Health Tip

Using the Internet for Health Information

When searching the Internet for health information, you should use directory sites of respected organizations rather than blind searches through a search engine. Here are some questions you can ask yourself when searching the Internet for health information.

• Who operates the website?

Is the website run by the government, a university, or a reputable medial or health-related association (such as the American Medical Association, American Diabetes Association, National Institutes of Health, or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration)? Has the information been written or reviewed by qualified health professionals, experts in the field, or academic community?

• What is the purpose of the site?

       Is the purpose of the site to objectively educate the public or to sell a product? Be aware of practitioners or organizations whose main focus is selling products, either directly or through linked sites. Commercial sites should clearly distinguish scientific information from advertisements, but they do not always do so. Most nonprofit and government sites contain no advertising, and access to the sites and materials are usually free.

• What is the source of the information and does it have any references?

       Has the study been reviewed by recognized scientific experts and published in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals such as the New England Journal ofMedicine? Does the information say “some studies show” or does it list the specific study so that references can be checked?

• Is the information current?

       When was the material posted or updated? Often, new research or other findings (such as side effects or interactions with other products) are not reflected in old material. Ideally, health and medical sites should be updated frequently.

• How reliable is the Internet or e-mail solicitations?

       While the Internet has a wealth of health information, it is also an easy way to spread myths, hoaxes, and rumors about supposed news, studies, products, or findings.To avoid such hoaxes, be skeptical and watch for very emphatic language with uppercase letters and lots of exclamation points such as “MUST READ!!!” Also, be aware of such phrases as “This is not a hoax.” or “Send this to everyone you know.”

Please visit our Links page for some good health research websites.