WELL-BEING
Misinformation is rampant in the internet age. While technology allows us to stay up to date and connected, it can also amplify false information and spread confusion.
Finding reliable health information is especially important as you want to make good choices for your long-term health. But, it is all too easy to get tripped up by pseudo-science and unqualified individuals who present themselves as experts.
So, how do you sort fact from fiction?
Know how to spot reliable sources
* Look for .gov, .org, and .edu websites as most reliable.
* Check the authors’ credentials.
* Compare suspicious information to the information onmedlineplus.gov.
* Be skeptical of information on social media or .com sites that you can’t verify from a more reliable source.
Ask good questions
* Does it sound too good to be true?
* Is the source linked to a reputable national or global health institution?
* What is your emotional reaction?
* Are the headline and content straightforward or sensationalized?
* Can the information be verified by other trusted sources?
Dig a little deeper
A quick internet search can tell you know the kinds of websites that are sharing the information. Check for .gov, .org, or .edu sites on the first page of results. You can also go to a fact-checking website such as:
Keep an open mind
We all have a health philosophy that guides our choices. This can be useful, but it becomes a problem when we only believe information that aligns with our bias. This prevents us from learning and growing, and from changing our minds if our bias turns out to be incorrect.
Instead of immediately accepting or rejecting new information, stay curious. Be open to the possibility there is more to learn.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine