How to find credible health websites

The information superhighway has created unprecedented opportunities for people to access health information online. Unfortunately, it isn't always easy to tell which sites are reliable and credible and which are not. See the article on "How to find good health websites" by the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) for more information on becoming a savvy health information consumer.

"How to find good health websites", AARP
http://www.aarp.org/health/Articles/a2003-03-17-wwwhealth.html

Immunization recommendations for College Students

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following four vaccines for teenagers and one vaccine for college students.
Vaccines needed for teenagers
Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccines
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine
Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine
Vaccines needed for college students
Meningococcus vaccine
For more information:
Questions and answers about vaccine for teenagers and college students. (exit site)
"Meningitis on Campus: Don't Wait. Vaccinate," (.pdf) a brochure produced by the National Meningitis Association (NMA), offers college-bound students and their parents a succinct, practical introduction to meningococcal meningitis. In the space of two pages, it outlines the etiology and epidemiology of the disease and makes a strong case for vaccination. Use this link for a text-only screen-reader device version.
National Immunization Program (NIP) , CDC, 2004

Adult Immunizations

List of Vaccines for Adults
Vaccines needed by all adults
Hepatitis B vaccines (adults at risk)
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine (susceptible adults)
Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine (all adults, every 10 years)
Vaccines for travelers
Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine (susceptible adults)
Vaccines needed for those age 50 and older
Influenza vaccine (for the flu)
Vaccines needed for those age 65 and older
Pneumococcal vaccine
Vaccines needed for all health-care workers
Influenza vaccine (for the flu)
Adult Vaccination Screening Form
It can sometimes be difficult to understand or keep track of exactly which vaccines you need. Use the following form to help you understand what vaccines might be important for you. Questions on the form help you and your doctor decide which vaccines you need and when to get them. You can print the form, fill it out, and take it with you to the office the next time you see your doctor. The clinician's version of the form can be distributed and used in clinics and healthcare professionals' offices.
Print version for general public (.pdf format, six pages)


National Immunization Program (NIP) NIP Home Contact Us Help Glossary About Accessibility
This page last modified on July 22, 2004

What is a blog?

"A blog is a web page made up of usually short, frequently updated posts that are arranged chronologically - like a what's new page or a journal. The content and purposes of blogs varies greatly... . Blogs help small groups communicate in a way that is simpler and easier to follow than email or discussion forums. A blog can help keep everyone in the loop, promote cohesiveness and group culture, and provide an informal "voice" of a project or department to outsiders" (Blogger.com).

The goals of the Health and Wellness Blog are two-fold:
1.) To provide Misericordia University graduate nursing students with an opportunity to use an on-line E-health technology.

2.) To share helpful health related information sources that can assist members of the college community to improve their level of health and wellness and their self-management of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and arthritis.

Please feel free to log on and ask questions and request information. We hope you find this resource interesting and useful.

Thank you for your support of this learning activity.

Brenda Hage, Ph.D., CRNP, APRN, B.C.
Assistant Professor, Nursing
Misericordia University
301 Lake St.,
Dallas, PA 18612
bhage@misericordia.edu

How do I post questions?

You can post a question or comment by clicking on the link "# of comments" in the lower right hand corner of each topic posted. Click on the "Post a comment" link appear at the left hand corner of the bottom of the topic.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer- Our purpose is to serve as a forum for those with health related issues or concerns. This group does not endorse any specific site or product nor do we offer medical advice. This site makes no representations and specifically disclaims all warranties, express, implied or statutory, regarding the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose of any material contained in this site. Individuals should consult their primary health care provider for individualized medical advice or questions about their health condition(s).