How To Evaluate Health Information on the Internet

But just how reliable is the information we find? How do you know which Web sites you can trust? Here are 10 questions you should ask about any health-related site, plus five additional tips to help you evaluate online health information.

Here's How:

1. Who runs the Web site?

   The organization or individual who runs the Web site should be clearly identified on every page – not just the homepage. Web addresses often will give you a clue about the type of site it is. For example, addresses ending in “.gov” are U.S. government-sponsored sites, “.edu” is used for educational institutions, “.org” is often used by nonprofit groups, and “.com” usually indicates commercial enterprises. To learn what other Web address endings mean, search for the ending in Wikipedia.

2. What is the purpose of the Web site?

   The purpose of government and educational sites is fairly self-evident. However, other sites should state their purpose clearly. Often you’ll find this statement of purpose in a link called “About Us” or something similar. Ask yourself whether the individual or organization has an agenda that might influence the material they offer on the site.

3. How is the Web site funded?

   Running a Web site can be expensive, especially when it is monitored and updated frequently. As a result, many sites (including some sites run by nonprofits) have to sell advertising to help cover the costs. However, any sponsorship, advertising or other methods of funding should be easily identified and clearly labeled or separated in some way from editorial content. Be aware as you read information on the site and ask yourself if the writer or site owner has anything to gain by promoting a particular point of view.

4. Who is responsible for the Web site’s content?

   Health-related Web sites should clearly identify and give the credentials of whoever is writing and/or reviewing material for the site. Check to see if there is an editorial board of experts or a medical review board overseeing site content to ensure that it is credible and reliable.

5. How is medical information documented?

   Sources used in the creation of medical content should be clearly referenced (i.e., citations of articles from medical journals). Any opinions given or advice offered by the writer should be clearly differentiated from evidence-based medical information.

6. How current is information on the Web site?

   Health-related material should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. With illnesses like FM and CFS, it’s particularly important that the information be current because new research is revealing that much of what we thought about these illnesses a few years ago is no longer considered accurate. The date of the latest update or review should be clearly posted with each article or page.

7. Does the Web site have HONcode accreditation?

   HONcode is run by the Health On the Net Foundation and is dedicated to improving the quality of online health information. Web sites accredited by HONcode have to meet a strict code of conduct, with standards very much like those you are reading now. If a site is accredited, you will see the HONcode seal on it. (See the seal at the bottom of this page.) A site may still have good information, even without HONcode accreditation. The HONcode seal is just an extra assurance that the site meets a certain standard of quality.

8. Is there adequate contact information?

   Every website should at the very least provide you with the means to contact the site owner. Other desirable contact information could include the webmaster, authors and key personnel. Ideally the contact information would include a mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. Rather than giving specific information, some sites prefer to offer a form to fill out that is sent directly to them. Contact information is usually provided through a link or tab on the site that says, “Contact Us.”

9. What is the site’s privacy policy?

   If you are asked to become a member to use a Web site, post to a message board, participate in a chat, or subscribe to a newsletter, a certain amount of personal information will be collected. If a Web site asks for any personal information, they should explain exactly how they will and will not use it. There should be a link called “Privacy Policy” on the site. Often it will be a small link at the very bottom of the page.

10. How are interactive features of the site handled?

    Many health-related Web sites have forums, message boards or chat rooms where users can interact with one another. These areas should be monitored to protect you from rude, insensitive or inflammatory posters and there should be a feature that allows you to report offensive behavior. Interactive areas should also have strict rules to prevent spam or commercial posts.

Tips:

1. Remember, anyone can set up a Web site and say anything they want. Just because you find something on the Internet does not make it true. Your health is too important to blindly trust whatever you read. When it comes to medical information, always check several reputable sites and compare what you find. Then, of course, consult your own healthcare provider before doing anything that could impact your health.
2. If a site’s primary purpose is to sell a particular product, be aware that the information provided on that site will likely support the use of that product.
3. Approach any site that claims to be able to “cure” FM or CFS with great suspicion. Although a number of various treatments have helped a few people, no medication or treatment has yet been found that helps everyone, or even the majority of people with one of these illnesses.
4. Don’t be overly impressed if a Web site displays an impressive list of links to quality sites. While it may show they have good judgment when it comes to choosing material to link to, it in no way implies endorsement by these sites. Any Web site can link to any other Web site – with or without permission.
5. Be wary of sites that disparage other sources of knowledge or that claim to be the only credible source of information on a topic.

   _{Sources:
   "How To Evaluate Health Information on the Internet: Questions and Answers."National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet. 01 Sep 2005. National Cancer Institute. 20 Jan 2007.
   "Finding Quality Health Information on the Internet." Tips for Healthy Surfing Online. 2002. Internet Healthcare Coalition. 20 Jan 2007.}