Thousands of resources are now available to help you make healthcare decisions. Be wary of websites sponsored by companies that are trying to sell you a particular treatment. It's better to contact reputable associations or visit sites run by government agencies and recognized organizations, such as the Mayo Clinic or the American Medical Association, www.ama-assn.org or 1-800-621-8335. This information should complement, not replace, what you receive \ from a doctor. Here are some sites that are generally recognized as reliable information sources.

• HealthierUS.gov, HealthFinder.gov and MedlinePlus (www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus) are federal government gateways that provide information on health issues, healthcare programs, and organizations.


• Intelihealth (www.intelihealth.com) offers information and practical advice on staying healthy from the Harvard Medical School.


• Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com) offers an alphabetical index of diseases and Healthy Living Centers (for example, Women's Health, Diet and Health). Consult the Health Decisions Guide for information on medical tests and treatments.


• Medical Library Association (www.mlanet.org) links to websites suggested by librarians. For general information, you can call 312-419-9094 or write to The Medical Library Association, 65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60601-7246.


• Mental Help Net (www.mentalhelp.net) links to a broad range of mental health topics.