The information provided by Scotch Plains Public Library and its employees does not imply medical recommendation, endorsement or approval. Information from these sources are intended for use as general information. All consumer health information should be reviewed with your health care professional for clarification about how this information may or may not apply to your unique clinical situation or overall health.
In addition to these online resources, Adult Scotch Plains resident cardholders can check out one of our health literacy totes, which contain books, DVDs or CDs, and pamphlets on nine different health topics.
General Health Information
MedlinePlus
This site is maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and has reliable, up-to-date information on a wide-range of health topics written in plain language. It is a great starting point for most health information inquiries, including those topics listed below with additional resources. There are links on the homepage to health topic listings A-Z, drugs and supplements, videos, and medical test information. At the bottom of the homepage, users can access easy-to-read materials (some available in a downloadable PDF format), health info in multiple languages, and directories for doctors and other healthcare providers.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Health Information
The NIH health info page has a link to a list of health information phone numbers, a “clear health” section providing basic, accessible health information by topic A-Z, and a section on how to talk to your doctor and prepare for a health appointment.
Drug Information Portal
This NIH site provides information on approximately 80,000 prescription and over-the-counter medications and can be searched by drug name or category.
HealthReach
HealthReach provides multilingual, multicultural patient education materials on a variety of health-related topics. The site is provided by the NIH and the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Evaluating Internet Health Information
MedlinePlus provides a tutorial to help you learn how to evaluate online health information. This page also includes a downloadable checklist to help you remember what to look for when you search for health information on the internet.
Cancer
National Cancer Institute
In the National Cancer Institute’s About Cancer section, users will find information about causes and prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, coping, and managing care. There is live chat option at the top of the home page and other options for calling and emailing questions through NCI’s cancer information service.
Diabetes
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
The diabetes section of this NIH site has a straight-forward overview of diabetes, its symptoms and causes, tests and treatments, management, and prevention of diabetes related problems.
American Diabetes Association
In addition to general information about diabetes, this website has a large section on food and fitness and also includes an online community for support. In the “in my community” section, users can locate their local diabetes education office and search for nearby events.
Mental Health
MentalHealth.gov
In addition to general mental health information and what to look for with respect to different clinical disorders, MentalHealth.gov has a treatment locator, hotline numbers for immediate help, and an FAQ section on health insurance and mental health coverage.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI is a grassroots mental health organization. This site provides descriptions of various mental health conditions in its Learn More section. There is also a crisis hotline and local NAMI program locator. In addition, the site provides a fact sheet library for downloadable information on mental health conditions and treatment and services, including some resources in Spanish.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA has a treatment locator section which also includes crisis hotline numbers. The publications section has free downloadable informational brochures organized by category.
Psychologist Locator
The American Psychological Association provides this tool for finding a psychologist.
Heart Disease
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association website allows users to search for or browse heart health topics and has a large collection of Answers by Heart downloadable information sheets. In addition, the site offers a library of animated videos on cardiovascular health topics.
Office on Women’s Health
This site is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The patient materials section offers downloadable Heart Disease and Women Fact Sheets in both English and Spanish.
Nutrition
International Food Information Council
This website provides information about nutrition and food safety. The Topics section includes information on different diets, ingredients, nutrients, and food labeling.
Nutrition.gov
This site, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers resources on food, healthy eating, physical activity and food safety.
Resources for Teens
MedlinePlus, described above, provides a Teen Health page which includes information for both teens and their parents. In addition, the websites below are specifically dedicated to health information aimed at teens.
Center for Young Women’s Health and Young Men’s Health
The Center for Young Women’s Health is maintained by Boston Children’s Hospital and has information on topics ranging from general health, sexual health, nutrition and fitness, and mental health. The ask us tab at the top provides a place for young women to submit questions to professionals and to browse previously asked questions with their answers. Young Men’s Health is a similar site for young men.
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens
The National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens is a division of the NIH. It has a section on drug facts and provides a library of videos. This site links to an easy-to-read drug facts site, also sponsored by the NIH.
Vaccination Information
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
The CDC has a collection of resources with vaccination information for parents available as downloadable PDFs. These are available in both English and Spanish.
HealthyChildren.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics hosts this site which provides information on childhood vaccinations, including vaccine schedules.
Vaccine Information Statements
The Immunization Action Coalition provides links to the CDC’s Vaccine Information Statements in multiple languages. These statements explain both the benefits and the risks of the named vaccine.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health provides evidence-based information on complementary and alternative health topics.