Health & Fitness

Remember : Websites providing health information are intended to supplement, not substitute for, professional care. Please consult your doctor about your medical concerns.

Need help? Start here : call 211 Call 2-1-1 when you need to find state or local resources to address urgent needs or everyday concerns, including health & mental health services, food banks, shelter, rental or utility assistance, adult day care, Meals on Wheels, transportation, childcare, crisis intervention services, job training, education, and more. 2-1-1 is free, confidential, multi-lingual, confidential, TTY accessible, and available 24/7 2-1-1 resource specialists will guide callers to the most helpful available resources. Visit the website for more information (United Way, in partnership with the State of New Jersey). NOTE : 2-1-1 calls are generally toll-free; however, if you are calling 2-1-1 from your cell phone, please check with your cell phone service provider first to find out whether you will be charged for the call.

General Health Information

Health Source Consumer Edition Health Source (Consumer Edition) - Access to nearly 80 full text, consumer health magazines, with information on many health topics including the medical sciences, food sciences and nutrition, childcare, sports medicine and general health. If you're logging in from your home, school, or office computer, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode, and PIN to begin. (An EBSCOHost Database)

Health Source (Nursing/Academic Edition) - Nearly 550 scholarly full text journals focusing on many medical disciplines. Health Source : Nursing/Academic Edition also features the Lexi-PAL Drug Guide, which covers 1,300 generic drug patient education sheets with more than 4,700 brand names. If you're logging in from your home, school, or office computer, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode, and PIN to begin. (An EBSCOHost Database)

Salud en Español - Reportes completos basados en evidencias y fichas de datos relacionados a todos los aspectos de la salud y el bienestar. Reportes específicos por tema que cubren todos los aspectos de la salud, dan información general importante en relación a enfermedades, afecciones y procedimientos de diversos tratamientos. Clic el ícono y entre su nombre, código de barras, y número de identificación personal. (Administrado por EBSCOHost)

Facts on File : Health Reference Center - Clear and comprehensive information on conditions and diseases, health and wellness, mental health, and the human body. Focusing on the high school health curriculum, Health Reference Center includes educational videos, color illustrations, and regularly updated health news articles. If you're logging in from your home, school, or office computer, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode, and PIN to begin.

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions, see:
CURRENT AIR TRAVEL SECURITY PROCEDURES
(U.S. Transportation Security Administration).

Atlas of the Body - Basic illustrations of the internal organs and structures (anatomy) of the human body, with brief descriptive text for each picture (American Medical Association; site includes advertisements). See also Human Body Maps new (Healthline Networks, Inc; site includes advertisements).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Information on a wide range of health & safety topics, including Diseases & Conditions, Emergency Preparedness & Response, Environmental Health, Life Stages & Populations, Healthy Living, Injury, Violence & Safety, Travelers' Health, and Workplace Safety & Health. There's also an index of Health Topics A-Z. The National Institutes of Health website offers selected links to health information, arranged by subject. Covers body location or body system, medical procedures, common conditions & diseases, health & wellness, and various population groups (women, children, seniors, etc.) You can also browse alphabetically or search by keyword. See also HealthFinder.gov. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Cleveland Clinic Consumer Health Information - 'Articles and tools to help you manage a chronic disease or condition, live healthy, and be well.' Includes videos, webcasts & podcasts, interactive health tools, and related resources. (Cleveland Clinic, a not-for-profit, multispecialty academic medical center)

ClinicalTrials.gov - If you are interested in participating in clinical research on health conditions, or in tests of new drugs or other treatments, or if you just want to find out about research studies in progress or completed, search this registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world (U.S. National Institutes of Health). See also IFPMA Clinical Trials Portal for information about clinical trials in the pharmaceutical industry (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations).

Consumer Protection : Health - Links to articles and websites providing information for consumers on medical devices, procedures, & treatments, drugs & dietary supplements, and weight loss & fitness. 'With so many sources of health information at your fingertips - many of them online - it can be tough to tell fact from fiction, or useful health products and services from those that don't work or aren't safe.' So the FTC has also created the Who Cares? website to help you find reliable sources of information on health topics important to you. (U.S. Federal Trade Commission)

Consumer Reports Health Blog - Consumer Reports' health reporters, editors, and testers offer brief health and fitness tips, and report on new developments and trends; RSS feed available.

Daily Healthbeat Tip - Brief podcasts provide tips on health promotion and disease prevention 5 days a week in audio and text formats. NIH Radio offers short audio programs with the latest on National Institutes of Health research findings and health campaigns. NIH also offers News in Health, an online newsletter with practical information on a wide range of health-related topics. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Disaster Preparedness [UPDATED LINK!] - Advice from the Red Cross on how to make sure you and your family are prepared if disaster strikes your area; covers everything from blackouts and heat waves to hurricanes and terrorism. Printable guides are available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Haitian, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The Red Cross also provides information on what to do After a Disaster [UPDATED LINK!] (American Red Cross). See also Emergency Preparedness and Response (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and First Aid & Safety resources listed below.

Easy-to-Read Health Information - Information in simple language on a wide range of health conditions. For many conditions, helpful pictures or diagrams and audio are included. Also offers Interactive Health Tutorials which use animated graphics to explain procedures and conditions in easy-to-read language. You can also listen to the tutorials. Arranged by subect. En Español : Todos los documentos de lectura fácil. (Medline)

Evaluating Health Information - Articles and tutorials on how to separate reliable from questionable health information (Medline). Deciphering Medspeak helps you translate common 'medspeak' terms, and offers tips on how to identify quality health care information on the Internet. Now includes printable 'Deciphering Medspeak' brochures focusing on specific diseases : breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease, eye disesase, stroke, and HIV-AIDS (Medical Library Association). Are you baffled by the latest health news? Are you wondering : Should I eat a low-carb diet or a high-carb diet? Is jogging good for me? Does everything cause cancer? Taking Charge of Health Information offers ten questions you should ask to evaluate the reliability of health information (2004, Harvard School of Public Health). You're Sick. Now What? also offers advice on how to cope with the 'daily bombardment of news reports and drug advertising... self-proclaimed medical breakthroughs and claims of worrisome risks.' (2008, New York Times).

Everyday Choices - Tips for healthy living, including advice on eating right, quitting smoking, and getting active (American Cancer Society et al.). See also New Year's Resolutions Guide, below.

Family History and Health - Explains how your family health history can be used to evaluate your risk of developing common diseases, and aid in early detection and prevention (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Free online Family Health Portrait tool and related resources are available from the U.S. Surgeon General's Office. If you prefer to use a paper version of the tool to gather and record your family information, printable PDFs are available in several languages. See Privacy Alert : Storing your Medical History Online.

First Aid & Safety - A parents' guide to emergency treatments for everything from allergic reactions and animal bites to nosebleeds and broken bones. Includes printable instruction sheets for a variety of common first aid situations (Nemours Foundation). You may want to buy a printed First Aid guide [UPDATED LINK!] from the Red Cross to keep handy for emergencies. See also assembling a first aid kit (Medline) and Emergency Medicine : Emergency Care for You (American College of Emergency Physicians). The University of Washington School of Medicine provides basic information about cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the website Learn CPR . For an even simpler method, see Hands-Only CPR (American Heart Association).

Health Brochures in Multiple Languages - Online health education brochures and sound recordings in many languages, including Amharic, Chinese, Hmong, Karen, Khmer, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Vietnamese, and others. Covers a variety of topics, but not all brochures are available in all languages; in many languages only a handful of brochures are offered, most commonly on illnesses such as chicken pox and hepatitis. Additional materials are to be added in future (Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library et al.). Healthy Roads Media also offers health information in a variety of formats (handouts, audio, multimedia, web video, and iPod mobile video) and more than a dozen languages, including Arabic, Bosnian, Farsi, Hmong, Korean, Kurdish, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and others. Not all topics are covered in every language (funded by National Library of Medicine et al.).

