In the era of a 24/7 news cycle and multiple online and off line sources of information, we are often left wondering “is this accurate?” This may be particularly true in the areas of health treatment and prevention. There is so much information out there that it can be hard to sort through it all. One place to start is Healthfinder.gov from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthfinder can be your one stop shop for health information or it can be a source of reliable links for exploring further. While not a substitute for the advice of a medical/health professional, Healthfinder can help you prepare for that discussion with basic information or the latest research.
One way to start is to enter some simple information that allows the site to customize its advice. For example, I am a female in my early 50s. The site then provides some reminders on basic, preventive care such as shots and screenings that I need to do. It also lists a few areas, such as a bone density scan that I should ask my doctor about. If I was younger, it would not remind me about the bone density scan. I can also use the site to get information on general health for a another person such as child or an aging parent.
In addition to the general information it provides, Healthfinder can be searched for information on a range of topics. A search on the summer topic of sunscreen yields two pages of results including information on proper application, regulatory news, and even an e-card that I can send to a friend. More complex topics also yield multiple results. Recently I went looking for information on a rare type of cancer. I found plenty, including a news story on two new and promising drugs.
The site also features additional tools such as activity trackers, menu planners and links to external site with credible information. One nice feature here is that all external links are clearly marked so you know when you are leaving the site. Finally, the site offers content in Spanish.
So the next time you are wondering where to go for good health information, one of your first stops should be Healthfinder.gov. Now tell us where you go for health information.
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