WebMD is currently the most visited health site on the internet. But is it a truly an independent and objective online health information resource?

Today’s moms and dads, conscientious and watchful for their family’s health, often research online. As a medical researcher myself, I’m always trying to discern if the information a site contains is safe and credible or not. Along the way, there are some you grow to love and some you learn to distrust.

While the general belief is that WebMD is a trustworthy source of unbiased health information, it’s become quite clear that it is an accomplice, using its internet influence to primarily promote Big Pharma health strategies and products.

WebMD Promoting Wealth Instead of Health

Back in 2010, it was exposed how a free online depression test they marketed was rigged in such a way that no matter how you responded the only answer you could receive was that you were at risk for major depression and should discuss your options with your doctor. This fake test was sponsored by Eli Lilly, the maker of Cymbalta, and its function was quite clear – to get you to inquire about antidepressants.

Eli Lilly was one of WebMD’s original partners and investors, along with Microsoft, DuPont, News Corp, and Silicon Graphics.

WebMD is the first private company to become a partner of the FDA. For every ailment that the health site presents, you get the corresponding pharmaceutical option that the FDA wants you to take. The safe, inexpensive, no-side-effect alternatives and strategies that can help improve your health (and prevent drug-related injuries) are ignored.

“A patient cured is a customer lost.” ~Big Pharma

The Wealth-Seeking Subsidiaries

Furthermore, their partnerships and subsidiaries suggest that WebMD is anything but an independent consumer website offering accurate and unbiased health advice. (They own four of the top ten most visited health sites on the web, further extending pharmaceutical companies influence.)

The WebMD Health empire includes the following subsidiaries:

Drugs.com

Medscape

MedicineNet

eMedicine / eMedicine Health

RxList

theHeart.org

Monsanto is the latest corporate giant to wield its influence through WebMD’s popularity. (source)

And lastly, in 2013, The Washington Times reported that the federal government awarded WebMD a $4.8 million contract for its agreement to post pro-Obamacare propaganda on its website, including the deceptive article “7 Surprising Things About the Affordable Care Act.”

So if you’re one one of the nearly 12 million people who visit WebMD.com every month, you’re getting a healthy dose of Monsanto propaganda along with your “health research”.

I do not obtain medical advice from WebMD whose sponsors consist of unscrupulous, deceptive companies.

“Believe nothing that you hear, nothing that you read, and only half of what you see.” ~My Granddad

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” ~James 1:5

I research many places, but find myself returning to: (which you will not readily find on a casual search anymore as they have been downgraded in the search engines. So much for free speech)!

What credible and safe sites do you research?