Health Care Advance Planning Toolkit [Link opens a PDF] - A consumer guide to making advance health care directives, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care (2005, American Bar Association). Additional information & resources are available on the Health Care Decision Making page; scroll down the page to the Consumer Information section. See also Advance Directives in New Jersey (N.J. Department of Health and Senior Services).

Health Care Quality Guide - Tips to help you be active in making decisions about your health care so you can receive the best possible care. Includes a list of questions to ask when talking with your doctor. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

HealthFinder.gov - Links to selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, websites, and support and self-help groups, as well as government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Health Hotlines - An extensive listing of health information available toll-free by telephone. Browse the A-Z subject list or search by keyword for your topic. Now available in an iTunes app! (National Library of Medicine)

HealthiNation - Short, informative videos on a wide range of health & fitness topics. Management of the site includes a medical advisory board. (Videos may include advertisements)

Health News Review - Monitors major U.S. media for news stories related to medical treatments, and rates the stories for accuracy, balance, sources, etc. Reviewing and scoring is done by a team of medical professionals. (Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making)

Health Podcasts - A library of podcasts covering the latest health and medical news; Your Child, a guide to kids' development and behavior issues; Actualidad Médica, Spanish language podcast on important health and research news; health information of interest to those of Japanese ethnicity; information and instructions for common tests and procedures; Cancer Q & A; Guided Imagery; and more. (University of Michigan Health System)

Healthy N.J. - Offers general information on health & wellness as well as specific diseases and conditions; also provides links to other health-related organizations in New Jersey, and a variety of medical reference sources, plus separate sections for Kids & Teens. (University of Medicine & Dentistry of N.J.)

InteliHealth - Features Harvard Medical School's consumer health information, searchable by keyword.

Johns Hopkins Medicine Podcasts - This five- to seven-minute free audio program features 'a lively discussion of the week's medical news and how it may affect you.' (Johns Hopkins Medicine)

Kaiser Health Policy News - The Kaiser Daily Health Reports 'aim to provide objective, balanced and complete coverage of media reports on stories related to health policy and HIV/AIDS'. Excerpts and summarizes information from hundreds of sources (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation). For more on health policy, see Health Affairs a peer-reviewed journal of health policy thought and research (Project HOPE, a non-profit international health education organization).

Lab Tests Online - Easy-to-use site explains many clinical lab tests that are part of routine health care as well as diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of conditions and diseases, with links to related health information. Versions of the site are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Polish, German, Italian, French, Greek, Czech, and Hungarian. (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)

Medical Errors - Medical errors are mistakes that can happen with your health care, such as getting the wrong medicine or even the wrong operation. This guide briefly outlines simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from medical errors. Questions Are the Answer offers additional advice and information on reducing medical mistakes, talking with your doctor, getting medical tests, planning for surgery, and using medications. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Medical Product Recalls - Consumer information about important safety problems with drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and other health products, plus how to report a problem. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Medline Plus - Consumer health information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. Includes a Medical Dictionary (from Merriam-Webster) and a Medical Encyclopedia (content by A.D.A.M., Inc.), featuring over 4,000 articles about diseases, tests, symptoms, injuries, and surgeries, plus an extensive library of medical photographs and illustrations.

Medpedia - 'A collaborative encyclopedia and resource for information about health, medicine and the body. Only physicians and Ph.D.s are allowed to edit the Articles on Medpedia... In association with Harvard Medical School, Stanford School of Medicine, Berkeley School of Public Health, University of Michigan Medical School and other leading global health organizations, Medpedia will be a commons for the gathering of the information and people critical to health care.'

Merck Manual Home Health Handbook new - Free online text of the Merck Manual Home Health Handbook, which 'explains disorders, who is likely to get them, their symptoms, how they're diagnosed, how they might be prevented, and how they can be treated; also provides information about prognosis... written in everyday language by 300 outstanding contributors.' The online version contains photographs, audio and video material not found in the print version and is updated periodically with new information. (Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., pharmaceutical company)

Minorities : Health Information - Health information on various conditions, with resources specifically designed for African Americans, Asian American/Pacific Islanders, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Native Americans, American Indians, & Alaska Natives, and others. (Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services).

My Medicines - A handy printable 2-page guide with easy-to-read advice about taking medicines correctly, and a chart you can fill in to keep track of your medicines and supplements. Available in English, Spanish, and 11 other languages; scroll down the page for links to the PDFs. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

New Year's Resolutions Guide - Strategies to help you succeed with your weight loss plan, exercise program, or quitting smoking — at any time of year (University of Maryland). See also Popular New Year's Resolutions (USA.gov) and Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions (Healthy N.J.).

NOAH Health Topics - Extensive information and resources on health, arranged by topic. (En Español : NOAH Temas de Salud). (New York Online Access to Health; CUNY and New York Academy of Medicine et al.)

Organ Donor Program - Explains how you can register to become an organ or tissue donor. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Privacy Resources - Information and updates on medical privacy issues, including Medical Privacy FAQ and Storing your Medical History Online (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse). See also Patient Privacy Toolkit (Patient Privacy Rights Foundation; nonprofit organization), Medical Identity Theft (World Privacy Forum), Health Information Privacy and searchable FAQ on Health Information Privacy (Department of Health & Human Services).

Take One Step - Online videos and information for individuals and families facing major health challenges, including depression, cancer, heart disease, and obesity. (2008, WGBH Educational Foundation / PBS).

UMDNJ HealthLink Radio - Half-hour radio programs on a wide variety of health topics. (University of Medicine & Dentistry of N.J.)

UpToDate Patient Information - Get the latest information from experts on a wide variety of medical conditions; search for your topic by keyword. Resources are continually reviewed, and articles are updated whenever important new information is published. (An official educational program of, or offered in cooperation with several major medical associations, and recommended by American Academy of Family Physicians.) NOTE : Patient-level articles are free; professional-level articles are available to subscribers only.

Wellness Letter - One feature article each month from the current issue of the WELLNESS LETTER, plus 'Ask the Experts' column and Foundations of Wellness : The Basics for Staying Healthy. Focus is on nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle choices (University of California, Berkeley). NOTE : Archived back issues are available only to paid subscribers.

Your Disease Risk - An easy-to-use tool, in a question and answer format, for evaluating your risk of developing five major diseases (cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and stroke), with personalized tips for preventing them. (Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine)

Alternative & Complementary Medicine

CAM (Complementary & Alternative Medicine) Web Resources - Selected links on complementary and alternative medicine, including different types of alternative therapies. Last updated in August 2007. (Tufts University)

Cancer & Complementary / Integrative Medicine - Selected resources on the safety and effectiveness of complementary therapies in treating cancer. Use the left-hand menu to choose a topic. (University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center)

Complementary & Alternative Medicine - Articles on about two dozen alternative healing approaches from acupuncture to yoga, plus links to additional resources, including Doctor/Practitioner directories. (NOAH : New York Online Access to Health; CUNY and New York Academy of Medicine et al.).

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Index (CAM) - Articles on a variety of topics in alternative medicine, including conditions, treatments, herbs, supplements, and interactions; arranged by subject. (University of Maryland; content by A.D.A.M., Inc.).

Dr. Andrew Weil - This website from the bestselling author of holistic health books offers articles and Q&A on a wide range of health and wellness topics, such as aging, heart health, mental health, health issues for men, women & children, herbs & supplements, wellness therapies, and more. NOTE: This site advertises and sells Dr. Weil's books, supplements, and other products.

Holistic Lifestyle Questionnaires - Assessments for teen, college, adult, and older adult wellness, based on a 'Six-Dimensional Model' encompassing social, occupational, spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional health. (National Wellness Institute)

Meditation and Mindfulness - See Meditation and related links, below.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine - Alerts and advisories, scientific research, and other information on alternative medicine from the National Institutes of Health. Español : La medicina complementaria y alternativa. See also MedlinePlus : Complementary & Alternative Medicine page.

