Health Care Information Online

The following external health websites are recommended by the Student Health Care Center.

• NOTE: The information provided on these websites is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or emergency treatment. You should not use any information on these websites to diagnose or develop a treatment plan for a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider.

General medicine

• Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC provides credible, reliable health information on: data and statistics; diseases and conditions; emergencies and disasters; environmental health; healthy living; injury, violence and safety; life stages and populations; travelers’ health; workplace safety and health; and much more.
• FamilyDoctor.org: FamilyDoctor.org offers trusted health and wellness information written and reviewed by physicians and patient education professionals at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a national medical organization.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): Operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this website offers a wide variety of information, including: health topics A-Z; wellness and lifestyle; MedlinePlus; and much more.
• Mayo Clinic: MayoClinic.com offers health information, self-improvement and disease management tools to empower people to manage their health and gives users access to the experience and knowledge of the more than 3,400 physicians and scientists of Mayo Clinic.
• MedlinePlus: A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus provides reliable, up-to-date information about diseases, conditions and wellness issues in easy-to-understand language.
• WebMD: WebMD offers credible and in-depth medical news, features, reference material and online community programs.

Alcohol and other drugs

• GatorWell Health Promotion Services – Alcohol and Other Drugs: Access to risk assessments, educational information and tips for quitting or reducing use.
• GatorWell Health Promotion Services – Quit Tobacco: Access to educational information and the Quit Program, a free tobacco cessation program for UF students.
• Straight Talk on Alcohol and Other Drugs: A Website for College Students: “If you tell kids ‘Don’t do this’ it just makes them more apt to do it, especially college freshmen, because they want to live the college life and they want to do everything that’s fun. They need to know that you can go out and have fun, and that you can be responsible. They need to know how to look out for their friends. They need to know that they can have fun without putting themselves in situations that will be harmful.”
• Tobacco Free Florida: Tobacco Free Florida (TFF) is a comprehensive effort to reduce tobacco use in the state. TFF is administered through the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Prevention Program (BTPP), and funded by money derived from the tobacco settlement agreement with the major tobacco companies.

Body art

• Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT): The APT is a national organization that promotes safety for the tattoo artist and consumer.
• Association of Professional Piercers (APP): The APP is a non-profit organization dedicated to the dissemination of vital health and safety information about body piercing to piercers, health care professionals, legislators and the general public.

LGBTQ community

• Gay & Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA): GLMA’s mission is to ensure equality in health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and health care providers.
  • Top 10 Things Gay Men Should Discuss with Their Health Care Provider (PDF)
  • Top 10 Things Lesbian Women Should Discuss with Their Health Care Provider (PDF)
  • Top 10 Things Transgender Persons Should Discuss with Their Health Care Provider (PDF)
• National Coalition for LGBT Health: The Coalition is committed to improving the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals through federal advocacy that is focused on research, policy, education, and training.
• Pride Community Center of North Central Florida: Pride, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, provides information on local and national efforts and events with a focus on the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) population.

Men’s health

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Men’s Health: The CDC’s “Men’s Health” area provides information on multiple topics, including: science and research; health and wellness; work and play; and family and friends.

Nutrition and weight management

• CalorieCount.com: CalorieCount.com is a free online resource providing information on “Nutrition Facts” food labels and nutrition data for more than 220,000 foods.
• ChooseMyPlate.gov (formerly MyPyramid.gov): MyPlate, created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, helps individuals use the established Dietary Guidelines for Americans to: make smart choices from every food group; find balance between food and physical activity; get the most nutrition out of calories; and stay within daily calorie needs.
• EatRight.org: EatRight.org, maintained by the American Dietetic Association (ADA), provides trustworthy, science-based food and nutrition information.
• EDIS, the Electronic Data Information Source of the UF/IFAS Extension: EDIS contains information about health and nutrition in Florida, including: 4-H health; disease prevention and management; eating well; health care; hygiene; medicines and supplements; mental health; physical activity; physical health; pregnancy and fertility; and health and nutrition for special populations.

Sexual health

• American Social Health Association (ASHA): ASHA, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, provides information on sexual health with a focus on preventing sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs/STIs).
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Sexual Health: The CDC’s “Sexual Health” area provides information on multiple topics, including: sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs/STIs); reproductive health; healthy pregnancy; HIV/AIDS prevention; sexual violence prevention; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) health.
  • For information about specific STIs/STDs, following are links to fact sheets from the CDC:
    
    • Bacterial Vaginosis
    • Chlamydia
    • Genital HPV Infection
    • Genital Herpes

    • Gonorrhea
    • Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
    • Syphilis
    • Trichomoniasis

     
• Reproductive Health Access Project: The Reproductive Health Access Project provides information on contraceptive options and optional services.
• NEW! Student Sex Life: The Student Sex Life web site includes information and resources about healthy relationships, sex, contraception and STIs/STDs, and features a “Man Cave” with specific information for guys. Developed by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Skin concerns

• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Founded in 1938, the AAD is the largest and most representative dermatology group in the U.S.
• American Skin Association: The American Skin Association, a unique collaboration of patients, families, advocates, physicians and scientists, provides information on: healthy skin, sun safety, melanoma and skin issues.
• BrownSkin.net: BrownSkin.net is an educational site for individuals with skin of color, including: African American skin care, Asian skin care, Black skin care, Indian skin care and Latin skin care.

Women’s health

• American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM): The ACNM promotes the health and well-being of women and infants within their families and communities through the development and support of the profession of midwifery as practiced by certified nurse-midwives, and certified midwives.
• American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): Founded in 1951, non-profit ACOG is the nation’s leading group of professionals providing health care for women.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Women’s Health: The CDC’s “Women’s Health” area provides information on multiple topics, including: science and research; health and wellness; work and play; and family and friends.
• Epigee Women’s Health: Epigee is a free educational resource providing information on women’s health topics, such as: reproductive health, birth control, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, mental health, health and fitness, STIs/STDs and relationships.
• Our Bodies Ourselves (OBOS): OBOS, also known as the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective (BWHBC), is a non-profit, public interest women’s health education, advocacy and consulting organization providing information on: self-care; relationships and sexuality; sexual health; reproductive choices; child-bearing; medical problems and procedures; and growing older.
• Reproductive Health Access Project: The Reproductive Health Access Project provides information on contraceptive options and optional services.
• WomensHealth.gov: A project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, this website provides information about a wide variety of women’s health concerns, including: fitness and nutrition; body image; mental health; pregnancy; breast cancer; and much more.