Interesting Web Sites

Links are added to this list each month. Most of the sites listed below have substantial original information or valuable archives. The bracketed dates indicate the most recent time we checked each site. Our goal is to select links that provide accurate and practical information. We have carefully inspected each site and believe—unless otherwise noted—that they are trustworthy.

Because Web addresses often change, you may find that some of the links on this page no longer work. If that happens, you can probably visit the site by using the domain address instead of the longer URL we provide. You can also use Google to search for the current location or The Wayback Machine to search for an archived version.

Please contact us if you find that a link does not work, encounter questionable information on any site listed on this page, or would like to recommend a science-based site for us to consider. If you are an expert and would like to join our web site review team, please let us know.

General Medical Information

Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ): Information on many topics [1/22/08]
American Academy of Family Physicians: Hundreds of articles plus a medical dictionary, a large drug information database, and flow charts that advise when to treat symptoms at home when to call the doctor [1/22/08]
American Academy of Pediatrics: Position statements and articles about children's health and disease [8/2/09]
DrMirkin.com: Gabe Mirkin, M.D., provides advice on hundreds of health, fitness and nutrition topics. [8/2/05]
HealthSquare: Comprehensive health information that includes searchable copies of PDR Family Guide to Prescription Drugs, PDR Family Guide Encyclopedia of Medicine, and PDR Guide to Women's Health [4/5/05]
InteliHealth: Contains a wealth of information and answers individual questions. [1/7/05] Warning: The information on "complementary and alternative medicine" is not trustworthy.
JAMA Patient Page: Single topic fact sheets issued weekly [10/14/06]
Keep Kids Healthy: Pediatric parenting advice [1/22/08]
KidsHealth.org: Many brief articles about children's health matters [8/2/05] Warning: The information on "alternative medicine and your child" is not trustworthy.
Mayo Clinic.com: Experts from the Mayo Clinic have posted information on many topics. They also answer individual questions. Warning: Some of its articles about "complementary and alternative" methods are poorly written because the editors appear unwilling to say that worthless methods are worthless. [8/2/05]
MedicineNet: Discussions of many diseases and treatments. Written by physicians. [8/2/05]
MEDLINEplus: Free searching of the National Library of Medicine database of medical journal articles [8/2/05]
MEDLINEplus Drug Information: Database of 9,000 prescription and nonprescription drugs [8/2/05]
Medpie: Health news analyses [8/2/09]
The Merck Manual: This highly respected medical textbook covers most diseases, but much of it is too technical for laypersons. The consumer version is called the Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition [6/30/05]
National Guideline Clearinghouse: Index to more than 1,000 published guidelines [1/7/05]
National Institutes of Health Consumer Health Information: Links to more than 250 reports [1/22/08]
NetWellness: The University of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve University, and Ohio State University offer information for consumers and an "Ask an Expert" service. Ohio residents can access a huge amount of additional information through their public libraries. [10/14/06]
Physicians Health Study: Harvard's studies of widely used preventive health measures [1/22/08]
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Analyzes the scientific basis and cost-effectiveness of interventions for more than 80 potentially preventable diseases and conditions. The third (2000-2005) edition is being posted as segments become available. [8/2/05]
Virtual Hospital: University of Iowa's searchable database of articles plus links to peer-reviewed Web sites [8/2/05]

Food and Nutrition

Agricultural Research Service Nutrient Data Laboratory: Food composition data [1/22/08]
American Dietetic Association [7/30/08]
Council on Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST): Position papers on food, nutrition, and agricultual issues [7/28/03]
CyberDiet: Nutrition, diet, and fitness [1/22/08]
FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition [1/22/08]
- Dietary Supplement Regulatory Information [1/22/08]
FoodSafety.gov: Gateway to consumer information on food safety [9/26/03]
Institute of Food Technologists: Scientific status summaries and "Communicator Alerts" on many current issues [9/26/03]
International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC): Covers nutrition, food safety, and health [2/3/04]
Iowa State University Food Safety Project [1/22/08]
National Dairy Council: [1/22/08]
Nutrition Perspectives: Bimonthly newsletter of the University of California Cooperative Extension [5/15/06]
NutriWatch: Quackwatch's guide to nutrition and food safety [1/22/08]
Partnership for Healthy Weight Management: [10/14/06]
United States Department of Agriculture: The USDA Web site provides a wealth of news and other useful information [9/16/09]
- Food and Nutrition Service [9/16/09]
- MyPyramid.gov: Guide to healthful food choices [9/16/09]
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service [9/16/09]

