Evaluating Health Information

Part 1: Health Product

Instructions: Think of a health product that you have seen advertised recently, such as a dietary supplement, essential oil, or safety equipment for a sport. Answer the following questions about this product. Do additional research if necessary.

What health product did you choose? What does this product supposedly do?

What claims does this product or company make about its impact on health?

Where was this product advertised? Who do you think is the target audience?

Where can people buy this product?

How much does this product cost?

Are there restrictions for purchase of this product (on age, for example)?

Instructions: Find an article that provides information about the health benefits of this product. Answer the following questions to evaluate the reliability of this information.

Provide a citation for the resource you found for your health product. Include the article title, author, information sponsor, and publication date.

Identify one example from your article of the author’s use of science or pseudoscience for health claims. Describe this example here.

Using the checklist is your resource valid and reliable?

• True

• False