Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Winter 1999)

Navigating health-oriented web sites is not as easy as it seems. 

With thousands of sites to choose from, it can be hard to know which are worth your time. And if you don't have a healthcare background, how do you know which information is helpful, misleading or even dangerous? 

In the early days of the Internet, the suffix on a web site address was an effective tool when choosing sites. The "org" suffix indicated a site sponsored by a nonprofit organization — potentially a good place to begin digging for information. Conversely, "com" indicated a business-related or a for-profit web site, perhaps not the first choice for unbiased health information. 

Today, while "gov" still means government (for example, www.cdc.gov) and "edu" still denotes an educational institution (try www.uchsc.edu), the "org" and "com" designation no longer mean what they once did. Anyone — private citizens from CEOs to high school students — can buy an "org" or "com" designation. 

Two of the most well known and respected health information sites, Johns Hopkins' InteliHealth and the Mayo Clinic's Health Oasis each contain commercial components.

So how do you determine if a site has quality information, especially when the site is also selling products or services? Many health sites provide information specifically created to boost your confidence level. Look for links like "About Us," "Contact Us," or the site disclaimer, and do some reading to learn more. Check out the credentials of their experts; for example, is the medical doctor responsible for the reproductive health page an OB/GYN or a heart surgeon?

Another hint is look how often the site is updated. Your best bet are sites with either daily or weekly updates or sites with a "breaking news" link.

Once you find a site you like, remember that health information is dynamic and changes frequently, and that conclusions from one study frequently contradict those from another. Second, know that you are an individual with a unique physiology. Health information on the Internet should never take the place of medical advice from your personal doctor; health-related web pages should include this disclaimer.