Evaluating Health Information
Finding reliable health information requires effort, as not all sources are trustworthy; it is essential to evaluate information critically and discuss it with your health care provider.
Why do I need to evaluate health information?
Health information is easy to find, but finding reliable information takes effort. While some information from newspapers, magazines, books, TV, the Internet, and social media is up to date and trustworthy, some is not. There are two key steps to distinguish the good from the bad:
- Ask questions before you trust what you read or hear.
- Discuss the information you find with your health care provider before you rely on it to determine if it is right for you.
How can I evaluate health information on the Internet?
You can usually find answers to evaluate a website on its "About Us" page. If you cannot identify who runs the website, the information may be unreliable. Consider these questions:
- Who runs the site? Trustworthy sites provide a way to contact owners. Reliable sources generally include federal government agencies, medical schools, and large professional or nonprofit organizations.
- What's the purpose of the site? A trustworthy website has one goal: to provide good information, rather than selling products or promoting specific opinions.
- Who pays for the site? If funded by ads, they should be clearly marked. If a business pays for the site, the information may favor that business and its products.
- Is the health information high quality? Good information is balanced and based on research. Beware of dramatic writing or promises of cures. Check if the site has an editorial board, a content review process, and clear qualifications for writers.
- Where does the information come from? Content should include links or references to sources.
- Is the information up to date? Pages should include dates when information was written, reviewed, or updated.
- How does the website use your personal information? Review the privacy policy before sharing any personal data.
How can I evaluate health information on social media?
A post from someone you know does not guarantee accuracy. Apply the same questions used for websites: ask where the information comes from, why it exists, and if it is funded by anyone. If you are unsure of the trustworthiness of a post, do not share it.
How can I evaluate health stories in the news?
News stories may omit critical facts. Ask the following:
- Does the story involve people or animals?
- If people, how many were in the study and who were they?
- How long was the study?
- What type of study was it?
- Who paid for the research?
How can I evaluate health information in books?
To evaluate books, consider the following:
- How old is the book?
- Is the author an expert on the subject?
- Does the book offer different points of view?
- Has the book been reviewed by other experts?
- Does the book list the sources of the content?