Consumer Health Resources
FREE to Anyone, Anywhere!
These sites provide high quality information on hundreds of medical, health, and wellness topics. Many sites are available in both English and Spanish.
Be sure to scroll down the page to explore Focused Health Topics.
If you would like assistance navigating any of these sites, email askalibrarian@clarkson.edu
General Health Resources
What Did My Doctor Say?
Evaluating Health Information on the Web
General Health Resources
These sites have plenty of information on most health and medical topics.
- MedlinePlus
A great all-around resource from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), this site provides reliable information on many health topics. Available in English and Spanish, with select content in additional languages. Includes:
– Easy-to-Read Health Information
– NIHMedlinePlus Magazine
sign up for free to get this easy-to-read magazine in your email inbox - Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Find information on the control and prevention of diseases, conditions, injury, and disability as well as information on healthy living. - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
A part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH is the largest biomedical research agency in the world. This site provides broad and in-depth health information on a wide variety of diseases and conditions.
– NIH News in Health & NIH Research Matters
sign up for free to get these easy-to-read newsletters in your email inbox - OMH Knowledge Center: Office of Minority Health
Provides access to the nation’s largest repository of information dedicated to the health of minority populations within the United States and its territories. Users can access health materials in more than 40 languages. The database identifies print and digital content leading to article, document, journal, and organizational records. - The Merck Manual
First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. The Manual is a collaboration between hundreds of medical experts worldwide, an independent editorial board of peer reviewers, and editorial staff of physicians and professional medical writers. - Your Healthiest Self: Wellness Toolkits
These highlight evidence-based tips for living well and improving your health. Published by the NIH. - MyHealthFinder
The federal government’s Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion maintains this health information site. Visitors to this site will find user-friendly access to fact sheets and answers to frequently-asked health questions. Check out the Browse Topics menu at the top of the page. - ClinicalTrials.gov
Explore thousands of research studies in the 50 states and over 200 countries for potential participation.
What Did My Doctor Say?
How to understand what they are saying:
- Understanding ‘medspeak’
The Medical Library Association created this page to help you understand what a doctor or nurse tells you. You’ll find tips on how to understand many health words. - Plain Language Medical Dictionary
Enter a medical word and the dictionary will find plain language substitutes. - Medical Terms in Lay Language
A glossary of medical terms edited from a copyrighted list by the University of Kentucky - CDC Plain Language Materials & Resources
Everyday words for health communication. - Medline Plus Health Information in Multiple Languages
Explore by language or topic. - CDC Resources in Languages Other than English
- SPIRAL
Selected Patient Information Resources in Asian Languages. Connects people to authoritative health information in Asian languages that is freely available on the Web.
How to ask good questions and advocate for yourself:
- Talking To Your Doctor. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clear Communication
Three short videos help people prepare for a healthcare visit. Additional information includes tip sheets with questions to ask the doctor, how to make the most out of a healthcare appointment and links to other helpful information. - Questions Are the Answer
Questions you can ask to help you be more engaged in your healthcare, from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). - Doctor-Patient Communication: Talking with Your Doctor. National Institute on Aging
Articles and worksheets to help prepare for a medical appointment, discuss difficult topics, manage medicines, choose a new doctor, and make plans for help from family caregivers. - Patient Rights (MedlinePlus). National Library of Medicine
Offers resources that explain a patient’s rights. Topics Include information on privacy, informed consent and getting a second opinion.
Evaluating Health Information on the Web
- How to evaluate health information you find online: an interactive tutorial
from MedlinePlus - Find Good Health Information
The Medical Library Association outlines the collective wisdom of medical librarians about searching for health and medical information. - How to find cancer information you can trust
from the National Cancer Institute - Health Fraud & Scams
from MedlinePlus
Focused Health Topics
click on the side arrows to open/close topic menus
- Drugs, Herbs, & Supplements on MedlinePlus
Patient-oriented health information. Includes information about drugs, herbs, and supplements. - Dailymed
Database of product labels submitted to the FDA (drugs, medical devices, medical gases, medical foods) - Merck Manual Drug Info
Drug information in everyday language. Includes adverse drug reactions and factors affecting response to drugs. - Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets
Information about dietary supplements & their ingredients. - Dietary Supplement Label Database
You can browse or search this database from the National Institutes of Health. Includes current and historical label information from products marketed in the U.S. - Herbs at a Glance. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Get health information on a variety of herbs and learn how they may interact with your medication. - American Botanical Council Clinical Guide to Herbs
Summaries and critical reviews of seminal articles on herbal medicine from popular and scientific literature around the world. Free to use, but requires registration - About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products
from Memorial Sloan Kettering
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
The NCCIH conducts and supports research and provides information about complementary health practices and products. - Herbs at a Glance. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Get health information on a variety of herbs and learn how they may interact with your medication. - Evidence-Based Reviews
From the NIH National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health. Links to research articles on many alternative or complementary health approaches.
