Consumer health

This guide was created in partnership between Lake County Public Library and Lake County Public Health Agency to assist Lake County Residents (patients and caregivers) in finding information and research to support their understanding of their healthcare. It is mapped to the Lake County Public Health Improvement Plan. Within this guide you will find links to vetted websites and electronic article databases. 

If you need assistance searching resources within this guide or you have suggestions for additional resources to be included, please contact brena@lakecountypubliclibrary.org

*NOTE: This guide is not intended to provide medical advice, nor is the library's staff qualified to provide medical advice. Please see you doctor for diagnosis and answers to questions regarding your personal health.

Health literacy: Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. It is important to know that health literacy is not related to one's education; health information can often be complicated and difficult to understand for everyone. 

Informed consent: Informed consent to medical treatment is fundamental in both ethics and law. Patients have the right to receive information and ask questions about recommended treatments so that they can make well-considered decisions about care. Successful communication in the patient-physician relationship fosters trust and supports shared decision making. (AMA) Access to quality information regarding a patient's healthcare is crucial to informed consent.