Reliable Information in an Unpredictable Time: Health Tips

Not all health websites contain accurate information. 
Photo Courtesy of Alvarez Porter Group

Students have enough on their plates without having to take the familiar tumble down the rabbit hole of the internet where one sore throat can end in cancer.

    The amount of health “information” available through the internet is remarkable, and unfortunately, what might have begun as a quick sift through home remedies might end in a sad session of realizing your symptom is on every major disease’s list.

    Critically evaluating health websites is crucial for students. According to a University of Minnesota comprehensive study of 10 thousand local students, those age 19 to 25 were less likely to have health insurance and much less likely to make appointments for preventive services, like physical exams or yearly screenings.

    Everyone knows the general rule of thumb that websites with .edu, .gov, or .org domains are more likely to contain accurate, peer reviewed information.

    For health, students must be more vigilant. Anyone may register for a .org domain without restriction. When a health website has this domain, critically evaluate the organization presenting the material. For example, www.kidshealth.org is sponsored by a company called Nemours, a children’s health system operating out of Delaware, Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and New Jersey. They do claim to have a team of researchers, but there is no code of ethics and no promise of impartiality. However, www.healthychildren.org, while a similar domain name, is completely different. This website is by and from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Overall, the likelihood that the information contained in this website is higher because they are bound to the same standards as other academic organizations and have a code of ethics.

    While WebMD has a wealth of articles, its goal is profit. It has been incredibly successful; in fact, according to Forbes, at one point, its shares were worth over 100 million. Only taking this information into account, it is unlikely that the company’s intent is unselfish imparting of medical knowledge and research. Unfortunately, this is true of many .com and .org health websites.

    A safe alternative for directories of medical conditions and for research, symptom checking, and advice, include the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ website hhs.gov. Not only does it contain health information ranging from mental abuse to vaccines, it also has an entire laws and regulations section where you can collect information on the laws that agencies have created to “help implement policy.” They provide information on appeal processes and provide the option to submit a comment or complaint about current laws.

    Also a branch of HHS is the National Institutes of Health. These institutes are divided based on physiological systems or certain diseases. These institutes promote research and abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the HHS. The likelihood of obtaining updated, truthful information is astronomically higher than through WebMD.

    Evaluating health websites is critical, especially for those who do not go in for preventive care and for those who do not have the time, resources, or money to get a formal diagnosis for every pain, ill feeling, or mental disturbance. Information given on health websites, however, never replaces a formal diagnosis and is not designed or intended to do so.