AIDS

AIDSinfo [9/25/05]
Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline [7/30/08]

Arthritis and Related Diseases

American College of Rheumatology [2/3/04]
Arthritis Foundation. Warning: The foundation is promoting quack "alternative" methods through a book, its Web site, and its magazine (Arthritis Today). Although the medical information it provides is excellent, its handling of "alternative medicine" subjects has not been trustworthy [1/20/08]
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) [7/30/08]
Fibromyalgia Information Foundation [7/30/08]

Cancer

American Cancer Society. Information on specific cancers. Caution: A few articles on "complementary and alternative therapies" are written so blandly that they provide insufficient guidance [7/30/08]
American Society of Clinical Oncology [10/20/05]
cancer.gov: The National Cancer Institute's comprehensive resource for both doctors and patients [7/30/08]
Cancer News on the Net [2/3/04]
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society [1/22/08]
National Breast Cancer Coalition [10/20/05]
OncoLink: Cancer database [7/30/08]
R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation: Practical advice for cancer patients and supporters [1/20/08]
International Skin Cancer Awareness Network: Attacks tanning devices and other frauds related to skin damage [2/3/04]

Other Diseases and Conditions (listed in alphabetical order by condition or service)

Allergies: Position papers and other advice from American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology [4/30/03]
American Academy of Dermatology: Skin care [8/29/02]
Birth defects: Advice from the March of Dimes Resource Center [2/3/04]
United Cerebral Palsy [10/20/05]
Chronic fatigue syndrome: Facts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [10/30/02]
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders [7/30/08]
National Down Syndrome Congress
Down Syndrome: Health Issues: Information from a pediatrician who is a Down parent [9/26/03]
National Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome Network: Comprehensive information on the L-tryptophan tragedy) [11/20/03]
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye diseases [3/28/04]
GeneTests·GeneClinics: Comprehensive information about genetic diseases [12/4/03].
Kidney diseases: Advice from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [11/20/03]
Latex Allergy Links [11/20/03]
American Liver Foundation [10/20/05]
National Multiple Sclerosis Society [10/20/05]
National Neurofibromatosis Foundation [10/20/05]
National Osteoporosis Foundation [10/20/05]
American Pain Foundation [1/22/08]
Worldwide Congress on Pain: Huge site [6/15/03]
Psoriasis Hall of PShame: Information on questionable psoriais treatment [1/22/08]
Self-help groups: American Self-Help Clearinghouse database. [6/15/03] Warning: This site contains links to a few groups that are on our nonrecommended list. The site is hosted by and intertwined with Mental Health Net, which has more links to organizations and web sites we consider unreliable. Some are not self-help groups. You can spot most of the unreliable ones by applying the criteria in our article How to Spot a "Quacky" Web Site.
Stuttering Foundation of America [11/20/03]
National Sudden Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Resource Center [7/30/08]
American Thyroid Association [10/20/05]

Surgery

American Society for Surgery of the Hand [1/22/04]]
ASPS/PSEF Plastic Surgery Information Service [5/12/02]
YourSurgery.com: Detailed information on about 50 procedures [1/27/03]

Dental Care

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry [10/14/06]
American Association of Endodontists (root canal treatment) [9/28/07]
American Dental Association [4/25/07]
- Fluoridation Information [10/14/06]
Dental Watch [10/28/07]
National Center for Fluoridation [6/14/06]

