Zika Virus Health Information Resources

We have all been hearing more about Zika virus disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The National Library of Medicine has gathered together these resources to assist public health departments, health care providers, librarians, and others seeking authoritative information on the virus and disease.

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CDC Zika Virus Information

WORLD Health Organization Fact Sheet

NIH - Zika Virus: An Emerging Health Threat

CDC Zika Virus and Pregnant Women

SEA/NNLM More links about the Zika Virus

Choosing Wisely -- Do I need that test?

Choosing Wisely^® is an initiative of the ABIM Foundation to help providers and patients engage in conversations to reduce overuse of tests and procedures, and support patients in their efforts to make smart and effective care choices.

A 2014 survey funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that three-quarters of physicians say the frequency of unnecessary medical tests and procedures is a very or somewhat serious problem. Originally conceived and piloted by the National Physicians Alliance through a Putting the Charter into Practice grant, the Choosing Wisely campaign calls upon leading medical specialty societies and other non-physician organizations to identify tests or procedures commonly used in their field whose necessity should be questioned and discussed. The resulting lists of "Things Providers and Patients Should Question" are intended to spark discussion about the need—or lack thereof—for many frequently ordered tests or treatments.
The lists of more than 300 recommendations can be found on the Choosing Wisely website, along with various resources for both patients and physicians, including:

• Communication education modules to aid physicians in conversations with their patients about overuse and unnecessary medical tests
• Patient-friendly materials created by Consumer Reports that translate the recommendations into plain language for consumers
• Videos featuring prominent health care leaders on the impact of the campaign
• Stories from the Choosing Wisely newsletter that highlight the work of organizations implementing the campaign at sites across the country