Resources

This page provides links to consumer health information resources about common health topics. Each list can be printed as-is, or exported in a CSV format. All resources are free to use.

General Consumer Health Information Resources
NameDescriptionWebsite
KidsHealth Consumer health information site with portals for kids, parents, teens, and educators; developed by the Nemours Foundationhttps://kidshealth.org/
LabTests Online Web resource designed by the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) to help patients and caregivers understand the many lab tests that are a vital part of medical carehttps://labtestsonline.org/
MedlinePlusConsumer health information portal from the National Library of Medicinehttps://medlineplus.gov/
Resources about Health Literacy
NameDescriptionWebsite
Health Literacy BasicsOverview of health literacy from the Department of Health and Human Serviceshttps://health.gov/communication/literacy/quickguide/factsbasic.pdf
Health Literacy and Health OutcomesDocument regarding the health impacts of health literacy from the Department of Health and Human Serviceshttps://health.gov/communication/literacy/quickguide/factsliteracy.pdf
Health LiteracyHealth Literacy article from MedlinePlushttps://medlineplus.gov/healthliteracy.html
Evaluating Internet Health InformationEvaluation tutorial from MedlinePlushttps://medlineplus.gov/webeval/webeval.html
Guide to Healthy Web SurfingTips and tricks for evaluating health info on the webhttps://medlineplus.gov/healthywebsurfing.html
Health LiteracyHealth literacy information from the CDChttps://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/
Health LiteracyShort video from the American Medical Associationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgTuD7l7LG8
Plain Language - Improving Health LiteracyTips and resources for using plain language when communicating health informationhttps://plainlanguage.gov/resources/content-types/healthcare/
Resources about Cancer
NameDescriptionWebsite
American Cancer SocietyWebsite for the American Cancer Society, a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer.

https://www.cancer.org/
Cancer.Net The American Society of Clinical Oncology’s patient information website; provides oncologist-approved information to help patients and families.

https://www.cancer.net/
National Cancer InstituteAccurate, up-to-date, comprehensive cancer information from the U.S. government's principal agency for cancer research.

https://www.cancer.gov/
National Comprehensive Cancer NetworkA not-for-profit alliance of 28 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education.

https://www.nccn.org/
OncoLink – University of PennsylvaniaOncoLink’s primary goal is to support patients, caregivers, and practitioners through education.

https://www.oncolink.org/
Resources about DNA and Genetics
NameDescriptionWebsite
Genetic Testing RegistryProvides a central location for voluntary submission of genetic test informationhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/
Genetics Home Reference Consumer-friendly information about the effects of genetic variation on human health

https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/
Learn.GeneticsEducation site produced by the Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah

https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)Official site of the National Human Genome Research Institutehttps://www.genome.gov/
National Society of Genetic CounselorsProvides consumer portal for information about genetic testing and counseling

https://www.nsgc.org/
Resources about Drug Information
NameDescriptionWebsite
ConsumerMedSafety.orgSite designed to help prevent mistakes when taking medicines

https://consumermedsafety.org/
Drug Information PortalDrug information website from the National Library of Medicinehttps://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/
Drugs.comMedication overviews, identification, and interactions information

https://www.drugs.com/
National Institute on Drug AbuseOfficial site of the NIDA at the National Institutes of Healthhttps://www.drugabuse.gov/
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Human and veterinary medication information written for consumers

https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/default.Htm
Resources about Consumer Health Information Reference
NameDescriptionWebsite
The Consumer Health Reference Interview and Ethical ConsiderationsTips, considerations, and resources regarding the consumer health information reference interviewhttps://nnlm.gov/initiatives/topics/ethics
Other Consumer Health Information Resources
NameDescriptionWebsite
Questions Are the Answer Questions for patients to ask their providers, provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Qualityhttps://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/patient-involvement/ask-your-doctor/index.html
FamilyDoctor.orgConsumer information site from the American Academy of Family Physicianshttps://familydoctor.org/
HealthReach Consumer health information in several languages from the National Library of Medicinehttps://healthreach.nlm.nih.gov/
Ask Me 3Three questions to ask your healthcare provider developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvementhttp://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/Tools/Ask-Me-3-Good-Questions-for-Your-Good-Health.aspx
Medicare.govThe official U.S. government site for Medicarehttps://www.medicare.gov/
PHPartnersHealth statistics and other information from the Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforcehttps://phpartners.org/ph_public/