Using the Internet Safely For Seniors

Figure 14-2

Be Wise about Using Online Medical Advice

There are very reputable medical Web sites that provide a wealth of

information about a broad spectrum of medical conditions. On the

other hand, there are also plenty of quack sites that dispense entirely

spurious medical “advice.” So how can you tell the difference?

Here’s some advice about online medical advice sites:

➟ It may seem obvious, but one of the best resources for

advice on good medical sites is your doctor. Ask your

health professional if he recommends a Web site for

your specific condition.

➟ Look for the Health on the Net Foundation (HON)

seal of approval. (See Figure 14-3.) This seal is given

to only those sites that are accredited against a strict

set of principles. If you don’t see this seal on the site,

search for sites that have it.

➟ A company called URAC gives accreditation to health-

related sites. A committee of experts regularly reviews

accredited sites for accuracy and quality.

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Part III: Protecting Your Wealth and Your Health