This guide to evaluating online health information is supported by the MLA - the organization of librarians whose primary purpose is promoting quality information for improved health.
This National Library of Medicine page points you to great resources and includes a link to the MedlinePlus tutorial on evaluating health information online.
Find out more about the HON Code and why it can help you find reliable information.
Sometimes you need to evaluate information that you read online. The SIFT Strategy is a process that can guide you when evaluating a source.
This is a very watered down version of the SIFT strategy taken from: Four Moves and a Habit by Mike Caulfield; Liz Delf; Rob Drummond; and Kristy Kelly. You should really read the original source for more context.
This freely available website, from the National Institutes of Health and National Library of Medicine, provides summaries of, and links to authoritative resource on, diseases, disorders, drugs and wellness.
Nonprofit organization focusing on national health issues, as well as the U.S. role in global health policy. Nonpartisan source of data, analysis and journalism on health issues.
Use this tool to find doctors by state, specialty and language (57+). Only tool with physician-reviewed translations in 13+ languages.
Use this tool to find affordable care by state. Only tool to include all federally-listed Community Health Centers and free clinics.
You may browse by country, access online publications and reports, and retrieve statistical information on various health issues around the globe.
Información para niños, adolescentes, y padres.
Información de salud para usted.
SALUD is a collaboration between the Chicago Department of Public Health and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Library of the Health Sciences and College of Nursing. The collaboration aims to bring appropriate Spanish & English language materials to the public and public health professionals.
Health information in multiple languages. Search by language or topic.
Consumer Drug Information - US Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Includes several useful tools that provide more information about prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, current drug trials, and recalls. The FDA website includes a wealth of non-drug information too.
Daily Med is a database of drug label/package insert information brought to you by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) using the most recent information submitted by manufacturers to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It includes a pill identifier tool.
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Drug Information Portal gives users a gateway to selected drug information from U.S. Government agencies.
Drugs, Herbs, & Supplements from MedlinePlus
A guide to prescription and over-the-counter medication information including herbs and supplements from the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Herbs at a Glance - National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) "Herbs at a Glance is a series of brief fact sheets that provides basic information about specific herbs or botanicals—common names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and resources for more information." The NCCIH is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
The ODS includes a dictionary, fact sheets, videos, and more, all related to dietary supplements. The ODS is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Developed by the National Institute on Aging, these worksheets can help you navigate medical decision making.
Record your family health history
Questions to ask when choosing a new doctor
Changes to discuss with your doctor