Links
Last Updated June 20, 2011

Disclaimer

Although we have ceased operations, we are maintaining this page as a courtesy.  Please note that some links found through these pages may have since been changed. Should that be the case, it may help to do an online search using the name/organization referenced in the link.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Those individuals who seek to learn about health conditions (whether their own or others’) are fortunate that the Internet has turned out to be such a valuable source of information. At the same time, however, caution needs to be taken because the Internet can also be the source of much misinformation.  For this reason, the Medical Library Association (MLA) has published an online set of guidelines for finding online sources of medical information that are more likely to be accurate.

MLA User Guide · 312-419-8950
This site provides “how to” information regarding online searches for health information, including how to get started and guidelines for evaluating the content of informational sites. It also recommends a number of web sites for general-health and disease-specific information.

MLA’s TOP 10 MOST USEFUL SITES

Click on the above link for an updated list of the Medical Library Association’s list of the top ten most useful sites. The links below reflect their top ten list as of December 2006. They are presented here in alphabetical order only. They are NOT ranked in terms of usefulness.

American Academy of Family Physicians · No Number Listed
Offers information on conditions from A-Z along with topics related to men, women, children, seniors, over-the-counter guides, health tools, a “smart patient guide” and more.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · 800-311-3435 (IF you can’t find needed info on web site.)
Three categories of information are: health and safety topics, including birth defects, disabilities, diseases and conditions and more; Publications and Products; and Data and Statistics.

 Healthfinder  · No Number Listed
In addition to a wide variety of health information written for the lay public, this site of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also looks at age, gender, ethnicity and other factors that sometimes account for differences in health.

KidsHealth  · No Number Listed
Sponsored by the Nemours Foundation, this site aims to provide “children and their families with accurate, up-to-date, jargon free health information they can use.”

Mayo Clinic · No Number Listed
This site offers health and general management tools. In addition to helping individuals make healthcare decisions do self-assessments, and determine risk factors, the site provides information about diseases and conditions, a medical encyclopedia, drug information, interactive tutorials and more.

Medem  · No Number Listed (for general public)
Created by a number of U.S. medical societies, including the AMA, information on this site falls into four categories: Life Stages, Diseases & Conditions, therapies & health Strategies, and Health & Safety.

Medline Plus · No Number Listed
This online division of the National Library of Medicine, created for the lay public, provides information on conditions and diseases, a medical encyclopedia, drug information, interactive tutorials, Directories for finding healthcare professionals and hospitals, and more.

National Cancer Institute · 800-4-CANCER
Categories of information are: Types of Cancer; Clinical Trials; and Cancer Topics (including treatment & prevention, screening, coping with cancer, a fact sheet, and more).

NOAH: New York Online Access to Health · No Number Listed
Created through a partnership of several New York City Libraries, this site provides information on diseases and conditions (health topics) as well as identification of (and links to) city, state, and regional (CT and NJ) hospitals, hospices and ambulatory facilities.

University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, HIV InSite · No Number Listed
Through original material and links to multiple links to sites on the world wide web, this site provides up-to-date treatment, prevention and policy information related to HIV.  By clicking on “For Patients and the Public” visitors can find information about living with HIV, getting tested with an additional focus on HIV as it might affect individuals of different ages, genders, ethnicity and more. Their “Ask HIV InSite Forum” allows individuals to submit questions via email and to access the site’s archive of prior questions and responses.


Condition-Specific Information & Support
Cancer Links to national and grass roots organizations. Also, NEW as of August 26, 2010,  Free Cancer Screening Information
Cardio-Vascular Diseases For patients with heart conditions and strokes.
Diabetes For patients with diabetes
Rare Diseases Direct link to site of the National Organization for Rare Diseases. Click on Index of Organizations.
Skin Diseases Direct link to site of the American Academy of Dermatology. Click on Public Resources the on Patient Support in the left panel.


Topic-Specific Information & Support
Advance Directives Links for downloading free, state-specific forms and explanation of issues
End of Life Links to state, national and international hospice associations and more...
Health Insurance & Access to Care Links to sites offering patient assistance, health expenditure tracking information and insurance reform perspectives. NEW as of September 1, 2010 - information about temporary health plan law created by Congress in March, 2010.
Hospitals and Their Offerings Links to national hospital associations and hospitals in the Mid-Hudson Valley.
Hospital Selection and Utilization Links for finding, choosing and getting the most out of hospital stays
Lifestyle and Health (NEW) Links for helping us change to healthy patterns of eating and moving
Long Term Care Links to information on Nursing Homes, Home Care, Community-Based Services, and Support for Caregivers
Managing Medications Links for information on drugs and dietary supplements; Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM); and finding affordable medications.
Patient Advocacy Links for finding, using and becoming patient advocates.
Physician Information Links to help with finding and choosing doctors.
Technology (NEW) Links to explain various healthcare and health information technologies
Women's Health Links to National Resource Center and information re: new developments


For Young Adults
Health Information Project The Health Information Project provides consumer health and substance abuse prevention materials addressing issues of concern to teens, families and youth agencies in teen-reviewed, teen-recommended formats through public libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library system.


Organizations Promoting Communication & Other Noteworthy Sites
American Academy on Communication in Healthcare (AACH) Formerly known as the American Academy on Physician and Patient, this organization promotes best patient care by advocating a relationship centered approach to healthcare communication, education and research. Their site contains listings of courses, conferences and printed materials. The members-only portions of this site offer a rich mix of texts and narratives to help professionals build communication and relationship skills.
Institute For Health Care Communication This organization considers communication between clinicians and patients a vital factor in achieving quality healthcare. As such it offers a variety of communication programs and resources for healthcare professionals. To a limited extent, it provides information and support to patients in the form of a guidebook and audio tape set aimed at helping them prepare for medical visits. It also addresses communication in veterinary medicine.
The Healthcare Collaborator This is a monthly online newsletter offering tips for communication between and among healthcare professionals. Visitors to the site can view a sample issue.
A Novel Vision This site, operated by a practicing dermatologist who also works to improve doctor-patient relationships, offers patients a free, downloadable booklet on the subject.
National Patient Safety Foundation Founded by the AMA, other healthcare organizations and corporations, the mission of this nonprofit group is to improve the safety of patients. Patients or professionals who visit the site will find suggestions regarding how they can act to improve patient safety.