The National Library of Medicine (NLM) and its outreach arm, the Network of the NLM (NNLM), provide a vast collection of free consumer health resources, trainings, and digital materials to promote access to quality health information and data.
NNLM Trainings
Want to learn more about how to use NLM resources and support your community’s health literacy needs? Check out NNLM’s free trainings – all you need is a free account to enroll. Suggested courses include:
- Introduction to Health Reference: Learn how to conduct a health reference interview using ethical and effective communication strategies in this 4 credit-hour, on-demand, online class.
- MedlinePlus Tutorial: This interactive, narrated tutorial provides a tour of the MedlinePlus website and explains why MedlinePlus is a trusted reference when answering health information questions.
- Consumer Health Collection Development: This 4 credit-hour, on-demand class reviews collection management principles and resources for health-related collections in public libraries.
- Health literacy on demand: This basic course introduces health literacy and relevant resources.
- Assessing Health Materials on Demand: This on-demand class is designed for anyone who creates health education materials or selects health materials to provide to consumers.
MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus
- Easy to Read Health Information: Find links to health information that are easier to read, understand, and use.
- Medical Encyclopedia: A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia includes over 4,000 articles about diseases, tests, symptoms, injuries, and surgeries.
- Drugs, Herbs, and Supplements: Database with information on usage, side effects, precautions, and drug interactions of medical drugs, herbs, and supplements.
- Videos and Tools: Videos, tutorials, and other tools related to health conditions and treatments.
- Health Articles in Multiple Languages: Suggested NIH resources with health information arranged by language.
- Help Me Understand Genetics: An introduction to fundamental topics related to human genetics, including illustrations and basic explanation of genetics concepts.
Other NLM Resources
ClinicalTrials.gov: Learn About Clinical Studies – Quick reference guide to answer basic questions about clinical research and how a study is done.
NLM Exhibits Program: The NLM offers a variety of virtual and traveling exhibits to help libraries and communities learn about public health and the importance of diversity in biomedical research. Exhibits often include programming ideas. Some suggested exhibits include:
Follow NLM & NNLM on Social Media
MedlinePlus in Spanish
- Twitter: @MedlinePlusEsp
- Facebook: @MedlinePlusenespañol
- Instagram: @medlineplusenespanol
MedlinePlus in English
- Twitter: @medlineplus
- Facebook: MedlinePlus
- Instagram: @mplusgov
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Twitter: @NIH
- Facebook: @NIH.gov
- Instagram: @nihgov
- Youtube: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Other NIH Social Media Accounts: Social Media & Outreach
- Health Information Hotlines