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General Health Sites
Find out information about physicians and peruse the latest copy of JAMA.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Website features: The "Diseases and Conditions" section covers major chronic and many infectious diseases, plus birth defects, traveler's health, emergency preparedness, vaccine and immunization information, accidents and injury information, and workplace safety and health. Also provides information in Spanish.
familydoctor.org
Website features: Reliable health information written at a lower reading level, with sections for children, teens, and seniors. All information is written and reviewed by physicians and patient education professionals at the American Academy of Family Physicians. Search conditions and diseases by name, symptom, or age most commonly affected. Provides many helpful health tools, such as a symptom checker, dictionary, BMI calculator, an immunization schedule, plus drug information and health management advice.
Guide to reliable health information produced by the U.S. Government. Four main sections: Health library, Just for You (Select topics pertinent to your age or condition), Health Care, Organizations.
Health and Aging | National Institute on Aging
Find up-to-date and reliable information on aging research and health and wellness for older adults.
Childhood infectious diseases, children's health for parents, children and professionals.
Mayo Clinic Patient Care and Health Information
Website features: a wealth of easy-to-understand health and medical information. In addition to comprehensive disease and condition guides the site includes descriptions of drugs, supplements, tests, and procedures; healthy living guides; a symptom checker; and expert blogs.
MEDLINEplus Health Information
MedlinePlus (English | Spanish)
A service of the National Library of Medicine. Provides health and drug information, directories for physicians, hospitals, etc. It is an excellent first choice for consumer health information.
A comprehensive web site offering health and medical information to physicians and consumers.
Contains A-Z index of NIH health resources, clinical trials, MedlinePlus, health hotlines, current medical news, Grants & Funding opportunities, research training & scientific resources, Institutes, and Centers & Offices. Includes link for information in Spanish.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Database for rare disorders with links to contacts and support groups.
A free full-text archive of peer-reviewed biomedical and life sciences journal literature at the US National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM).
Frequently asked questions regarding herbal medicine and culinary herbs. Arranged by herb and by condition they affect.
Online version of 1931 ed. of "A Modern Herbal" by Grieve. Has poison and recipe index. Each item has description, medicinal use and dosage information.
National Center for Complementary and Integrated Health (NCCIH)
NCCIH is the Federal Government's lead agency for scientific research on complementary and integrative health approaches. The center is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which is part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. The web site provides information on complementary and alternative medicine; how to be an informed consumer; and information on grants and funding opportunities. The site also includes a link for information in Spanish.
This non-profit organization combats health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies. Original research with qualifications of writers given. Defines quackery; presents information on questionable products and services.
Cancer Websites
MLA's Cancer Librarians Section maintains a list of recommended websites on cancer and related topics. If you are looking for a library that can answer cancer-related questions, consult this list compiled by the Cancer Libraries Section.
Breast Cancer Websites
American Cancer Society
Website features: news, information on types of cancer, patient services, treatment options, sections on children with cancer and living with cancer, and cancer statistics.
Association of Cancer Online Resources
Website features: links to cancer email lists, resources, cancer topics, treatment options, clinical trials, and publications.
Breastcancer.org
Website features: tips for lowering risk, information on symptoms and diagnosis, news and research, library of terms, interactive discussion lists, treatment options, and downloadable brochures.
Cancer Care
Website features: online support groups, webcast/telephone workshops, resources, links to support, educational, treatment, and information services.
Foundation for Womens' Cancer
Website features: the types of cancer that affect women, cancer risks for women, and a search engine to locate gynecologic oncologists; includes links to related sites, publications, and support groups.
Intercultural Cancer Council
Website features: cancer statistics and fact sheets about minorities and underserved populations, news, and resource links.
National Cancer Institute
Website features: information on types of cancer; treatment options; clinical trials; genetics, causes, risk factors, and prevention; testing; and coping and support resources.
Oncolink
Website features a collection of web resources on the prevention and treatment of cancer maintained by the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania; includes news, book reviews, and disease and patient support links.
Diabetes Websites
American Diabetes Association
Website features: news section, overview of the disease, risk test, statistics, nutrition, and health recipes section. Also available in Spanish.
Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School
Website features: news section, discussion boards, library of terms, online classes, Spanish and Asian-American sections.
Children With Diabetes
Website features: news section, library of terms, childrens' section, parents' section, and 'ask the experts' section.
MedlinePlus: Diabetes
Website features: overviews, latest news, diagnosis/symptoms, treatment, prevention, medical encyclopedia, reltaed topics, alternative therapy, disease management, tutorials and videos. Available in many languages.
National Diabetes Education Program (US National Institutes of Health [NIH] and Centers for Disease Control [CDC])
Website features: information for minorities, Spanish-language and Asian-American information, tips on how to control and prevent diabetes, resources for children and adolescents.
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, NIH)
Website features: treatment options, complications and prevention, statistics, clinical trials, Spanish-language information, and links to additional resources.
Diet & Nutrition
7,500 recipes with links to 'Gourmet' and 'Bon Appetit' journals plus recent cookbooks. Can limit by type of preparation, ingredients, type of meal, special requirements such as 'low fat.' Menu suggestions included.
