MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It was built as an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.
MedlinePlus presents high-quality, easy to understand, relevant health and wellness information that is trusted.
MedlinePlus at a Glance
- Offers information on health topics, human genetics, medical tests, medications, dietary supplements, and healthy recipes.
- Sourced from more than 1,600 selected organizations.
- Provides 40,000 links to authoritative health information in English and 18,000 links to information in Spanish.
- In 2018, 277 million users viewed MedlinePlus more than 700 million times.
Health Checkup
Regular checkups with your health care provider are different from appointments for sickness or injury. These checkups include physical exams as well as preventive care. Preventative care may include:
- Screening tests, which are medical tests to check for diseases early, when they may be easier to treat. Which screenings you need will depend on your:
- Age
- Sex
- Overall health
- Family health history
- Risks for certain diseases
- Vaccines, which can improve your health by preventing diseases and other health problems.
- Education and counseling to help you make informed health decisions. This could include advice about your lifestyle, including your diet, how much exercise you get, and any alcohol, tobacco, or other substances you may be using.
To make the most of your next check-up, here are some things to do before you go:
- Review your family health history
- Find out if you are due for any general screenings or vaccines
- Make and bring a list of issues and questions you would like to talk about with your provider
- Make and bring a list of any medicines, vitamins, supplements that you take
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
