Finding Good Health Information on the Web

by Electra Kaczorowski

When looking for health information on the Internet, most of us type the name of a condition or procedure into Google or another search engine, then wait for the results to pop up onto the screen. While this method immediately yields many results, it also can generate inaccurate, unreliable, or biased health information. This is of particular concern to women, who are more likely than men to seek health information online. There are also several topics in women’s health that are currently controversial and in which women often encounter difficulty accessing evidence-based, feminist information, making it even harder for them to rely on Internet sources when making a health care decision.

Nevertheless, the Internet can be a great tool for becoming more informed about your health. In order to get the best information, you have to take a critical look at your search results and use the best information available. Here are some guidelines for becoming a web-savvy health researcher:

Beware of Drug Ads
When a health site includes advertisements for drugs it is an obvious red flag that the health information is, at best, biased, and at worst, factually incorrect. This is because the drug companies running ads on the site are also likely to sponsor the health information provided on the sites. The information presented will have been reviewed and selected to make sure that it meets the standards of the drug companies. One problem is that it’s not always easy to spot the advertisement on health sites. Drug ads are often ingeniously placed so they are as unobtrusive as possible; sometimes they even merge seamlessly with the site itself. This is especially true on mainstream, general health websites that are heavily promoted on TV and in other media. While it is usually very easy to access basic information on these large, popular sites, it is difficult to avoid the barrage of ads that come with it. Be on the lookout for product promotions that are disguised as health information, an essential skill in conducting good web research. Being aware of the presence of drug ads will help you to review the site’s information carefully and with a critical eye.

Look Behind the Scenes
Even if a site has no overt advertisements, the agency that runs the website may be sponsored, or supported, by the pharmaceutical industry. Creating and maintaining a website costs money, so many companies seek support from drug and device manufacturers. Just like in politics, these financial contributors have a say in the kind of information and research their money supports. It can be hard to tell if an agency or organization (and, therefore, its website) has corporate ties, as the information may be hidden well within the site. Try looking for links to “sponsors,” “partners,” or “advisory boards” to get more information. A long list of pharmaceutical companies or medical device manufacturers is an indication that the site’s newsletterarticles is subject to corporate influence. Even if the information you’re looking for is factually correct, there’s an excellent chance that other information (such as alternate, non-pharmacological treatments or risk factors and complications) has been downplayed or omitted.

Read Between the Lines
When looking at web-based health information, it is important to identify the intended purpose of the information provided. Is the website trying to sell a specific treatment, or to convince the viewer that one particular procedure is the best way to go? Is the information provided in a way that informs and educates the reader? Reliable health information should be available to help individuals make informed decisions, not to promote specific health procedures. If a website includes numerous mentions of one specific approach without also discussing its risks, side-effects, or alternatives, the information may not be the best tool to use in making a health decision.

For example, one popular menopause site features Q&A sessions with a physician who essentially prescribes specific regimens of bioidentical hormones to the women who write in, complete with dosage information and referrals to specific businesses. This is clearly intended to be used as a substitute for a doctor’s visit, and leaves no room for the site’s visitors to ask questions that do not end with a specific recommendation. The women that write in are encouraged to follow this particular doctor’s orders in lieu of gathering information to make their own informed decision. Look for information that is balanced, well-organized, and comprehensively addresses all aspects of the topic.

Check the Address
Before clicking through to a link, it’s a good idea to assess if the website is a commercial site (ending in .com or .net), a non-profit organizational site (ending in .org), an educational institution site (anding in .edu) or a governmental site (ending in .gov). (Internet addresses are expanding, but these are the most common suffixes.) Commercial sites aim to sell products and may contain many advertisements. Or, they may be simply trying to promote one type of treatment over another, as many commercial websites on fibroids do. Organizational sites are run by an agency and reflect the group’s perspective and that of any sponsors. Finding out more about the agency’s philosophy and approach to women’s health can help visitors take a critical look at the site’s health information. Governmental sites on women’s health generally contain accurate information, but may not always be comprehensive, and often lack analysis. Knowing the kind of website information is coming from can be helpful in making informed decisions and learning more about a health topic.

Watch for Hype
Health information on the web is just like any other kind of information – subject to bias and inaccuracies. There are some hot-button women’s health topics that have been getting a lot of attention recently, however. The most prominent are menopause hormone therapy, bioidentical or ‘natural’ hormones, hysterectomy, osteoporosis, and infertility. Websites that cover any of these topics should be looked at very carefully to ensure that their information is based on scientific evidence (with clear references), not just testimonials or theories. Information on these hot issues can abound everywhere. Even television stations may have auxiliary websites that feature ‘experts’ on these topics. While consumer education is important, the views represented on these sites usually reflect those of corporate sponsors and the information is rarely presented in a balanced way. The more controversial a health topic is, the more essential it is for the reader to be vigilant and discerning.

Keep an Eye on the Evidence
There are places out there that are committed to providing individuals with the information they need to make decisions about their health care. Supporting individual decision making is very important to the NWHN, and we plan to expand our website to make even more information available online. Other websites that contain feminist, evidence-based health information are www.bcaction.org (Breast Cancer Action), www.ourbodiesourselves.org (Our Bodies Orselves), www.stopbreastcancer.org  (National Breast Cancer Coalition), www.desaction.org (DES Action), www.center4research.org  (National Research Center for Women and Families) and www.susanlovemd.org (Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation), just to name a few. The Network also appreciates the good work of the Cochrane Collaboration (www.cochrane.org) which produces and disseminates reviews on health care interventions based on available evidence. For a more comprehensive list of the sites NWHN likes, please visit the link section of our website.

Women can also access journal articles and studies on their own through www.pubmed.gov or www.medlineplus.gov (both services of the National Institutes of Health), although it still essential to be aware that even these sources are subject to bias and industry influence.

A Final Word
Being aware of all of these factors is the key to solid web research. Sometimes it is impossible to find information on a certain topic that is free of product promotions or pharmaceutical-sponsored studies. Just knowing about these potential influences can make a big difference when sifting through information, however. The Internet is a wonderful way for individuals to quickly and privately become more informed and educated about their health. As with any tool, it is important to know how to use it well and to the best advantage.

References

1. Fox,S, Rainie, L. 'Vital Decisions: How Internet Users Decide What Information to Trust When They or Their Loved Ones Are Sick.' Pew Internet and American Life Project, May 2002. Online at http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Vital_Decisions_May2002.pdf.