It got my attention July 3rd when New York Times health reporter Jane E. Brody said: “I consider this book so valuable I plan to keep it on my bedside table should I need it later on." The column, Advice on Dire Diagnoses From a Survivor, highlights important information from AfterShock, the recent book by Jessie Gruman, about what to do when you – or a loved one – receives a devastating diagnosis.

The article became pure synchronicity when on the very same day a leading health researcher in Minnesota told me to look into the important work that the Center for the Advancement of Health (CFAH) is doing to engage consumers in the process of improving health care. The founder and president of CFAH is Jessie Gruman.

Early on, CFAH focused on integrating evidence on health behavior into the practice of medicine. Today, it works through the “traditional news media, the blogosphere, the Internet, professional organizations and health care institutions to raise the visibility and priority of health behavior research in solving health care challenges.” CFAH is also home to Health Behavior News Service producing journalism about new systematic reviews relevant to individuals in making decisions about their health and healthcare.