National Library of Medicine Launches Mobile
MedlinePlus to Meet Needs of On-the-Go Public
Compact Website designed to meet needs of smart
phones, other hand-held devices - not iPhone 'app' - read below
Jan.
29, 2010 - Wondering what the side effects are for your new
prescription? Go to Mobile MedlinePlus (http://m.medlineplus.gov)
while youre waiting for the pharmacist to fill your order!
Or, instantly look up the symptoms of H1N1 flu if
youre 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.
Not An
iPhone App
But It Works
This is not an
"app" designed for the iPhone but just a smaller, faster Website
to be accessed with a browser. With the iPhone, for example, use
the Safari browser and type in the site's address -
http://m.medlineplus.gov.
With the site
in the browser window, hit the "plus" (+) sign at the bottom of
the page, and then click "Bookmark."
Next time you
need it, just go to your bookmarks.
For instance, you could visit the "Talking With
Your Doctor" page on Mobile MedlinePlus to learn how to get the most out
of your doctors 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.
Jan.
29, 2010 - Wondering what the side effects are for your new
prescription? Go to Mobile MedlinePlus (
