Where can you go for accurate health information these days? The internet is loaded with misinformation about health, vaccines, and nutrition. When you’re serious about your health, especially in midlife, you want solid answers—not internet nonsense. But with so many websites, social media posts, and flashy headlines out there, it’s tough to know what’s real and what’s just noise.
Recent changes to federal health websites have raised concerns about their reliability. Fortunately, there are independent sources that offer truthful alternatives.
Can I trust government websites for accurate health information?
In early 2025, thousands of health federal government websites intended to keep the public informed about infectious diseases, mental health, and vaccines were taken offline.
Many eventually returned — in large part because a judge ordered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to temporarily restore the pages — but some have been altered. The changes, along with uncertainty around the future reliability (or mere existence) of these sites, has led some public health experts to question whether federal websites can continue to be trusted as the gold standard of trustworthy health information.
Federal health agencies are already facing a crisis of confidence. When a recent national poll asked respondents how much trust they had in the C.D.C. to make accurate health recommendations, more than 1/3 replied “not much” or “not at all.” Nearly half said the same about the Food and Drug Administration.
Experts fear that with less trust in public health institutions, people seeking medical information will turn to social media, where misinformation is rampant. That makes it even more important for the public to be able to find evidenced-based sources of health information.
Here are five websites run by independent organizations that have accurate, easy-to-understand information. They can help you get reliable health info, avoid misinformation, and stay on top of your wellness game:
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Vaccine Education Center
Of all the health information on federal websites, medical experts have been increasingly concerned about the availability of accurate vaccine information. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current US Health Secretary, has been a longtime critic of vaccines and has spread misinformation about their safety for years.
These anxieties worsened after an anti-vaccine nonprofit founded by Mr. Kennedy published a page that mimicked the design of a C.D.C. site about vaccine safety but promoted the debunked theory that vaccines caused autism.
So if you’re confused about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, you’re not alone.
With so much conflicting information online, it’s easy to feel unsure about what’s safe and what’s not. That’s why the Vaccine Education Center, created by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is worth bookmarking.
This site gives you:
- Vaccine schedules by age
- Clear explanations of how vaccines work
- Evidence-backed answers to common concerns
Every article is reviewed by hospital doctors. The center is funded by the hospital and by donations, and does not accept money from vaccine manufacturers, so the information stays neutral. It’s also recognized by the World Health Organization for meeting strict accuracy and transparency standards.
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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
A growing body of research has found that social media is rife with inaccurate information on infertility, Pap smears, birth control and other women’s health issues.
To help sort fact from fiction, A.C.O.G. has created a website that offers vetted information on routine gynecological care, like cervical cancer screenings, as well as on topics that have been caught in political crosshairs, such as abortion.
The site pulls accurate health information from medical societies, government agencies, nonprofits and A.C.O.G.’s own guidelines. Subject matter experts review each page.
The organization checks the content every two years and updates it as needed.
A.C.O.G. accepts funding from certain corporations and foundations, but only if it does not pose a conflict of interest and if it “in no way affects A.C.O.G’s objectivity, priorities, and actions,” according to the organization’s website.
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The Cleveland Clinic’s Health Library
TikTok trends can be fun—but not when it comes to medical advice. To counter medical misinformation, the Cleveland Clinic created a searchable library that provides vetted health information about viral trends, answers general questions about medications and procedures, and offers expert takes on alternative remedies or supplements.
If you’ve ever Googled a nutrition supplement, or if you are interested in a health “hack” you saw online, the Cleveland Clinic Health Library is a great place to check the facts. It covers:
- Alternative remedies and supplements
- Prescription medications and side effects
- Health myths vs. science
Each entry is written by a team of professional journalists and subject-matter experts from the Cleveland Clinic, who draw from peer-reviewed journals and research—not rumors.
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HealthyChildren.org
If you’re a parent or grandparent, you’ll want to know about HealthyChildren.org. Run by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this site covers everything from newborn care to teen mental health.
The website provides information on a wide range of topics that affect children from infancy to young adulthood. It also offers useful interactive tools, like a “symptom checker” that lets parents input a child’s symptoms and then offers guidance on treatment.
Physicians who specialize in each topic write the articles, which are periodically reviewed. The organization also says that doctors also review any external websites linked on healthychildren.org for accuracy. All of the information is also available in Spanish.
The website does have some corporate sponsors (disclosed here), but they emphasize that these companies do not have any influence over the editorial content.
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The Tracking Report
Want real-time updates on public health threats like flu or measles outbreaks? You can subscribe to The Tracking Report, a free newsletter run by a group of experts at the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health.
The newsletter uses data from medical journals, international health organizations and U.S. agencies to compile weekly updates about outbreaks in the United States and abroad. In recent weeks, the newsletter has covered topics like bird flu and the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas.
The team has recently started collecting infectious disease data from state and local health departments, according to Jennifer Nuzzo, the Brown epidemiologist who runs the newsletter.
Experts also recommended the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases as a resource for accurate health information, including symptoms and treatment of conditions such as Covid-19 and the flu. Internal experts review all the information before posting to ensure the site is an evidence-based, reliable source of information.
FAQs for finding credible health information
1. How do I know where to find accurate health information online?
Your first step is to examine who is publishing the information. Here are some additional tips from NIH News in Health. WebMD offers these tips for finding reliable health information online:
- Check for credibility:
Look for websites owned or sponsored by reputable organizations like medical schools, hospitals, or large professional/nonprofit groups (like the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society). - Consider the author:
Is the information written by a genuine medical professional or reference a similarly trustworthy source? - Look for contact information:
Does the site offer a way to reach out to ask questions or get more information? - Check for updates:
When was the information last updated? Outdated information can be inaccurate. - Be wary of “simple cures”:
Be skeptical of websites promising quick and easy solutions to complex health problems. - Be cautious with websites that are primarily selling products. According to MedlinePlus, it’s essential to assess who runs the site and their agenda.
2. How do I know if what I am reading is true?
Reliable health information is grounded in scientific research. Look for:
- Citations and references: Credible articles often reference studies from peer-reviewed journals.
- Review dates: Ensure the information is current by checking when it was last updated.
- Expert reviews: Content reviewed by medical professionals adds credibility.
- 3. Be Wary of Sensational Claims
If a website promises quick fixes or miracle cures, skip it. Statements that seem too good to be true probably are.
3. Discuss Online Findings with Your Healthcare Providers
While online resources are helpful, they shouldn’t replace professional medical advice. If you find information online that concerns you, discuss it with your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
4. Stay Updated and Informed
Health information evolves rapidly. Regularly check trusted sources for the latest guidelines and research. Being proactive ensures you make informed decisions about your health and wellness.
In Conclusion
Finding accurate health information online requires diligence and critical thinking. By following these tips, you can confidently find and utilize reliable health resources to support your wellness journey.
And if you need some assistance, just drop us a note and we’ll set a time to talk!
About The Author
Dan DeFigio is a well-known health coach and personal trainer in Nashville. Dan has been featured on CNN’s Fit Nation, The Dr. Phil Show, SELF Magazine, Readers Digest, MyFitnessPal, Shape Magazine, and a host of other media outlets. Dan is the author of Beating Sugar Addiction For Dummies, and other popular health books.