How To Find Real Health Websites

There are a lot of websites on the web offering all sorts of advice to anyone searching for help and relief with real health concerns from hiccups to cancer. How can you tell which websites are the real deal from the ones that are snake oil salesmen or just random chit-chatters thinking they’re helping by offering their own version of advice?

1. Stick with recognized authorities. Sites run by the government, which end in “.gov”, universities, which end in “.edu”, professional medical associations or health insurance companies are good sources.
2. Read the “About Us” section. If it says something like “I was diagnosed with cancer,” it’s not as reliable as the sites mentioned in #1.
3. Look for a way to contact the organization. If you can’t easily find one, be suspicious of the site. (A good rule of thumb for any site, actually.)
4. Avoid websites that claim to evaluate your health problems online for a fee. You’re unlikely to get an accurate diagnosis without being examined by a doctor in person.

Source: Woman’s Day, May, 30, 2006, p.20

tags: Wellness, health websites

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