UMDNJ Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (ICAM) - Briefly describes a variety of alternative therapies. Also includes a CAM critical overview with some tips on evaluating alternative treatments. (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey)

Diseases & Conditions

Prevention and treatment information for the flu season:

FLU PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS, & TREATMENT
UNDERSTANDING FLU (Influenza)
N.J. Department of Health FLU INFORMATION
MORE FLU INFORMATION

AIDS Info - Resources on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and other information (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services). HIVInSite offers HIV prevention and treatment information for patients and the public, including HIV/AIDS Basics, Ask HIV InSite Q & A, and information for youth and other populations (University of California). National HIV Testing Resources offers a searchable database of HIV testing sites, plus answers to many questions about HIV/AIDS and testing. See also HIV/AIDS Q & A (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Air Quality Index - Provides current data on air pollutants in your area. (See also Indoor Air Quality link below.)

Allergy Bureau - Provides pollen and mold spore counts; you can register for email alerts. Click on Patients & Consumers for additional information on allergies. See also Asthma & Allergy Foundation, below.

Alzheimer's Association - The latest research on Alzheimer's Disease, with information on risk factors, warning signs, diagnosis, treatment, and more. See also Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (National Institute on Aging), Medline Alzheimer's page and The Forgetting (2008, PBS).

Arthritis Today - Offers information and advice on conditions, symptoms, daily living, fitness, nutrition & weight loss, and a variety of treatments (drugs, supplements, alternative therapies, self-treatments, surgery, and lab tests), for people suffering from arthritis and related conditions affecting the joints, including osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, and back pain. CAUTION : 'The acceptance of advertising on the Arthritis Foundation websites does not constitute or imply endorsement by the Arthritis Foundation of any advertised product or service... The Arthritis Foundation accepts no responsibility for any claims made in any advertisement' (Arthritis Foundation). See also National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and American College of Rheumatology patient education page.

Asthma & Allergy Foundation - Facts about asthma and allergies (including food allergies). See also Air Quality Index and Allergy Bureau, described above.

Autism - FAQs about autism, and explanations of diagnosis, testing, and treatment options (New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community). For more information, see Autism Society of America.

Cancer.gov - Comprehensive information about all different types of cancer, including causes, prevention, testing, treatment options, side effects & complications, emotional aspects, información sobre el cáncer en español, and links to other websites (National Cancer Institute). The American Cancer Society also offers información de referencia sobre el cáncer en Español, as well as cancer information in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Cancer Care offers an assortment of helpful articles on topics relating to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, plus information on What to Expect With Chemotherapy, What to Expect With Radiation Therapy and Managing Eating Problems During Cancer Treatment (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics). Curious About a Cancer Treatment? suggests questions you should ask about products that claim to treat or cure cancer (Federal Trade Commission ). See also Environmental Health links, below.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Definition, symptoms, possible causes, diagnosis, treatment options, FAQ, and support group information (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). See also CFIDS Association of America.

Colds, Flu, Ear Infections, and Runny noses : No Antibiotics Please! - 'Are you aware that colds, flu, most sore throats, and bronchitis are caused by viruses? Did you know that antibiotics do not help fight viruses? It's true. Plus, taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.' Visit this site for more information (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). See also Flu links at the top of this section.

Coping with Chronic Illness - Links to information and organizations (National Institutes of Health). See also Pain Foundation and related links, below.

Dental Health : Simple Steps - A step-by-step guide to taking good care of your teeth, dental Q & A, the latest research findings on dental health, and more (University of Pennsylvania). See also Dental Health Links (Medline), The Facts about Fillings : Dental Materials Fact Sheet [Link opens a PDF] (2004, Dental Board of California), Gum Disease & Periodontal Health (American Academy of Periodontology), Mouth Healthy : Oral Health Topics A-Z [UPDATED LINK!] (American Dental Association) and Find-a-Dentist directory (American Dental Association). See American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry for information on dental care for infants, children, and adolescents.

Diabetes and Digestive & Kidney Diseases - Online publications explain diabetes, hepatitis, ulcers, indigestion, Crohn's disease, and many other common and uncommon conditions affecting the stomach, kidneys, liver, etc. (National Institutes of Health). See also Diabetes Association, National Kidney Foundation, and Endocrine Diseases & Conditions, below.

Disability.gov - Information for people with disabilities, covering benefits, civil rights, community life, education, emergency preparedness, employment, housing, technology, and transportation. You can browse information by subject or state, or use the space provided to search by keyword (The White House). The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities also offers fact sheets on a variety of specific disabilities, each with a description of the disability, tips for parents and teachers, and a list of related resources (Academy for Educational Development; funded by U.S. Department of Education). Brave Kids [UPDATED LINK!] provides links to children's medical organizations and information on autism, cancer, cerebral palsy, ADHD / ADD and many more conditions (non-profit organization). For more useful resources on living with disabilities, see our Disabilities links.

Ear, Nose & Throat - Information on topics such as sinusitus, hearing loss, snoring, allergies, thyroid conditions, balance disorders, and other conditions related to the ears, nose, throat, head and neck. (American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery)

Eating Disorders Info - Explains Anorexia, Bulimia, and related disorders (National Eating Disorders Association). See also Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide for Family & Friends (ECRI, a non-profit health services research agency).

Emergency Medicine : Emergency Care for You - Patient information about emergencies, emergency departments, safety and wellness issues, seasonal-related tips, and much more. (American College of Emergency Physicians)

Endocrine Diseases & Conditions - Patient education materials on endocrine/hormone conditions including diabetes, growth disorders, menopause, obesity, thyroid disorders, pituitary disorders, and others. Also offers a Find-an-Endocrinologist search. (Endocrine Society)

Environmental Health [UPDATED LINK!] - Facts and tips on dealing with all kinds of environmental health threats, from carbon monoxide or lead to noise, food poisoning, or natural disasters (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). For worldwide news about subjects related to environmental health, see Environmental Health News (Environmental Health Sciences, a non-profit organization ). Avoidable Cancers provides 'information on avoidable causes of cancer from carcinogenic ingredients and contaminants in consumer products, food, cosmetics and personal care products, and household products.' (Cancer Prevention Coalition; non-profit organization). Breast Cancer and the Environment : Questions & Answers new [Link opens a PDF] (2011, National Academy of Sciences) and Breast Cancer Risk Can Be Lowered By Avoiding Unnecessary Medical Imaging new (2012, University of California) provide information on some possible environmental causes of breast cancer.

Epilepsy Foundation - Information about about epilepsy and related disorders, including causes, risks, treatment, diagnosis, and FAQ. (Epilepsy Foundation)

Fibroids - Explains what uterine fibroids are, describing types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. (University of California)

Fibromyalgia : Patient Education - An overview of symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, coping strategies, and links to related resources (2012, American College of Rheumatology) See also Fibromyalgia Network (by Kristin Thorson et al.; a patient education and advocacy organization).

Flu (Influenza) - Explains the different types of flu, causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases). See Flu links for more information.

Genetic Disorders & Birth Defects Information Center - Information and links on many types of genetic disorders, a section for parents and expectant parents, plus information on genetic testing & counseling and adult genetic risks (Indiana University School of Medicine). See also Genetics Home Reference for consumer-friendly information about the effects of genetic variations on human health (National Library of Medicine).

Global Alert - Information about global epidemics and other public health emergencies, including hepatitis, SARS, and various strains of influenza. (World Health Organization)

Healthcare-Associated Infections - Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions, or that healthcare workers acquire while performing their duties. This site offers information for patients as well as health care providers.

