Finding Reliable Health Information Online
The Internet is the source of a wealth of information, and it's
getting easier and easier to by-pass the usual authorities and
locate information on your own. But if you want to find reliable
health information online, how much of this information can you
trust? And when what you need to know is as important as your
health how do you know which information is reliable and which
information is best ignored?
The problems of self-diagnosis The answer is not simple. Anyone
using the Internet to get information about health is taking a
risk, because self-diagnosis is dangerous. It is always best to
see a professional when it comes to your health. But, if you
want some background information, then by all means search the
Internet but learn how to decipher the good and reliable from
the bad and unreliable.
You can't believe everything you see Anyone can post information
on the Internet. The people behind the information can be a
serious expert or a wacky profiteer. How can you tell the
difference?
Always start by being sceptical. If you come across someone who
is suggesting you stop taking your prescribed medication and
start taking his very expensive cure, then think twice before
you buy. Read through the website carefully. Ask the opinions of
friends and professionals. Search the Internet for similar
suggestions. Search the Internet for stories of other sufferers
who may be using the same "miracle cure." If you can, contact
some other people who have tried the "miracle cure."
Start with government agencies When you come across a health
site try to understand who is behind it. If you don't recognize
the URL, then try to find the "About" or "Contact" page. If you
still aren't sure, try to make contact with them and ask them
who they are.
In all cases it is recommended to begin with the most legitimate
providers of reliable health and medical information, such as
government agencies or university bodies. Most of these offer
informational pamphlets and brochures.
Here is a list of legitimate American health sites:
American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/ American Heart
Association: http://www.americanheart.org/ American Medical
Association: http://www.ama-assn.org/ Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ Department of Health
and Human Services: http://www.hhs.gov/ Food and Drug
Administration: http://www.fda.gov/ Healthfinder:
http://www.healthfinder.gov/ National Cancer Institute:
http://www.nci.nih.gov/ National Institutes of Health:
http://www.nih.gov/