Five questions to ask yourself when considering online health information | Mark Mahoney
In today’s society the importance of relying upon verified information through scientific research which is evidence based is more important than ever. For instance, the global warming deniers continue to base their beliefs in opposition to the overwhelming amount of evidence that this phenomena is occurring.
In the area of health many individuals turn to the online resources for information. So, it is important to undertake some steps to attempt to verify the accuracy and validity of that information.
This column provides a summary of basic steps to help individuals to more readily validate that health-related information through proactive questioning.
Much of the information provided here comes from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). The reference section provides more detailed information relevant to sources of online health information including additional links from the NCCIH.
What do we know about the accuracy of online health information?
Some online sources of information on complementary health approaches are useful, but others are inaccurate or misleading.
Don’t rely on online resources when making decisions about your health. If you’re considering a complementary health approach, discuss it with your health care provider.
Checking out online sources of health information: Five quick questions
If you’re visiting an online health site for the first time or downloading a new app, ask these five questions:
Who runs or created the site or app? Can you trust them?
What is the site or app promising or offering? Do its claims seem too good to be true?
When was its information written or reviewed? Is it up-to-date?
Where does the information come from? Is it based on scientific research?
Why does the site or app exist? Is it selling something?
More questions to ask when finding health information on websites
Your search for online health information may start at a known, trusted site, but after following several links, you may find yourself on an unfamiliar site. Can you trust this site? Here are some key questions you need to ask.
Who runs and pays for the website?
What’s the source of the information?
How do you know if the information is accurate?
Is the information reviewed by experts?
How current is the information?
What’s the site’s policy about linking to other sites?
How does the site collect and handle personal information? Is the site secure?
Can you communicate with the owner of the website?
Is it safe to link to Twitter (X) or Facebook through a website?
Are you reading news or advertising?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned the public about fake online news sites. The site may look real, but is actually an advertisement. The site may use the logos of legitimate news organizations or similar names and web addresses.
To get you to sign up for whatever they’re selling, they may describe an “investigation” into the effectiveness of the product.
But everything is fake: There is no reporter, no news organization, and no investigation. Only the links to a sales site are real. Fake news sites have promoted questionable products, including acai berry for weight loss, work-at-home opportunities, and debt reduction plans.
You should suspect that a news site may be fake if it:
Endorses a product. Real news organizations generally don’t do this.
Only quotes people who say good things about the product.
Presents research findings that seem too good to be true. (If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.)
Contains links to a sales site.
Includes only positive reader comments and you can’t add a comment of your own.
How to protect yourself from fake news sites
If you suspect that a news site is fake, look for a disclaimer somewhere on the page (often in small print) that indicates that the site is an advertisement. Also, don’t rely on internet news reports when making important decisions about your health. If you’re considering a health product described in the news, discuss it with your health care provider.
What’s the bottom line?
What do we know about the accuracy of online health information?
Some online sources of information on complementary health approaches are useful, but others are inaccurate or misleading.
Don’t rely on online resources when making decisions about your health. If you’re considering a complementary health approach, discuss it with your health care provider.
References and additional resources
Additional information (to what the column provides) on evaluating online health information is available at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at nccih.nih.gov
Evidenced-Based Resources EBRs) for a number of specific conditions is available in the Healthy People 2030 objectives at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at health.gov.
Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 35 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Ask yourself five questions when evaluating online health sites