Hearing, Ear Infections, and Deafness - Explains the causes and prevention of hearing loss, as well as communications options for the deaf or hearing-impaired. Also provides facts about ear infections, tinnitus, and noise-induced hearing loss. See also Noise Pollution, Noisy Planet (National Institutes of Health), and Health Effects of Noise Pollution (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

Heart Association - Information on prevention and treatment for heart disease, including health assessment tools, CPR & ECC, Healthy Lifestyle, Nutrition (including heart-healthy recipes [UPDATED LINK!]), and more. See also Texas Heart Institute and Take One Step for a Healthy Heart (2007, WGBH Educational Foundation / PBS).

Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases - Online publications covering a variety of heart, lung, and blood disorders, plus related resources. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Hospice Net - Links to hospice directories, plus information and support for patients and families facing life-threatening illness. Includes advice on finding a hospice, controlling pain, caregiving, and bereavement. For other useful resources on hospices and grief, see the American Hospice Foundation website.

Indoor Air Quality A to Z - Information about the health effects - and methods of control - of mold & moisture, radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, tobacco smoke and other indoor air contaminants (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). For more information on indoor air quality, and specific pollutants such as bacteria & viruses, carbon monoxide, radon, formaldehyde, dust mites, and secondhand smoke, see the American Lung Assocation's Healthy Air page.

Infectious Diseases - Brief fact sheets on dozens of communicable diseases, including AIDS, anthrax, E. coli, hepatitis, influenza, Lyme disease, measles, scabies, strep throat, West Nile Virus, and many more (Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene).

Liver Disease Information Center - Patient information on liver diseases, including cirrhosis, all forms of hepatitis, liver cancer, and others (American Liver Foundation). See also Digestive Diseases : Liver (National Institutes of Health).

Lung Association - Facts about asthma, lung cancer, hay fever, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and many other conditions which affect the lungs, plus information on tobacco and smoking. Also check out our Smoking, Alcoholism & Addiction links, below.

Menopause - Links to overviews, tools, news, research, and related resources (Medline). See also North American Menopause Society (nonprofit organization).

Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Fact sheets on all kinds of neurological diseases, conditions, and syndromes, including stroke. Arranged A-Z; also searchable by keyword. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Occupational Health & Safety - Information on recognizing and dealing with a wide range of work-related health and safety topics including ergonomics, noise, and workplace violence, as well as specific substances, processes and industries. (Occupational Safety & Health Administration)

Orthopaedic Connection - Information about arthritis, osteoporosis, sports injuries, and other conditions affecting the bones & joints. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Pain : American Chronic Pain Association - Support and education aimed at helping people with chronic pain live more fully in spite of their pain. Includes information on dozens of conditions, medications & treatments, pain management tools, and more (non-profit organization with a Medical Advisory Board). Chronic Pain : Monitoring Your Thoughts and Feelings (Inflexxion®, Inc., a pharmaceutical industry consulting company).

Pets & People - 'Information about the health-related risks of owning and caring for animals.' (National Center for Infectious Diseases)

Radiology Info - Answers questions about radiologic procedures and therapies including x-ray, mammogram, and radiation oncology (cancer therapy) procedures (Radiological Society of North America, Inc.). Radiation Risk Real but Misunderstood new examines the risks of radiation from medical imaging tests (Dr. Sandeep Rao, Johns Hopkins Hospital; 2011, Baltimore Sun newspaper).

Rare Disorders - A database of brief descriptions for more than a thousand uncommon diseases and conditions, with contact information and links to additional resources for each (National Organization for Rare Disorders; non-profit organization). See also Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (National Institutes of Health).

Rehabilitation Information - Thousands of resources, including organizations, agencies, websites, reports, and research projects, to help those with impairments or disabilities live independently. Use the dropdown menu to select a topic. Not updated frequently, so expect some broken links (National Rehabilitation Information Center). For more useful resources on living with disabilities, see our Disabilities links.

Safety & Health Fact Sheets - Information on safety topics related to outdoor activities, household hazards, environmental hazards, driving, and schoolbuses (National Safety Council). See also Health and Safety Facts and Tips (American Red Cross). For more safety advice, see our Child Safety links.

Skin Care Physicians - Patient information on disorders of the skin, hair and nails. Additional Dermatology Resources from the American Academy of Dermatology include an A-Z dictionary of terms, with links to more information.

Sleep Foundation - Facts about sleep and sleep disorders, with quizzes, tips, and tools to improve your sleep (nonprofit organization; site includes advertisements). See also Sleep & Sleep Disorders (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Sleep Disorders (Medline), National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute), and Healthy Children : Sleep [UPDATED LINK!] (American Academy of Pediatrics).

STDs / STIs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections) - Information about sexually transmitted diseases and infections, including symptoms, treatment, and prevention (American Social Health Association). For more on reproductive health, see our Women, Men, Children & Maternity links, below.

Stroke Association - Information about stroke prevention, risks, treatment, recovery, and caregiving. See also Washington University's Internet Stroke Center.

Surgery Videos - Links to dozens of pre-recorded one-hour webcasts of surgical procedures performed at U.S. medical centers. WARNING : These are video recordings of actual operations — not suitable for young children or squeamish adults! (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

Vision Health & Vision Disorders - Causes, symptoms, and treatments of common vision conditions, and what you can do to reduce your risk (Lighthouse International). See also Get EyeSmart (American Academy of Ophthalmology), health information from the National Eye Institute (National Institutes of Health), Contact Lenses [UPDATED LINK!] (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), and information about LASIK eye surgery [UPDATED LINK!] (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

Doctors, Hospitals & Health Plans

AMA Doctor Finder [UPDATED LINK!] - Provides background information on virtually every licensed physician in the United States and its possessions, including more than 690,000 doctors of medicine (MD) and doctors of osteopathy or osteopathic medicine (DO). You can search the database by the doctor's name or by medical specialty. Also offers Medical Society Directories new and other patient resources. See also N.J. Health Care profile, below.

HealthCare.gov - Explains the basics of the 'Affordable Care Act' of 2010 (also known as 'Obamacare'), with tools to help you explore your health insurance coverage options, plus links to other health resources. Includes resources specifically targeted for individuals, families with children, seniors, young adults, employers, and people with disabilities. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Health Care : Handling Disputes with Your Employer or Private Health Plan - Advice on how to handle disagreements over what health care services will be provided or paid for by managed care plans such as HMOs or preferred provider organizations. (2005 Kaiser Family Foundation)

Health Care Law - Explains a variety of legal topics such as charity care, HMOs & managed care, hospitals, insurance, long term care, Medicaid & Medicare, mental health, prescription drugs, privacy, uninsured, and more. Some materials are specific to New Jersey. (Legal Services of New Jersey)

Health Insurance - Brief articles for consumers about choosing health insurance, lowering costs, settling claims, specialty policies, answers to common questions, and definitions of health insurance terminology. (Insurance Information Institute, Inc.; an insurance industry supported organization). Junk Health Insurance explains why cheap health insurance may be worse than none at all, and how to avoid pitfalls when buying insurance on your own (2012, Consumer Reports).

Health Savings Accounts - Questions and answers about Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), designed to help individuals save for future qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis. (U.S. Internal Revenue Service)

Hospital Compare - 'Information on how well the hospitals in your area care for all their adult patients with certain medical conditions. This information will help you compare the quality of care hospitals provide.' (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) Also links to a brochure explaining Patient Care Partnership : Your Rights When You Are in the Hospital, available in 8 languages. (American Hospital Association)

Insure Kids Now! - Information on free or low-cost health insurance programs available for children whose parents cannot afford to buy insurance for them. You can also call 1-877-543-7669 (toll-free) for more information (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services). In N.J., see NJ Family Care.

