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Acne is a common skin condition that causes pimples. These bumps usually arise on your face. Acne can also appear on your back, chest, or shoulders. Anyone can get acne. But it is most common in teens and young adults. For most people, acne goes away by about age 30. Acne usually pops up when hair follicles under the skin become clogged with oil or other substances. This can lead to swelling and…

Conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes often run in families. Tracing the illnesses of your parents, grandparents, and other blood relatives can help your health care practitioner predict your risk for specific disorders. It could suggest vital screening tests and treatments before any disease is evident. That’s why it’s so important to discuss your family’s health history. The U.…, My Family Health Portrait, , that can help you gather and record your family health history. The tool lets you save family information to your own computer and share health histories with other family members. The tool is available in English, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. Before you start using this tool, talk with family members to gather details about their health histories. The Surgeon General offers tips on…

Have you ever heard that something, like a gene or toxin, can cause disease? Or that a drug can prevent illness? How about a behavior, like too much sitting, that’s “linked” to health problems? Such news reports are often based on some type of clinical research, which is the study of health and illness in people. There are many types of clinical studies. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses…, Why Do Researchers Do Different Kinds of Clinical Studies?, ,, that outlines different types of clinical studies and explains why scientists might use them. The guide notes that a study’s strength depends on its size, methods, and design. The ideal way to prove that a treatment works is through a well-designed “randomized controlled trial.” In such trials, people are randomly assigned to either a “treatment” or a “control” group for comparison. Other…

You’re feeling pretty lousy. You’ve got sniffles, sneezing, and a sore throat. Is it a cold, flu, or allergies? It can be hard to tell them apart because they share so many symptoms. But understanding the differences will help you choose the best treatment. “If you know what you have, you won’t take medications that you don’t need, that aren’t effective, or that might even make your symptoms…

Most children get restless, rowdy, or distracted at times. That’s all part of being a kid. But some kids have such trouble paying attention, staying focused, and finishing tasks that it interferes with their schoolwork, home life, and friendships. These difficulties might be signs of a developmental disorder called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. ADHD is a common brain…

How would you react to a medical emergency? When it comes to life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke, every minute counts. Get to know the signs and symptoms of these health threats. If you think you or someone else might be having a heart attack or stroke, get medical help right away. Acting fast could save your life or someone else’s. Heart disease and stroke are 2 of the top…

Simple and straight-forward videos give you the basics of brain biology. Get an overview of how the brain works and how mental illness is linked to brain function. Learn about brain regions, neurotransmitters, gene studies, brain imaging and more.*, *Editor's Note:, This website has been archived and is no longer available. 

Kids and teens are often exposed to noise levels that could permanently harm their hearing over time. Learn about the causes of noise-induced hearing loss and how to prevent it, so your kids—and you—can have healthy hearing for life. Noisy Planet recently  launched a Spanish-language version  of the website too.

Want to hear some healthful news? Listen to health and medical research reports from NIH Radio, a 24-hour audio news service. Programs are posted online as MP3 files and full transcripts. Listen, subscribe or search. No Internet? No problem! To hear daily 60-second reports or longer programs by phone, call 301-276-3384.*, *Editor's Note: , This website has been archived and is no longer available. 

Want to know more about genes and how they work? Or learn about DNA forensics, biotechnology, and related careers? This educational website has up-to-date information, animations, games, interactive tutorials, and teacher resources designed for students and educators in grades 9 to 12.