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Online Health Information

Finding reliable health information on the Web can be a challenge. How do you know whether the site you’re viewing is credible? For guidelines you can apply to distinguish the experts from the quacks, click Finding Credible Health Information Online in Related Links.

To save you the hassle and time, we have compiled a list of credible resources known for their accurate and up-to-date health information. If you have any feedback regarding these links, please email shc@www.utexas.edu.

Online Health Encyclopedia (EBSCO Consumer Health Complete)
Updated regularly. This full text database of consumer-oriented health content covers all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic, and integrated medicine.

UHS Online Self-Care Guide
Advice on how to care for more than 20 common illness and injuries at home, including when to seek professional help.

UHS Health Education and Promotion
Professional educators from University Health Services have created this site featuring a wide variety of relevant articles and links related to wellness and college life.

BevoBites
Healthy meal planning, simple recipes, and basic nutrition advice written by UHS professional staff for students on the go.

e-CHUG
The Electronic Check-Up to Go (e-CHUG) is a totally anonymous online self-assessment that helps you take an honest look at your relationship with alcohol in less than 10 minutes. The results might surprise you.

Resources beyond UHS

Quick jump to links by topic
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Alternative Medicine General Health Mental Health	Nutrition and Eating Disorders Sexual Health Tobacco Cessation Travel Health	Vaccine Information Women's Health Other / Specific Health Concerns

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs

Addiction Search
A search engine for addiction related research and drug and alcohol treatment programs and rehabilitation information.

Alcohol and Health: Current Evidence

Alcohol Problems and Solutions

Austin Area Alcoholics Anonymous

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)

Duke University: Topics in Alcohol Research

Free Vibe
The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.

Go Ask Alice!
Go Ask Alice, the health question and answer Internet service produced by Columbia University's Health Promotion Program, provides readers with straightforward, reliable information and a range of thoughtful perspectives so that they can make responsible decisions concerning their health and well-being.

The Good Drugs Guide

Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (CAS)

Office of National Drug Control Policy

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

National Institute on Chemical Dependency

Phoenix House Facts on Tap

Rutgers University Center of Alcohol Studies

Street Drugs.org

The Vaults of Erowid
Reliable, non-judgmental information about psychoactive plants and chemicals and related issues.

U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Alcohol and Drug Information

University of Texas Addiction Science Research and Education Center

Alternative Medicine

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science.

Ask Dr. Weil
Andrew Weil, M.D. is a leader in the integration of conventional and complementary medicine. He founded and directs the Program in Integrative Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Arizona, where he is also a Clinical Professor of Medicine and Professor of Public Health and the Lovell-Jones Professor of Integrative Rheumatology.

General Health

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
One of 12 agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is charged with improving the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans.

American Academy of Pediatrics Health Information
This site also features health and safety-related parenting tips.

American College of Sports Medicine: Public Resources

American Dental Association: Your Oral Health
This site also includes a "Find a Dentist" search engine.

American Medical Association Doctor Finder

American Red Cross

CBS News Healthwatch
Cutting-edge health news articles and interactive tools.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Authoritative site for research and information on a very wide variety of health conditions and public health concerns. A component of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC promotes health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.

Doctors for Adults: Health Information by the American College of Physicians

Familydoctor.org
From the American Academy of Family Physicians, this site features a wide variety of user-friendly tips, tools, and guides related to wellness, diseases and conditions, current events, and medications.

Mayo Clinic
Managed by a team of Mayo medical experts, this site provides useful and up-to-date tools and information to empower people to manage their own health.

Medline Plus
Trusted health information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Available in English or Spanish.

Merck Manual of Medical Information Home Edition
Uses everyday language to explain disorders and diseases, symptoms, diagnosis and prognosis, and prevention.

Quackwatch
Distinguish fraudulent or unsubstantiated claims from reliable health information.

RxAssist
A comprehensive directory of patient assistance programs to find free or low-cost medication.

Rx List Internet Drug Index

Student Resources (student health insurance)
Affordable health, prescription drug, vision, and dental insurance for college students. This site also provides basic information about health insurance and Student Health Zone, a directory of online health information for college students and parents.

Texas Department of State Health Services
Public health issues, vital statistics, birth, marriage, and death records, and licenses, certifications, and permits for the State of Texas. Also lists contact information for all agencies in this department.

Travis County Medical Directory
Use the Travis County Medical Directory to find a doctor in the greater Austin area by name or specialty.

Web MD

World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health. WHO's objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in WHO's Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Mental Health

American Psychological Association Help Center

Healthy Minds
Mental Health Information from the American Psychiatric Association.

National Institute of Mental Health
Detailed mental health information, research, and breaking news from the mental health branch of the National Institute of Health.

UT Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)
Psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other licensed mental health professionals help UT students with their personal concerns so they can meet the daily challenges of student life.

Nutrition and Eating Disorders

Aim for a Healthy Weight

American Dietetic Association

Australian Institute of Sport - Sports Nutrition Information

Body Positive
Encourages positive body image at any weight.

Choices in Sport: NCAA Sports Nutrition

Consumer Lab
Independent research on vitamins, dietary supplements, and other nutrition products. Some content is free, but expanded content is available only to paid subscribers. Labels advertising on the site clearly.

