Whether it’s information from Google search, social media post, podcast, or AI-generated response, health information has never been easier to access. While this can help people learn more about their health and ask informed questions, it can also make it difficult to know what information is trustworthy.
Timothy Rebbeck, PhD, professor of cancer prevention at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, says that learning how to evaluate health information is an essential skill. As new technologies make information more accessible, patients need to know how to separate evidence-based resources from health misinformation.
Why does the source matter?
When evaluating health information, Rebbeck recommends starting with a simple question: Where is this information coming from?
“The first thing to consider is the source of the information,” he says.
Health information can come from many sources, including medical organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers, social media influencers, and AI tools.
“If the source of the information is not clear, that can be questionable,” Rebbeck says. “People may have hidden agendas. They might be trying to sell you something, or the information may be based on opinion rather than data or fact.”
One way to evaluate a source is to look for transparency. Reputable organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, often explain where their information comes from, cite scientific evidence, and regularly update their content as new research emerges.
“The more transparency, essentially, is what I would look for,” says Rebbeck.
How should people think about AI-generated health information?
Artificial intelligence has become a popular tool for answering health questions. AI can summarize information quickly and help users learn about unfamiliar topics, but it also has limitations.
“AI is like a lot of other things. It’s a tool,” Rebbeck says.
Like search engines and social media platforms, AI tools generate responses based on patterns in their training data and other information available to them. While they can provide useful summaries, they are not always accurate.
“AI can hallucinate. It can make things up,” he says.
Rebbeck encourages people to approach AI-generated information with the same level of scrutiny they would apply to any online source. Information generated by AI should be verified before being used to make health decisions.
AI can be a useful starting point for learning about health topics, but it should not replace guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
Healthcare providers also play an important role in helping patients understand information they find online. A provider can help explain how research applies to an individual’s medical history, clarify uncertainties, and answer questions that an online source may not fully address.
How can you protect yourself from misinformation?
One of the best ways to evaluate health claims and avoid health misinformation is to compare information across multiple reputable sources.
“You need to verify it. You need to find information from more than one source,” Rebbeck says.
If multiple trusted organizations consistently report similar findings, readers can feel more confident in the accuracy of the information. At the same time, it is important to recognize that health information is often complex. Science evolves over time, and researchers do not always have definitive answers.
“There’s a lot of ‘we don’t know yet’ out there,” says Rebbeck.
That uncertainty does not mean the information is inaccurate or untrustworthy. Instead, it reflects how science works. As new evidence becomes available, recommendations may change.
What are some red flags to watch for?
Health information should rarely be viewed as completely black and white.
“Most answers that you’re going to get about health information are not necessarily black and white,” Rebbeck says.
Claims that promise quick fixes, miracle cures, or guaranteed results should be viewed with caution. People should question information that lacks clear sources or seems designed to provoke fear, outrage, or another strong emotional response.
Three tips for evaluating health information online
Rebbeck offers three tips of advice for navigating health information:
• Pay attention to the source and look for transparency.
• Verify information using multiple trusted sources.
• Be cautious of overly simple or definitive claims.
Most importantly, do not be afraid to ask questions and seek guidance from trusted healthcare professionals.
“Advocate for yourself,” Rebbeck says. “Question, validate, and make sure that you’re getting information that is really real and is going to help you.”