Databases
O'Reilly for Public Libraries (previously Safari Books Online) offers resources for learning about business, technology, design, science, engineering, travel, hobbies, health and more. O'Reilly includes over 50,000 books from top publishers (including pre-release titles for the most up-to-date information), more than 30,000 hours of video content, case studies from top companies, learning paths and expert playlists.
In the library and at home with your library card.
Recommended websites
Local health agencies and services | Personal health | Mental health | Multilingual health | Drug reference
Local health agencies and services
Information about cancer treatments and research, and links to resources for cancer patients. Includes information on types of cancer, screening, support for cancer patients, links to recommended websites, and reviews and evaluations of alternative and complementary therapies.
Public health information for B.C. Includes public health alerts, disease information, environmental health, vaccinations and immunizations.
Information on rates, premium assistance and how to pay your premiums.
Information about BC's Pharmacare program which helps with the cost of prescription drugs and medical supplies.
A telephone information and referral service that provides free, confidential, and multilingual information about a full range of community, social, and government services in the Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver and Squamish-Lillooet Regional Districts. Or search the Red Book Online database of more than 5,600 services and agencies.
Under the tab " For the Public" there is a link to a directory of physicians.
Find local health facilities: hospitals, residential care, mental health, addiction treatment, more. Select "Find a service" to search by type of facility; "Find a location" to search for a specific facility.
Current information on 3,000+ health topics. You can also dial 811 for non-emergency health information: nurses, pharmacists and dieticians are available to provide information and refer you to health services and resources. Accessible 24 hours a day and translation services are available. Translated BC HealthFiles are available online in Chinese, Farsi, French, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese. Go to Multilingual Health.
Personal health
One of the world's premier organisations for health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and public preparedness for new health threats. Detailed information on existing and emerging health conditions, and information designed for specific age and gender populations.
This is a public website developed by clinical laboratory professionals. It has user friendly information about clinical lab tests searchable by test name or medical condition. Also covers routine screening tests for diseases and conditions by age group.
Consumer health information from the well-respected Mayo Clinic with sections on diseases and conditions, symptoms, drugs and supplements, tests and procedures, nutrition and healthy living.
Consumer health information from the US National Library of Medicine. This extensive site includes current health news, general health information by disease or body system, a medical encyclopedia and dictionary, useful anatomical diagrams and videos of surgical procedures.
Online version of the trusted and widely used Merck Manual. Explains disorders, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and prognosis in everyday language.
Provides evidence-based information on complementary and alternative medicine. Search for information on supplements, herbs and alternative therapies.
This leading consumer health information website covers a wide range of health topics and allows searching by symptom. Includes a food calorie calculator searchable by food or restaurant.
Mental health
Click on the "Find a Psychologist" link to find a registered psychologist in BC.
Click on "Search for Counsellors" to search a directory of BC counsellors, psychologists and other professional therapists.
A web-based mental health network that includes information on conditions and disorders, research, common medications.
Multilingual health
These downloadable information sheets cover diseases and conditions, nutrition and food safety, immunizations, preventive health, disease prevention and public health concerns: Chinese [PDF], French [PDF], Punjabi [PDF], Spanish [PDF], Vietnamese [PDF]
Links to reliable health information in many different languages, searchable by language or by health topic.
Links to Asian-language health information on the Internet in nine languages from a variety of sources. The downloadable information sheets are organized by topic and language, and cover diseases, disease prevention, dental health, nutrition, exercise, mental health and many other health topics.
Drug reference
Information from Health Canada about suspected adverse reactions to drugs and health products.
Comprehensive information about prescription and over-the-counter medications including side effects, drug interactions and FDA alerts.
Information about active and discontinued prescription drugs marketed in Canada.
Find information about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbs and supplements.
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