In order to make healthy choices, it is important that you seek out reputable health information. The following topics are common health topics related to the student, faculty and staff populations at Princeton University:

Interested in discussing how these topics are being addressed on our campus? Contact Health Promotion and Prevention Services (HPPS).

Find and Evaluate Health Information on the Web

Curious about a different health topic or want to learn more? Simply typing a question or phrase into a search engine can yield thousands of results. To assist you in evaluating the quality of health information on websites, here are some elements to consider before trusting health information, including:

Source Quality

Determine who is sponsoring the website by reviewing their "About Us" or similar webpage. This may give you an idea about the credibility of the content. There should also be a way to contact the source. Typically, websites run by the Federal Government (.gov), a non-profit institution (.edu) or a professional organization (.org) are reputable. Double check most commercial websites (.com) for recognized sponsorship. The written content on a health website should use simple language, not "jargon" and be professional (e.g., full sentences, proper grammar).

Does the website present facts, rather than opinions? Does it cite the author? You can determine the reliability by viewing the abstracts, professional literature, or other websites referenced among the website content. Use caution with vague or invalid references. When in doubt, fact check another source for information.

Timeliness

How long ago was the website updated? Health information changes constantly and websites should reflect the most up-to-date information. The date of publication should be posted at the bottom of the webpage. If you click on any links that do not function properly, the site may be out of date.

Protect Your Privacy

Be cautious of what you share online, to protect the privacy of your health information. If any website asks for personal information, like your name, address, date of birth, mother's maiden name, be wary. Before sharing any information, refer to their privacy policy to see how they share information.

Additional Resources

The University Health Services (UHS) web site is maintained for the purpose of providing informational resources to students, faculty, and staff of Princeton University and its contents are not intended to be used as a substitute for the advice or services of medical professionals. Consult your medical provider regarding matters related to health including diagnosis and treatment. Princeton University and UHS will have no liability for any individual's use of or reliance upon any material contained or referenced herein.