The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the reliability of federal health websites. Thousands of sites run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were initially taken offline during President Donald Trump’s second term, sparking fears that public health institutions are losing their credibility.
However, experts recommend turning to independent sources for accurate health information. Here are five trusted websites:
1. Vaccine Education Center: A program created 25 years ago by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to dispel misinformation and provide evidence-based vaccine information.
2. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (A.C.O.G.): Offers vetted information on routine gynecological care, including cervical cancer screenings and abortion care, after subject matter experts review each page.
3. Cleveland Clinic’s Health Library: Provides verified health information about viral trends, medications, procedures, and alternative remedies through a searchable library written by journalists and subject-matter experts.
4. HealthyChildren.org: A website operated and funded by the American Academy of Pediatrics, offering reliable information on children’s health topics from infancy to young adulthood, with interactive tools and articles written by physicians.
5. The Tracking Report: A free newsletter compiled weekly updates about outbreaks in the United States and abroad using data from medical journals, international health organizations, and U.S. agencies.
These independent sources provide a safer alternative for finding accurate health information, mitigating concerns sparked by changes to federal health websites and the loss of public trust in public health institutions.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/well/health-information-accurate-online.html