/03/2009	Does Your Hospital Do A Good Job?
10/06/2009	Open Enrollment: What To Consider When Choosing a Health Plan
9/15/2009	What You Need to Know about Blood Thinner Pills
9/01/2009	How to Make an Emergency Department Visit a Safe One
8/18/2009	Personalized Medicine's Frontier Is Coming Into View
8/04/2009	An Aspirin a Day? The Answer is Different for Men and Women
7/21/2009	Hospital Advisory Councils Get Patients' View on Safer Health Care
7/07/2009	Talking About End-of-life Treatment Decisions
6/16/2009	Keeping Track of Your Health Information
6/02/2009	New Reports Show Weak Progress on Health Quality
5/19/2009	Coordinating Your Care with a Medical Home
5/05/2009	Asking Questions to Get the Care You Need
4/21/2009	Off-Label Drugs: What You Need to Know
4/07/2009	Comparative Effectiveness Research: What It Means for You
3/17/2009	How To Complain - And Get Heard
3/03/2009	How Tired Is Your Doctor?
2/17/2009	New Web Tool Helps You Choose a Nursing Home
2/03/2009	How to Choose Long-Term Care Services
1/21/2009	New Hope for Chronic Disease Management
1/06/2009	Ready to Lose Weight in the New Year? Experts Offer Guidance for Adults and Children
12/16/2008	Better Information Helps Patients
12/02/2008	Online Tools Help Patients Find Good Health Information
11/18/2008	Guides Help Patients Find Their Best Treatment Options
11/05/2008	Keeping Healthy When the Economy Is Not
10/21/2008	Payment Change Puts Spotlight on Preventing Hospital Errors
10/07/2008	Checklist Helps Men Keep on Track to Good Health
9/16/2008	Checklist Helps Women Give Equal Time to Their Health Needs
9/02/2008	Helpful Steps To Take After You Get a Diagnosis
8/19/2008	How To Use Hospital Emergency Rooms Wisely
8/05/2008	Checklists Help Men and Women Stay Healthy at 50+
7/15/2008	Tips To Help You Find a Good Doctor
7/01/2008	Simple Steps Can Reduce Health Care-Associated Infections
6/17/2008	Do Your Homework Before You Choose A Hospital
6/03/2008	Smart Choices: How to Choose a Health Plan That’s Right for You
5/20/2008	What's Your Health Literacy Score
5/06/2008	Real Men Wear Gowns - And Help Their Health
4/15/2008	Superheroes TV and Radio Ads Encourage Hispanics to Get Involved in Their Own Health Care
4/01/2008	Your Experience in the Hospital and Why it Matters
3/18/2008	Balancing Treatment Advice: Benefits, Risks, and Personal Choice
3/04/2008	Big Strides, Not Small Steps, Needed to Boost Health Care Quality
2/19/2008	Busting Myths About Health Care Quality
2/05/2008	Asking Questions About Medical Tests
1/16/2008	What to Ask Before Surgery
1/02/2008	Tips for Taking Medicines Safely
12/18/2007	Where Medical Errors Occur and Steps You Can Take to Avoid Them
12/04/2007	Facing the Facts: Get Involved to Get Better Care
11/20/2007	Health Care Quality: Take A Closer Look
10/30/2007	Becoming an Involved Health Care Consumer
10/16/2007	Recognizing High-Quality Health Care

Treating High Cholesterol
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), offers a guide called Treating High Cholesterol. The guide explains in plain English how this common medical condition is treated.

Why It’s Wise to Use a Health Advocate
A health advocate can help ensure you get the care and resources you need.

How to Avoid the Round-Trip Visit to the Hospital
Medical problems that send patients back to the hospital can be avoided.

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