Contact the Librarian at Your Campus for More Help!
University Park &
World Campus:
Christina L. Wissinger, Ph.D.
(clw68@psu.edu)
University Park &
World Campus:
Kat Phillips
(kec5013@psu.edu or 814-865-3731)
Abington:
Katie Odhner
(kzo5154@psu.edu)
Berks:
Sarah Hartman-Caverly
(smh767@psu.edu or 610-396-6243)
Berks:
Alex Chisholm
(AEC67@psu.edu or 610-396-6242)
Harrisburg:
Bernadette Lear
(bal19@psu.edu or 717-948-6360)
Hazleton:
Valerie Lynn
(vag3@psu.edu or 570-450-3128)
Welcome!
Penn State University Libraries supports all students, staff, faculty, and community members who wish to improve their health.
Please note that library employees are not qualified to diagnose or recommend treatment for health problems, nor are they responsible for the accuracy of the medical information within the web sites, books, and other resources listed in this guide. The library's health-related services are limited by RUSA Health and Medical Reference Guidelines and other best practices. For referrals to health professionals, see the "Getting Help" page.
Below are some all-purpose resources that are starting points for any personal/consumer health topic. On the left side of this guide, click on tabs to learn about resources for specific health concerns.
Starting Points
- MedlinePlusA top choice for health information. Para español, haga clic en "Español" en el lado derecho de la página.
- My HealthfinderA site by the U.S. Department of Health. Covers health conditions, healthy living, and resources for interacting with doctors. To get started, click on "Browse Topics" at the top of the page.
- FamilyDoctor.orgWritten by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Provides medical information in simpler language, including pages for children. See the topics and search box at the top of the page.
- KidsHealthFrom Nemours, a nonprofit children's health system, this site provides information on topics related to children's health, with tabs for parents, children, and teens.
- PressReader: Health and FitnessA selection of current, full-color, popular magazines from across the globe.
Digging Deeper
- Mayo ClinicOffers a large variety of web sites, videos, illustrations, and other resources.
- Merck Manual Professional VersionMerck entries for professional-level health information often contain links to consumer information and patient handouts as well.
- What Did My Doctor Say?A list by the Medical Library Association that explains common medical vocabulary.
- Healthy Penn StatePenn State's health blog. Helpful, science-based articles on current topics.
- Nursing Reference Center Plus This link opens in a new windowIntended for nurses, and accessible to Penn State faculty, staff, and students, this database offers "Patient Education" handouts and other professional-level information. A helpful bridge between freely-available web sites that are sometimes too basic, and the medical literature which can be difficult to understand.
- Health (General)Links to PubMed and Penn State's other health research databases.
- The Basics of Health, Wellness, and FitnessOpen Access Book!
This book is written for anyone who could benefit from learning more about health, wellness, and fitness.