Finding Accurate and Reliable Health Information
on the Internet
Handout
Evaluating Information You Find On the Internet
It is important to remember that while the Internet is a great source for health
information, there is also a lot of bad information out there. Take some time to
evaluate the websites and information you are finding.
Consider the Source
Focus on Quality
Look for the Evidence
Check for Currency
Beware of Bias
Protect Your Privacy
Be a Cyberskeptic
 Who is responsible for the content?
 Is there an “about us” page?
 Are the authors or editors experts in the
subject?
 How is the information selected or
approved?
 Does the site identify the author?
 Does it cite references for more
information?
 Is the information current?
 Can you tell when the site was updated?
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Who is sponsoring the site?
Are they trying to sell you something?
Does the site have a privacy policy?
Does it ask you to provide personal
information?
 Does the website make claims that seem
too good to be true?
 Are quick, miraculous cures promised?
Find out more about evaluating health websites on the MedlinePlus website at:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthywebsurfing.html
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Websites You Can Trust
MedlinePlus
http://www.medlineplus.gov
MedlinePlus is a health information website
produced by the National Library of
Medicine and the National Institutes of
Health. It brings together quality
information from government agencies and
health-related organizations to help answer
your health questions.
Special Features Include:
 Medical encyclopedia and dictionary
 Drug and supplement information
 Interactive tutorials
 Easy-to-read materials
 Resources in multiple languages
 Surgery videos
NIH Senior Health
http://www.nihseniorhealth.gov
NIH Senior Health is a health information
website developed especially for older
adults. It contains information, videos,
quizzes and frequently asked questions on
43 aging-related health topics.
Special Features Include:
 Adjustable text size
 Contrast function to make text more
readable
 Talking function that will read aloud
the text on the screen
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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) – Questions are the Answer
http://www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer
The Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality has created a website to help
patients take an active role in their health
care by asking questions, understanding
their conditions, and evaluating their
options.
The AHRQ Questions are the Answer
website includes information on:
 Reducing medical mistakes
 Talking with your clinician
 Getting medical tests
 Planning for a surgery
 Getting a prescription
Special Features Include:
 A Build Your Question List tool that
allows you to create a custom list of
questions that you can print off and take
with you to your next appointment.
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Created By:
Anne Beschnett, MLIS
Outreach Librarian
University of Minnesota Health Sciences Libraries
Additional health literacy resources are available from the Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership
Website at: http://www.healthliteracymn.org
Last Updated: August 18, 2010
The Health Literacy Program for Minnesota Seniors (HeLP MN Seniors) is brought to you by the University of
Minnesota Health Sciences Libraries and the Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership. Funding was provided through
a grant from the National Library of Medicine National Network of Libraries of Medicine under contract number
N01-LM-6-3503.
This work is protected by an Attribution Share Alike (cc by-sa) license. Under this license,
others are able to remix, tweak, and build upon the original work even for commercial
reasons, as long the original source is cited and derivative works are licensed under identical
terms. For more information, see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
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