Finding Reliable Health Information Online

You have likely heard the joke that if you search for your health symptoms online, you find out you have the worst-case scenario. Because the internet can supply out of date or incorrect medical information, this joke is sometimes not too far off from the truth.

Searching online for your health data can spike feelings of anxiety or confusion. On the other hand, knowing about possibilities before going to see a healthcare professional makes you an informed partner in your care.

Using the internet lets you have access to knowledge about your symptoms, about studies, about healthcare professional, so you can feel in control and knowledgeable about what you’re experiencing.

We’re here to help point you in the right direction so you can confidently identify trustworthy health information online.

What is a Trusted Health Information Source?

With the right tools, you can take control of your health decisions and be an active participant in the conversation around your health. Trusted sites give you accurate information, provide credentials through an author or organization, and keep you updated on current data.

Government sites, medical care organizations, hospitals, and academic institutions tend to be the most accurate source of medical data and findings but let’s dive into ways to make sure a website is trustworthy.

How to Trust a Website

There are so many websites on the internet, and so many filtered by algorithms that prioritize viral health trends. Looking for the “who”, the “why”, and comparing the “what” in a website helps you have the most accurate information when it comes to health.

Check the Author(s) and Credentials

Always look beyond the headline. Try to find named authors with credentials (researchers, licensed clinicians) and authors who have clear affiliations or organizations. Personal stories from an author can help you feel comforted or understood, but they are not a catch-all experience.

Watch out for articles in which there is no author listed, or they only vaguely claim expertise. You can always search author names and credentials to verify credibility.

Ask Why the Site was Created

Who owns a website or who sponsors it can show you what its goal is. Trustworthy health websites exist to provide information that is accurate, helpful, and up to date.

Some sites exist to sell you something—either a product or a service. Sometimes a business might pay for a website that steers you toward their business products. It doesn’t necessarily mean that their particulars about health are incorrect but always compare it with multiple sources.

Use the website address to help you identify who owns the site.

Confirm the Information is Up to Date

Current data, findings, and treatments matter, especially for health topics. As research and clinical care progress, health information you need changes. Check for a publication date, or a date the site was last updated. Prioritizing recent content for mental health approaches and medications, specifically, is helpful.

Protect Your Private Information

As a rule, try not to share personal information online. If a site does ask you for personal data, make sure that it is secure. A secure website will likely require you to create a username and password and will have an “s” after “http” in their website address (https://).

Watch out for Bias, Ads, and Hidden Agendas

Heavy product promotion or sponsored content that isn’t clearly labeled are signs of a bias in a website. Watch out for websites that claim “miracle cures” or quick fixes. Fear-based or exaggerated claims should also alert you to a hidden agenda.

Remember

It is normal to feel uncertain when searching for health information online. Always feel empowered to take what you find to your healthcare professional or specialist. They can look at your individual case and find the best way forward.

Misinformation can increase anxiety. Building knowledge that is current and accurate supports better decisions and a peace of mind as you work through your experience.