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Heath Information on the Net
What you should know
Many of us use the Internet every day to connect with family and friends, as part of the job, or just for entertainment. It is also a great source of information. Valuable and accurate information on almost any topic can be found in minutes by anyone with Internet access. Unfortunately, the Internet also rapidly spreads false or misleading information. How can you know whether the health information you find is reliable?
Recommended Diabetes Websites
Find information on risk factors for diabetes, diabetes facts, and diabetes management, including medications, nutrition, physical activity and prevention of complications.
Public Health Agency of Canada
A diabetes section includes programs and services available to Canadians with diabetes. The site has links to Canada’s Food Guide and Canada’s Physical Activity Guide.
This site includes information on healthy nutrition and how to find a registered dietitian.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada
Information on managing type 1 diabetes for children and teens, including how to manage diabetes at school or college, and while travelling.
National Aboriginal Diabetes Association
An overview of diabetes, the Pathway to Wellness handbook, and links to other diabetes resources can be found here.
This site includes extensive information on diabetes, nutrition, meal planning and fitness.
National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases
Find diabetes resources from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
The Pharmacy section of the Safeway website has many resources for people with diabetes. The Pharmacists with Extra Certification section allows you to find and contact a certified diabetes educator pharmacist at a Safeway pharmacy near you.
The Diabetes section of Family Health Online contains more than 150 articles from previous Family Health and Managing Diabetes issues, all written by health professionals.
A thoughtful approach to using the Internet can help you decide.
Who is responsible for the website?
- Check the ‘about’ page to see who runs the website. Sites run by government, health departments, universities, hospitals or non-profit organizations usually have helpful and trustworthy information.
- Find out how the site is funded. The site sponsor should be obvious. Keep in mind that content can be affected by the goals of sponsors.
- Contact information for the organization or website administrator should be listed.
Where does the information come from?
- Is the person or organization qualified to provide this type of information? For instance, is a health professional giving the advice?
- If the group responsible for the site did not write the material, the original author or source should be clearly identified.
Is the information current?
- Websites should be reviewed and updated regularly, as medical information changes often.
- Web pages should be dated or list a date when last reviewed.
- Does the information sound too good to be true?
- Never believe claims of miracle cures, breakthroughs, secret ingredients or remedies that can ‘cure’ a variety of illnesses.
- Get a second opinion by checking other sites and talking with your health care team.
Does the site have a privacy policy?
- If you provide personal information, such as your name, address, date of birth, or credit card number, what is done with this information?
- Be aware that some sites may sell your information to others or share your e-mail address.
By looking for these features on health related websites, it is more likely that what you find online will be reliable. Your family doctor, pharmacist and other health care team members are available to help you decide if the material you have gathered is accurate. Happy surfing!
FAMILY HEALTH is written with the assistance of |
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FAMILY HEALTH is written with the assistance of |
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