Council on Size and Weight Discrimination

Eating Disorders Coalition

Food and Nutrition Information Center

Is Food a Problem?
Article and resources on eating disorders by the UT Counseling and Mental Health Center

My Pyramid
the new, interactive food guide pyramid by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

National Eating Disorders Association

Partnership for Healthy Weight Management

Quackwatch
Distinguish fraudulent or unsubstantiated claims from reliable health information. Search engine for individual dietary supplements.

Sexual Health

The Society for Human Sexuality

Alan Guttmacher Institute
The Guttmacher Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on sexual and reproductive health research, policy analysis and public education.

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SEICUS)

Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
A site for healthcare professionals, policy makers, the media, and the public.

American Social Health Association
The American Social Health Association is a trusted, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals, communities, and families with a special focus on sexually transmitted infections.

KISISS (Kinsey Institute Sexuality Information Service for Students
Hosted by the Kinsey Institute for Human Sexuality, this site is a tool for students to find current and credible information about human sexuality. You can ask a question, search the archives, or browse articles on popular topics.

UT Gender and Sexuality Center

Tobacco Cessation

American Cancer Society Guide to Quitting Smoking
Information and instructions to help you quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco. Explains why quitting is so difficult and offers guidance related to medications and methods for quitting, managing stress and weight, and handling withdrawals, craving, and tough situations.

Quitnet
Comprehensive support for quitting smoking with information and chat rooms. Upon request, the site tracks the number of days added to your life and the money you've saved since you quit.

Smokefree.gov
Allows you to choose the help that best fits your needs. Options include an online step-by-step cessation guide, local and state telephone quit lines, the National Cancer Institute's telephone Quitline and instant messaging service, and publications that you can download, print, or order.

Travel Health

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Travel Health Information

International Society of Travel Medicine
Search for an accredited travel medicine clinic anywhere in the world.

International Travel Medicine Clinic
From the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

STA Travel
A source for travel insurance and international student ID cards from a national travel agency with offices near campus.

Trip Prep
Vaccine and other health-related travel recommendations specific to your itinerary.

U.S. State Department
Current, authoritative travel warnings, passport and visa information, and other vital data for travelers.

UT Center for Global Educational Opportunities (UT Study Abroad)

World Health Organization International Travel and Health

Vaccine Information

Quick jump to topics within Vaccine Information
Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis A and B Combination Vaccine Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Influenza (Flu) Japanese Encephalitis	Measles/Mumps/Rubella Meningococcal Disease (Meningitis) Pneumococcal Disease (Pneumonia) Polio Rabies (Pre-exposure and Post-exposure) Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis	Typhoid Varicella (Chickenpox) Yellow Fever Preventing and Reducing Vaccine Side Effects (PDF) UHS Vaccine Price List (PDF)

Hepatitis A
Given in two doses 6 months apart.

Hepatitis B
Given in three doses. The second shot is given 30 days after the first, and the third shot is given 5 months after the second.

Hepatitis A and B Combination Vaccine
Given in three doses. The second shot is given 30 days after the first, and the third shot is given 5 months after the second.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Given in three doses. The second shot is given two months after the first, and the third shot is given four months after the second.

CDC Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Information Statement (PDF)

Influenza (Flu)
Given in one dose.

Japanese Encephalitis
Given in three doses. The second shot is given 7 days after the first, and the third shot is given 23 days after the second.

Measles / Mumps / Rubella
Given in two doses separated by at least one month.

Meningococcal Disease (Bacterial Meningitis) Vaccine
Given in one dose.

Pnuemococcal Disease (Pneumonia) Vaccine
Given in one dose.

Polio
One injection for adults who have had 3 or more doses of polio vaccine in the past.

Rabies (Pre-exposure and Post-exposure Vaccine)
See Vaccine Information Sheet for dosing information.

Tetanus / Diphtheria / Pertussis
Given in one dose to those who haven't had a tetanus shot with the last 5 - 10 years.

Typhoid
See Vaccine Information Sheet for dosing information.

Varicella (Chickenpox)
For students who have not had chickenpox. Given in two doses 4 - 8 weeks apart.

Yellow Fever
Given in one dose.

Women's Health

Center for Young Women's Health by Children's Hospital Boston

Engender Health
An international nonprofit organization that has been working for 60 years to make reproductive health services safe, available, and sustainable for women and men worldwide.

For Women at OBGYN.net

Mayo Clinic: Women's Health Center

My Sistahs
My Sistahs is a Web site created by and for young women of color to provide information and offer support on sexual and reproductive health issues through education and advocacy. Through monthly features, message boards, and online peer education young women receive information on activism, culture, sexual health, and other important issues.

National Asian Women’s Health Organization

National Women’s Health Information Center
A service of the Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services, this gateway site lists a vast array of women’s health information resources.

National Women's Health Resource Center

Planned Parenthood Federation of America

RAD: Rape Aggression Defense
Classes by the Police Department of The University of Texas at Austin

Voices Against Violence
Voices Against Violence (VAV) addresses the issues of relationship violence, stalking and sexual violence at The University of Texas at Austin. Programs serve the diverse UT population with information, education, training, advocacy, counseling and referral services.