There is a lot of information in Harlem and on the Internet about various medical conditions and treatments. If you are looking for information for yourself, a friend or a family member, here are some tips to help you in your search for accurate and trustworthy health information.

1) Who is the author?
Doing a little bit of homework on the person or organization who wrote the health information you seek will go a long way in deciding if you can trust what you read.

• In a book: Read the inside flaps or back of the book for a brief description of the author, what they do or if they work at a particular hospital or organization. Has the author written other books on the topic? Did a hospital, trusted health organization or government agency play a part in publishing the book? Did a pharmaceutical company or other company support the publishing of the book? These questions will help you determine if the information in the book
• In newspapers or magazines: Reporters interview doctors or other health care professionals in order to write their stories. Make sure the article you read mentions a health care expert or a research study. You can learn more about the topic by looking for additional information on the medical expert or their research.

2) When was the information written?
Many advances in medical knowledge and treatment have been made in recent years. It is important to have the latest information about any particular disease or how the disease is treated.

• In a book: The year a book was published should appear on the second or third page of the book after the word "Copyright" and the copyright symbol: "©".
• In a newspaper or magazine: The month or date should be printed at the top or side. If you found the article online, the publish date usually appears near the author's name.

3) Can you find the same information in different places?
Do not rely on one source to learn about a disease or treatment. If you find similar information about the disease or treatment in various places, that is a good sign of trustworthy material. However, if you find information that is not the same, it is a good idea to speak with a health professional about your questions.

4) What's online?
The internet can provide you with a lot of information all at once, but some websites may be confusing or inaccurate. For tips on how to evaluate the health information you find online, click here.

5) What do health professionals say?

It is important to talk with your doctor, nurse, or other health care professional about your questions and/or concerns. To start the discussion, you might find it helpful to write notes on what you read or print out the information you find to share with the health professional.

Did You Know? is a series of health articles written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board.