Health information is easy to encounter while searching or scrolling. Judging its reliability requires more than checking whether the page looks professional. Start by asking who is responsible for it and why it was published.
Find the people behind the page
MedlinePlus recommends looking for information about the organization running a website and its purpose. Funding and commercial interests can help explain why particular topics or products receive attention.
Check how information is reviewed
Look for a clear source and an explanation of how material is selected or checked. Notice whether advertising is identified. Dramatic promises deserve careful scrutiny, especially when a page makes it difficult to trace the evidence.
Pause before passing it on
A post shared by someone you know can still contain unreliable information. Ask the same questions about its origin and purpose. If the answers are unclear, investigate further before sharing it with other people.
Learn more
The MedlinePlus guide to evaluating health information offers questions for reviewing websites and social posts. Use reliable information to support a conversation with an appropriate health professional, not to replace individual care.
