How to find health information you can trust

  • Key points

    • Misinformation is false information.
    • Disinformation is false information spread on purpose to harm or trick others.
    • Mis and disinformation can stop you from making safe decisions about your family’s health.
    • If health information has a lot of spelling mistakes or does not list its sources, it may not be trustworthy.
    • Look for health information from sources such as Australian government websites or hospitals.
    • Be sceptical. If you are not sure whether something is true, always fact-check before sharing it with others.

    Read the teen fact sheet

    What is misinformation?

    Misinformation is false information. It can be completely made up, a mix of truth and lies, or true but taken out of context in a way that changes its meaning.

    People may spread misinformation by accident or on purpose. For example, if someone shares a false news post on social media, thinking it is true, they are spreading misinformation accidentally. However, if they share it knowing it was not true, they are doing so on purpose – this is called 'disinformation'.

    What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation?

    The main difference between misinformation and disinformation is the aim. Disinformation is false information spread to harm or trick others.

    It includes:

    • hoaxes, such as made-up news stories
    • manipulated information, such as news stories that are overblown or twisted
    • propaganda, such as biased news stories that push a political opinion.

    Why do people spread disinformation?

    People and organisations may share disinformation to:

    • gain power
    • influence opinions
    • get attention
    • scam or defraud
    • sell products or make money
    • show political views.

    How does misinformation relate to health?

    There is a lot of mis and disinformation in the health space – from businesses selling supplements that have not been safety-tested, to celebrities sharing health advice they are not qualified to give.

    Social media has a lot of health misinformation. One example you may have seen is the myth that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism. Scientists have proven this beyond doubt to be false, but it is still widely shared online.

    Mis and disinformation can stop you from making safe decisions about your family’s health and wellbeing.

    Signs of misinformation

    Watch out for warning signs that online health information may not be true or trustworthy.

    Here are some examples:

    • One solution only: There are usually many ways to address a health problem. If a website only offers one solution, such as a product they sell, they may be more focused on making money than helping you. It is best to check advice against trusted sources and speak with your doctor before starting new products or treatments.
    • Asking for personal details: You should be careful with websites that ask for details like your name, email or contact number before they give you any information. There is no way to know exactly who will have access to these details or how they may be used.
    • Urgency: Some websites use strong language like 'buy now or miss out' to try to make you act on impulse rather than logic. Never feel rushed into buying a product or service before doing research and considering all your options.
    • Criticising expertise: If a website selling supplements criticises medical doctors and medicines, stop to think about why. Are they doing it to help you, or because they want you to spend money with them instead? You should also consider whether they have enough training to give health advice.
    • Research data but no sources: Try to find where health research comes from and whether other trusted websites reference it. If you cannot find a source, or the data seems strange – for example, really high or low numbers – it may not be true.
    • Big claims: Be suspicious of websites making big health claims if you cannot find them elsewhere. For example, if a supplement claims to be a 'miracle cure' for an incurable disease, there is a strong chance it will not work.
    • Poor spelling and grammar: Most high-quality sources have expert editors and proofreaders who check content before it is published. If a website has a lot of spelling mistakes, it may not be trustworthy.
    • No review dates: Be wary of websites that do not share when content was published or reviewed. Science can move quickly; without dates, it is impossible to know if the advice is current or out of date.

    How do I know if I can trust a health information source?

    You can usually trust a health website or information source if it:

    • is an Australian government agency, hospital or health service.
      • Look for websites with org.au, gov.au or vic.gov.au addresses, like Better Health Channel.
      • The ends of Australian website addresses have different meanings. For example, gov.au or vic.gov.au are usually government agencies, org.au is usually a professional or not-for-profit organisation, and edu.au is usually for education, such as universities.
    • shares research to support the advice it gives.
    • is either free from conflicts of interest or is clear about them.
    • has information from experts, such as doctors.
    • includes dates so you know when it was published or reviewed.
    • is written in plain English that you can understand.
    • links you to other trusted websites and Australian-based services.

    Tips for finding accurate health information

    Use local sources

    If you are in Australia, try to use Australian sources. This is because laws, treatments and health advice may differ between countries. Australian government agencies, hospitals and health services can connect you with local support and share relevant advice.

