These days it is easy to find health information; it's literally at your fingertips. Every day hundreds of people find health related information online from sources such as WebMD. Thousands of people visit WebMD.com everyday! Other popular sources for health information are television, newspapers, newsletters and magazines. Many people find health information from television talk shows or commercials advertising health and exercise products.
As easy as it is to find health information it becomes essential to have the skills necessary to evaluate that information.
Consider the following chart when doing health-related research.
Reliable Sources for Health Information
- National organizations
- Examples of government organizations (.gov domain): CDC, NIH, HHS, and WHO
- Examples of health related organizations (.org domain): AARP, AHA, GSA
- Position statements or papers
- Guidelines and recommendations
- Newsletters
- Research articles
- Scientific journals
- Refereed or Peer Reviewed
- Evidence-based research
- Expert opinion
- Credentials
- Published Research
- Presentations at state, regional and national conferences
- Other evidence of ongoing professional development
- Practitioners in the field
- Physicians
- Dietitians
Nurse practitioners
- Exercise physiologists
- Health educators
- Higher education
- Other university-based resources such as websites (.edu domain)
Popular Sources for Health Information
- Internet
- Newspaper articles
- Magazines
- Television/radio
