Health & Fitness - Body & Mind
Facts on File: Health Reference Center: Clear and comprehensive information on conditions and diseases, health and wellness, mental health, and the human body. If you're using this resource at home, you'll have to login with your library card barcode to begin.
World Almanac for Kids - Resources for homework, reports, and projects in a fun format from a trusted source; written for students in 4th - 8th grade. Covers a wide range of subjects, including
Healthy Eating (in TOPICS, under HEALTH & GUIDANCE). If you're using this resource at home, you'll have to enter your library card barcode to begin.
Kids' Health &
Teens Health VIDEO - Age-appropriate, doctor-reviewed health information and advice for kids and teens. Covers many topics on physical & emotional health, including feelings, puberty, health problems, relationships, peer pressure, bullying, relaxation & coping with stress, sports, school & jobs, drugs & alcohol, and lots more. (Nemours Foundation Center for Children's Health Media)
SUICIDE HOTLINE: Are you in crisis? Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Dial 988 to call the NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE (toll-free). Includes a list of
Risk Factors & Warning Signs For Suicide (Department of Health & Human Services). For facts and statistics on suicide, see
Suicide Statistics (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) and
About Suicide (Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Education Development Center, Inc.).
NJ Hopeline: 1-855-654-6735 is a 24/7 Peer Support & Suicide Prevention Hotline.
CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) [IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER PLEASE DIAL 911] - If you think you (or someone you know) may be a victim of child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-422-4453, for help. Click on the link for more info (non-profit organization).
Acne - Describes the causes and treatments for acne, with links to related information (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media). See also Good Skin handouts (ages 8 - 13) and Skin Conditions for information on other skin diseases, conditions & procedures, including Tattoos and Piercings (American Academy of Dermatology), and Oral Piercings (American Dental Association).
Am I in A Healthy Relationship? [IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER PLEASE DIAL 911] - Explains the basics of healthy and unhealthy relationships. For teens (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media). See also Healthy Relationships (2020, Center for Young Women's Health, Children's Hospital of Boston) and Bullying links, below. If you think you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or dating violence, see Violence Against Women & Children: Hotlines & Other Resources and TEENZONE: Relationships.
ALCOHOL: Kids & Alcohol - Explains what alcoholism is, what causes it, why drinking is bad for you, and what to do if someone you know has a drinking problem, plus related links. Middle school and up. See also For Teens: Drugs & Alcohol (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media). If your parents have a drug or alcohol problem, see It Feels So Bad [Link opens a PDF] (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), Coping When a Parent Has an Alcohol or Drug Problem (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media), Parents with Addictions (SafeTeens.org, Maternal and Family Health Services, Inc.; a private non-profit health and human services organization), and TEENZONE: Talking to Your Parents (Or Other Adults). For information on drugs and drug abuse, see Drug Abuse links, below.
Anatomy (Human) - See Body Basics and other resources on Biology & Anatomy.
Bandaids & Blackboards [Archived page] - A site for and about kids with chronic medical conditions, and for their friends, families, teachers, and others. Includes art, poems, stories, guided meditations, links, and more. Divided into separate sections for kids, teens, and adults; expect some broken links (2009; by Joan Fleitas, Ed.D., R.N. Associate Professor of Nursing, Lehman College, CUNY). See also Diversity/Multicultural Resources: People with Disabilities and TEENZONE: Disabilities.
Body Image and Self-Esteem - Brief tips to help you boost your body image and your self-esteem, with links to related articles; middle school and up (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media). Body Image offers more advice and resources to help you develop and maintain positive feelings about your body, including your height, shape, and weight; middle school and up (National Eating Disorders Association). See also Body Image Issues (GirlsHealth.gov), Advertising & Media Messages links, and Eating Disorders, below. See also TEENZONE: Body Image, and Body Basics.
