Health Information from the Government
Learn about the coronavirus pandemic and how to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Use the Medline Plus search tool to answer your medical questions, find information for seniors, visit sites covering issues like Alzheimer’s, vaccines, and rare diseases, discover caregiver support resources.
Health Resources and Information
There is a wealth of government resources and websites for health information, whether you’re researching a particular illness or condition, need to find insurance options, or want tips on healthy eating. Find trusted health information at some of the following top government websites:
Specific Conditions
- Alzheimers.gov - Learn about symptoms, treatment options, building a financial and legal plan and ways to help caregivers. English For general public and people taking care of someone with Alzheimer's.
- Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center - Find out about rare medical conditions, new treatments, and drugs. English and Spanish. For general public, health care providers, researchers, social workers, and teachers and community leaders and advocacy groups.
- Indian Health Service - Get information about the programs included in the Indian Health Service Health Care system, health topics, and health insurance. English. For American Indians and Alaska Natives, general public, health care providers and communities.
- MentalHealth.gov - Learn about on mental illness, including where to find help, and research. English and Spanish. For general public, health care providers and emergency preparedness professionals.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association - Get substance use and mental disorder information, services, and research. English and Spanish. For general public, health care providers and local communities.
- Smokefree.gov - Find information and professional assistance to help support the immediate and long-term needs of people trying to quit smoking. English and Spanish. For general public, health care providers and organizations.
- Vaccines.gov - Learn about vaccines and immunization for infants, children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. English and Spanish. For general public, health care providers and organizations.
Health Information for Seniors
- MedlinePlus for Seniors - Find a wide variety of aging-related health topics and articles created especially for seniors. English. For older adults.
- National Institute on Aging - Get research-based information on aging and senior health and wellbeing. English and Spanish. For older adults.
General Health Information
- CDC.gov Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) - Learn about public health prevention and control services and guidelines, as well as access the A-Z Index of Diseases and Conditions. English and Spanish. For general public.
- HealthFinder.gov - Get information about health services, disease prevention, and health topics and news. English and Spanish. For general public.
- Health.gov - Find government guidelines for diet and physical activity, and learn about initiatives to improve health literacy and health care quality and safety. English and Spanish. For health care providers, researchers and policymakers.
- MedlinePlus - Powered by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this site provides descriptions of and current consumer information on hundreds of medical terms and conditions, drugs, herbs, and supplements. Find helpful videos and health check tools. English and Spanish. For general Public.
- WomensHealth.gov - Read online publications and find information on health topics specifically geared to women. English and Spanish. For general public and health care providers.
Health Insurance
- HealthCare.gov - Find health insurance options through the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace. English and Spanish. For general public and small business.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - Learn about health care options with Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). English and Spanish. For general public and people eligible for Medicare, Medicaid/CHIP.
COVID-19 Testing, Vaccines, and Health Information
Learn how government agencies are working to help you stay healthy, get vaccinated, and get tested during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find COVID-19 Test Kits, Testing Locations, and Vaccines
Visit COVIDtests.gov to order free at-home COVID-19 test kits. Call 1-800-232-0233 or review the common questions if you have problems ordering a kit.
Contact your state health department website or check with your county or local health department to:
- Learn how, when, and where to get the COVID-19 vaccine
- Find testing sites
- Get the latest local coronavirus information
You can also visit Vaccines.gov to search for other vaccination sites.
How to Get a COVID-19 Booster Shot
Get answers from the CDC about COVID-19 booster shots, including when they will be available and who is eligible. Find a vaccine site near you.
Vaccination Assistance for People With Disabilities
If you have a disability and need help getting a COVID-19 vaccine, call the Disability Information and Access Line at 1-888-677-1199 or email DIAL@n4a.org. Trained staff will:
- Help you find nearby vaccination centers
- Schedule a vaccination appointment for you
- Contact you with local accessible transportation services
- Answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine
Get Official Information from Coronavirus.gov
Visit Coronavirus.gov, from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
There, you'll learn:
Find Answers to Your Medical Questions
The MedlinePlus search tool is from the National Library of Medicine. Find easy-to-understand information you can trust about diseases and medical conditions, drugs and supplements, and medical research and clinical trials. You’ll also find helpful videos and medical illustrations. MedlinePlus is ad-free and does not endorse any products.
How to Use the Search Tool: Type a word or phrase into the search box, and then click the search MedlinePlus button or press the enter button on your keyboard.
Note: The search results are for general informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are having a medical emergency, CALL 911.
Help and Support for Caregivers
As a caregiver for a parent, spouse, or child with special needs, you may need help. These resources and suggestions can help you find emotional and task support.
Federal Government Caregiver Resources
Alzheimer’s Caregiving - Find out from the National Institute on Aging how to be a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Learn skills for coping with a loved one’s behavioral changes.
Caregiver Resources - The National Institute of Health's MedlinePlus site has an overview of caregiver services. It also offers resources to help you protect your own health.
Caring for the Caregiver - This resource from the National Cancer Institute is for family and friends who are caring for a person with cancer.
Managing Someone Else’s Money Guide - The family member you're caring for may not be able to handle their bills themselves. Get information about managing their finances from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The VA Caregiver Support Line helps people caring for veterans. Find services and benefits for your loved one and get support for yourself.
Office on Women’s Health Caregiver Page - Get tips on how to prevent or relieve caregiver stress and how to find and pay for home health care services.
State and Local Caregiver Support Resources
Additional Support for Caregivers
If you're not able to leave your loved one at home but need emotional support, an online support group might be a good option. Be careful not to give out detailed personal, medical, or financial information to anyone online to protect against fraud or scams.
A medical history report is a summary of your medical conditions. Insurance companies use these reports to decide if they will offer you insurance. You have the right to get a copy of your report from MIB, the company that manages and owns the reporting database.
Sources of Information for a Medical History Report
If you reported a medical condition on an insurance application, the insurer may want to report it to MIB. An insurer can only share your medical condition with MIB if you give written permission. If you do give permission, the condition will be included in your medical history report.
Your medical history report does not include your complete medical records. Doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other health professionals can’t submit information to MIB. The report won’t include every diagnosis, blood test, or a list of your medicines.
A piece of information stays on your report for seven years. Your report can only be updated when you apply for an insurance policy with an MIB-member company, and give them permission to submit your medical conditions to MIB.
Request Your Free Medical History Report
You have the right to get one free copy of your medical history report each year. You can request a copy for:
- Yourself
- Your minor child
- Someone else, as a legal guardian
- Someone else, as an agent under power of attorney
Request a medical history report online from MIB or by phone at 1-866-692-6901.
Not everyone has a medical history report. Even if you currently have an insurance plan, you won't have a report if:
- You haven't applied for insurance within the last seven years
- Your insurance policy is through a group or employer policy
- The insurance company isn’t a member of MIB
- You didn’t give an insurer permission to submit your medical reports to MIB
Medical ID Reports and Scams
Use your medical history report to detect medical ID theft. You may have experienced medical iD theft it if there is a report in your name, but you haven't applied for insurance in the last seven years. Another sign of medical ID theft is if your report includes medical conditions that you don't have.
File a Dispute
Review your report to verify that it only includes medical conditions that you have. Request a re-investigation if your report is incorrect. Email your dispute to infoline@mib.com or write:
MIB Disclosure Office
50 Braintree Hill Park, Suite 400
Braintree, MA 02184.
Report unresolved disputes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
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Last Updated: January 18, 2022