Recommended Health Web Resources
- Healthy PeopleProvides science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans. "Topics and Objectives" cover topics such as tobacco use, sleep health, physical activity, and nutrition and weight status. From the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Resources.
- MedlinePlusConsumer health information in English and Spanish. Health topics include symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention for over 1000 diseases, illnesses, health conditions, and wellness issues. Site includes a medical encyclopedia. From the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): Health InformationProvides consumer health information, information on clinical trials, and an array of health and research-related information. From the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Resources.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)The CDC's main goal is "to protect public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the US and internationally." Public health categories include Diseases & Conditions and Healthy Living. From the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Resources.
- Nutrition.govConsumer information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and food safety. From the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
- American Psychological Association: Psychology TopicsTopics covered include anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep.
- Mayo Clinic: Diseases & ConditionsTopics include overview, symptoms, causes, risk factors, and preventions. "Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to clinical practice, education and research, providing expert, whole-person care to everyone who needs healing."
How to Evaluate Web Resources
Evaluating Websites
The quality of the information you find on the Web varies tremendously so it is always a good idea to check the information against another source. As with all information resources, whether in print or on the Internet, you evaluate its quality based on the following criteria:
- Accuracy (Is it free from mistakes and errors?)
- Authority (What are the qualifications of the author?)
- Objectivity (Is there any strong bias?)
- Currency (Is the information up to date?)
- Coverage (To what extent is the topic explored?)
That's just the basics. Learn more!
Tutorials on Evaluation Criteria
CRAAP Test (CSU Chico)
Evaluating Health Information on the Web
- Finding and Evaluating Online ResourcesFrom the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
Google Tips
- Google Advanced SearchUse this tool to limit your search results to websites from educational institutions or government agencies. On the Advanced Search page, along with your search terms, enter .edu (education sites) or .gov (government sites) in the box labeled "Search within a site or domain:".