August Newsletter
This Month: Trustworthy Health Information
How to recognize it. Access to information in this
day and age is endless. But how do you know if what
you’re reading is credible? In this issue, we’ll discuss
finding trustworthy health and wellness information
we’ll tell you how to recognize reputable websites,
give you tips for online privacy and how to choose
reliable apps. We’ll also tell you about trusted
resources for health information, including one highly
personalized resource. Remember, you can always
contact your Wellness Coach, who can work with you
by telephone or email, for credible health and
wellness advice.
Credible websites
What to look for, what to
avoid
With so many websites to choose from, it can be
tough to figure out which ones to trust. These basic
tips can get you started:

Treat government (.gov, .us) and educational
(.edu) websites as trustworthy. Just make sure
with any .edu sites that you’re reading information
connected to research studies, not editorial content.

Proceed with caution on nonprofit (.org)
websites. Some, like the American Heart
Association website, are credible—but not all are.
Look at the bottom of the site to see if they’re
accredited by the Better Business Bureau and
National Health Council (if they are, that’s a good
sign).

Be skeptical of commercial (.com, .net) websites.
Much of the information on these sites is
promotional, and these sites often contain content
from unreputable sources.

Check the date. Aim to find the most up-to-date
information. Even if you’re reading reliable content, if
it’s dated 1995, chances are there’s been more
recent research done—and you should seek it out.
Get Started Today
Phone: 800.832.8302
Web: HHHealthAssociates.com
Reliable resources
The following websites are excellent sources of credible
health and wellness information.

For help creating balanced meals, proper
portions and more: ChooseMyPlate.gov

For researching health conditions:
Medline Plus and Mayo Clinic

For heart-healthy tips, meal plans and more:
The American Heart Association

For a variety of health information, including
diseases and conditions, traveler’s health,
workplace safety and emergency preparedness:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Your Wellness website:
HHHealthAssociates.com
Let’s get personal
How your health survey can
help
Although the internet is a wealth of information, it’s
tough to find credible material that is tailored
specifically to your needs. Our Personal Health
Profile, also known as a Health Risk Assessment can
help.
Online privacy tips
How to stay secure
Don’t let your health information get compromised
when you’re surfing the internet. Follow these tips for
a safer online experience.

The Personal Health Profile is a survey that
provides you with a snapshot of your current health
status and risks for certain diseases and conditions.
Completing it is the first step toward better health—
and personalized help.
Don’t save or store your Wellness website
password, or other health website passwords,
on your computer or through your web browser.
Instead, pick passwords that are easy for you to
remember but challenging for others to guess,
and commit them to memory.

Simply log in to your member website anytime, 24/7,
and answer the Personal Health Profile questions—
it’ll only take you 15-20 minutes. Soon after, you’ll
receive a customized report outlining your health
status and specific steps you can take to improve
your health.
Don’t enter sensitive information, including
anything regarding your healthcare or health
insurance, on public computers—this can prevent
hackers
from
accessing
your
personal
information.

Cover your tracks. If you’re on a shared
computer and have signed in to any health or
wellness websites, or have been browsing the
web for information about any diseases or
conditions you may have, consider deleting your
browsing history—this can keep the next user
from knowing your business.
Your Personal Health Profile results are strictly
confidential, and no individual data will be reported to
your employer. However, if you wish to share your
Personal Health Profile report with others—such as
your primary care physician, Wellness Coach, or
other medical personnel—it can serve as an
important resource and springboard for healthy
changes.
Your member website
is available 24/7
Your Wellness website features fun tools and resources
to help you reach your wellness goals. Log on today to:





Contact a Wellness Coach
Take your Personal Health Profile (also
known as a Health Risk Assessment)
Take online workshops for help losing
weight, getting fit and more
Log your progress with food and exercise
trackers
Access wellness tips, articles, and healthy
recipes
Get started now:
www.HHHealthAssociates.com
Choosing trustworthy
apps
Similar to websites, health-related mobile apps can
be tricky to navigate. These tips can help you choose
safer mobile apps:

Only download apps from your mobile device
store.

Read reviews of any app you’re considering
obtaining.

If an app makes outlandish promises, proceed
with caution.

Review the permissions an app requires—some
want access to personal information. If this
makes you uncomfortable, steer clear.
QUIZ: How much do you
know about finding reliable
health and wellness
information?
1.
All .org sites are reliable
a.
2.
c.
4.
National Accreditation
Association
None of the above
 Wellness Coaching
Your personal Wellness Coach can help you lose
weight, eat better or reach other health goals.
b. False
Which of the following entities helps accredit
organizations and businesses to let readers
know that their website is trustworthy?
a.
3.
True
Reminder! Your Wellness Coach is
available via telephone, email or instant
message to help you reach your health
goals.
b. Better Business
Bureau
 Your Member Website
Visit your member website for information, tools, tips
and more!
Get Started Today
It doesn’t matter how current the information is
on a website
Phone: 800.832.8302
a.
Website: HHHealthAssociates.com
True
b. False
Your Personal Health Profile (or Health Risk
Assessment) gives you credible, personalized
health information.
a.
True
b. False
Who is eligible?
The Wellness Coaching feature is available to eligible
employees, their spouses and dependent children, age 18
and older.
Answers: 1 b, 2 b, 3 b, 4 a
Help is Just a Phone Call Away
©2013 Health Advocate, Inc