Consumer Health Information

What to look for when you are visiting a health website for the first time, or downloading a new health app

• Currency - timeliness of the information. When was the information written or reviewed? Is it up to date? Are the links functional?
• Relevance – importance of the information for your needs. Does the information relate to your health topic or answer your question? Who is the intended audience? Is the information written at an appropriate age level?
• Authority – source of the information. Who is the author or publisher? Is it based on scientific research? What are the auhtor's credentials or organizational affiliations? Is the author or organization qualified to write on the topic? Is there contact information in case you have any questions about the information? Does the type of website reveal anything about the author or source?
• Accuracy - reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.  Where does the information come from? Can the information be verified in a print source or on another website? Is the information supported by evidence? Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion? Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?
• Purpose - reason the information exists.  What is the purpose of the information? Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda? Does the point of view appear objective and impartial? Do the authors or organizations make their intentions or purpose clear?

Who runs and pays for this website?

• Who pays for the site? Does the site sell advertising? Is it sponsored by a company that sells dietary supplements, drugs, or other products or services? If the information you have comes from a site that sells products, find an independent site that has the same information to confirm its accuracy.

How do you know if the information is accurate?

• The site should describe the evidence (such as articles in medical journals) that the material is based on. Also, opinions or advice should be clearly set apart from information that's "evidence-based" (based on research results). For example, if a site discusses health benefits you can expect from a treatment, look for references to scientific research that clearly support what's said.
• Keep in mind that testimonials, anecdotes, unsupported claims, and opinions aren't the same as objective, evidence-based information.

How does the site collect and handle personal information? Is the site secure?

• Web sites track what pages you're looking at. They may also ask you to "subscribe" or "become a member." Any credible site collecting this kind of information should tell you exactly what it will and won't do with it.
• See if the address (URL) for the site starts with "https://" instead of "http://." Sites that use HTTPS (Secure Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) are encrypted, less likely to be hacked, and more likely to protect your privacy.