Evaluating health news and websites

The core idea

The media are among our most important sources of information when making health decisions; many reports are reliable, but some lack important information, and some are confusing, conflicting or misleading.

Signs a story is more likely accurate

A news item is more likely to be accurate if it comes from an outlet that does not promote a point of view, cause or product, was written by a science or health journalist trained to understand medical results, and includes the opinions of experts not connected to the study.

Questions for any study story

Was the product, procedure or device tested in humans? Laboratory and animal results may mean nothing for your health until clinical research has tested them.

Did the research include enough people? The results of small studies are weaker.

Are the results large enough to be meaningful to you? And was the study long enough to show benefits or risks in the long term?

Did the news item mention the study's limits? And were the participants similar to you in important matters such as age or sex?

Is this the first time this result has been published? A single study rarely proves anything.

Are there alternatives to the approach the news item talks about? And who funded the study? If it is a party that could profit from its results, be cautious.

How to judge a health website

Who runs the site, what is its purpose, and who funds it? Reliable sites provide a way to contact their owners, and advertisements must be clearly distinguished.

How is information selected and reviewed? Look for an editorial board of health experts, a content review process, a content selection policy, and information about the writers' qualifications.

Where does the information come from, and is it up to date? Pages should carry the date of writing, review or update.

How does the site use your personal data? Look for a privacy policy. And check whether you find the same information on other reliable sites.

Warning signs

Sensational writing, promises of cure, and claims that seem too good to be true; good information presents balanced facts based on research.

The site being funded by a company: health information may lean in favour of that company and its products.

A study funded by a party that could profit from its results: be cautious in reading the results.

Limits of this page

These questions do not give an automatic judgement on the accuracy of any news item; they are tools that help you ask the right questions, and decisions about your health are made with your doctor.

The "Discussion" section of any study represents its authors' interpretation of their results, and others may not fully agree with them; even a published study needs critical reading.

Common questions