Long Term Care : Consumer Guide [UPDATED LINK!] [Link opens a PDF] - Printable (PDF) guide on long-term care. (America's Health Insurance Plans; a health insurance industry association)

Low Cost Health Care - 'If you find yourself without health insurance or are unable to afford medical services, this list of resources can help you gain access to health care services.' Includes directories of community health centers, eldercare support, Medicaid, mental health services, pregnancy care, drug and alcohol treatment, and more. Last updated in February 2009. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Medical Diagnosis Codes - If you want to find out what that diagnostic code number on your doctor bill or insurance form means, you can look it up here; scroll down for listings grouped by code (Yaki Technologies). NOTE : only registered users have full access.

Medical Discount Plans : They're Not Health Insurance - Explains the difference between health insurance and medical discount plans, and how to investigate the details before you pay for any plan. See also Is It Really Health Insurance? Making Sure You Get What You Pay For. (Federal Trade Commission)

Medicare & Medicaid Eligibility - Check these pages to find out whether you are eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, what's covered, and related information. See also Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder.

Medical Society of N.J. [UPDATED LINK!] - Use this database to search for a N.J. doctor by name, specialty, insurance, or hospital affiliation.

N.J. Health Care profile - Searchable profiles of more than 32,500 N.J. medical doctors (including osteopathic physicians), podiatrists and optometrists. Contains information about practitioners' education, training, and practice; click on the tabs in a doctor's profile to view information on Education, Practice (to find out if a practitioner speaks a familiar language, has an office accessible to persons with disabilities, or accepts your health plan, etc.), Legal Actions, or Professional Activities. Use the advanced search function to locate doctors practicing in a particular area or hospital. This site includes practitioners actively licensed and currently permitted to practice in New Jersey, as well as some practitioners whose licenses are suspended, revoked, voluntarily surrendered, or expired (Office of the Attorney General, State of N.J.). See also N.J. State Board of Medical Examiners. To look up other New Jersey health care providers, such as dentists, physical therapists, nurses, home health aides, chiropractors, psychologists, acupuncturists, and others, see the N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs Licensee Search.

N.J. Hospitals Directory - View the list of hospitals alphabetically or by county. Includes links to hospital websites. (New Jersey Hospital Association)

Nursing Homes - For information on nursing homes and other health & aging issues, see our Health Sites for Seniors and Elder Care links.

U.S. News & World Report : Best Health Plans - An annual ranking of the top U.S. commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid plans, plus articles on related topics. Site includes advertisements (U.S. News & World Report and National Committee for Quality Assurance). U.S. News & World Report also offers 'best' lists for hospitals (below), doctors, nursing homes, and diets.

U.S. News & World Report : Best Hospitals - Annual rankings of medical centers in 16 specialties from cancer and heart disease to psychiatry and urology. There is now a separate ranking for best children's hospitals. (Site includes advertisements)

Drug & Supplement Information

Antibiotics Aren't Always the Answer - 'Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in a way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of antibiotics... Nearly all significant bacterial infections in the world are becoming resistant to the most commonly prescribed antibiotic treatments.' This site offers basic facts about antibiotic resistance, explains how you can help prevent antibiotic resistance, and offers advice on when antibiotics are or are not needed to deal with conditions such as colds, flu, ear infections, and runny noses. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Buying Medicines and Medical Products Online - Advice on how to protect yourself when buying medical products online. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Consumer Information on Dietary Supplements - Facts sheets on vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other dietary supplements. (National Institutes of Health)

Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs - Reviews the effectiveness, safety and cost of many widely used prescription drugs, and explores the more affordable drug treatment options to discuss with your physician; includes updates and alerts. A good deal of information is provided free of charge, but some is available only to paid subscribers. (Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports)

DailyMed - An up-to-date source of drug content and labeling as found in package inserts. Search by drug name or NDC code. (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

Drug Digest - A 'comprehensive source of noncommercial, evidence-based, consumer-oriented drug information.' You can compare drugs, check for drug interactions, and look up common conditions or treatments. Also covers vitamins, herbs & supplements. (ESI, an independent pharmacy benefit manager)

Drug Information for Consumers - Answers to common questions about generic drugs, prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, side effects, the drug approval process, and more. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Herbal Supplements : What to Know Before You Buy - Tips for selecting and purchasing herbal supplements. CAUTION : 'The presence of an ad on our site or in one of our newsletters does not imply endorsement of the advertised company or product.' (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Herbs, Botanicals, and Other Products - Facts about hundreds of herbs, vitamins, and other supplements; language is technical. (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center)

Medical Product Recalls - Consumer information about recalls and safety problems of drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and other health products, plus how to report a problem. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder - Find out about the Medicare prescription drug program here. You can also compare prescription drug plans and enroll in the plan you select.

Medication Errors Fact Sheet [Link opens a PDF] - A printable 1-page guide to help you avoid problems with drug interactions, dosages, etc. (2006, National Academy of Sciences). See also Consumer Med Safety and Prevent Medication Errors, for drug alerts, advice on safe medication use, how to report errors, how to throw away your medicines safely, and related information (Institute for Safe Medication Practices).

Medline Plus Drugs, Supplements, and Herbal Information - Provides consumer information on prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal medicine. Browse by first letter of a drug / herb / supplement, or use the search box. The MedlinePlus Drug Summary will usually be the first item in the search results list. (National Library of Medicine)

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medicines, Prescription Drugs, Procedures & Devices - Explains the different types of non-prescription drugs available, with tips on reducing the risk of adverse effects and interactions. Also provides information about common prescription medicines, how they work, and foods, medicines or activities you should avoid while taking them; and information about some commonly prescribed medical procedures & supplies, what they are used for, and how they can help you. CAUTION : 'The presence of an advertisement on familydoctor.org does not imply endorsement of the advertised company or product.' (American Academy of Family Physicians)

PDR Drug Information - Online drug information from the publishers of the Physician's Desk Reference. Now includes over-the-counter drugs, herbal medicines and nutritional supplements. (Site includes advertisements)

Prescription Assistance - Patients who are unable to pay for necessary medicines can use this free, confidential website to find assistance programs sponsored by drug companies, government agencies, and local organizations. (Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a coalition of pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups)

Prescription Drug Abuse - Links to information on treatment, prevention & screening, specific conditions, research, organizations, and more (Medline). For more on drug abuse, see our Smoking, Alcoholism & Addiction links, below.

Prescription Drug Marketing : What Consumers Need to Know [Link opens a PDF] - Information about pharmaceutical marketing practices, and advice on avoiding high-priced prescription drugs that may not be right for you. (PharmedOut.org, Georgetown University)

Proper Disposal of Unused Medicines - What should you do with those outdated medications in the medicine cabinet? Throw them in the trash? Flush them down the toilet? This page explains how to properly dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs. See How to Dispose of Unused Medicines for related information (2011, U.S. Food and Drug Administration). See also Throw Away Your Old Medicines Safely (2011, Institute for Safe Medication Practices) and Can I recycle my medication bottles? new (2012, Consumer Reports).

Wellness Guide to Dietary Supplements - Online reports on dozens of supplements are offered free of charge; additional reports are available only to Wellness Letter subscribers. (University of California, Berkeley)

Worst Pills - Warns about some commonly-used drugs and supplements, and the dangers of misprescribing and overprescribing (Public Citizen). NOTE : Some information is free ('Free Health Tips' and 'Free Content' at the bottom of the page), but most articles are available only to paid subscribers.

Fitness, Sport, & Physical Therapy

Just for Seniors

SENIORS : Click here for Seniors' Health links.

FAMILIES & CAREGIVERS : Click here for Elder Care links.

