Why MedlinePlus?
MedlinePlus Sources
MedlinePlus is sourced from hundreds of selected organizations and provides thousands of links to authoritative health information in English and Spanish.
Some pages, like the Medical Encyclopedia and drug information, are licensed by NLM specifically for use on MedlinePlus. Other pages, like Health Topics summaries, Medical Tests, and Genetics, are created for MedlinePlus. Information from different sources is reviewed and updated on different schedules. Learn more about how content is reviewed and updated on MedlinePlus.
Links
MedlinePlus links to information produced by NLM, NIH, and other trusted health-related organizations within the U.S. Federal Government, such as the:
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) |
|---|---|---|
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MedlinePlus also links to select non-governmental organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Nemours Foundation.
Links to other websites, particularly ones with unique information or special features, are included if they meet specific quality guidelines.
Quality Guidelines
There are three major guidelines for selecting resources to include in MedlinePlus:
- The quality, authority, and accuracy of the health content.
- The primary purpose of the resource is educational and not to sell a product or service, with most content being available at no charge.
- The resource is reliable and regularly maintained.
Learn more about MedlinePlus guidelines for links.