The Internet: Don't Believe Everything You Read

The internet is a great source of information, from outstanding recipes to amazing vacations, but for health information—always use a dose of caution. You can find health information fast, but it can also lead you to false or misleading information. What's the best advice? Learn how to effectively evaluate the health information you find on the internet.

Misleading information can find its way to you in a photo, meme or post, even when you’re not searching for it. Unverified health information that could be false, inaccurate, or misleading is known as misinformation. It can be things like out-of-date facts or research, or memes meant as jokes taken seriously. Misinformation is out there, and it can be dangerous and even harmful. 

There are excellent tutorials on how to find trustworthy information. If a tutorial isn’t on your timeline right now, just know the fundamentals by asking yourself these questions: 

1. Who created or runs the site? Can you trust them? 
2. What is the site promising or offering? Are the claims too good to be true? 
3. When was the information written or reviewed? Is it up to date?  
4. Where does the information come from? Is it based on scientific research? 
5. Why does the site exist? Is it trying to sell you something? 

Research is great, but your search should start at a known and trusted site. Here are some high-quality collections of information: 

• MedlinePlus, sponsored by the National Library of Medicine, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 
• healthfinder.gov, sponsored by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
• NCCIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the US Government’s lead agency for scientific research on complementary and integrative health approaches 
• NIH Dietary Supplements for information on dietary supplements 

What about social media? Remember that information on social media is always brief. Check the sponsor’s website and verify that the accounts are what they claim to be. For example, you’ll find a blue badge on social media accounts that are verified users. Be very careful following links, as you may find yourself on an unfamiliar site.  

What’s the bottom line? If you have a health concern or have questions about the care you are receiving, talk to your healthcare provider. Don’t rely on online resources when making health decisions. ViaroThrive is committed to providing you with trustworthy health information. If you have a topic you want to know more about, let us know!  

Teresa Pulvermacher, RN, MSN, FNP-C 

President, ViaroHealth 

For questions or comments, contact wellness@viarohealth.com