We’ve all seen posts on social media and received text messages and emails from well-meaning friends and family about how to prevent and treat coronavirus with some miracle cure. Before we forward these on to others – and certainly before we do anything suggested in these posts – we should stop and think about whether the information they contain is valid. Here is how I evaluate the validity of health information comes my way:
Consider the source
Here I’m not just talking about who posted or forwarded the information but also the source from which the information originated. Note that just because something is purported to have come – or actually did come – from a nurse or doctor doesn’t mean that it is valid. Evidence based practice of nursing or medicine (or social work or public health or …) is far from universal.* One of the best ways to avoid health misinformation is to stick to well trusted sources such as the WHO, the CDC and its international equivalents, state and local health departments, universities, and scientific journals, such as JAMA and Science. Anything you read from these sources will have undergone a vetting process.
Look to see if it includes citations from trusted sources
Information from the above sources will always include citations so that if you want to you can go to the original source – usually a scientific journal article or report – to, among other things, verify that the statements made are correct. The same should hold true for valid information from other sources, such as newspapers and magazines – or even FB posts, Tweets, etc. I generally disregard anything without citations.
Look at the comments/responses
If there are comments/responses/replies available, as on Facebook, Twitter, blog posts, etc., read through them. Often if something is untrue, multiple people will have called it out in the comments – often with citations to back up their assertions. Even if the comments say that something is legitimate, be skeptical unless there are references from trusted sources.
Do an internet search
Last, but not least, a really great way to check out whether something is bogus is to do an internet search. For example, suppose your cousin sends you something saying that drinking bleach will prevent coronavirus infection. A quick Google search using the words “drink bleach coronavirus” turns up a page full of results saying that this is untrue and harmful. Don’t drink bleach!
The bottom line
Do your part to stop the spread of misinformation. Always evaluate whether health information is legitimate before you take personal action based on it or pass it on to others in your network.
Coming soon… Why do the recommendations keep changing?
*This statement requires references! Here’s one example, and another, and yet another.
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