Mental Health, Self-Help, & Support Groups

Are you in crisis? Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless?
Please call the NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Anxiety Disorders - Explains various anxiety disorders, with self-tests and resources for finding help, and advice on managing anxiety. (Anxiety Disorders Association of America)

APA Help Center - An extensive collection of non-technical articles on mental health concerns related to work & school, family & relationships, health & wellness, disasters & terrorism, and more. (American Psychological Association)

Caring for the Caregivers - People caring for a sick child, spouse or parent can find the emotional, physical and financial strains overwhelming. This page explores the difficulties caregivers may face, offers some basic advice, and links to a few related resources, including information on Long Distance Caregiving (National Institutes of Health). See also Elder Care links.

Dealing with Depression - Practical self-help & coping tips for recovering from depression, covering supportive relationships, negative thinking, self-care, getting help, and more (2012, Helpguide.org; Rotary Club of Santa Monica and WISE & Healthy Aging). See also The Neuroscience of Happiness (2010, The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley).

Encyclopedia of Psychology - A directory of online information, organizations, and other resources on a broad range of psychology-related topics. (Jacksonville State University)

Facts for Families - Short fact sheets on a variety of behavioral and other issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families. Available in English, Spanish, Malaysian, Polish, Icelandic, Arabic, Urdu and Hebrew (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). See also Information for Families, which offers additional materials in multiple languages (National Association of School Psychologists).

Financial Stress and Your Health - Practical advice on how to deal with the effects financial difficulties can have on your physical and mental health, covering possible health risks, warning signs, managing stress, getting help, and more. (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration)

Grief Resources - Selected links to non-profit, support or charitable organizations that focus on grief, loss or end-of-life issues. Use the left-hand menu to find related articles, including FAQ About Grief, Ten Common Myths & Realities About Grief, and Managing Grief During the Holidays (National Funeral Directors Association). The American Hospice Foundation's Grief Center also offers helpful articles on grieving (non-profit organization).

Help Guide - Information and advice to help you cope with mental and physical health challenges, such as anxiety & depression, stress & trauma, grief & loss, sleep problems, addiction, eating disorders, and more. (Rotary Club of Santa Monica and WISE & Healthy Aging)

Humor Project - An organization dedicated to helping people 'get more smileage out of their lives and jobs by applying the practical, positive power of humor and creativity.' Articles, interviews, discussion boards. See also Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter, which includes links to additional resources including advice, research, and online humor sites (Rotary Club of Santa Monica and Center for Healthy Aging).

Meditation - Brief and simple instructions on how to begin meditating (PBS.org; site includes advertisements). See also Meditation : A simple, fast way to reduce stress (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research). If you need additional help getting started, the Portland Insight Meditation Community offers some useful guided meditation audios; the shorter Guided Meditation [Link opens an MP3 audio.] is a good introduction to the basic practice of mindfulness meditation. Meditation : An Introduction explains in more detail what meditation is, how it is used for health, the common elements of different practices, and current research related to meditation (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services). What are Contemplative Practices? new provides an overview of the numerous types of practices that 'quiet the mind in order to cultivate a personal capacity for deep concentration and insight,' including meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, religious observances, nature, retreats, and many others, with tips on getting started and overcoming common obstacles (Center for Contemplative Mind in Society; non-profit organization).

Medline : Mental Health - Links to the latest mental health news, plus overviews and articles on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, alternatives, specific conditions, coping tips, and much more. (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

Mental Health Information - An extensive collection of fact sheets and other resources covering a wide variety of mental health concerns. Searchable by audience/population group, broad issue, or specific disorder/treatment. (National Mental Health Association)

Mental Health Topics - Online publications and related resources, arranged by subject (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). See also Mental Health Fact Sheets & Publications (National Institute of Mental Health).

Mental Help / Self-Help - A database of self-help groups and clearinghouses, plus a list of toll-free health/mental health phone lines, and information on starting a support group. See also N.J. Self-Help Clearinghouse, below.

Mental Illness : What a Difference a Friend Makes - 'This site is for people living with mental illness — and their friends. You'll find tools to help in the recovery process, and you can also learn about the different kinds of mental illnesses, read real-life stories about support and recovery, and interact with the video to see how friends can make all the difference.' (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration )

Mood Disorders [UPDATED LINK!] - Information, support, and other resources related to depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression); for patients and families. (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)

N.J. Self-Help Clearinghouse - Links to support groups and workshops dealing with mental health. Also provides information on starting a support group.

Psychiatric Disorders - Basic overviews of major psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar and anxiety disorder, plus recovery stories, recent research discoveries, and related resources. Use the left-hand menu to choose a topic. (Brain and Behavior Research Foundation)

Psychology Research in Action (formerly Psychology Matters) [UPDATED LINK!] - Articles exploring problems and issues of everyday life in the light of psychological research (American Psychological Association). The APA's online magazine, Monitor on Psychology, offers short articles about the latest psychological research findings on topics ranging from the Iraq war to the Internet's effect on children. The Psychology Help Center new features 'articles and information related to psychological issues affecting your daily physical and emotional well-being.'

Recommended Self-Help Books - A selection of recommended self-help books (on the right-hand side of the page) addressing a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, shyness, relationships, and more, plus some links to other resources. Also offers a page on relaxation techniques (Hobart and William Smith Colleges Counseling Center).

Stress - Links to overviews and articles on different kinds of stress and how to manage stress, plus research findings, tutorials, and related resources. (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

This Emotional Life - Information and links to additional resources on relationships, emotional challenges & psychological disorders, and 'positive strategies to help us build resilience and lead fuller, happier lives.' (2009, WGBH Educational Foundation and Vulcan Productions, Inc. / PBS; site includes advertisements)

Nutrition & Food Safety

NOTE : For more great sites with recipes and food preparation tips, please visit
South Plainfield Public Library's HOME & GARDEN page.

Children's Nutrition - Links to websites on topics including breastfeeding, childhood obesity, feeding children, eating disorders, vegetarian diets, and more. The Children's Nutrition Research Center also offers a free Nutrition & Your Child e-newsletter, and variety of online resources such as the Kids' Healthy Eating Calculator, an interactive tool to help parents estimate how many calories their child needs and how much of the different food groups are needed to provide those calories for a healthy diet, based on age, sex, height, weight, and level of physical activity; as well as Building Healthy Families , a collection of online educational videos and supporting materials (in both English and Spanish) for teaching parents about nutrition basics, food shopping, and healthy eating (Baylor College of Medicine et al.). Let's Move [Link opens a PDF] offers tips for parents and caregivers to help children eat right and stay active (The White House et al.). PBS Parents : Eat Smart provides more advice on getting kids to eat healthy, the benefits of family dinners, smart snacks, cooking with kids, and more; includes recipes (PBS). Health and Nutrition Information for Preschoolers new offers tips for parents and caregivers on helping children aged 2 through 5 develop healthy eating habits for life (U.S. Department of Agriculture).

Choose My Plate - Enter your age, sex, and amount of physical activity, and this tool will suggest the quantities of foods from each food group which you need for a healthy diet, along with tips for purchasing and preparing foods in each category. Includes an explanation of the different food groups and how to measure quantities included in the recommendations. The SuperTracker new allows you to create a personalized nutrition & physical activity plan, tracks your foods & physical activities to see how they stack up, and offers tips & support to help you make healthier choices & plan ahead. More nutrition information from the U.S. government is available at Nutrition.gov. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Controlling Your Weight - Tools to calculate your Body Mass Index and other risk factors, plus tips for safe and effective weight loss. (National Institutes of Health)

Deciphering Media Stories on Diet - 'What should I eat? How much exercise should I get? One day the experts say one thing. The next, they seem to say another...' This article offers advice on how to get at the heart of a research-related news story and see how important the results are for you personally (Harvard School of Public Health). See also Weight Loss Products, below.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans - Updated every 5 years (most recently updated in 2010), the Guidelines provide authoritative advice about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases; the full report is in PDF format. Includes links to related sites. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Eat Right - Nutrition information and advice, diet reviews, Q & A, and more. Includes some resources in Spanish and Chinese. (American Dietetic Association)