- GLMA: For Patients
A national organization committed to ensuring health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and all sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals. Find a provider and learn about issues to discuss with your healthcare provider as an LGBTQIA+ individual. - National LGBTQUIA+ Health Education Center
The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center is part of the Division of Education and Training at The Fenway Institute, which is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education, and policy development that works to ensure access to quality, culturally affirming medical and mental health care for traditionally underserved communities, including LGBTQIA+ people and those affected by HIV/AIDS. - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health (CDC)
The Centers for Disease Control provides information, data, and resources that are tailored to LGBTQ health. - LGBTQ+Health
Information from MedLinePlus/National Library of Medicine on specific health concerns of LGBTQ+ individuals and resources to better understand gender identity and sexual orientation. - Transgender Health and Well-being
Resources from Johns Hopkins Medicine. - National Center for Transgender Equality
Understanding your rights related to health care.
- A multi-cultural variety of recipes
from the National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute - Healthy Eating Choices
Nutrition and food information, including recipes, from the Department of Agriculture - MyPlate (USDA)
What should be on your plate? Nutrition information, including recipes. - Healthy Eating for a Healthy Heart
A variety of resources on foods and nutrition , including recipes, from the American Heart Association. - Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight
Nutrition information and recipes from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). - Eat Right
The site of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietietics. Includes nutriion fact sheets, health and lifestyle tips, and additional resources. - NY State Department of Health
Information on nutrition and nutrition programs. - Food & Nutrition
Eating healthy resources from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County. Includes SNAP-Ed NY: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program education program.
- Resources for Patients. National Cancer Institute
Learn about cancer basics, diagnosis, treatment, and managing care. LiveHelp online chat is available. - American Cancer Society
Get information on a variety of cancer topics, including understanding your cancer diagnosis and finding and paying for treatment. - CDC Cancer Prevention and Control
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s cancer information page. Includes sections on prevention, data and statistics, survivorship, publications and new research, among others. - MedlinePlus Cancer Index
The index to the Medline Plus articles relating to cancer. Provides introductory articles along with more indepth ones. Provided and maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. - Patient and Caregiver Resources. National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The NCCN is a non-profit alliance of many of the world’s leading cancer centers. Covers every aspect of a cancer diagnosis. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients provides patient treatment guidelines for specific cancers that are based on the same treatment information your doctors’ use. Available in multiple languages. - Recommended Websites for Cancer Information
A list developed by the Medical Library Association Cancer Librarians Caucus. General information for patients & caregivers as well as information for special population groups.
- Diabetes
From MedLinePlus. Learn more about what diabetes is, how to live with it, how to manage it, and what research is being done about it. - American Diabetes Association (ADA)
The ADA offers helpful resources on General Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes including tools to know your diabetes risk, living better with diabetes and becoming a diabetes advocate. - National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Part of the National Institute of Health, health information page. Provides statistics, information on clinical trials and links to other informative sites. - CDC: Diabetes Public Health Resource
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s page on diabetes. Contains general information, educational publications and resources, statistics and news. - Diabetes Action
A non-profit organization committed to the prevention and treatment of diabetes and to the funding of innovative, promising research aimed at finding a cure for diabetes and diabetes related complications.
- CDC: Heart Disease
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s page on heart disease. It contains basic information on coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and heart disease. - Healthfinder.gov: Heart Health
How to promote heart health. It covers topics such as diet, activity and lifestyle, and their effect on heart health. - MedlinePlus: Heart Disease
The MedlinePlus index for heart disease. It includes articles ranging from general information to more specific subjects. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine. - MedlinePlus: Heart Disease in Women
The MedlinePlus index for heart disease in women. It includes articles ranging from general information to more specific subjects. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine. - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Science-based, plain-language information related to heart, lung, and blood diseases and conditions and sleep disorders. The site contains articles on diseases, conditions, tests, procedures, and other relevant topics, which you can e-mail, print, and share. - American Heart Association
This organization has been supporting research and raising awareness of heart disease and stroke for nearly 100 years. The site offers a variety of resources on understanding heart disease and stroke as well as tools health living. - Go Red for Women
The American Heart Association’s focused effort on heart disease and stroke in women.
