A new collection of health resources is available to students, offering information
they can trust.
The collection has been put together by the Patient Information Forum (PIF) as part
of their work within the National Year of Reading to help young people find the
information they need to take care of their health at university or college and is
endorsed by GPs.
Topics range from sexual health to exam stress and studying with asthma. Other
areas covered include meningitis signs and symptoms, health self-checks and
returning to university after cancer treatment.
All the resources come from PIF TICK-certified organisations. The PIF TICK is the
UK’s only quality mark for health information. It shows what you are reading is up-
to-date, evidence-based and easy to use and understand.
Sophie Randall, director of the Patient Information Forum, said: “It’s clear there is a
pandemic of misinformation. It’s harder than ever to know what information to trust
online. For students away from home for the first time, it can be even more tempting to
turn to social media or AI. That is why we created this collection with our PIF TICK-
certified members so they could access information which is trusted, evidence-
based and easy to use and understand.”
Dr Sylvia Kama-Kieghe is the latest healthcare professional to become an
ambassador for the PIF TICK. She has two videos in the collection: one about
delayed periods after the morning-after pill, and the other explaining the anatomy of
the vulva.
Dr Sylvia says: “Too many young people are left anxious or misinformed about their
own bodies. Access to trusted, accurate and relatable health information changes
that – it’s the difference between fear and confidence when someone is empowered
to advocate for their own care. That’s what the PIF TICK stands for, and why I’m
proud to support it.”
Chief Executive at Meningitis Now Dr Tom Nutt added: “For young people, having
access to trusted health information can make a real difference. When it comes to
meningitis, knowing the signs and symptoms and understanding when to seek
urgent medical attention could save a life.
“We’re proud to carry the PIF TICK certification and PIF’s new collection is a
valuable way of making reliable, evidence-based information easier for students to
find and understand, at a time when they are increasingly making important
decisions about their own health.”
The project, which aims to boost young people’s health literacy, is being delivered in
support of the National Year of Reading. The new collection of resources is available here.
It is being launched by the PIF team at the University of Roehampton’s main Freshers’ Fair on Tuesday, 22 September.
Charities involved in the new collection:
● Asthma + Lung UK
● CoppaFeel!
● Crohn’s & Colitis UK
● Epilepsy Society
● Marie Curie
● Migraine Trust
● Mind
● Meningitis Now
● Rethink Mental Illness
● Robin Cancer Trust
● Royal College of Psychiatrists
● Terrence Higgins Trust
You can view the collection at piftick.org.uk/resource-collection/student-health
About the PIF TICK
The PIF TICK is the only independently assessed quality mark for print and digital health
information. It is featured in a WHO toolkit that identifies credibility marks as part of the
solution to misinformation. The PIF TICK has also been used as the basis for other quality
standards, including those set by the NHS and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
The PIF TICK is signposted by NHS England as part of its trusted information for public
libraries. Visit the PIF TICK website here.