An Ounce of Prevention: "Locating Health Information"

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Our weekly news column bringing the most current, non-biased health information to the consumer.

June 17, 2008	A Publication of QVHD

Locating Health Information

By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH,
Deputy Director QVHD

More and more people are jumping on the internet superhighway. (The young folks have been there a while.) What a terrific resource! If you need information on a subject or want to purchase a product, just type in a few key words and bingo! A wealth of information is at hand, all from the comfort of your home.

The World Wide Web can also be a tremendous resource for health information. But it is not the only source available to you. Your community library has many health books. Old-fashioned encyclopedias are a good place to start to get an overview of a problem or body system. Libraries also have reference books and journals.

When using a self-help book or the internet, you need to be very careful that you are not swayed by false reporting or disingenuous advertising. Furthermore, you must consider that motivation of the author of a self-help book, especially if it is pushing a particular product.

For reliable health information on the internet, follow these basic suggestions:

• Don't rely on sites that are primarily selling a product or service.

• Be wary of sites that declare unfounded health scares and/or defy good science and common sense.

• Avoid web sites with a particular agenda or motivation.

• Awards or seal of approval may mean that the content is award winning, not the product. These types of honors can be awarded for design layout or graphics.

• The site should state who owns and maintains it. The site's mission statement or business plan should be available.

• Be suspicious of testimonials and anecdotes.

The most reliable web sites for health information are generally those sponsored by government agencies, well respected health organizations, universities and colleges and/or major medical centers. These types of sites will also usually have links to other reliable sites. The least reliable sites are those whose mission is to sell their product, especially products that are not well known. If you research a topic and decide that there is a particular product you want to try, you have made an educated decision. To simply rely on the seller's web site as the only source of information may cause you financial and health woes. For a list of reliable health websites, District residents can call QVHD, 248-4528 or request at info@qvhd.org

An Ounce of Prevention is a publication of the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, located at 1151 Hartford Turnpike, North Haven, CT 06473. Telephone: 248-4528. An Ounce of Prevention is written by V. Deborah Culligan. The articles are published in the following local newspapers, The Advisor & Beth-Wood News.

The content is provided as health education and information to help you make health decisions. It is not intended to be legal or medical advice, or substitute for recommendations made by your health care provider. Address all comments to the district office.


Quinnipiack Valley Health District 1151 Hartford Turnpike North Haven, CT 06473	Phone. (203) 248-4528 Fax. (203) 248-6671 E-Mail. info@qvhd.org

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