Get the e-facts

More and more consumers are going online for health information. There are many advantages to using the internet: information is readily accessible, often free, may be up-to-date, and can be comprehensive and factual. On the other hand, there is a tremendous amount of content that is false, inaccurate, and misleading.

Here are some methods that can help you best use the internet to obtain health information:

Consider the source.

There are several credible websites that offer guidelines for evaluating health information on the internet. One of the most highly-respected sites, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) recommends asking the following questions when accessing health information online:

  1. Who pays for the site?
  2. Where does the information come from?
  3. How current is the information?
  4. How does the site link to other sites?
  5. What information does the site collect about you, and why?