Health / Unit 1: Health and Wellness Basics
1.6 Health Information Literacy
Notes
Health literacy is being able to find, understand and use health information. Not everything online is accurate.
- Check the source: reliable ones include government health agencies (CDC), hospitals, universities, and medical organizations.
- Check the author: do they have health training?
- Check the date: is it current?
- Check evidence: are there studies or only personal stories?
- Check the purpose: is it trying to inform or to sell something?
- Be careful with claims such as "miracle cure," "secret doctors don't want you to know" or "works for everyone."
- Compare several reliable sources and ask a trusted adult or health professional.
Practice
Which source is MOST reliable for health information?
Government health agencies and medical institutions use evidence and review.
A website claims "This secret pill cures everything in 3 days" and sells it. What is the best response?
Extreme claims plus a sales motive are warning signs.
Why does the publication date of a health article matter?
Information can be updated as science advances.
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