“The internet is a great source of information to help you
manage or research a condition or treatment,
but it is not reliable for self-diagnosis or self-treatment…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Health Information Evaluation on the Internet Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- HONcode
- Health Information on the Internet/Web/World Wide Web
- Health On the Net
- Internet Health Information
- Online Health Information
- Web Surfing
About Us
What is the first thing to do when reading a medical site?
In The Smart Searcher: A Guide To Online Medical Advice the American Heart Association (AHA) explain:

In The Smart Searcher: A Guide To Online Medical Advice – Who Can You Trust? the AHA also note:
Evaluation
What criteria may be used to evaluate health information on the WWW?
In How To Find Cancer Resources You Can Trust: How To Trust the Websites You Visit the (United States) National Cancer Institute elaborate on:
Use the following questions to determine the credibility of health information published online.
- Who manages this information?…
- What are the letters at the end of the web address?…
- Who is paying for the project, and what is their purpose?…
- What is the original source of the information that they have posted?…
- How is information reviewed before it gets posted?…
- How current is the information?…
- If they are asking for personal information, how will they use that information and how will they protect your privacy?…”.4
In Making Decisions About Your Health: Internet Health Information – Website Reliability Checker the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:
- Who owns the website?…
- Why has the website been created?…
- How easy is it to understand the information?…
- Is the information up to date?…
- How reputable is the source of information?…
- Is the information supported by evidence-based practice?…”.5
Health Care Provider
What if I would like to find out what health information on the Internet is applicable to me?
If you would like to find out what health information on the Internet is applicable to you, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.
The JH note:

Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Health Information Evaluation on the Internet?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Health Information Evaluation on the Internet?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.- Careful! Health News Headlines Can Be Deceiving
- Evaluating Health Information
- Evaluating Internet Health Information: A Tutorial From the National Library of Medicine
- Evidence Essentials
- Finding Reliable Health Information Online
- For Consumers [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
- Health Fraud Scams
- How To Find Cancer Resources You Can Trust
- Making Decisions About Your Health: Internet Health Information
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: 9 Questions To Help You Make Sense of Health Research
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Finding and Evaluating Online Resources
- Online Health Information: Is It Reliable?
- The Smart Searcher: A Guide To Online Medical Advice
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Making Decisions About Your Health: Internet Health Information – Ask Your Doctor. Last Updated: 15 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 11 October 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/health-checks/making-decisions-about-your-health/ Accessed: 31 January 2023
- The Smart Searcher: A Guide To Online Medical Advice. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/doctor-appointments-questions-to-ask-your-doctor/the-smart-searcher-a-guide-to-online-medical-advice Accessed: 31 January 2023
- The Smart Searcher: A Guide To Online Medical Advice – Who Can You Trust? American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/doctor-appointments-questions-to-ask-your-doctor/the-smart-searcher-a-guide-to-online-medical-advice Accessed: 31 January 2023
- How To Find Cancer Resources You Can Trust: How To Trust the Websites You Visit. Updated: 27 July 2022. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/managing-care/using-trusted-resources Accessed: 31 January 2023
- Making Decisions About Your Health: Internet Health Information – Website Reliability Checker. Last Updated: 15 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 11 October 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/health-checks/making-decisions-about-your-health/ Accessed: 31 January 2023
- Making Decisions About Your Health: Internet Health Information – Ask Your Doctor. Last Updated: 15 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 11 October 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/health-checks/making-decisions-about-your-health/ Accessed: 31 January 2023