Health & Medicine

Explore these online resources for free with your DBRL library card.

Consumer Health Complete

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Provides information to patients from periodicals, pamphlets and reference works covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guide

Case Counts & Statistics

  • Boone County, MO COVID-19 Information
    A clearinghouse of up-to-date COVID-19 case counts and statistics and available resources for COVID-19 for Boone County.
  • Coronavirus Tracker
    Resource for accurate and updated numbers on this global pandemic.
  • Maps & Visuals
    A collection of links to different maps and data visualizations of the evolving pandemic from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
  • Missouri Public Health Dashboard
    Statewide COVID-19 information for Missouri – Definitions, statistics, case counts, hospital status and other up to date information can be found here.

General Information

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Information from the leading national public health institute of the United States.
  • Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services
    Up-to-date information on emergency preparedness and downloadable signs for workplaces and schools.
  • How to “Flatten the Curve”
    Excellent explainer from the Washington Post about how social distancing can slow the spread of the coronavirus.
  • Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
    Missouri news related to the outbreak and a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19 (the disease caused by the novel coronavirus). Call the hotline at 877-435-8411.
  • The Path to Zero: Key Metrics for COVID Suppression
    A collaboration of top scientists at institutions around the country, lead by the Harvard Global Health Institute, who have joined forces to create a unified set of metrics for the coronavirus pandemic, including a shared definition of risk levels — and tools for communities to fight the virus. Dashboard retired as of December 2022.
  • World Health Organization
    Health topic page from the World Health Organization (WHO), an agency of the United Nations that focuses on world public health. Includes a “myth busters” page that addresses COVID-19 rumors.
  • Your pets and COVID-19
    Information on the health and welfare of domestic animals, including pets, during the COVID-19 pandemic from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Medical Advice & Help

  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Hotline: 877-435-8411
    The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) activated a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available Mon-Fri. 7:30am – 5:30pm.
  • COVID-19 Testing Sites
    List of locations, including their contact information, where COVID-19 testing is available in the state of Missouri.
  • Boone Health Lab Services
    Information on contacting lab services at Boone Health for testing.
  • City of Columbia COVID-10 Health Resources
    List of resources related to COVID-19, including symptoms, treatment, and vaccines.
  • MU Health Care Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Page
    Information about what to do if you’re sick and how to get tested through MU Health Care.
  • Columbia/Boone County COVID-19 Vaccine Information
    Information on vaccines from Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services.
  • Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services Vaccinators Map
    Information on providers of the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the state of Missouri. Individuals can sign up online or call the COVID-19 hotline at (877) 435-8411 for notification of statewide vaccinations.
  • Statewide Vaccination Transportation Services
    The Department of Health and Senior Services, in collaboration with Missouri’s Advisory Committee on Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, compiled this list of statewide and regional resources for individuals who face transportation as a barrier to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Many of these transportation providers received stimulus funds to provide transportation to assist individuals with getting to and from their vaccine appointments and are able to offer the service at no cost. These rides will be available as long as the funding lasts for each provider.

Information for Parents & Child Care Providers

Assistance

  • Affordable Connectivity Program
    Information on this program from the FCC is which extended a benefit for families to gain access to broadband services during the pandemic to families experiencing hardship, both due to the COVID-19 pandemic and otherwise. The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024. The last fully funded month of the program was April 2024.
  • Ameren Missouri COVID-19 Clean Slate Program
    Multiple community partners and agencies will participate in administering this program and determining income eligibility. Once the agency determines your eligibility, the program can help you clear the remaining balance on your account after you make a down payment of 25% of your current balance owed.
  • CoMoHelps
    CoMoHelps is a joint effort of Heart of Missouri United Way, City of Columbia, Boone County and Community Foundation of Central Missouri, offering assistance to those who are struggling in the COVID-19 pandemic and to those who wish to help.
  • COVID-19 FAQs for Businesses and Workers
    Coronavirus information from the Missouri Department of Labor. Includes information about unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation and discrimination.
  • Get Help (COVID-19)
    The City of Columbia and Boone County are coordinating the community’s mass care and human services response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here you can find up to date information about social service and healthcare resources for residents of Boone County.
  • Missouri State Assistance for Housing Relief (SAFHR) Mortgage Assistance
    Information for Missouri homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments due to COVID-19
  • Relief for Renters
    A number of resources for individuals struggling with housing due to COVID. The CDC eviction moratorium expired on August 26th, 2021.
  • Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
    COVID-19 resources from the Small Business Administration.
  • Student Loan Forbearance
    Information on this program that was in place to provide relief to student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency, federal student loan borrowers can be placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop making your monthly loan payment. The U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 relief for student loans ended in 2023. Student loan interest resumed on Sept. 1, 2023 with payments due starting in October 2023.
  • Tax Relief
    Special section of the IRS website focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.
  • Third Economic Impact Payments
    Statement from IRS regarding the third economic impact payments

Health & Medicine Guide

Affordable Care Act & the Health Insurance Marketplace

Medical Information

  • Consumer Health Complete
    Provides content from periodicals, pamphlets and reference works covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.
  • MEDLINE
    Provides authoritative citations from over 5,400 journals on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system and much more.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Provides information on everything from health conditions and emergency preparedness to travelers’ health.
  • Healthfinder.gov
    Find government and nonprofit medical and health services.
  • Health Literacy Media
    HLM aims to bridge the gap between complexity, understanding, and action by building and operating programs that embrace health literacy best practices.
  • KidsHealth
    A wide array of topics about medical, emotional and developmental issues for children, parents and teens.
  • MedlinePlus
    Authoritative information from the National Institutes of Health.
  • Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services

Alternative Medicine

Drug Information

Organizations

Local Medical Facilities

Boone County
Callaway County

Health Insurance Marketplace Guide

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

The Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace is a website created as part of the Affordable Care Act where you can compare health insurance plans and buy the plan that is right for you. Here you can shop for plans, compare options, see if you qualify for financial assistance and enroll for coverage. The Open Enrollment Period for 2024 coverage is November 1, 2023 to January 15, 2024. In some cases (loss of coverage, major life event), you may be qualified for a Special Enrollment Period.  