- Help for Mental Illnesses. National Institute of Mental Health
Provides resources for people with mental health concerns, including hotline information for immediate use. Information mental health and substance misuse is also provided. Disponible en Español. - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Provides information on warning signs and symptoms, treatments, and coping with family member with mental illness. Disponible en Español. - Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Use this confidential and anonymous resource to find treatment facilities in the United States for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems. - Mental Health Resources for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Massachusetts General Hospital
This guide may be useful to BIPOC-identifying individuals seeking support for mental health concerns and/or coping with race-related stressors. - Clarkson University Libraries Mental Health Resources Guide
Many more resources for getting help and getting information on a wide variety of mental health issues and challenges.
- Lab Tests Online. American Association of Clinical Chemists
Provides in depth information on lab tests – what is being tested; common questions and what results may mean. Also includes information on health conditions/diseases and health screenings. - Medical Tests (MedlinePlus). National Library of Medicine
Information about medical tests, including what the tests are used for, why a doctor may order a test, how a test will feel, and what the results may mean.
- Clarkson University Libraries COVID-19 Resources Guide
This site offers many links to information on health & prevention, including vaccines, as well as research sources.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Minority Health
The AHRQ website features fact sheets, research, and reports on AHRQ projects focused on minority health- Black Health Matters
Provides information about health and well-being from a service-oriented perspective–with lots of upbeat, positive solutions and tips.
- CDC Minority Health ResourcesThe Centers for Disease Control has a minority health information portal that includes links to regional, state, and tribal health resources.
MedlinePlus offers health information on population groups.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
A variety of health resource guides in many languages. - MedlinePlus
- Minority Health and Health Equity Resources
Offers many easy-to-use and culturally-appropriate resources on minority health, health disparities, and related topics. These resources are available to view online, print, or share. Some are available in Spanish and other foreign languages.
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) leads scientific research to improve minority health and eliminate health disparities.- National Minority Quality Forum
A research and educational organization dedicated to ensuring that high-risk racial and ethnic populations and communities receive optimal health care. This nonprofit, nonpartisan organization integrates data and expertise in support of initiatives to eliminate health disparities. US Office of Minority Health – Resource Center
The Office of Minority Health Resource Center is a one-stop source for minority health literature, research and referrals for consumers, community organizations and health professionals. As the nation’s largest repository of information on health issues specific to African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, the Resource Center offers a variety of information resources.
- Health in Aging. American Geriatrics Society
Expert health information for older adults and caregivers about critical issues we all face as we age. - Health Topics. National Institute on Aging
Provides information on a variety of health topics related to aging, from Alzheimer’s to urinary incontinence.
- Positive Parenting Tips Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Age-specific milestones from birth through age 17 along with parenting tips, safety, and health information from the CDC. - KidsHealth & TeensHealth
Doctor-reviewed advice on hundreds of physical, emotional, and behavioral topics — from before birth through the teen years. From Nemours Children’s Health Center. - HealthyChildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Range of topics from prenatal to young adult from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Look for the “Symptom Checker’ under Tips & Tools menu. - girlshealth.gov
If you are a girl age 10-16, here is a site just for you. Learn how to be healthy and stay healthy as you grow up, and get reliable information on health issues you may face. You can also get tips on handling relationships with family and friends, at school, and at home. Included are message boards, quizzes, interactive games, and other fun stuff to help you deal with emotions, bullying, safety, and much more
- Reproductive Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Information covering reproductive, pregnancy, and infant health from the CDC. - Sexual Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Resources on sexuality and sexual relationships from the CDC. - Sex Etc.
This site offered through Rutgers University is by teens for teens with oversight by Answer, a national organization that provides and promotes access to complete sex education for young people and the adults who teach them. Features information about sex, pregnancy, relationships, sexual orientation, gender identify, and birth control.
- Health Programs for Veterans. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Quick links to health support services provided by the Veterans Health Administration. - Veterans and Military Health (MedlinePlus). National Library of Medicine
A variety of information for veterans from applying for compensation and federal benefits to suicide prevention and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).