This Week's Facts:

-Fall is Prime Time to Appreciate Indiana's Natural Beauty

-Online Resources Help Viewers Enjoy America's Splendor

-FDA Offers Tips to Help Raise Breast Cancer Awareness this October

-Insurance Advice Available from National Industry Leaders

Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer in October

There’s an invasion of pink this month! Pink ribbons can be found all over Indiana in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Indiana State Department of Health has tools and resources about breast cancer.  

The National Cancer Institute estimates that over 220,000 women and 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 39,000 women and 400 men will die from the disease. 

Breast cancer can be treated and lives spared if detected early. Breast cancer is detected through clinical breast exams (CBEs) or mammograms, which are performed as preventative measures before any symptoms are noticed.  It can also be detected early by performing monthly breast self exams (BSEs) by finding tumors in time. More information about breast cancer can be found on the American Cancer Society website.

You’ll find information on breast and other cancers and wells as tips and resources on how to stay healthy and where to find support and treatment. Awareness and information can save lives.  

Friday Facts Editorial Team:

Katharine Springer
State Data Center Coordinator

Kim Brown-Harden
State Documents Coordinator

Join the FDLP-IN listserv for the latest government information

The Indiana SDC/BIDC
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Fall is Prime Time to Appreciate Indiana's Natural Beauty

It’s that time again – for football, cooler weather, and beautiful autumn leaves. It’s fall in Indiana!  Indiana’s Department of Tourism’s website has many resources to help you enjoy this season. Hoosiers can pick a variety of Fall Excursions, from the beautiful, historic Brown County to venturing Tombstone Trails in Kendallville. There are a wide variety of activities for varying budgets and family sizes. Summer’s over, but you can still visit farmers markets, u-picks, and orchards around the state. If you need suggestions, check out Indiana’s Fall Favorites. Find out who has the best Indiana pie, where to go for the best fall foliage, and the top fall outdoor activities this year. Finally, if you can’t get away to experience the beauty of an Indiana fall, check out the fall color blog and experience fall from your desktop.

Online Resources Help Viewers Enjoy America's Splendor

This past summer has offered many challenges and dangers with the extreme heat and drought conditions. Now it’s time to enjoy the beauty and splendor of fall! The U.S. Forest Service brings the beauty of fall to you with their 2012 Fall Colors Web page. This page provides access to various State Forests such as the Angeles National Forest in California, the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas, and the Hoosier National Forest right here in Indiana. With the click of a mouse, you can check out the wildflowers in bloom across the country, learn about the science of fall colors, and suggestions to keep kids active and outdoors during the fall season. If you’re planning a camping trip, recreation.gov has valuable information and resources such as making reservations, trip ideas, and campsite information. The National Scenic Byways can enhance your experience by linking you with the country’s most breath-taking views and scenery across the United States. Whether you’re exploring in your hometown or traveling across the county, enjoy the beautiful fall colors of 2012! 

FDA Offers Tips to Help Raise Breast Cancer Awareness this October

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health developed the Pink Ribbon Sunday program to help educate women across the nation about breast cancer prevention and awareness.

Pink Ribbon Sunday aims to reduce breast cancer health disparities in communities by empowering leaders of local groups and organizations to develop mammography awareness programs that fit the needs of their community. Mammography screening is still the best tool to detect breast cancer early. Lack of screening can lead to later diagnosis, later entry into treatment and increased mortality.

Awareness activities include mobile mammography events, local health fairs or “Pink” luncheons to promote the cause.

The FDA’s Office of Women’s Health has put together information packets for individuals or organizations to distribute in their communities. The packets include a mammography information card, mammography fact sheet and an official Pink Ribbon Sunday flyer.

You can order single copies or if you’re hosting an event, you can order in bulk. You can also learn more about breast cancer risk factors and possible treatment options.

These tips are brought to you as a courtesy of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) via the USA.gov blog.

Insurance Advice Available from National Industry Leaders

General sources of insurance information include the American Council of Life Insurers, the Insurance Information Institute , the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and your state insurance department. You can also visit insure.com.

When buying insurance, whether its home, life, auto, rental or other:

• Find out whether your state insurance department offers any information concerning insurance companies and rates. This is a good way to get a feeling for the range of prices and the lowest-cost providers in your area.

• Check several sources for the best deal. Try getting quotes from an insurance focused website, but be aware that many online services may provide prices for just a few companies. An independent insurance agent that works with several insurers in your local area might be able to get you a better deal.

• Make sure the insurance company is licensed and covered by the state's guaranty fund. The fund pays claims in case the company defaults. Your state insurance department can provide this information.

• Check the financial stability and soundness of the insurance company. Ratings from A.M. Best, Standard and Poor's, and Moody's Investors Services are available online and at most public libraries.

• Research the complaint record of the company. Contact your state insurance department or visit the website of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which has a database of complaints filed with state regulators.

• Find out what others think about the company's customer service. Consumers can rate homeowner insurance companies at J.D. Power's website.

• Once you pay your first insurance premium, make sure you receive a written policy. This tells you the agent forwarded your premium to the insurance company. If you don't receive a policy within 60 days, contact your agent and the insurance company.

If you suspect fraud, call the National Insurance Crime Bureau's hotline at 1-800-835-6422. Or for more information, check out the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud website.

These tips are brought to you as a courtesy of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) via the USA.gov blog.