Bullying: StopBullying.gov VIDEO [IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER PLEASE DIAL 911] - Information and animated videos explain why kids bully and what you can do to protect yourself and others; there is a related page for teens (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services). See also Kids Against Bullying VIDEO (Pacer Center and U.S. Department of Education), Am I in A Healthy Relationship?, above, and TEENZONE: Bullying.
Choose My Plate for Kids AUDIO VIDEO INTERACTIVE - Nutrition resources for kids, including games, activity sheets, kid-friendly recipes, and physical activity tips (USDA). Older students, see Choose My Plate for Teens.
Chronic Conditions - See Bandaids & Blackboards, above.
Conflict Resolution VIDEO - A short video offering advice on how to deal with anger and conflict with friends or family (Brain Pop). See also Taking Charge of Anger (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media).
COVID-19 Pandemic: Kids' video diaries about life during COVID-19 VIDEO - 'UNICEF asked children from around the world to document their lives at home. To get a glimpse into their world and to inspire others. From Italy to Iraq to South Africa, these videos show how every child has a unique way of coping with the effects of coronavirus.' COVID Chronicles is an illustrated feature chronicling personal accounts of life and death from the frontlines of COVID-19; for high school and up (2020, NBC News). For general info about COVID-19, see Facts about coronavirus: What kids need to know (2021, National Geographic Kids). If you're still dealing with stress, fear, grief, or other feelings related to the COVID-19 pandemic, see How Are You Feeling Right Now? (2023, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). See also COVID-19 resources.
Crying and Tears - Explains what tears are, why we cry, and more (2022; Kids News, News Corp Australia). See also Stress relief from laughter (2019, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; site includes advertisements).
Cutting - This page explains why people cut (purposely scratching or cutting yourself with a sharp object to make your skin bleed), and how you can help yourself or a friend who is cutting (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media).
Dating Violence - See Am I in A Healthy Relationship? and related links, above.
Dental Health: Mouth Healthy Kids & Mouth Healthy Teens - These pages can help you learn how to take good care of your teeth and have a healthy smile (American Dental Association; site includes advertisements). See also Taking Care of Your Teeth (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media), Dental Health (2018, Children's Hospital Boston), Braces (for kids) (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media), and The Secret Science of Braces INTERACTIVE (American Chemical Society).
Disabilities - See Bandaids & Blackboards, above.
Domestic Violence - See Am I in A Healthy Relationship? and related links, above.
DRUGS: Drug Facts - Up-to-date information on steroids, cocaine, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, Fentanyl, inhalants, marijuana, and other substances, plus related topics (National Institute on Drug Abuse). What You Need to Know About Drugs offers basic facts about drugs, why drugs are bad for you, how to tell if someone you know is using drugs, and what you can do to help; middle school and up (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media). See also What is Addiction? VIDEO (National Institute on Drug Abuse), ALCOHOL links, Tips for Teens, and TEENZONE: Substance Abuse (Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco). If your parents have a drug or alcohol problem, see It Feels So Bad and related links, above.
Ears - See Noise links, below.
Eating Disorders - An overview of the topic, with advice about prevention & treatment, and information on various types of eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, pica, and others), The site also offers information about Eating Disorders in Men & Boys and other communities UPDATED LINK! & population groups UPDATED LINK! (National Eating Disorders Association). See also Body Image links, above, Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide (by ECRI, a non-profit health research agency), and TEENZONE: Eating Disorders.
E-Cigarettes - See Vaping links.
Environmental Health - See Environmental Health links.
Eye Health & Safety for Kids - 'Here you can learn about your eyes, how they work, and how to keep them healthy. Plus, you'll discover lots of fun eye facts' (National Eye Institute). See also Your Eyes (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media).
Fire Safety for Kids: Sparky the Fire Dog VIDEO INTERACTIVE - Games, activities, videos and more to help kids learn essential fire safety. (National Fire Protection Association; non-profit organization)
Food & Nutrition - See Choose My Plate and Eating Disorders, above.
