Public Information
Health Information Week is a national, multi-sector campaign to promote high quality information. High quality health information can have a huge impact on your ability to stay healthy and manage illnesses effectively, giving you a better quality of life.
What to ask to find trusted health information
There are a few simple questions you can ask yourself when looking at health information:
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Where did the information come from? Who produced it? Was it the NHS or a trusted charity or health organisation? Is the information relevant to the UK?
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How current is the information? When was it published or last updated? Health information changes over time – make sure it is up to date.
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Is it easy to use and understand?
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Is is based on multiple evidence reviews or case studies? Look for clear references.
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Why has it been produced? Is it to inform or is there an agenda? Is the website profit driven?
It it is also a good idea to cross-check information. This means looking to see if it is repeated by more than one reliable source.​
Trusted sources of health information
One of the easiest ways to get reliable health information is to use trusted sources. If you see something online always check the source.
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Below are some sources of trusted health information:
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Established charities or health organisations
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Materials provided by your GP or another healthcare professional
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Your local library
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Members of the Patient Information Forum (PIF)
You can also look for quality standards on the information. These include:
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The PIF TICK (Trusted Information Creator)