Combatting misinformation is an ever-changing challenge to address for society as a whole. Health authorities, governments, social media companies and individuals all have a role to play in the contemporary struggle to combat misinformation. By inoculating yourself with strategies to think critically about health information presented to you, you build resistance to health misinformation.
You can protect yourself and others by:
1. Using reliable sources to access health information
Consult your healthcare provider directly, read peer-reviewed journal articles and use reliable health websites instead of searching on unregulated social media.
Trusted health information sources include:
2. Growing your personal Health Literacy skills
Increasing your health literacy will make it easier for you to spot misinformation in the wild, help you make informed decisions about your health and ensure you get medical care you are satisfied with.
To get started:
3. Thinking before you share
So simple, yet effective. Thoroughly assess the quality of health information you have before you click the share button and add even more information to the online ecosystem. You can do this by asking yourself the questions listed above on this page to check the quality and validity of your information source.
MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends operated by the National Library of Medicine.
CDC is the nation's leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public's health, operated by the U.S. government.
The National Institutes of Health is the nation’s medical research agency and a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion leads disease prevention and health promotion efforts in the U.S. and are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.
