Health Information

• Addiction and Substance Abuse
• Allergies
• Alzheimer disease
• Arthritis Pain
• Breast Cancer
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Fast Food Nutrition Information
• Health Food Vitamin
• Hiv Aids
• Smoking
• Womens Health

1. Introduction:

The number of Web sites offering health information is huge. Some provide valuable data, while others may have health information that is unreliable or misleading. This guide contains important questions you should consider as you look for health information online, to help you evaluate the health information you find.

A good health information site will make it easy for you to learn who is responsible for the site.

A Web site's funding source should be readily apparent. Does it sell advertising? Is it sponsored by a drug company? The source of funding can affect what content is presented, how the content is presented, and what the site owners want to accomplish on the site.

An "About Us" link appears on many sites; if it's there, use it. The purpose of the site should be clearly stated and should help you evaluate the trustworthiness of the site's health information.

5. Where does the information come from?

Many sites post information collected from other Web sites or sources. If the person or organization in charge of the site did not create the information, the original source should be clearly labeled.

In addition to identifying who wrote the material you are reading, the site should describe the evidence that the material is based on. Medical facts and figures should have references (such as to articles in medical journals). Also, opinions or advice should be clearly set apart from information that is "evidence-based" (that is, based on research results).

Is there an editorial board? Do people with excellent professional and scientific qualifications review the material before it is posted?

Web sites should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. It is particularly important that medical information be current. The most recent update or review date should be clearly posted.

Web sites usually have a policy about how they establish links to other sites. Some medical sites take a conservative approach and don't link to any other sites. Some link to any site that asks, or pays, for a link. Others only link to sites that have met certain criteria.

Web sites routinely track visitors through their sites to determine what pages are being used. However, many health Web sites ask you to "subscribe." In some cases, this may be so that they can collect a user fee or select information for you that is relevant to your privacy concerns. In all cases, this will give the site personal information about you.

There should always be a way for you to contact the site owner. If the site hosts chat rooms or other online discussion areas, it should tell visitors what the terms of using this service are. Is it moderated? If so, by whom, and why? it is always a good idea to spend time reading the discussion without joining in, so that you feel comfortable with the environment before becoming a participant.

Submit an Article

Are you a writer? Do you have a health story you'd like to share? In addition to solid, mainline, information from respected health authorites, FYI is also very interested in personal health stories. We'll include a link back to your website/business with a brief description about the author (if desired). Submit your article here.

Health Articles:

1. Addiction and Substance Abuse
   The difference between substance abuse and addiction is slight. Addictions begins as abuse, or using a drug like marijuana or cocaine. More addiction information
   
   
2. Allergies
   Allergies are immune system over reactions to grass, pollen, or certain foods. Allergy Information on allergens, allergic reations, symptoms.
   
   
3. Alzheimer disease
   Alzheimer disease is not everyday forgetting. It's a permanent memory loss making it hard for people to remember. More Alzheimers disease information.
   
   
4. Arthritis Pain
   Arthritis is a joint pain disorder that comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of life. Get information on symptoms and treatment.
   
   
5. Breast Cancer
   Breast Cancer Information: lumps (tumor) that develops in body cells of the breast affecting mostly women.
   
   
6. Depression
   health information about: Depression is a medical illness; not something made up in your head. More than a mood or feeling down in the dumps for a few days. It’s feeling hopeles for weeks at a time.
   
   
7. Diabetes
   Diabetes information: a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Health symptoms and the role of insulin in the body.
   
   
8. Fast Food Nutrition Information
   Fast food nutrition information: 25% of U.S. children have diets higher in calories, fats, carbohydrates, sugars, proteins than non fast food eaters. Fast food calories lack nutritional value.
   
   
9. Health Food Vitamin
   Imagine a health food vitamin, not a drug, that lowers cholesterol, heart disease and cancer risk, and improves your mood with no side effects. Get more health food vitamin information.
   
   
10. Hiv Aids
    Hiv Aids information. Many people don't really understand how HIV and AIDS are related. Hiv means acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The virus destroys a cell that fights infection.
    
    
11. Smoking
    Cigarettes and tobacco products kill hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. every year. Information on smoking and the affect of smoke on the lungs.
    
    
12. Womens Health
    Women's health and fitness. Resources on women's health issues: sexual health, birth control, pregnancy information, abortion information, and healthy aging. Updated regularly.