Washtenaw County, Health Information and Resources

Appraising Health Information Online

Misinformation is false or inaccurate information; getting the facts wrong.

Disinformation is false information which is deliberately intended to mislead; intentionally misstating the facts.

SIFT (The Four Moves)

Appraisal Techniques

Questions to ask before trusting a website: 

1. What is the purpose of the website? 

   1. For example, is it a commercial website trying to sell you something? 

   2. If the URL ends in .com it is a commercial website. 

2. Who wrote the information? Who reviewed it? 

   1. For example, if there is a blog or social media post with health information, is the author a subject expert?

   2. Did other subject experts verify the information? 

   3. "Personal stories may be helpful and comforting, but not everyone experiences health problems the same way. Also, there is a big difference between information written by a single person interested in a topic and a website developed by professionals using researched and peer-reviewed scientific evidence." 

3. When was the information written and updated? 

   1. Older information isn’t useless, but using the most current, evidence-based information is ideal.

4. Is your privacy protected? Does the website clearly state a privacy policy? 

   1.  If a website says it uses “cookies,” your information may not be private. Cookies are small text files that enable a website to collect and remember information about your visit. While cookies may enhance your web experience, they can also compromise your online privacy, so it is important to read about the information the website collects and how the organization will use it. 

5. How can I protect my health information? 

   1. Secure websites that collect personal information responsibly have an “s” after “http” in the start of their website addresses (https://) and often require that you create a username and password.

   2. Be aware that there are many health frauds/scams online. 

6. Is it too good to be true? Be wary of miracle cures. 

   1. Some websites offer quick and easy solutions to health problems without any proof.