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We are here to help you make informed decisions! Our website offers trustworthy and easy-to-understand information on a broad range of health topics. Our goal is to allow you to use this knowledge in everyday life. The information can help you to talk with doctors and other medical professionals, but not replace appointments.

IQWiG

IQWiG is an independent scientific institution in Germany. It is funded through contributions from the German statutory health insurance funds. Its legal responsibilities include the assessment of diagnostic tests and medical treatments. InformedHealth.org is the English-language version of IQWiG’s German website Gesundheitsinformation.de. It provides the general public with independent, ad-free and cost-free information on many common health issues.

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Our content is developed according to international quality standards and includes articles, graphics and films. We are a diverse team with backgrounds in science, medicine and journalism. We base our information on both high-quality scientific studies and the needs of patients and consumers. Our team ensures that the content of InformedHealth.org is easy to understand, complete and up to date.

Further topics

  • Photo of a group of foreign students in the park

    Health care in Germany

    It is usually not hard to find medical help if you become ill in Germany. There's an extensive network of easily accessible places to go for treatmen...

  • Photo of a woman taking her daughter’s temperature

    Fever in children

    Most parents will know what it's like to feel worried when their child has a hot, red face and high temperature. Fevers in children are usually cause...

  • Photo of a toddler with a rash around their mouth

    Hand, foot and mouth disease

    Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is very contagious. Its name comes from typical symptoms: painful blisters in the mouth and a rash on the hands a...

  • Photo of a man looking in a mirror

    Boils and carbuncles

    A boil (furuncle) is a pus-filled bump in the skin that is caused by a bacterial infection. It is a bit like a very big yellow pimple, but it’s deepe...

  • Photo of a female patient and a physical therapist

    Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

    If your elbow hurts when you move it and you have difficulty grasping objects, you might have tennis elbow or golfer's elbow. Both are usually caused...

  • Man packing a suitcase on a bed

    Bedbugs

    Bedbugs are parasites that feed on human blood. Their bites are harmless, but they do leave small red marks that itch. Bedbugs are usually brought in...

  • Photo of man

    Quiz: Using medication

    You may already know that it's not a good idea to keep all of your medication in the same container. Various rules of thumb can help you to use medic...

  • Photo of a yoga group

    Low back pain

    Whether it's a dull ache when bending down or a sharp, shooting pain in your lower back, back pain is unpleasant but almost always harmless. It usual...

  • Photo of a woman touching her cheek in pain

    Canker sores (mouth ulcers)

    Canker sores are among the most common conditions that affect the membranes lining the mouth. When a canker sore develops, it might tingle and burn a...

  • Photo of a man with a child who has a fever

    Using medication

    Using medication sounds easy but it can be complicated, like when you need to use several long-term medications. What’s the best way to keep track of...

  • Photo of woman looking out of a window

    Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

    People with obsessive-compulsive disorder may constantly wash their hands because they are afraid of germs, or may not be able to stop counting to 20...

  • Photo of a baby being examined by a doctor

    Hearing loss and deafness in children

    Poor hearing is often only temporary in children – for instance, if they have a middle ear infection. Permanent hearing problems are less common. Dep...

  • Photo of a girl receiving an HPV vaccine

    Genital warts

    Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These non-cancerous growths mainly occur in the genital and anal are...