Tobacco Issues

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH): Legal issues related to nonsmokers' rights [2/3/04]
Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights [1/22/04]
Cigarette Papers: Archive of secret internal Brown & Williamson documents illustrating the cigarette industry's campaign to deceive the public about smoking's harmful effects [2/3/04]
The Scoop on Smoking: What every teen should know about tobacco [1/17/05]
Smoke-Free Air [11/20/03]
Tobacco.org: Comprehensive news source [2/11/04]
TobaccoScam: How big tobacco uses and abuses the restaurant industry [2/3/04]
truth: Hard-hitting atack on tobacco industry deceptions [2/11/04]

Recommended Blogs

Journalology: Discusses science publishing trends, ethics, peer review, and open access [1/20/08]
Neurodiversity Weblog: Attacks autism-related quackery [9/16/09]
Science-Based Medicine: Issues and controversies in the relationship between science and health care [8/2/09]

Other Specialized Information Sites

Aetna US. Healthcare Coverage Policy Bulletins: Many discussions of unsubstantiated treatments [10/10/07]
ALS Untangled: Investigates clinics claiming to treat ALS) [7/8/12]
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS): Board certification and related topics. [2/6/05]
- ABMS Verification Service: To check whether a physician is board-certified. [2/6/05]
Americans for Medical Progress: Harm caused by "animal rights" groups. [2/3/04]
Apologetics Index: Guide to information about cults and sects [10/14/06]
Aquascams: Debunks water-related pseudoscience, fantasies, and frauds [2/6/05]
Australian Council Against Health Fraud (ACAHF) [7/8/12]
Bad Science Watch [7/8/12]
Bioethics.net: Moral issues in the fields of medical treatment and research [11/10/07]
Canadian Orthopractic Manual Therapy Association: Information and referral source [7/8/12]
Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine: Standards for rational medical decision-making [7/8/12]
CenterWatch Clinical Trials Listing Service [2/24/03]
Children's Health Care Is A Legal Duty (CHILD): Medical neglect rationalized on religious grounds [5/9/03]
Chirobase: Guide to the history, theories, and current practices of chiropractors [7/30/08]
Contraceptive Choices: Analysis by Robert A Hatcher, M.D., M.P.H. [6/15/03]
Drug Information: Database covering more than 7,000 prescription and nonprescription products [6/15/03]
FACTNet International: Information about Scientology and dianetics [9/26/03]
American Geriatrics Society: Patient Education Forum covers several topics. [8/6/03]
Foundation for Critical Thinking [3/31/03]
Girl Power: An innovative government site intended to help girls ages 9-14 make positive lifestyle choices [8/6/03]
Freedom of Mind Center: Steven Allan Hassan's guide to information about destructive cults and mind control techniques [1/15/09]
Guttmacher Institute: Birth control, family planning, and women's health issues. [7/30/08]
Homeowatch: Skeptical guide to homeopathy's history, theories, and current practices [7/30/08]
International Center for Toxicology and Medicine: Covers facts and myths related to environmental chemicals and health [12/4/03]
International Cultic Studies Association: Cults and other topics related to psychologic manipulation [7/30/08]
KidsComeFirst.info: Criticizes "atachment therapy" and other "junk therapy" for children [8/6/03]
Lab Tests Online [1/22/08]
Michael Fumento.com: Incisive reports by journalist Michael Fumento [1/22/08]
National Academies Press: Full text of many important health-related books. [4/30/11]
National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Statements. Warning: The acupuncture statement is not reliable [2/6/05]
National Safety Council [8/6/03]
Operation Clambake: Information about Scientology. [6/21/03]
People for Legal and Nonsectarian Schools (PLANS): Cricism of anthroposophy [1/22/08]
Planned Parenthood Federation of America: Birth control information [9/26/03]
Quacks and Quackery: History of quackery, mainly in Australia [5/6/03]
Radiology Info [1/11/09]
Rick A. Ross Institute: Information on destructive cults, controversial groups, and movements [1/11/09]
Sense about Science [7/8/12]
Skeptical Information Sources [1/17/05]
Sure Cure Antiques: Gallery of quack products [4/25/07]
The Textbook League: Promotes the creation and acceptance of scientifically sound textbooks. [5/15/02]
Criticism of Therapeutic Touch [9/26/03]
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine: Information about diagnostic ultrasound procedures [8/6/03]
U.S. Surgeon General's Virtual Office: Gateway to Surgeon General's publications [8/6/03]
All the Virology on the WWW: Comprehensive information about viruses. [1/22/08]

