Evaluate Health Websites: Practical steps to tell if a site is trustworthy

Trying to decide if a health article is reliable or just hype? You don’t need a medical degree. Use a few fast checks that reveal whether a site is worth trusting or should be ignored.

Start by looking for who wrote the page. Real health sites name authors, list their credentials, and link to their bio. If there’s no author or the byline is vague, treat the content cautiously. Prefer pages written or reviewed by doctors, pharmacists, or licensed specialists. A dated author bio with affiliations helps you judge expertise.

Next, check the sources. Trustworthy articles cite clinical studies, government guidelines, or professional society statements. Look for links to PubMed, WHO, FDA, CDC, or well-known journals. If claims are broad—like “miracle cure” or “no side effects”—and lack references, that’s a red flag.

Quick checklist you can use in under a minute

  • Author and credentials: named expert or medical reviewer?
  • Date: is the article recent or updated in the last 2–3 years?
  • Sources: are studies, guidelines, or links provided?
  • Site ownership: doctor-run, hospital, university, or commercial site?
  • Contact info and editorial policy: easy to find?

Also pay attention to site type. Government (.gov), educational (.edu), and major medical center domains usually follow stricter rules. Commercial sites can still be good, but watch for heavy product promotion or pop-up ads. If the page tries hard to sell supplements or prescription drugs while avoiding clear risk information, step back and verify elsewhere.

Red flags, practical tips, and how to verify fast

Watch for sensational headlines, promises of quick fixes, or single-anecdote testimonials. These often mask weak evidence. If you find a study cited, open it. Read the abstract or conclusion — does it actually support the article’s claim? If you can’t access the study, search for summaries on trusted sites like NIH or NICE.

Privacy and security matter when you share health info. Check for HTTPS and a visible privacy policy if the site asks for personal details. For telehealth or online pharmacies, confirm licensing and clear contact info. Reviews and complaints on independent forums can help, but weigh them carefully.

When in doubt, use two trusted sources to confirm. Symptom checkers are useful for quick ideas but not diagnosis. Use them to prepare for a conversation with your clinician, not as a substitute. If a choice could affect your health, ask a professional—bring links and questions so you both discuss the same info.

These steps make it easy to separate solid medical info from noise. Learn the few checks above and you’ll spend less time worrying and more time using information that actually helps.