As a health professional, myself, I am rather picky about the health-related sites I go to for answers. For instance, if I wanted updated info on cancer, I would either go to the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/), American Institute for Cancer Research (http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer), or Oncolink (http://oncolink.upenn.edu/), just to name a few. I would also spend time on such sites as MD Anderson Cancer Center (http://www.mdanderson.org/) or the Block Medical Center (http://www.cancure.org/block_medical_center.htm). I actually have a whole folder of bookmarked, credible sites for cancer information.

I then would check what the latest research has to say by going to PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed) to see what’s been published on the particular topic.

Granted, I got a bit carried away just on the topic of cancer, but since 70% of all US adults get their medical information from the internet, perhaps I have just provided you with a site that might help make the difference between life and death!

The reason I’m writing this, however, is to introduce you to a new site to check into. When I write my weekly eblasts, I often will go to WebMD.com to provide readers with background information on a particular health condition I’m addressing. And WebMD.com is a great site! But what I hadn’t realized is that there is a site that has actually surpassed WebMD, which is called Everyday Health (http://www.everydayhealth.com/).

Is Everyday Health better than WebMD? I’ll tell you in a few months, as I spend time on it and compare. Meanwhile, check it out yourself and let me know what you think.

But, as a health professional, how DO I determine which sites are credible and which are questionable? My first criteria is what they offer. Granted, you’ll have websites that will have sponsors, and those sponsors often present ‘commercials’ or ads. But does the site, itself, sell products? You can tell by looking at their page links. If a health-related site sells products, chances are they have an alterior motive than providing me with information. I don’t spend much time on there, then.

Where do YOU get your health information? Play around with Everyday Health to see if it’s comparable with WebMD, and let me know what you think. And, when it comes to cancer, if you need it (which hopefully you don’t), I hope I’ve provided you with some good links to help you get accurate, safe information.

Margie