Lesson 7: Evaluating Online Health Information

Purpose

-- Why does the site exist? Is the main purpose to sell a product or service or to promote a biased agenda? You should know how the site pays for its existence. Does it sell advertising? The source of funding can affect what content is presented and what the site owners want to accomplish on the site. (Tip: Look for links to "Mission Statement" or "Funding" or "Partners.")

-- Is the privacy or security policy clearly stated? Many Web sites ask you to become a member, or they gather personal information in other ways. Any credible health site asking for this kind of information should tell you what they will and will not do with it. (Tip: Look for assurance that any personal information you supply will be kept confidential and will not be shared with third parties.)

Exercise:

Go to Steve Dunn’s Cancer Guide.

1. Look at the acknowledgements to find out who pays for the site.
2. Look at the privacy policy.

Go to drday.com and note the biased agenda and the lack of privacy statement.

Evaluating Online Health Info
Next section: Learn More