The focus of our content development is on research, Ratings, and guidance about safety, effectiveness, cost. You’ll also learn about consumer experiences with prescription and over-the-counter drugs, safety and preventive health, health insurance and health-care issues, and other topics important to you and your family.
ConsumerReportsHealth.org provides free access to:ConsumerReportsHealth.org subscribers have additional access to:
- Treatment Ratings
- Natural Medicine Ratings
- Safety, Nutrition, Wellness, and Fitness Product Ratings
- Health-care Services Ratings
Through our partnership with the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Publishing Group, we are able to arm consumers with the same clinical evidence their doctors have. A global network of experts examines clinical studies worldwide and assesses the evidence for various treatment options. This information is translated into straightforward Ratings that consumers can easily understand.
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Through our partnership with the Therapeutic Research Center, we evaluate herbs, vitamins, and nutritional supplements using the same high standards we employ to evaluate conventional pharmaceuticals. Each natural product is assigned an Effectiveness Rating, enabling you to choose the safest and most effective natural medicine, and avoid potentially harmful remedies.
Learn how we rate natural medicinesLearn about Therapeutic Research Center
Health-care products are anonymously purchased at major retailers and then put through a series of rigorous tests in our own labs. Continuously tested products include treadmills, bike helmets, car seats, strollers, and “healthy” foods. Survey research is also used to compare, evaluate, and rate popular diets.
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The Consumer Reports National Research Center rates health-care facilities and insurance plans based on nationwide surveys to our subscribers and other consumers nationwide. The Consumer Reports Nursing Home Quality Monitor rates nursing homes based on the homes’ state inspection surveys, staffing levels, and quality indicators.
Learn about our health surveys
ConsumerReportsHealth.org focuses primarily on the chronic (persistent) illnesses that affect a high proportion of people in the United States. We are guided by national health statistics, physicians and patient groups. We have also included shorter condition reports on common family health issues.
As of 2008, ConsumerReportsHealth.org includes over 200 health conditions--from asthma in children to obesity to prostate cancer. We present thorough background information to explain a health condition, its typical symptoms, how its diagnosed, and available treatment options. An international team of doctors and patient groups decide which questions are most likely to be on the minds of consumers, and does its best to answer them.
To check if the subject of your interest is currently covered, view our Condition A-Z Index.
We provide consumer information for virtually every prescription and over-the-counter drug on the market. Information on safety, side effects, and interactions contained in these reviews is not based on package inserts or manufacturers’ claims. It is derived from the respected AHFS drug compendium published by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists–the same sound information used by pharmacists to evaluate interactions and safety precautions. Our drug reviews will help you understand why your medication was prescribed, and inform you about special precautions, side effects, and other important drug information. To check if the medicaiton you are interested in is in our database, view our Drug A-Z Index.
Learn about the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs™ are low-cost drugs that are as safe and effective as more expensive drugs for treating many common medical conditions. These recommendations are based on the independent, evidence-based findings of the Drug Effectiveness Review Project (DERP), a 15-state initiative based at the Oregon Health & Science University.
Learn about Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs
ConsumerReportsHealth.org has partnered with DestinationRx.com, a trusted health and wellness comparison shopping site, to deliver the Compare Prices service, a free online drug price comparison service.
This free service provides trusted, unbiased drug price information from a variety of online and mail order pharmacies and other retailers. Prices listed are for prescription drugs purchased without the benefit of insurance coverage and/or pre-negotiated discounts. This service makes it easier for consumers to compare prescription drug prices objectively, and make more informed drug purchasing decisions.
To access this free service, look for Compare Prices links under Compare Prices in the menu on the left side of the Drug Review pages. You can also access Compare Prices by clicking here.
Our editors and experts provide the latest information on recent medical news and research, including important drug safety announcements, and offer guidance for making better family health decisions. Features range from tips on staying healthy to advice on managing a chronic condition. We’ll also help you understand the risks and benefits of different treatment options, and suggest ways for you to improve communication with your doctors.