Girl's Health - Information and advice on the issues girls (ages 10-16) will face as they become young women. Covers emotions & relationships, eating smart and staying fit, and avoiding drugs, alcohol, and smoking. There are also sections on disability & chronic illness, bullying, and safety. Though aimed at girls, there is plenty of useful information here for boys, too (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services). Girls aged 12 and up, see also Young Women's Health, below.
Health Information: Trust it or Trash it? - A tool to help you think critically about the quality of health information, including websites, handouts, booklets, etc. There is also a printable PDF version (Genetic Alliance; non-profit organization). See Scientific Misinformation and Evaluating Websites for additional advice.
Hearing - See Noise links, below.
History of Medicine - A collection of online exhibits exploring 'the people, events, innovations and inventions that have shaped medicine as we know it today,' examining a variety of historical developments related to epidemics, the body, science & technology, war, hospitals, surgery, mental health, pharmaceuticals and public health; for high school and up (Science Museum, London UK). The Art and Science of Healing: From Antiquity to the Renaissance describes the early history of Western and Islamic medicine, illustrated by archaeological artifacts, papyri, medieval manuscripts, and early printed books; for high school and up (University of Michigan). The National Library of Medicine's online exhibitions look at historical topics such as George Washington & Medicine, Shakespeare & the Four Humors, African Americans in Civil War Medicine, Yellow Fever in Alexander Hamilton's America, Harry Potter's World (Renaissance Science, Magic, & Medicine) and many more; middle school and up, but age level varies for individual resources. Plagues and Peoples: The Columbia Exchange [Archived page] outlines the devastating impact of European exploration on the native peoples of the Americas; high school and up (University of Manitoba); see also The Columbian Exchange: Disease and Catastrophe (NCpedia, North Carolina Government & Heritage Library). History of Diseases [Archived page; expect some broken links] is a directory of links to web resources on the history of medicine. Age level varies, mostly high school and up (2015, Medical Library Association). Quack Cures and Self-Remedies: Patent Medicine, 1860-1920 surveys the advertising and sale of 'patent medicines' that were commonly used in the era before the government began regulating drugs. These early medicines often contained opium, paregoric, alcohol, tar, and other unsafe or addictive ingredients (Digital Public Library of America). History of Medicine Digital Exhibits links to dozens of online exhibits covering a range of topics in the history of medicine (McMaster University, Canada). See also History of Vaccines (2020, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia), COVID-19 Pandemic links, Epidemics & Pandemics history links, Eugenics history links, History of Disability, and Medical Technology Milestones and related links.
Injury Prevention for Kids - See Safety Center, below.
Kids' Health - Doctor-approved health information written for kids, with hundreds of in-depth articles and features. Middle school and up (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media).
Kids with Disabilities - See Ethnic / Multicultural Links: Disabilities.
Laughter - See Crying and Tears links, above.
Mental Health Resources for Teens - Selected links to up-to-date resources on the mental health concerns of teens (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
Call or text 988 for the NATIONAL SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE if you are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
TeensHealth: Mind has advice that can help you with problems and questions about relationships, body image, families, emotions, and more.
You Matter provides quick answers on issues such as addiction, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, gender identity, self-harm, sexual assault, and more (2015, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). Through
Teen Central you can submit a story or post about any crisis, problem or situation you're struggling with and receive a therapeutic support response within 24 hours, safely, anonymously, and free of charge. You can also learn the basics about anger management, anxiety, body image, bullying, depression, relationships, substance use, and other topics (Kids Peace). See also
GirlsHealth: Your Feelings,
Information For Young People Looking for Help VIDEO (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services),
TEENZONE: Stress Management, and our
Meditation & Stress Reduction Webfinder, which includes links to
Meditation audios,
Meditations for kids, and
related mental health posts. If you're in elementary & middle school, see
KidsHealth: Feelings and
KidsHealth: Relaxation pages from
KidsHealth.org.
If you're writing a school report on mental illness, see
Mental Health Information (National Institute of Mental Health). See also
COVID-19 Pandemic links.
