MedlinePlus

In October 1998, the U.S. National Library of Medicine launched MedlinePlus, a free online service that puts reliable health information directly into the hands of patients and their families. The site pulls from the NIH, other government agencies, and respected health organizations, offering plain-language articles on hundreds of diseases and conditions, details on prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbs, and supplements, plus a medical encyclopedia with images, a dictionary, interactive tutorials, and surgery videos. No ads, no commercial influence, no cost.

MedlinePlus Connect, a separate service, links this content directly into electronic health records and patient portals. When a doctor orders a test or prescribes a medication, a patient can click through to authoritative explanations right from their health record. The service also provides genetics information, healthy recipes, and an easy-to-read health section. Content reaches over 40 languages, with full Spanish and English coverage. [edit]