Food and Nutrition Information Center (USDA)
Credible, accurate, and practical resources for nutrition and health professionals, educators, government personnel and consumers. Includes food pyramids.
Preventive medicine through nutrition from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
USDA Food Composition Databases
Provides detailed composition of foods.
Disabilities
Hearing Loss Association of America
A national non-profit organization for all hard of hearing people.
House Ear Institute & House Ear Clinic
A local pair of organizations that lead the country in hard of hearing research and treatment.
NARIC - National Rehabilitation Information Center
National Rehabilitation Information Center's searchable databases. Provides information for the last 20 years.
A disability rights organization with an inclusion orientation.
Licensed U.S. physicians by name (limited by state), specialty or condition.
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
Find out if a doctor is board certified.
Comparative data for most hospitals.
Behavior Health Treatment Services Locator
Searchable directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs nationally, more than 400 listed for the Los Angeles area. Website from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
U.S.News ranks top hospitals by areas, name, specialty.
Verify current dental license status.
Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA) Members Directory
Home page for the Los Angeles County Medical Association
Includes licensed physicians and indicates possible types of disciplinary actions against them with names/numbers to contact for further information.
Registered Nurse Directory in California
License search for registered nurses and continuing education providers, including licensed midwives.
Diseases, Disorders & Conditions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Information on Communicable Diseases, Travel Health, and AIDS.
Covers health for the whole family, diseases & conditions, prevention & wellness, pregnancy & newborns, kids, teens, and seniors.
MedicineNet Diseases and Treatments
Alphabetical listing of a variety of diseases and treatments with current medical and health information.
Read about the disease of your choice from this standard medical reference source. You will have to read ads from the company and complete a free registration form to access the Merck Manual.
Vaccines – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides a variety of detailed information on vaccines and immunizations, including vaccines for travelers.
Drugs
A Drug Information/Interaction Search Engine by RxList
A Comprehensive Database Providing Drug Information and Adverse Interaction Information through the Standard Pharmaceutical Circulars for Physicians.
Eye Disease Websites
American Foundation for the Blind
Website features: living with vision loss, information for seniors and kids, eye conditions, blindness statistics, and Spanish translations.
MedlinePlus: Eye Diseases
Website features: overviews, latest news, diagnosis/symptoms, treatment, prevention, and research.
National Eye Institute (US National Institutes of Health)
Website features: clinical studies, statistics, fact sheets, news and events, an interactive eye diagram, and a cataract resource guide.
Women's Eye Health.org
Website features: facts for women, causes of vision loss, eye basics, prevention, and care.
Heart Disease Websites
American Heart Association
Website features: heart attack warning signs, latest news, disease statistics, nutrition tips, medical encyclopedia, Spanish language information, and links to additional resources.
MedlinePlus: Heart Diseases
Website features: latest news, overviews, diagnoses/symptoms, treatment, prevention, alternative therapy, clinical trials, research, genetics, and glossaries.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Website features: diseases and conditions index, clinical trials information, health assessment tools, healthy recipes, and educational tutorials.
HIV/AIDS Websites
AIDSInfo
Website features: the latest federally-approved information on HIV/AIDS clinical research, treatment and prevention, and medical practice guidelines for people living with HIV/AIDS, their families and friends, health care providers, scientists, and researchers.
The Body / Body Health Resources Corporation
Website features: basic information, prevention and testing, 'ask the experts' page, statistics, policy and advocacy, hotlines, personal stories, and local organization listings. Also available in Spanish.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Website features: national list of HIV testing sites, best-evidence interventions, basic information, fact sheets, brochures, journal articles, and special reports.
HIV Insite
Website features: comprehensive, up-to-date information on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and policy.
MedlinePlus: Living With AIDS
Website features: the latest news, overviews, diagnosis/symptoms, treatment, prevention, clinical trials, research and glossaries.
Health Insurance
Covered California - Affordable Health Insurance
Contains News Center, Cost-Estimate Calculator and Need Help Now? (information if you need coverage before 2014) sections. Covered California, part of the State of California, provides the tools to shop for health insurance that meets your health care needs and financial realities.
Affordable Care Act information site explains health benefits in your state, preventative services for women, young adult coverage, and the health insurance marketplace. Provided by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.
Stroke Websites
American Stroke Association
Website features: warning signs, recovery, glossary, risk factors, and Spanish translations.
American Stroke Foundation
Website features: risk factors, symptoms, prevention, tips for stroke survivors and families, survivor stories, and caregiver resources.
MedlinePlus: Stroke
Website features: latest news, overviews, diagnoses/symptoms, treatment, prevention, alternative therapy, clinical trials, research, genetics, and glossaries.
National Stroke Association
Website features: information on symptoms, risk factors, prevention and recovery, and Spanish/French translations.
More Information
Need more information? Try asking a medical librarian (note that not all medical libraries are open to the public). Call your local hospital, health care center, medical school, or search in the Health Library Directory from MedlinePlus, a service of the US National Library of Medicine.