    Fact-check all health claims

    Always fact-check health claims and data with trusted sources before sharing them with others. This will stop you from accidentally promoting false advice.

    Be wary of bias and conflicts of interest

    When you read health advice, you should always check for conflicts of interest. For example, think about whether someone could make money from you if you believe what they say or buy what they sell. If the answer is yes, then you should be wary.

    Some examples of conflicts of interest are:

    • A website promoting a product or service that they sell
    • Research into a medicine paid for by the company selling the medicine
    • A celebrity posting paid ads on social media about health products.

    Conflicts of interest are not always a bad thing; they are quite common in medicine. The key is whether these conflicts are clear. Knowing about conflicts of interest allows you to make informed decisions.

    Avoid relying on other people's experiences

    It can be helpful to connect with others facing similar challenges. However, you should not rely on their advice. Everyone is different – treatments that work for one person will not always work for another.

    Make sure you get advice from your child's doctor before changing their medicines or treatments. Supplements, in particular, can sometimes be dangerous as they may interact with other medicines.

    Ask for advice

    It is better to ask for help than wonder if you can trust what you read online. Speak to a pharmacist, doctor or another qualified health professional for specific health advice. Many librarians can also help you spot signs of misinformation.

    Teaching your child about misinformation

    As a parent, you play a key role in teaching your child about the world; this includes what information they can trust and why.

    The best thing you can do to protect your child from the harms of misinformation is to set them up with good habits from a young age. Model behaviours like fact-checking information before sharing it, and getting news from trusted sources. The more your child sees you do these things, the more natural they will seem. Along with helping them find factual information, these skills will also help your child at school and into adulthood.

    If you have a teen who uses social media, try to get them to read posts and articles carefully before sharing them with friends.

    Common questions about finding health information you can trust

    What is fake news?

    Fake or false news is a type of misinformation. It includes stories that look and sound like news but are misleading or completely made up. Sometimes people share fake news as a joke, such as on satire news sites. However, people may also spread it with bad intentions – for example, to change public opinion.

    Where can I find advice about alternative medicines?

    It is best to get advice about alternative medicines from a doctor. This is because some may interact with other medicines and cause side effects.

    In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) regulates most alternative medicines. This means they must meet certain safety standards before they can be legally sold. Alternative medicines approved by the TGA will have an ‘AUST L’ number on the packaging.

    Can I trust the health information in AI summaries?

    AI tools like ChatGPT and Google's AI Overview use existing information on the internet to answer questions. They do not come up with brand-new advice. While the tools are getting better at forming answers using high-quality websites, they can still make mistakes.

    Always fact-check AI health advice. Most AI tools list the sites they used to answer your question; it is best to check those sites yourself. This way, you will know if the advice is from trusted sources.

    Are there any laws around health advertising?

    There are laws in Australia that control how companies can promote health products and services. Three organisations manage most of these laws: the Medical Board of Australia, the TGA and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA). If you think an organisation is breaking the rules, you can report them directly to AHPRA.

    How do I know if a research study is trustworthy?

    Just because a product or service claims to be backed by a study, does not necessarily mean it works or is safe. Studies can vary widely in quality; some are strong, while others are weak and more like marketing tools than scientific research.

    When looking at a study, think about what it was trying to test, who ran and paid for it, how many people took part and how the data was collected. If a study only included five people, and those same people reported the results themselves, it may not prove anything.

    One sign of a good study could be if it has been published in a peer-reviewed journal, like the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) or the British Medical Journal (BMJ). These journals have very high standards. You should also check the type of findings. If a study’s findings are preliminary, this means it is too early to know what they show or mean.

    Finally, try to use studies where others have found the same results. If a study has been replicated, the results are usually more reliable.

    I feel like I have tried everything for my child’s health condition. Is there harm in trying an alternative medicine?

    Some alternative medicines may improve health when used with advice from a doctor. However, you should be wary. Unethical companies target people who are desperate for medical cures. They make money from selling 'hope' and promising to fix problems they cannot solve. It is best to speak with your child's doctor or another health professional before starting an alternative medicine.

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    For more information

    Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Health Literacy team. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

    Reviewed August 2025

    Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.


Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.

Updated July 2025