Where can I get reliable health information?

News these days is full of Obama’s attempt to change U.S. health care system. No matter what your views on this, everybody on occasion needs to find out more about health problems they may be experiencing. But how do you find reliable sites? Here are three sites put out by different government agencies that are full of information about health issues:

www.healthfinder.gov is an excellent resource for your overall health in everyday language. Find personalized health recommendations for your age and gender, find a local health provider or clinic, or search an encyclopedia with over 1600 topics. Get tips to stay healthy yourself, keep your children growing healthy, or even finding low cost health care. Worried about Swine flu or immunizations or need nutrition tips? This is a great place to start.

cdc.gov/ (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is another excellent resource, and more in-depth than the first site. Need information on staying healthy while traveling? Concerned about how your environment is impacting your health? Need data about smoking or autism? This is the place for you.

nih.gov (National Institutes of Health) gives you access to the latest research being done. Want to find out the latest government policy on stem cells? Want to find clinical trials? This is the site to find that information. Under the health tab, choose a body system and then a disease, and it will give links not only to general descriptions of the condition, but also to the specific governmental organizations that concern themselves with that condition. This is the site with the most in-depth information in the most technical language.

www.drweil.com If you’re more interested in more alternative approaches to healthy living, or want something that isn’t put out by the government, Dr Andrew Weill is famous for approaching alternative therapies with an open yet testing mind. His website gives the latest in promoting a healthy, long life.

Of course, at the library we have a whole sections devoted to how your body works, your health, fitness, and various specific diseases. Search our catalog, or ask us at the information desk and we’ll help you find just what you’re looking for!

-Kathy