Programs and Services
The Foundation works to help people make wise healthcare decisions by providing key information on Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections to the public and medical community. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of prevention and early intervention in avoiding complicated, expensive and potentially debilitating long-term illness.
Educational Materials To
achieve its mission, the ALDF provides an array of brochures, tick ID cards
and other materials that contain current information on symptoms, diagnosis
and treatment guidelines, prevention strategies, and methods of tick-control.
Individuals, schools, physicians' offices, health departments, corporations,
and many other organizations order bulk quantities of these materials for a
modest fee. A Spanish language brochure is available.
Physician Referral Service Access
to knowledgeable primary care physicians and specialists throughout the country
is critical to patients whose regular doctor may not be familiar with tick-borne
disease diagnostic and treatment guidelines. The foundation maintains a national
physician referral service that includes board-certified specialists who have
been contacted by the ALDF and have agreed to evaluate and treat Lyme disease
patients. Leading Lyme disease researchers serving as medical advisors to the
ALDF may also be available for medical consultations with physicians in non-endemic
areas who may not be familiar with Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment.
Hispanic Education Program The main objective of this program is to educate members of the Hispanic community in the tri-state area about Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. Many in this primarily immigrant group work outdoors and face the threat of tick-bites on a daily basis. As such, the ALDF has developed a multi-faceted educational program designed to increase awareness of tick-borne diseases.
Strategies include dissemination of our Spanish language brochure, "Understanding Lyme Disease." In color, the brochure has a pictoral focus and is designed to inform its readers in simple terms about tick-borne infections, proper tick removal, and the need to see a physician if symptoms occur. This informative brochure is ideal for use by health departments, employers, clinics and other organizations concerned about the health of the many individuals of this population who work outdoors on a daily basis. Sample copies are available free of charge.
