About This Page
Finding good quality consumer health information can sometimes be a challenge. The websites you'll find on this resource guide have been reviewed and selected by librarians to help you find authoritative and good quality health information.
Welcome
Finding good quality consumer health information can sometimes be a challenge. The websites you'll find on this resource guide have been reviewed and selected by librarians to help you find authoritative and good quality health information.
This page is designed to help you find health-related information for your own personal use, or to help others locate high quality health information and resources.
Use the navigation on the left hand side to find resources on a number of different health topics.
**This guide is not intended to replace the advice of a physician. Please consult a healthcare practitioner about personal health needs.**
What is consumer health?
“Consumer health information is intended for potential or current users of medical services (all of us!). It is designed to be educational, and can help individuals make decisions about health-related behavior and medical treatments. It differs from clinical information—that is, information written by and for medical professionals—in that it is developed with the layperson in mind, involving less technical language and more user-friendly formats. Consumer health information may include resources about prevention, self-care and wellness, diseases and conditions, treatment, health care options, and more.”
Arnott, S. C., & Keselman, A. (2015). Meeting health information needs outside of healthcare : Opportunities and challenges. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
In the News
General Consumer Health Information
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MedlinePlusThe National Library of Medicine, a part of the National Institutes of Health, created and maintains MedlinePlus to assist consumers in locating authoritative health information. The first place to go when seeking information MedlinePlus pages offer carefully selected links to web resources with health information on more than 900 topics. The A.D.A.M. medical encyclopedia includes images, videos, and over 4,000 brief articles. Drug and supplement information, a medical dictionary, patient education interactive tutorials, and links to health information in multiple languages are also provided.
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healthfinder.govManaged by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, healthfinder.gov provides reliable information culled from approximately 1,400 health-related organizations.
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Mayo ClinicPatient and consumer health information on drugs, supplements, tests, procedures; healthy living; symptoms
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PatientThe site contains over 4000 health information leaflets, a wellbeing centre, a free health check, and thousands of discussion forums. It is accredited by The Information Standard, NHS England’s quality mark and was listed as ‘The top health website you can’t live without’ by The Times newspaper (Jan 2013).
Canada
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HealthyOntarioOntario's Ministry of Health and Long-term Care provides clear guidance and information on health eating and activity.
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Public Health Agency of CanadaThe Public Health Agency of Canada provides a vast array of information for the public from vaccine safety to injury prevention.
Hamilton
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City of Hamilton. Public Health Services. Topics A-ZThe City of Hamilton Public Health Services maintains an index to a number of patient education handouts and brochures on their website.
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St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton: Patient Education, A-ZSt. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton has an extensive collection of patient brochures ranging on topics from medication information to post-operative care.
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St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton: Mental Health and Wellness Resource CentreSt. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton's Mental Health and Wellness Recource Centre provides links to websites on many common mental health issues.
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Hamilton Health Sciences: Juravinski Cancer Centre Patient and Family Resource CentreContact information for the Hamilton Health Sciences Juravinksi Cancer Centre Patient and Family Resource Centre.
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Hamilton Health Sciences: Patient Education LibraryHamilton Health Sciences Patient Education Library has an advanced search functionality allowing you to search their catalogue of patient education brochures.
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Hamilton Health Sciences: Rehabilitation Resource CentreHamilton Health Sciences' Rehabilitation Resource Centre maintains a collection of resources for the general community on disability issues and services.
McMaster Resources
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Health Sciences Library ResourcesA catalogue search for popular works at all Health Sciences Library locations.
