Can you trust this article? Distinguishing information from misinformation

This article was written by the public relations professionals at the University of Utah and distributed by Newswise, a higher-education-focused press release distribution service.

In today’s media landscape, we’re often bombarded with health and science information — and misinformation. Even when health advice comes from reputable sources, much of it can be contradictory, making it hard to know what (and whom) to trust. Health misinformation can be especially dangerous when it encourages health behaviors that aren’t backed by solid evidence, such as taking untested supplements that can have harmful side effects.

Knowing how to recognize trustworthy health information can help you make informed choices about your own health and the health of those around you — and avoid the real risks of taking health fiction as fact. Being able to spot quality health information can also reduce the anxiety we often feel around these decisions. We asked University of Utah communication researchers for ways you can better assess whether a piece of health information is the real deal.

The UofU experts tapped for this piece are Sarah Yeo, a PhD and associate professor of communications, and Isabelle Freiling, PhD and assistant professor of communications. Their advice follows:

Prioritize

Fact-checking every piece of information that comes your way would be impossible. Information that could change your behavior or that of the people around you — like information on the risks or benefits of a medical procedure or drug — is the most important to double-check, Yeo said.

“You don’t think too much about which toothpaste you’re going to buy at the store, because it’s just too much information,” she said. “You don’t need to assess rationally and weigh the pros and cons of every single tube of toothpaste you encounter. But if the new information is something that you’re still learning or on the fence about, it’s especially worth taking the extra time.”

Slow Down

Freiling recommends that, before spreading new information widely, you ask yourself, “Am I very emotional right now — for instance, very anxious? Should I share this right now or should I maybe wait and come back later?”

When you see a new piece of information that could impact you, take a moment to notice how it makes you feel. Health news often plays on fear and anxiety to grab your attention. And feeling anxious tends to make people much more likely to share information with others, whether or not it’s accurate, Freiling said.

Find Multiple Perspectives

Both researchers recommend that, for important information, it can be useful to find out what multiple sources are saying on the topic.

“If I’m on social media or reading through media, I try to read things that have differing perspectives,” Yeo said.

For health or science news, you might find different perspectives in health magazines, general news sites with different slants, government websites or research studies. If you check three different sources and they all agree on a statement, it’s more likely to be solid. Plus, looking at multiple perspectives can help you notice your own preconceptions on a topic: people are more likely to trust new information when it aligns with their values.

Check Expertise

Even if a source’s credentials are impressive, it’s a good idea to check what they specialize in, Freiling said.

“While a medical scientist or a doctor has expertise in their specific area, they might not have expertise in another health area,” she explained. “Sources that have expertise on the issue are more likely to have the knowledge to give you good information about it.”

These general strategies can help you assess information for yourself when you’re not sure of its accuracy. But why take our word for it? If this article seems fishy to you, ask yourself how these strategies make you feel. Look up other resources on the topic. And decide for yourself whether the communication researchers involved have expertise in the relevant field.

By critically engaging with health news, you can recognize when it’s accurate and trustworthy. Then, you can make health decisions that are right for you.