Muscles, Bones, Joints & Skin - 'Your childhood and teen years are a prime time to learn habits that will help you keep your bones, joints, muscles, and skin healthy for years to come. Have fun exploring these pages, and come back often for updates and new features' (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [NIAMS]). For additional information on skin, see Acne and related links, above.
Noise: Can Loud Music Hurt My Ears? - Cranking up the volume on your iPod or other portable audio player may sound great now - but it may also cause permanent hearing loss. This page explains what kids can do to protect their hearing from long-term damage (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media). See also Noisy Planet for 8-12 year olds (National Institutes of Health), Listen Up! [Link opens a PDF] for elementary school students, Say What? [Link opens a PDF] for middle school students (2009, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
Nutrition - See Choose My Plate and Eating Disorders, above.
Runaway Switchboard - Information on where to get help in a crisis, plus links to related resources. To talk to someone who can help, call 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929). See also Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call 988), above, and TEENZONE: Crisis links.
Safety Center for Kids VIDEO - Information for kids about how to have fun and be safe while camping, swimming, biking, and more. Teens will find a variety of safety advice, including safety tips for driving & sports, at Staying Safe for Teens. (Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media)
Sleep: How Much Do I Need - Explains why teens aren't getting enough sleep, why sleep is important, how to know if you're getting enough, and how to get more. Younger kids, see What Sleep Is and Why All Kids Need It. (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media)
Smoking Stinks! - Explains what cigarettes and smokeless tobacco are, why kids use them, how they can hurt you, and how you can help a friend who is smoking or using smokeless tobacco; there is a related page on Smoking (for Teens) (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media). For more on smoking and tobacco, see Drug Facts: Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (National Institute on Drug Abuse), Cigarette Smoking, Smokeless Tobacco, & E-Cigarettes (Vaping) NEW! (2022, Children's Hospital Boston), How Can I Quit Smoking? (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media), and SmokeFree Teen (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services); text QUIT to 47848 if you want to sign up for text support. See Teens' Health: Vaping (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media), e-Cigarettes Quick Facts (U.S. Centers for Disease Control), and Quit Vaping (National Cancer Institute) for more information about how e-Cigarettes work, their health effects, and how to quit. Selling Smoke takes a look at the history of tobacco advertising and anti-smoking campaigns (Yale University).
Sports - See our Kids' Sports and Coaching Webfinder UPDATED LINK!. If you love sports but aren't too excited about science, see our Sports & Science links. (South Plainfield Public Library)
Stress - See Mental Health Resources, above.
Stuttering for Kids - Information about stuttering, with helpful advice for kids who stutter. (Stuttering Foundation)
Suicide - See Suicide Hotline, above.
Teens' Health - Provides doctor-approved information about health, written for teens, with hundreds of in-depth articles and features (Nemours Center for Children's Health Media). See also Mental Health Resources for Teens, above.
TeenZone: Health / Crisis / Fitness / Outdoors - More great links for teens on physical and emotional health, sports & fitness. (South Plainfield Public Library)
Tips for Teens UPDATED LINK! - Free downloadable online pamphlets give you basic facts about drugs, alcohol, e-cigarettes and tobacco; PDF format. (National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information)
Vaping - See Vaping links, above.
Vision - See Eye Health & Safety, above.
Wash Your Hands - 'Scientists estimate that people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands. From doorknobs to animals to food, harmful germs can live on almost everything. Handwashing may be your single most important act to help stop the spread of infection and stay healthy.' Visit this site for more information (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). See also The Scrub Club for kids aged 3 - 8 (NSF International; non-profit organization).
Young Men's Health - State-of-the-art health information for teen guys and young men; search by keywords, or use the menu to browse topics (Children's Hospital of Boston). See also TEENZONE: Health & Safety.
Young Women's Health - Health information for girls and young women ages 12-22; search by keywords, or use the menu to browse topics (Children's Hospital of Boston). Girls aged 10-16, see also Girl's Health, above, and TEENZONE: Health & Safety.
