How do you identify trustworthy health information?

Posted by John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop, Jun 25, 2020

Do you ever see something on TV or on the Internet and think, maybe this is what I need to help me? It can be really difficult to identify trustworthy health claims made by advertisers. I subscribe to a few health newsletters from Mayo Clinic and McMaster University and this morning I saw this article that had some great tips on how to identify trustworthy health information.

Don't believe the hype: 6 tips to identify trustworthy health information: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/blog/2017/05/02/dont-believe-the-hype-6-tips-to-identify-trustworthy-health-information

Here's some of the criteria I use when searching for trusted health information:
– Is it from a credible, reliable evidence-based source? Who wrote it?
– Is it recent and/or regularly reviewed and updated?
– What is the advertising policy or financial support for the website? Are they just after my money?

What criteria do you use to identify trustworthy health information?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

rosemariewalters | @rosemariewalters | Apr 7, 2021

In reply to @blmd5861 "I follow Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic" + (show)

I follow those two as well. But sometimes include John Hopkins Clinic.

lioness | @lioness | Apr 12, 2021

In reply to @rosemariewalters "I follow those two as well. But sometimes include John Hopkins Clinic." + (show)

I follow Clevelad clinic and Mayo ,John Hopkins these 3 are the best

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 12, 2021

In reply to @lioness "I follow Clevelad clinic and Mayo ,John Hopkins these 3 are the best" + (show)

I think it depends greatly on what you are seeking. I find good info on some of the sites like the NIH.gov, CDC.gov, American Lung Association for my lungs, Council on Aging, AARP for elder issues, etc.

For rare or "orphan" conditions, sometimes extra research is needed. Sites ending in .edu usually represent real research. It used to be that way for .org too, but that has been coopted so you need to be careful.

Even more important, in my opinion, is to look for published and peer-reviewed studies and information. Much of what we see from day to day on the Web as research is "sponsored" - another name for advertising, or "studies" that are nothing more than promotional literature for a specific pharmaceutical company, doctor's group, or company promoting their own latest product or service. This is also true in electronics, cars, appliances...but really scary if relied on for life or death decisions.

Sue

lioness | @lioness | Apr 12, 2021

In reply to @sueinmn "I think it depends greatly on what you are seeking. I find good info on some..." + (show)

@sueinmn I totally agree I like the nih.gov like you said it depends 9n what you need but be careful of not well known sites

silverapple | @silverapple | Apr 29, 2021

Thank you

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Valerie | @lacy2 | May 7, 2021

...sorry cant find a place for this or anyone interested in and doesnt get emails from USA or Canada, drug recalls etc? I am in Canada and many time certain lot numbers of Metformin are recalled and I nudge my spouse to ask Pharmacy about it but not sure if he does! My pharmacy at the time once was dispensing a RECALLED lot of Norflox but wouldnt tell me if mine had been from that lot, new pharmacy puts the Lot number on the bottle of pills! If no one interested I wont put up any more:

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Certain Lots of NP Thyroid® (Thyroid Tablets, USP) Due to Sub Potency
Audience: Consumer, Patient, Health Professional, Pharmacy
April 30, 2021 -- Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC, is voluntarily recalling certain lots of 15-mg, 30-mg, 60-mg, 90-mg and 120-mg NP Thyroid®, Thyroid Tablets, USP [levothyroxine (T4) and liothyronine (T3)] to the consumer level. The products are being recalled because routine testing has found these lots to be sub potent.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 7, 2021

In reply to @lacy2 "...sorry cant find a place for this or anyone interested in and doesnt get emails from..." + (show)

I get a weekly or monthly (?) email newsletter about pharmaceuticals. It includes both recaslls and info regarding new drug approvals and trials. Next time I get one, I'll post the limk.
Sue

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 7, 2021

In reply to @sueinmn "I get a weekly or monthly (?) email newsletter about pharmaceuticals. It includes both recaslls and..." + (show)

Here's the link to the latest FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts - https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts

Valerie | @lacy2 | May 7, 2021

In reply to @johnbishop "Here's the link to the latest FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts - https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts" + (show)

so shall we leave it for people to check or put them up here...? thanks

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 7, 2021

In reply to @lacy2 "so shall we leave it for people to check or put them up here...? thanks" + (show)

I think reminders for the latest info is always important (and great!) when it comes to pharmaceuticals. I just thought this one was good because you can filter/sort the list by different classifications to find the latest information from the FDA on a specific drug.