How to Enroll Online

  • Open enrollment begins November 1.
  • Visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov
  • Create an account
  • Fill out the application. You will need:
    • Address
    • Name, birth date, age and Social Security Number for anyone applying
    • Income information for anyone applying
    • Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering household members
    • Information about any employer-offered coverage, even if you have opted out
  • Compare plan options
  • Pick the plan that best meets your needs

Other Ways to Enroll

Getting Help

Get help from local organizations’ trained staff who can answer questions and help you fill out your application.

At Library Locations

Primaris Foundation, the organization that has coordinated in-person help at both our Columbia and Callaway library branches during the fall/winter, may offer in-person help during the enrollment period, check at your local branch for more information.

You can call to make an appointment for free, one-on-one help in one of these ways:
  • Mid-Missouri: 573-817-8338
  • Throughout Missouri, contact Cover Missouri: 800-466-3213
Boone County
  • Aging Best
    201 W Broadway, Suite 1E, Columbia, MO, 65203
    Call 573-443-5823 to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance. Persons do not need to be 60 and older. This service is open to all uninsured individuals and families.
  • Central Missouri Community Action
    Call 573-443-8706 toll free for assistance.
  • Family Health Center
    1001 W. Worley St, Columbia, MO
    Call 573-214-2314 or 844-853-8937 to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance.
  • Missouri Kidney Program
    2800 Maguire Blvd. Suite C202, Columbia, MO
    Call 573-882-2506 or 800-733-7345 to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance.
  • Missouri Connections for Health
    601 W. Nifong Blvd., Suite 3A, Columbia, MO 65203
    Call (573) 817-8300 or (800) 466-3213 to schedule individual assistance.
  • Spectrum Health Care
    1123 Wilkes Boulevard, Suite 110, Columbia, MO
    Call 573-514-7312 to schedule individual assistance.
Callaway County

Forms and More Information

MEDLINE

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Provides authoritative citations from over 4,800 journals on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system and much more.

Mental Health Guide

Crisis Hotlines

  • Mental Health Crisis Hotline (Burrell Behavioral Health)
    1-800-395-2132
  • Mid-Missouri Crisis Line
    1-888-761-4357
    Columbia: 573-445-5035
  • Suicide Prevention Hotline
    988
  • Vet2Vet: Veterans Crisis Hotline
    988, followed by 1 when prompted
  • United Way 211
    From a cell phone dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-427-4626

Select Reading Lists & Library Resources

  • Consumer Health Complete
    Provides content from periodicals, pamphlets and reference works covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.
  • Mental Health To-Go Kits

Evaluation, Counseling & Treatment

  • Arthur Center
    Provides outpatient behavioral health services and crisis intervention for youth and adults of east central Missouri (including Callaway County).
  • Burrell Behavioral Health
    Burrell is a private, not for profit organization that provides a wide range of mental health services for individuals and families.
  • CenterPointe Hospital of Columbia
    Provider of acute inpatient and outpatient treatment for adolescents, adults and seniors, who have been suffering addiction or mental health challenges.
  • Compass Health Network
    Not-for-profit center serving 46 Missouri counties that provides a full continuum of behavioral health services and supports.
  • Family Counseling Center of Missouri, Inc.
    Not-for-profit mental health service organization with both outpatient clinics and residential treatment centers in mid-Missouri.
  • Fulton State Hospital
    A regional long-term adult inpatient facility serving 31 counties in central and northern Missouri and providing “Maximum Security and Intermediate Security Forensic mental health services for the entire state of Missouri.”
  • Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
    Find information on Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), counseling and other support services for veterans, families and caregivers.
  • Missouri Psychiatric Center (Formerly Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center)
    Treatment services for “adults, adolescents, children and their families who are in crisis or who need a comprehensive diagnosis evaluation in an inpatient setting.”
  • New Horizons
    Not-for-profit mental health program providing adult psychiatric services, assistance with medication, drop-in rehabilitation, structured substance abuse treatment programs and support for transition from homelessness.
  • Phoenix Programs, Inc.
    A behavioral health center focusing on individuals and their families who seek long term recovery from substance use disorders and enhancement of mental and physical wellness. Programs include residential treatment for adult men and outpatient treatment for men, women and adolescents.
  • University of Missouri Psychological Services Clinic
    Through the university’s Department of Psychological Services, the clinic provides outpatient counseling and therapy for children and adults in the Columbia area.

Local Resources & Support Organizations

National Resources & Information

Teen Health & Wellness

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. This award-winning resource provides middle and high school students with up-to-date, nonjudgmental self-help support. Topics covered include diseases, drugs, alcohol, nutrition, safety, mental health, suicide, bullying and LGBTQ+ information.