Distinguishing reliable sources of health information from those that are unreliable is an important skill for health educators. Consider for example a website that sponsors a claim related to a one-time cure for cancer. What negative implications might this have on the health of those populations that believe the information presented on this website?

The following types of questions may assist you in distinguishing reliable sources of health information:

• Is it promising a quick fix or miraculous cure?
• Is it supporting claims with testimonials?
• Is it an advertisement?
• Is it promoting special supplements?
• Is it overemphasizing one group, or excluding one or more food groups?
• Is it touting special properties?
• Is it claiming that most diseases are due to a faulty diet?
• Is it targeting special audiences?
• Is there a profit motive?

For this Assignment, download and review the Distinguishing Reliable Sources of Information document and the Does Citrus Help Hearts? articles provided in this week’s resources. Reflect on the criteria used to determine if a resource is a reliable source of health information.

Note: In grading every required Assignment, your Instructor uses an Assignment Rubric, located in the
Course Information area of the course navigation menu. Review the Rubric prior to completing your Assignment.

The Assignment:

• Compose a 2 – 3 page essay paper using APA writing standards and citations.
• Summarize and critique the Does Citrus Help Hearts? article by using the Distinguishing Reliable Sources of Information (PDF) document to evaluate the article. Explain if this article is a reliable source of health information and provide specific examples within the article based on the below information.
  • Is it promising a quick fix or miraculous cure?
  • Is it supporting claims with testimonials?
  • Is it an advertisement?
  • Is it promoting special supplements?
  • Is it overemphasizing one group, or excluding one or more food groups?
  • Is it touting special properties?
  • Is it claiming that most diseases are due to a faulty diet?
  • Is it targeting special audiences?
  • Is there a profit motive?
• Explain if there are any flaws, biases, or misinformation in the article and how this might affect health education practice.