U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News
National Library of Medicine (NLM) <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/>
For Immediate Release: Friday, January 22, 2010
CONTACT: Kathy Cravedi, 301-496-6308, <e-mail: cravedik@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE LAUNCHES MOBILE MEDLINEPLUS TO MEET THE HEALTH INFORMATION NEEDS OF AN ON-THE-GO PUBLIC
Wondering what the side effects are for your new prescription? Go to Mobile MedlinePlus (http://m.medlineplus.gov) while you're waiting for the pharmacist to fill your order!
Or, instantly look up the symptoms of H1N1 flu if you're at the supermarket and your child's school calls you to tell you he doesn't feel well.
The National Library of Medicine's Mobile Medline Plus builds on the NLM's MedlinePlus Internet service, which provides authoritative consumer health information to over 10 million visitors per month. These visitors access MedlinePlus (http://medlineplus.gov) from throughout the United States as well many other countries, and use desktop computers, laptops and even mobile devices to get there.
The mobile Internet audience is large and growing fast, almost doubling from February 2007 to February 2009. Some experts predict that within the next five years, more people will connect to the Internet via mobile devices than via desktop or laptop computers. People use their mobile devices to accomplish a variety of tasks, including finding health information. With this in mind, NLM developed the mobile version of MedlinePlus to bring high-quality health information to users on the go.
"We know that a huge number of people are seeking good health information on the Web," noted NLM Director Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg. "What better way to reach out to them than by offering this new mobile service, which delivers trustworthy, consumer-friendly information instantly, anywhere?"
Mobile MedlinePlus is available in English and Spanish (http://m.medlineplus.gov/spanish) and includes a subset of content from the full Web site. It includes summaries for over 800 diseases, wellness topics, the latest health news, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, and information on prescription and over-the-counter medications.
For instance, you could visit the "Talking With Your Doctor" page on Mobile MedlinePlus to learn how to get the most out of your doctor's visit.
Mobile MedlinePlus can also help you when you're trying to choose an over-the-counter cold medicine at the drug store.
And if you're traveling abroad, you can use Mobile MedlinePlus to learn about safe drinking water.
Mobile MedlinePlus puts reliable health information at your fingertips.
*High resolution screen shot of Mobile MedlinePlus available upon request.
The National Library of Medicine is part of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the nation's largest medical library.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- The Nation's Medical Research Agency -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit <www.nih.gov>.
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