Consumer Protection/Government Regulation

Administrators in Medicine (AIM): Directory of medical regulatory agencies [1/22/08]
Bad Business Bureau: Published the "Ripoff Report" and consumer complaints [9/28/07]
Better Business Bureau: Database related to consumer complaints [1/7/05]
Brady Campaign to Prevent Handgun Violence [7/30/08]
British Advertising Standards Authority: Adjudications of advertising complaints [12/2/07]
Center for Patient Advocacy: Focuses on managed care and patients' rights issues [8/29/02]
Coalition Against Insurance Fraud [12/23/03]
Consumer Affairs.com: Broad range of news, a free newsletter, and a complaint registry for victims [2/2/03]
Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities: Report to the President from the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry, November 1997 [7/16/03]
ConsumerLab.com: Does product evaluations, including lab tests [7/30/08]
Consumer Protection Agencies: International List [1/27/03]
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHE A ): Health-related accrediting agencies [7/30/08]
Crimes-of-Persuasion.com: Extensive information about a wide variety of frauds [12/04/03]
Current Issues in Alternative Medicine (CINAM): Quackery viewed from a Christian perspective [11/19/03]
Ethical issues: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada [1/27/03]
FDAWarning Letters [11/6/05]
Federal Trade Commission [11/28/07]
Federation of State Medical Boards [9/16/09]
- Health-Care Fraud Policy [9/16/09]
FirstGov for Consumers: U.S. Government gateway to health-related consumer protection topics [11/19/03]
Guidestar: Database on finances and activities of nonprofit organizations [1/11/09]
Hairfacts.com: Hair-removal facts and fallacies [11/19/03]
HALT: An organization fighting for legal-system reforms that will benefit consumers [7/28/03]
Health Canada: Fact sheets on health and safety issues [1/22/08]
Hoaxbusters: Index of Internet hoax and chain letters [9/16/09]
Internet Scambusters: Defense against scams and spams [1/22/09]
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations: Accreditaton directory [9/16/09]
Junkbusters: Tips on handling spams, junk mail, and unwanted telephone solicitations [5/6/03]
Logical Fallacies Inde x: Comprehensive discussion of misleading propaganda techniques [5/6/03]
National Association of Attorneys General: Consumer protection information and links to state attorneys general web sites [1/22/08]
National Fraud Information Center: Daily news reports plus links to many enforcement agencies [2/11/04]
HHS Office of the Inspector General: Fraud and abuse sanctions and current investigations. [12/23/03]
National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) [12/23/03]
Office of Postsecondary Education: Information about accreditation of schools [6/9/02]
Overlawyered.com: How our bad legal system drives up health care costs [2/3/04]
PhoneBusters: Deceptive telemarketing [9/16/09]
Private Citizen: Advises how to curb junk mail and unwanted telephone solicitations. [1/22/09]
Pyramid Scheme Alert [8/2/09]
Sense about Science [7/9/12]
Telemarketing Fraud: U.S. Justice Department page [7/30/08]
TRUSTe: Protection against online privacy infringements [1/22/08]
U.S. Attorney press releases: Note: Some links do not lead to current information. Individual U.S. Attorney sites have more information about cases. [5/15/06]
Urban Legends: David Emery, the San Francisco Folk Society, and the Urban Legends Research Centre explode myths and false rumors, many of which are health-related [11/19/03]
U.S. Postal Service Index of Administrative Decisions [8/2/09]

Laws and Regulations

Access Page for Congressional Record and Federal Register [5/15/06]
Federal Legislation: News on pending federal bills [11/27/05]
Code of Federal Regulations [1/22/08]
Find the name of your Congressional representative [1/22/09]
Financial reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission [1/22/09]

This page was revised on July 9, 2012.