Health Information: Evaluating Information

When researching health issues there is a lot of information to sort through, both in print and online. How do you determine what's reliable and what's not?

The National Institutes of Health and National Library of Medicine have created a checklist of questions to ask to help determine whether the information you're reading is reliable and accurate. 

From the Guide to Health Web Surfing:

• Consider the source - who's responsible for the information presented, and are they health experts?
• Focus on quality - who reviews the information before it is posted?
• Be a cyberskeptic - look out for claims of miracle cures.
• Look for the evidence - is the information supported with research studies, or individual testimonials? 
• Check for currency - how often is the information updated?
• Beware of bias - is the information presented to sell you something?
• Protect your privacy - does the website ask for personal information, and what will they do with it?
• Consult with your health care professional.

You can find additional information at:

• MedlinePlus: Evaluating Health Information
• Video Tutorial from the National Library of Medicine
• Genetic Alliance:  Trust it or Trash it?

The following video provides advice from the Federal Trade Commission on assessing health information that you find in advertisements or online. For more information, go to:

• Federal Trade Commision's Health and Fitness page
• Buying Health Products and Services Online
• Consumer Safety page on BPL's Medication Information Topic Guide