Concerned about health issues? Need to find a local doctor? Or do you want to check out the latest medical research information? Use this guide to answer those and many more health related questions.
Last Updated: Jul 18, 2014
Databases from the library with consumers in mind.
- Health Source: Consumer Edition
This resource provides access to nearly 300 full text, consumer health periodicals, including American Fitness, Better Nutrition, Harvard Health Letter, HealthFacts, Men's Health, Muscle & Fitness, Prevention, Vegetarian Times, and many others.
- Kids Health
This database provides provides doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence. Kids Health provides provides separate sites for parents, kids and teens.
MedlinePlus has information from the National Institutes of Health and other sources on over 700 diseases and conditions. There are also lists of hospitals and physicians, a medical encyclopedia, a medical dictionary and health information in Spanish.
- Natural & Alternative Treatments
The Natural & Alternative Treatments database was originally created in 1997 to satisfy an ever-growing demand for accurate, unbiased information on natural health.
Check out the Internet Public Library page on Health Care Issues here.
- that can help you make an informed decision about your health
- reliable for the public
- written in easy-to-understand language.
- Assisted Living Directory
This website facilities and other senior care options, organized by state, and then by city. The information in the site is determined to be accurate at the time of publication and the site does not endorse any particular facility. It is a good starting point in a search for an assisted living facility.
This website provides consumer updates on prescription medications- specifically those that have been found to be dangerous and pose health risks. The site focuses on decisions and announcements made by the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.
"DrugWatch.com is a comprehensive resource featuring information on the drug side effects of various medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs”.
This website offers clear and concise patient hand-outs in English and Spanish for common medical concerns and conditions. All the information has been written and reviewed by members of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Healthline is maintained by a group of medical informatics specialists. The site allows you to search using key words but also offers 4 other ways to search:
1. Search by symptom
2. Search by treatment
3. Serach for a Doctor
4. Search for a Drug.
The site also offers online videos that can be viewed on subjects such as "How the Heart Works".
- Mayo Clinic
Manage your health with information and tools that reflect the expertise of Mayo's 3,400 physicians and scientists, learn how to access medical services, and discover Mayo's medical research and education offerings.
- My Senior Care
My Senior Care is a website which offers families and caregivers access to a network of senior care providers. The providers listed in this site are prescreened and qualified. The main goal of this site is to provide consumers with free access to quality senior care information. Users of the site can search by the specific type of care they require. Reviews of each provider are available. Providers listed must demonstrate proof of licensing and liability insurance.
PatientsLikeMe is an online community of patients, doctors, and organizations whose goal is to inspire, inform and empower individuals. This website provides patients with access to the tools, information, and experiences that they need to take control of their disease.
- U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital Rankings
U.S. News and World Report magazine's annual list of America's best hospitals. 152 hospitals are ranked in one or more of 16 specialties. There is also a separate list of the best children's hospitals.
- Web MD SymptomChecker
SymptomChecker is provided by the WebMD website. This tool allows you to check medical symptoms and what they mean.
WebMD provides award-winning expertise in medicine, journalism, health communication and content creation to bring you the best health information possible. WebMD offers credible and in-depth medical news, features, and reference material.
- Yahoo! Health
This website is another good source for up-to date health information. Current information on most common medical topics such as allergies,depression,and diabetes. Articles written by health experts can be found here as can a "symptom checker" and a "doctor finder".
- University of Cincinnati's Online Master of Health Administration's Cancer Page.
This website has very helpful information about how to talk to someone about cancer. Included topics are: "Talking to Kids About Cancer", "Helping Children When a Loved One Has Cancer", "Grandparents With Cancer" and "Resources for Talking With Children When a Parent Is Ill". The booklets can be downloaded and printed out. The site is available in Spanish.
Medline Plus is a great place to go for basic health information.
- compiles reliable information from medical professionals and researchers
- maintained by the National Libraries of Medicine and the National Institute of Health
- updated daily
- has everything from basic information on a condition or medication to videos showing surgeries in action.