MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus. It is a free online health information resource service produced by the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library and a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The service provides curated, evidence-based information on diseases, conditions, and wellness topics in language accessible to the general public. MedlinePlus is a key component of the NLM's mission to disseminate biomedical information to consumers, health professionals, and librarians globally.

Overview

MedlinePlus operates as a premier gateway for reliable consumer health information, designed to bridge the gap between complex medical research and public understanding. The service is meticulously curated by librarians and subject specialists at the National Library of Medicine to ensure accuracy and objectivity, avoiding commercial influence or advertising. Its content is organized around an extensive A-Z list of health topics, each integrating information from trusted sources like the NIH, the Food and Drug Administration, and professional societies such as the American Heart Association. This centralized approach helps users avoid the confusion often encountered on the broader internet, providing a trusted starting point for health inquiries.

Content and features

The core content includes easy-to-read overviews, drug and supplement information from the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and an illustrated medical encyclopedia. A distinctive feature is its integration with PubMed, allowing users to access references to the latest scientific literature. The site also provides extensive multimedia resources, including surgical procedure videos, anatomy tutorials, and health check tools. Interactive tutorials cover conditions like diabetes, heart attack, and asthma, while the "Health News" section aggregates updates from major services like Reuters Health and HealthDay. All content is reviewed regularly, with dates clearly displayed to ensure timeliness.

History and development

MedlinePlus was launched in October 1998 under the direction of the National Library of Medicine, led then by Director Donald A.B. Lindberg. Its creation was a direct response to the Kaiser Family Foundation report highlighting the public's growing reliance on the internet for health information and the concomitant risk of encountering misinformation. The service initially offered information on a few hundred topics. A major expansion occurred with the 2002 merger with NIH's "ClinicalTrials.gov" database, providing access to research study information. The Spanish-language version, MedlinePlus en español, was introduced in 2002, significantly expanding its reach to Hispanic and Latino Americans and Spanish speakers worldwide.

Usage and audience

The primary audience includes patients, their families, and the general public, but it is also widely used by health educators, physicians, and students as a teaching and reference tool. Traffic statistics from the NLM show it consistently ranks among the most visited government websites globally, with millions of page views monthly. Its use is encouraged by institutions like the American Medical Association and the National Cancer Institute as a recommended resource for patients. The service is particularly valued in public and hospital library settings, where librarians utilize it during the National Network of Libraries of Medicine's consumer health training programs to improve health literacy.

Governance and funding

MedlinePlus is funded through the federal appropriation of the National Institutes of Health, specifically allocated to the National Library of Medicine. Governance and strategic direction are provided by NLM leadership, including the Director, currently Patricia Flatley Brennan. Content selection and maintenance follow strict guidelines developed by NLM staff and external review panels that include experts from organizations like the American Academy of Family Physicians. As a U.S. government service, it adheres to policies set by the Department of Health and Human Services, ensuring all information is in the public domain and free from copyright restrictions, which facilitates its widespread use and translation by international partners.

Category:National Institutes of Health Category:Medical websites Category:Health informatics