Reliable health information from the government
HealthFinder is a government sponsored website. It is an initiative sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Their goal is to “bring you the best, most reliable health information on the Internet.” They scrape information from over 1,600 government and non-profit organizations. All of the information on the website needs to pass their quality guidelines.
Recommendations based on your age and sex
HealthFinder features a simple recommendation system you see throughout their website. Tell them your age and sex. Then they will show you a list of health recommendations. I typed in 23 and male. One of my first recommendations was to Talk with a Doctor about Your Alcohol Use. Now that is reliable health information. We were unimpressed by this general way of generating health recommendations.
A quick simple guide to healthy living
Another part of the website that is notable is their quick guide to healthy living. It is a simple guide for those interested in getting educated about their health. It has different sections aimed at different people. Some of the sections include Nutrition and Fitness, Pregnancy, and For Parents. In each section you will find articles such as “Get Enough Calcium” and “Healthy Snacks: Quick Tips for Parents“. This guide is a great place to start. Albeit, there are better places for those who are trying to fine-tune their diet and excercise routine.
HealthFinder is best used as a gateway
HealthFinder’s strength is its’ link directory. You can find a dentist, doctor, or other health providers. I don’t know about you but I feel safer knowing that I am using a government service to find a doctor. HealthFinder has many features but this is certainly what they are best used for.
