Which online resource is most reliable for health information?

• A. Web sites ending in ".com"
• B. Web sites ending in ".edu"
• C. Web sites ending in ".gov"
• D. Web sites ending in ".org"

Answer: (C)

Assessing reliability hinges on who maintains the site and how evidence is presented. Government sites ending in .gov are typically the most trustworthy for health information because official agencies (like the CDC, NIH, or FDA) base content on current research, cite their sources, and update guidelines regularly, often with clear authorship and dates. This combination helps minimize commercial bias and provides transparent references you can verify.

Web sites ending in .com are usually commercial and may have a product or service agenda, which can affect how information is presented. .org sites are non-profit and can be reputable, but quality varies since they’re run by many different organizations with differing standards. Web sites ending in .edu come from academic institutions and can be rigorous, but they may reflect institutional focus or research interests and aren’t automatically more reliable than government sources.

When evaluating credibility, look for up-to-date dates, identifiable authors, cited sources, and whether the information aligns with recommendations from reputable government or professional organizations.