1. Finding Health Information on the Internet:
Jane Bryant

2. Beyond Google…
Healthy Web Surfing:

3. What We’ll Cover
How to make informed decisions about health related Web sites
A look at a few of the well respected health related sites on the Web
One of the reasons people search the web for health information is to make informed decisions about their health care. Hopefully this session will help you to make informed decisions about the web sites you use to make those informed decisions about your health. With over X million web sites devoted to health related topics, it is not always easy to even sort through the “best” information available.
As we look at some of the ways of identifying

4. What We’ll Cover A look at some “other” health related Web sites
How to get the most out of Google when looking for health information

5. What We’ll Cover
An overview of MedlinePlus – the best source of one-stop-health information on the Web

6. Making Informed Decisions
Make sure the web site is credible
and authoritative
Features might include:
Trusted name
Qualifications/Credentials
“About” this site feature
HON accreditation

7. Making Informed Decisions
Make sure the web site is credible
and authoritative
Features might include:
Easy to navigate
Privacy upheld
References and/or outside links
Date
Clear purpose

8. www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu www.cancer.org www.cdc.gov www.mayoclinic.com
Anatomy of a URL

9. Everyone’s Favorite… Google
Google has improved dramatically for health related searching
Disadvantages/Advantages

10. Red Flags No links to other sites Difficult to navigate
Health assessments that require you to provide personal information to get a “full report”

11. Red Flags Play on people at sensitive times Full of testimonials
Claims that “they” are out to suppress information

12. Red Flags Claims of: “Scientific breakthroughs” “Ancient remedies”
“Cure all”
“Scientific breakthroughs”
“Ancient remedies”
“Only available here!”

13. So how do you pick? Leave it to the experts…
Simply go to MedlinePlus.gov

14. MedlinePlus.gov MedlinePlus.gov
The best site for health information on the web, bar none.
If you don’t remember anything else from this presentation, remember:
MedlinePlus.gov

15. MedlinePlus.gov MedlinePlus.gov One stop shopping
Federally sponsored web site
Links to sites that have been evaluated
Paid for by YOUR tax dollars
MedlinePlus.gov

16. This is according to the 2006 Pew Internet & American Life Project August 2006 Survey
What People Look For Online
Diseases/Conditions 64%
Treatments/procedure s 51%
Diets/Nutrition/Herbals/Supplements 49%
Exercise/fitness 44%
Medications 37%
Doctors/institutions 29%

17. Drug/Herb/Supplement Information
MedlinePlus medlineplus.gov
(includes drugs, herbs & supplements)
PDR
(includes pictures of many medications)

18. Complementary & Alternative Medicine
MedlinePlus
NCCAM
The Alternative Medicine Homepage

19. State/Local Health Info
Fayette County Health Department
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
StateHealthFacts.Org

20. One final note... (
Making informed decisions about the health web sites you choose is part of your overall involvement in your own health care. This AHRQ web site can help you pull it all together when it counts!