Food Psychology - The latest psychological research on why we overeat, how we choose groceries, how restaurant menus entice us, and more. For quick facts and pointers, see the Consumer FAQs and Tip Sheet. (Cornell University)

FoodSafety.gov - Advice on proper food handling and storage for different kinds of foods in a variety of situations, plus information on recent recalls and safety alerts. Includes a handy printable Refrigerator & Freezer Storage Chart [Link opens a PDF] (Food and Drug Administration). For additional helpful information, see the 1-page How Long Can I Keep It? [Link opens a PDF] (Cornell Cooperative Extension), or the more detailed Food Storage Guide [Link opens a PDF] (North Dakota State University) and Pantry Food Storage [Link opens a PDF] (Ohio State University). More food safety fact sheets are available from the FDA's Food Safety Inspection Service. See also Foodborne Illness Facts (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and Food Safety for Moms-To-Be (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

Food & Water Safety Information for Disasters - Advice on how to make sure your food and water are safe during and after hurricanes, power outages, and floods. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration / )

Fast Food Calorie Counter - Use this interactive calorie counter to calculate the calories and fat you consume when eating at popular fast-food restaurants. There is also a printable chart. Unfortunately, salt/sodium content is not provided (2002 - 2004, The Washington Post; site includes advertisements). See also Healthy Fast Food and related links, below.

Fruits & Veggies Matter - Tips, recipes, and other resources for adding more fruits and vegetables to your family's meals. Includes a calculator that tells you how many servings of fruits and vegetables you need daily, based on your age, sex, and physical activity level. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention et al.)

Healthy Fast Food - Advice on choosing the most healthful foods when eating in fast food restaurants (Rotary Club of Santa Monica and Center for Healthy Aging). Heart Attack Entrées with Side Orders of Stroke describes the unsafe levels of salt / sodium in some chain restaurant / fast food meals (Center for Science in the Public Interest). The Safe Handling of Take-Out Foods offers tips for safe storage and use of take-out and delivered meals (U.S. Department of Agriculture).

Heart-Healthy Cooking - An online cookbook with background information and dozens of recipes. Related resources are available on the Heart Healthy Nutrition page (American Heart Association). See also Recipes for Healthy Eating, which includes recipes specifically for African-Americans and Latinos (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute), and Trans Fats, below.

Low Protein Recipes - Tips for patients (such as those with kidney disease) who need to follow a low-protein diet, plus additional nutrition & diet info for diabetics and people with kidney disease. (National Kidney Foundation)

Lower Your Blood Pressure with DASH - Sample menus and recipes featuring foods that are heart healthy and lower in salt / sodium for those with high blood pressure; also contains additional information on weight loss and physical activity. You can print the booklet for free, or order a printed copy by mail for a small fee (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute). Salt & Sodium : The Bottom Line offers information about the connection between a high-salt / high sodium diet and high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease, with advice on how to limit the salt / sodium in your diet (Harvard School of Public Health). See also Salt : The Facts (UK Food Standards Agency), Heart Attack Entrées with Side Orders of Stroke and Heart-Healthy Cooking.

Menu Planner - An interactive tool 'designed to guide daily food and meal choices based on one day's calorie allowance. It may be used in advance to plan a meal, or at the end of a day to add up total calories, as well as fat, and carbohydrates consumed.' (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

My Pyramid is now Choose My Plate, above.

Nutrient Database - Enter a food (broccoli, hamburger, etc.) in the space provided, and this site will give you a chart showing complete nutritional data for that food, including calories, fiber, vitamins, minerals, protein, lipids, and more. Similar information is also available from What's In The Foods You Eat. The new Food-A-Pedia new provides quick access to basic nutrition info (calories, saturated fat, sodium, and food group) for over 8,000 foods. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Nutrition and Health - Practical advice on healthy living and healthy eating. Includes such topics as sports nutrition, ideas for parents of pre-schoolers, diet & diabetes, osteoporosis, thrifty living, turkey for the holidays, quitting smoking, Mexican cooking, and more. (University of Illinois)

Nutrition Facts Labels - Advice to help you use nutrition labels to make quick, informed food choices that contribute to a healthy diet (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Meat & Dairy Labels and Animal Welfare explains the meaning of common labels found on meat & dairy products, such as Certified Organic; Free-Range, Grass-Fed; Hormone-Free; rBGH-Free; Natural; Grain-Fed; and similar terms (Humane Society of the United States).

Nutrition for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding [UPDATED LINK!] - Suggests recommended amounts of different types of foods and calories required for different stages of pregnancy as well as breastfeeding. Amounts are tailored to your height, weight, and activity level. (Part of ChooseMyPlate.gov)

Nutrition Source - Provides tips for healthy eating and dispels nutrition myths. 'You won't just find out what you should eat, but why.' (Harvard School of Public Health)

Sisters Together - Encourages black women to maintain a healthy weight by becoming more physically active and eating healthier foods (National Institutes of Health).

Trans Fats - An overview of the latest findings and recommendations on trans fats (such as hydrogenated vegetable oils) in the diet. Includes a summary of other fats (saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), with links to more information. (American Heart Association)

USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center - Includes links to Food Assistance Programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (formerly known as Food Stamps), WIC, School Meals, etc.

WebMD's Diets of the World - Is your weight loss menu bland and boring? This site offers you an international flavor with tips on eating a Italian, French, Latin, Japanese, or Mediterranean diet. (Site includes advertisements)

Weight Loss Products and Programs - Reviews the pluses and minuses of popular weight loss products, including powdered diet 'shakes', supplements, and diet pills, as well as programs such as Weight Watchers, TOPS, and Jenny Craig (2008, Colorado State University). Another useful resource is Weight-control Information Network, offering up-to-date advice on choosing a safe and successful weight loss program (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health). See also Weighing the Evidence in Diet Ads (2009, Federal Trade Commission).

World's Healthiest Foods - Whole-food recipes and a wealth of nutrition information to help you 'use the power of food as a key to controlling and maintaining vibrant good health and longevity'. (George Mateljan Foundation)

Professional & Academic Resources

E-Medicine World Medical Library - Articles from professional and consumer medical journals in dozens of medical specialties. Includes news, recalls & alerts, and features. Free registration may be required for full access to the site. (From WebMD.com; site includes advertisements)

Global Library of Women's Medicine - Extensive online text on women's medicine, revised and updated from its original print edition. Authored by over 650 expert contributors citing more than 40,000 references. Free registration required for full access. (Editor-in-Chief : John J. Sciarra, MD, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University)

Highwire Press - Searchable database of academic/professional journals, mainly in science & medicine, including some free articles, free issues and free websites. (Stanford University)

Martindale's Health Science Guide - An academic-level site with links to over 60,000 teaching files, 140,000 medical cases, 1500 courses / textbooks, 500 journals, 4000 databases and thousands of movies. (Personal site, by James G. Martindale)

Medical Diagnosis Codes - If you want to find out what that diagnostic code number on your doctor's bill or insurance form means, you can look it up on this list (Yaki Technologies). NOTE : only registered users have full access.

MedPage Today - Daily coverage of breaking medical stories and topics widely reported in the consumer media, with peer-reviewed articles for physicians. (MedPage Today and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine)

Merck Manual - Online text of the Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals, plus other Merck Manuals for professionals, patients & caregivers, and more. (Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., pharmaceutical company)

PubMed - Provides access to National Library of Medicine databases, including 11 million citations from MEDLINE and additional life science journals. PubMed includes links to many sites providing full text articles and other related resources. For patient-friendly information, see Medline Plus.

