HHS HealthBeat (January 07, 2009)

Can you believe it?

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Everybody’s entitled to an opinion, and you often can find it – stated with great conviction – on the Internet. But when your health is on the line, can you believe what you read?

One way is to check the source and the accuracy. For instance, is it clear to you who put the information online, and is that source medically recognized and worth your trust? And does the information seem balanced? At HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Director Dr. Carolyn Clancy:

[Dr. Carolyn Clancy speaks] ``If they are, for example, citing scientific studies or point you in the direction of getting additional information, and are very evenhanded in the way the information is presented, the likelihood that what they’re presenting is reliable.’’

One such site is healthfinder.gov, run by HHS, which provides health information and links to other sites.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

Last revised: January, 07 2009