FDA Easy-to-Read Publications--English Brochures

ENGLISH-LANGUAGE BROCHURES

FDA provides easy-to-read health brochures in both English and Spanish. These brochures are available on this Website in both PDF and HTML formats.

If you need multiple copies you can:

New! Reproduce the brochure on your printer by choosing the 'brochure-style' link for each title (if available). See the printing guide for instructions.
Obtain up to 50 printed copies, free, by writing to: FDA, HFI-40, Rockville, MD 20857. (Publications listed as "Internet Only" are not available in printed form.)
Print bulk copies from the Easy-to-Read Publications CD-ROM, which is available free from the address above.

Clinical Trials of Medical Treatments: Why Volunteer? (FDA 98-1294) -- Internet Only
Tests or studies of drugs or medical devices in people are conducted to find out whether they are safe and effective to use. This brochure explains the importance of clinical trials, informed consent and other ways volunteers are protected, as well as possible risks for volunteers.
[159K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Coping with Bladder Problems (FDA 00-2327) -- Internet Only
The problem of incontinence, its causes and various treatments are discussed in this brochure.
[671K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Eating for a Healthy Heart (FDA 00-2302)
Heart disease is the No.1 cause of death in America. Choosing foods carefully, with emphasis on eating less fat and sodium, fewer calories and more fiber; diet tips; and how food labels can help in making healthy choices are some of what's covered.
[654K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Eating Well as We Age (FDA 00-2311) -- Internet Only
Many older people have trouble eating well. This brochure gives ideas on what to do about problems with chewing, upset stomach, loss of appetite, shopping, cooking, and money. A short discussion on how to read food labels is also included in this very informative brochure.
[642K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Feeding Baby With Breast Milk or Formula (FDA 01-2321)
A comparison of infant formula and breast milk, including the bonuses of breast feeding, tips for breast-feeding success, how to choose infant formula, preparing formula safely and safe formula storage are all explained.
[324K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Help for Menopause (FDA 00-1300) -- Internet Only
This brochure covers the signs of menopause and problems that can result from menopause.
[791K PDF file]
[HTML file]

Help Your Arthritis Treatment Work (FDA 00-1270) -- Internet Only
A basic description of arthritis and the importance of treatment forms the basis of this brochure. How to help the treatment work, talking to a doctor, caution using OTC medicines, the significance of rest and exercise and knowing all the facts are also discussed.
[920K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

How to Give Medicine to Children (FDA 00-3228) -- Internet Only
The proper ways to give medicine to children (both OTC and prescription) are thoroughly explained, including how to measure the correct dose when using dosage cups, cylindrical dosing spoons, droppers and syringes.
[473K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

How to Protect Yourself from AIDS (FDA 00-1296)
The most common ways of contracting the disease and the HIV virus are explained. This brochure also describes how to avoid getting AIDS, how to use condoms, HIV testing, pregnancy and HIV, myths about AIDS and food safety rules to follow if infection is present.
[590K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Keep Your Food Safe (FDA 00-2234)
Food poisoning occurs when spoiled food is eaten. This brochure shows how to buy safe food and how to keep it safe in the home.
[386K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Losing Weight Safely (FDA 98-1247) -- Internet Only
Overweight people have an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other illnesses. This brochure explains how to go about losing weight safely, the problems with fad diets and diet pills and the questions to ask before signing up for a weight loss program.
[363K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Mammograms and Breast Cancer (FDA 00-4269) -- Internet Only
Mammograms are used to help find breast cancer at an early stage, when it can still be cured. Who gets breast cancer, the importance of self examination as well as doctor's exams, what to do if a mammogram shows a problem and treatments for breast cancer are all discussed.
[445K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Medicines and Older Adults (FDA 00-3237) -- Internet Only
Older people often take more medication and may react differently to them than younger people. This brochure shows easy ways to take medicine, how to prevent drug side effects, questions to ask the doctor or pharmacist and how to save money on medicine.
[1.46MB PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Protecting Your Child Against Serious Diseases: Making Sure Kids Get All Their 'Shots' (FDA02-9019)
The importance of childhood vaccinations is the emphasis of this brochure. The types of vaccines available, what they protect against, how they are given, the ages to get them and possible side effects are detailed.
[235K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Protect Your Child from Poisons in Your Home (FDA 00-1262) -- Internet Only
Many items in the home can become poisons to children. This brochure covers the potential danger of medicines and household products, how to poison proof the home, the symptoms of poisoning and what to do if a child has been poisoned.
[218K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Quick Information-Diabetes (FDA 02-3238)
Diabetes is a serious disease that should not be ignored. Comparisons between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, daily monitoring and careful control of blood sugar levels, weight control, and exercise are covered in this highly informative brochure.
[1.22MB PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Safer Sunning in Seven Steps (FDA 99-1279) -- Internet Only
This brochure describes the dangers of harmful rays from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds and who is at extra risk. The seven steps to safer sunning include tips for using sunscreen products and how to check the skin for signs of skin cancer.
[1.38MB PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Straight Talk from FDA About Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids (FDA-00-4270) -- Internet Only
More than 25 million Americans have hearing loss. Possible reasons for this loss, hearing tests, symptoms that might warrant a hearing aid or other treatment, types of hearing aids and cochlear implants are included in this brochure.
[538K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

The Truth About Choosing Medical Treatments (FDA 00-1248) -- Internet Only
Many medicines and other options are available to treat health problems. Some of these don't have FDA approval and can be detrimental. This brochure covers types of unproven treatments, what to do before trying such a treatment and how to recognize a phony treatment.
[206K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

Use Medicine Safely (FDA 00-3201)
Medicines can help, but they can be harmful if not taken properly. This brochure covers drug facts labels, the importance of talking about prescriptions with doctors and pharmacists and the questions to ask, what to avoid when taking certain medication and safety tips.
522K PDF file
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

What to Do for Colds and Flu (FDA 00-1280) -- Internet Only
The similarities and differences between influenza and colds are presented, including when to call the doctor, ways to avoid getting a cold, shots and medication to prevent flu and what to do to relieve symptoms.
[793K PDF file]
[HTML file]
[brochure style and printing guide]

What Kind of Birth Control is Best for You? (FDA 00-1298) -- Internet Only
This brochure explains common methods used to prevent pregnancy, including birth control pills, condoms, spermicides, diaphragms, cervical caps, IUDs, sterilization and fertility awareness.
[423K PDF file]
[HTML file]

The documents in Portable Document Format (PDF) retain their original format. To view or print these documents, you must use the Adobe Acrobat viewer. Acrobat is free and available directly from Adobe's website with full installation instructions.

FDA/Website Management Staff
Web page updated by tg 2003-JAN-14.