Smoking, Alcoholism, & Addiction

Alcohol & Drug Information - Online and print publications offer drug and alcohol abuse information. Use the left-hand menu to choose a topic. (National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information)

Alcoholism & Drug Dependence - Useful information and resources for individuals and families on alcoholism & drug abuse, getting help, and living in recovery. (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence)

Alcohol Screening Quiz - Brief, anonymous questionnaire to help you find out whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. Generates personalized results based on your age, gender and drinking patterns. (Boston University School of Public Health)

Logging On and Losing Out - Examines the growing problem of online gambling addiction (American Public Media; site includes advertisements). For help with gambling addiction, call or visit 1-800-GAMBLER (Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey).

NCADD New Jersey - A private, nonprofit public health agency that promotes the prevention and treatment of, and recovery from, alcoholism and drug dependence. Includes links to treatment resources in N.J. You can also search for information about specific treatment facilities using the Treatment Provider Locator new . NOTE: You must enter a facility name, city, or zip code, then click 'Search' to get search results, or you can browse the complete list of 274 facilities.

N.J. Self-Help Clearinghouse - Links to support groups and workshops dealing with mental health. Also provides information on starting a support group.

Parents : The Anti-Drug - Information and advice for parents to help you keep your kids away from drugs. In English and Español. (National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign)

Partnership for a Drug-Free America - Information for parents and caregivers about substance abuse prevention and treatment. Includes Intervention & Treatment resources, and a separate Check Yourself site for teens, with personal stories from users, friends and family. (Non-profit organization)

SmokeFree.gov - Resources to help you stop smoking, including advice from experts via text messaging and phone hotlines (National Cancer Institute). Great American Smokeout offers tips, tools, and resources to help you quit smoking (American Cancer Society). QuitNet also provides tips and resources for quitting smoking (Healthways Inc.; site may include advertisements). For information on secondhand smoke exposure, health effects, and smoke-free initiatives & resources, see Secondhand Smoke Resources (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Video Game Addiction - As with other forms of addiction, an excessive absorption with computers or video games may result in major social, school or work disruptions. This fact sheet will help you recognize the signs of addiction in children or adults (ParentFurther.com, National Institute on Media and the Family).

Women, Men, Children, Maternity & Reproductive Health

911 for Women - Links to hotlines and other resources for women in crisis; covers domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment (Feminist Majority Foundation). Are you Being Abused? is a quick questionnaire will help you learn whether you're involved in an abusive relationship, with a phone number to call if you are, and what you can do to Plan For Your Safety (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). See also Get Help (N.J. Coalition for Battered Women), National Hotlines and Help for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or dating violence (U.S. Department of Justice), Women's Law for 'easy-to-understand legal information and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault' (nonprofit organization), and Domestic Violence Safety Plan [Link opens a PDF], a printable brochure with tips on protecting yourself and your family; if you're not printing the brochure, you can read the web version (American Bar Association). Sexual Violence fact sheet provides some brief background information on sexual violence (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Baby-Proofing Your Home [Link opens a PDF] - Simple safety checks to help eliminate hazards to your baby inside your home. (2009, National Safety Council)

Breastfeeding - An overview of benefits, challenges, lifestyle, and other helpful information (National Women's Health Information Center). See also Breastfeeding FAQ (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Breast Feeding Resources (Medline), and Breastfeeding Q & A (La Leche League).

Child Health Advice - Guidelines 'to help you determine how sick your child is and if you need to call your child's doctor... [and] to help you treat your child at home when it is safe to do so' (Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle). For more information on children's health, see KidsHealth and related links, below.

Child Safety & Health Links - More selected online resources to help you keep your child safe. (South Plainfield Public Library)

Children's Environmental Health - A selection of internet resources on environmental health topics relating to children, including asthma, childhood cancer, food safety, hazardous substances, and more (National Library of Medicine et al.). See also Environmental Health links, above.

Children's Nutrition - See Children's Nutrition Research Center and related links, above.

Domestic Violence, Sexual Assaut, and Sexual Harassment Resources - See 911 for Women, above.

Family Services Hotlines - List of toll-free telephone hotlines for New Jersey families in need, includes food assistance, energy assistance, child care, child support, medicaid, family violence, addictions, and legal services.

Food Safety for Moms-To-Be - Accurate, easy-to-understand information about how to prevent foodborne illness, a serious health risk for pregnant women and their unborn babies (U.S. Food and Drug Administration/). See also

Nutrition for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding [UPDATED LINK!] (Part of ChooseMyPlate.gov).

Go Ask Alice - Explicit and irreverent, sometimes outrageous answers to questions you were afraid to ask about physical & emotional health, relationships, sexuality, alcohol / drug abuse, and more. (Columbia University)

KidsHealth - Doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence. KidsHealth has hundreds of in-depth articles and features, with separate areas for kids, teens, and parents - each with its own design, age-appropriate content, and tone (Nemours Foundation Center for Children's Health Media). HealthyChildren.org offers a large collection of information for parents to help you keep your child healthy and safe, through all stages from prenatal to young adult (American Academy of Pediatrics). Your Child's Health provides additional resources for 'raising safe and healthy children. Covers topics ranging from day-to-day parenting to in-depth articles about chronic medical conditions' (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia).

Kids Health Galaxy new - 'Illness and hospitalization are stressful events for children and families, and finding the words to answer kids' questions can be difficult... This animated site provides interactive, engaging and educational information for children ages 6 to 12 to help them understand and cope with hospitalization.' (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia).

Medicating Kids - 'Examines the questions and controversies surrounding the medication of children diagnosed with ADHD with stimulants such as Ritalin.' (2001, update added 2008, WGBH Educational Foundation / PBS; site includes advertisments). The Medicated Child examines 'the dramatic increase in the number of children being diagnosed with serious psychiatric disorders and prescribed medications that are just beginning to be tested in children.' (2008, update added November 2009, WGBH Educational Foundation / PBS; site includes advertisements).

Menopause - Links to overviews, tools, news, research, and related resources (Medline). See also North American Menopause Society (nonprofit organization).

Men's Health - Links to information on a variety of health issues of special concern to men (U.S. National Library of Medicine). See also Healthy Men (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services).

Midwifery - For those seeking an alternative in maternity care, this site offers an explanation of what midwives do, and links to online directories of midwives. (Citizens for Midwifery, a non-profit, volunteer organization)

National Women's Health Information Center (WomensHealth.gov) - See WomensHealth.gov, below.

National Women's Health Resource Center - An A-Z collection of informative articles covering a host of women's health concerns (non-profit organization; site includes advertisements). Women's Health offers information and articles on gynecological health issues, with separate sections aimed at adolescent, pregnant, and menopausal women (Kotex / Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.). See also WomensHealth.gov, below.

Natural Family Planning - Explains how to achieve or avoid pregnancy without the use of medicines, devices or chemicals (American Academy of Family Physicians). CAUTION : 'The presence of an advertisement on familydoctor.org does not imply endorsement of the advertised company or product.'

Our Bodies, Ourselves - Companion website for the book Our Bodies, Ourselves offers book excerpts and other content, links, resources, and news on women's physical and mental health. (Boston Women's Health Book Collective)

Postpartum Health Resources - Recommended links and books on the physical, mental, and emotional needs of pregnant and postpartum women and their families (by psychotherapist Diana Lynn Barnes). See also Postpartum Support Network (non-profit organization).

Pregnancy & Baby Care - Learn what you need to know to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. (March of Dimes)

Sexual Health - Information on sexual health for men, women, and teens, including contraception, abortion, body image, pregnancy, sexual orientation, sexually transmitted diseases, and more (Planned Parenthood® Federation of America, Inc.). Sex, etc. (Rutgers University) and Info for Teens (Planned Parenthood®) provide info for teens on reproductive health, sexuality and relationships.

WomensHealth.gov - Information and links on a wide variety of women's health-related material from both Federal agencies and private sector sources. Covers such topics as pregnancy, breast cancer, eating disorders, heart disease, exercise, nutrition & diet, menstruation, menopause, osteoporosis, reproductive health, and more. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)