New Opportunities for Accessing Health Information in the Twin Tiers
	Non-Recommended Sites

Web Searching Search engines Medical search engines Metasearch Engines Subject directories Medical directories Search techniques Evaluating Information Issues to Consider Evaluation Checklist Medical Databases PubMed Health Reference ASAP Internet Grateful Med ClinicalTrials Database Descriptions Help Using Databases Document Delivery Interlibrary Loan Loansome Doc DocLine Miscellaneous Tools Current Awareness Electronic Journals Medical Reference Grant Opportunities Training the User Issues to Address Handouts to Use Sample Outlines Glossary Webster Medical Dictionary Other Online Glossaries Bibliography Workshop References Home Back to Workshop Home		The following sites are NOT recommended and they DO NOT meet the Health on the Net Foundation Code (HONcode) of Conduct or other standards for high quality, reliable, authoritative health information on the Internet.  The HON Code is a voluntary code of conduct for sites purporting to give out health information.  Users are well-advised to examine each website they visit to see if they are abiding by these principles.         HON Code Principles Info given only by qualified health professionals. Clearly states that info does not replace professional-patient relationship. Provides confidentiality for visitors. Gives clear references to all source data and specific URLs wherever possible. All claims are backed by balanced evidence outlined in #4 above. Clarity in web design and webmaster (with contact information) clearly given. Disclosure of any and all potential conflicts of interest are given. Advertising is clearly marked as such and advertising policy is disclosed. Examples of “Bad” Sites Aspartame Site - http://www.aspartamekills.com/   Bombards the visitor with a first person testimonial about how aspartame killed their mother and continues with pictures and the following:  “Donald Rumsfeld, In June 1977, he became Chief Executive Officer of G. D. Searle & Co., a worldwide pharmaceutical company, where he served until 1985. The turnaround there earned him awards as the Outstanding Chief Executive Officer in the Pharmaceutical Industry in 1980 and 1981.  He along with Robert Shapiro are solely responsible for using their political muscle and graft to buy off the FDA and get NutraSweet approved and are responsible for the death and disease caused.”  The site then requests money, “If each of  the 28 thousand visitors this month alone put just $1 in an envelop[e], we would have enough money for more than a full year of broadcasting. If you send us $5 or more, we will send you a flyer distribution kit.”   ConfidentialRx.com - http://www.confidentialRx.com   Sells prescription drugs without having a physician’s prescription.  The site claims, “ConfidentialRx.com is a professional, responsible and secure online service offering patients all throughout the world easy, discreet access to a large selection of safe  medications. No prior prescription is required, and we utilize only certified U.S. physicians and pharmacies, and we ship DIRECT to your home or office. (no P.O. boxes)”   Feline Reactions to Bearded Men - http://www.improbable.com/airchives/classical/cat/cat.html  An example of a research hoax:  “Cats were exposed to photographs of bearded men. The beards were of various sizes, shapes, and  styles. The cats' responses were recorded and analyzed.”  The text will provide a few chuckles for cat lovers. GeroVita - http://www.gerovita.com   An online drugstore that is not Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) certified.  Little information about the creators of the site and their credentials is available. GeroVita International - http://www.gvi.com/GVIWeb/home1.html   GeroVita International is an online drugstore that sells dietary supplements as anti-aging products.  This site uses common scientific “buzz” words to describe processes and products.  Little information about the creators of the site and their credentials is available. GHmedical.com - http://www.GHmedical.com   Sells prescription products such as human growth hormone without having a physician’s prescription and implies that one of their physicians will review the information submitted.  It claims that human growth hormone reverses the effects of aging.  Note the following from their waiver statement, ”I accept these risks and assume the responsibility for my own actions in ordering saizen ® over the Internet, without the benefit of a personal, face to face physical examination by a physician. … I also understand that after a doctor reviews my medical questionnaire and determines that saizen ® is appropriate for my condition, I hereby authorize a charge of $85 US to be charged to my credit card for the doctors consultation.” National Medical Society - http://www.medical-library.org   Advertises online medical and psychiatric diagnosis and states, “Online Medical Diagnosis is a diagnosis and treatment program that uses medical specialist[s] to accurately diagnose symptoms. It generates a diagnosis based on individual symptoms, and it provides treatment options. … Click on the symptom, then enter additional symptoms to receive [a] diagnosis”  This is sponsored by the National Medical Society.  The name could easily be mistaken for the American Medical Association which is the legitimate national professional association for physicians.   NordiCalite - http://www.ari.net/nordicalite   An example of a health scam identified by the FTC.  According to their ad, “Just dissolve one NordiCaLite in a glass of hot water at least 30 minutes before each meal. While you relax with this delicious, all-natural soothing beverage, the secret ingredient in NordiCaLite has already started to release the toxins trapped in your subcutaneous fat cells  -- those lumpy bulges that keep you from having the slim, trim silhouette you deserve.”   Rethinking AIDS - http://www.virusmyth.net/aids/  An example of a dangerous site that starts by asking visitors to sign a petition "... to find the truth about 'AIDS.'" One of the links includes distorted statements such as the following text, "In short, 'HIV' is a myth, along with many of the beliefs accompanying the theory. The pictures of the virus that have appeared around the world are artists' impressions and computer simulations, based on indirect observations by molecular biologists, not isolation of the virus itself."  The Smoking Section: Home of Smokers with Attitude - http://www.smokingsection.com An example of a special interest group attempting to refute scientific evidence by using half-truths and inflammatory language. The creators also quote articles found in popular magazines as authoritative resources. VitaFREE -  http://www.vitafreeradio.com   Advertised on TV as vitafree.com,  this site promotes the use of vitamin supplements to cleanse the system and promote health.  Tiny print states, “Neither the information or supplements presented here have been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.”   Little information about the creators of the site and their credentials is available. Wellquest International - http://www.bloussant.com   Promoted on TV, this site advertises the use of an herbal preparation to increase bust size.  Information presented does not include side effects, contraindications, or interactions with medications.     Also beware of look-alike (sound-alike) Web sites.  For example, whitehouse.gov is the Web address for our president’s home.  On the other hand, whitehouse.com is a pornographic site.
Funded by the National Library of Medicine through the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region. Sponsored by South Central Regional Library Council of New York. Created by Kay Benjamin, Last updated April 2, 2001.