A vast amount of valuable information about immunizations
is available on the Internet. Your pediatrician urges you to consider
the source and quality of information found there.
- The organization or individual responsible
for the Web site should be provided on the site. There
should be a way to contact the information provider.
- Is an e-mail address, postal address, or telephone
number listed?
- The individuals providing the information
should be qualified to address the subject matter. Who
stands behind the information?
- What educational background do they have that
relates to the topic area?
- The purpose of the Web site should be
clear.
- The purpose should be to provide accurate
and unbiased information about the topic. When the
purpose is to advertise a health care product or to promote
a particular cause, be skeptical about the information provided
- The Web site should provide citations
of medical articles or other sources of information, and the
reader should be able to distinguish fact from opinion.
- Facts are more reliable if they come from a published
scientific study on humans than from unpublished accounts, reports
of a single person, or from animal studies.
- Beware of information attributed to unnamed "noted
researchers."
- Health information should be accurate
and unbiased.
- The information should not be slanted in favor
of a Web site's sponsor, source of funding, or a particular point
of view.
- The date of last revision of the information
should be clearly displayed. The information should
be kept up-to-date.
- Health information should be used to supplement,
not replace, advice given by a doctor. Parents should
discuss information found on the Web with their doctor or health
care professional.
WHEN EVALUATING ANY HEALTH CLAIM: IF IT SOUNDS
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT USUALLY IS
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has compiled
the following list of typical phrases and marketing techniques
used to deceive consumers:
- Text is written using medical lingo. Use of terminology
sometimes disguises a lack of good scientific backing.
- The promoter claims there is a conspiracy by the
government, the medical profession, or research scientists.
- Reports of case histories are undocumented.
- Product is advertised as a "quick and effective
cure-all" for a wide range of medical problems.
- The promoters use words like "scientific
breakthrough",
"miraculous cure", "exclusive product", "secret
ingredient" or "ancient remedy".
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