Trusted Medical Sources: Antidotes to Misinformation and Disinformation

“Good inspiration is based upon good information.” President Russell M. Nelson

Misinformation and disinformation related to health care and public health pose an especially alarming threat. Whether the questionable information is coming from a family member during the holidays or a politician on a podcast, the politicization of health issues stirs up mistrust and fear and risks disease spread, negative health outcomes, and disruption to critical services and programs. Individuals and families can respond by deprioritizing unqualified voices and instead seeking out nonpartisan, expert medical sources when making decisions about their health. 

Trained medical experts have earned public trust, and modern healthcare is rooted in evidence-based practice — the gold standard. Evidence-based practice is guided by a thoughtful integration of the best available scientific knowledge with clinical expertise. This approach allows the practitioner to critically assess research data, clinical guidelines, and other information resources in order to correctly identify a clinical problem, apply a high-quality intervention, and reevaluate the outcome for future improvement.

This article presents four categories of trusted medical sources — organizations and agencies that have earned credibility for their research, care, regulation, and recommendations, some for more than a century. These and other sources provide the antidote needed to dispel misinformation and disinformation.

Healthcare providers

It is important for individuals to have an established and trusted primary care physician or practitioner. Patients should feel open to ask them questions. They can provide tailored information based on individual conditions plus personal and family history. Pharmacists serve as a resource for information about medications, vaccinations, and adverse drug interactions, which is why it is beneficial to fill all medications at the same pharmacy. Providers like dentists, physical therapists, mental health experts, and specialized physicians gather their patients’ needs and health history and apply evidence-based practice to treat them.

Research institutions

The following leaders in medical research represent credible sources of medical information and have long informed health practices around the world. These two examples represent the wealth of research available; there are many others that also contribute credible research.

Mayo Clinic: From 1883, when Dr. W.W. Mayo and his family sacrificed their own means to assist victims of the tornado in Rochester, Minnesota, to a mass of critical research that has impacted “all of humanity” today, the Mayo Clinic is one of the oldest and most trusted sources for medical information in the world.

Contributions: Developed a system to grade tumors, won the Nobel Peace Prize for the discovery of cortisone, performed the first series of heart bypass surgeries. 

Johns Hopkins: With a focus on healthcare available to all, philanthropist Johns Hopkins opened a hospital in 1889 followed by a university to train physicians. Now a vast network of services and innovations, Johns Hopkins has significantly advanced medical science. While Johns Hopkins stands out for the sheer volume and impact of its research, other universities, such as Harvard and Stanford, also conduct world-class medical research and serve as trusted sources of medical information. 

Contributions: Antiseptic surgery, social work and psychiatry as part of medical care, first pediatrics specialty and department, leader in organ transplants.

Government agencies

These three agencies impact the quality of national and global healthcare on various levels. 

National Institutes of Health (NIH): A one-room laboratory at a Marine hospital in 1887 became the NIH; it now includes 27 institutes and centers that specialize in certain body systems or diseases. The main campus is located in Bethesda, Maryland, with other locations dotting the globe.

Contributions: Leader in chemotherapy treatment for multiple types of cancer, developed the first pregnancy test, pioneered brain imaging techniques, including PET and MRI scans.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “Advancing health through science, technology, and innovation,” the CDC recommendations impact national and global society. The CDC is historically known for predicting and managing public health, including vaccinations and disease outbreaks.

Contributions: Provides global emergency medical response, trains “disease detectives,” provides immunization experts around the globe. 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA controls the safety and effectiveness of medicines, vaccines, and food products. It also regulates and inspects foods like meat and products like cosmetics. 

Contributions: Published and now enforces tamper-resistant packaging requirements for over-the-counter drugs, created the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, formed the Drug Safety Oversight Board.

Professional and nongovernmental organizations

Both professional and nonprofit organizations advance healthcare innovations and services throughout the nation and the world. The following offer a few key examples, and many others provide education and evidence-based recommendations.

World Health Organization (WHO): With 8,000 professionals, including doctors and scientists, the WHO coordinates medical discoveries, services, and preventions in 150+ locations across the globe. Sprouting from the United Nations in April 1948 and governed by its own constitution, the WHO remains the global authority on health issues.

Contributions: Tracks, gathers, analyzes, and reports on health statistics; considered the authority on data such as life expectancy and infant mortality rates.

American Medical Association (AMA): The AMA is the largest professional association of physicians and medical students in the U.S. It provides guidance on medical ethics, public policy, and clinical practice, making it a trusted source for both healthcare professionals and the public. 

Contributions: Establishes and updates evidence-based medical guidelines and best practices.

American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG): This group of more than 60,000 obstetrics/gynecologists and related medical professionals is committed to improving the quality of care for women. Originating in 1951, this organization is now one of the most credible sources of information for women’s health.

Contributions: Provides varied and extensive training for OB/GYN professionals, supports campaigns to detect misinformation and disinformation.

Kaiser Family Foundation: This nonprofit organization’s work includes policy analysis, polling, and health information. Founded in 1991, it has become a trusted source for medical and public health information. 

Contributions: Provides data and polling research about medical topics including the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): The AAP is a group of more than 67,000 pediatricians entirely focused on the health of children. Its research, training, and recommendations are considered among the most credible for children's health, spanning the stages from infants through the young adulthood.

Contributions: Provides the latest recommendations for vaccinations and other critical needs of children.

Other sources, such as the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Cancer Society (ACS), are also well established and can be counted on by the American public for scientific legitimacy:

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints generally adhere to modern medical practices. The Church handbook tells us, "Members of the Church should seek out and share only credible, reliable, and factual sources of information." In an interview with “LDS Living” in October of 2020, MWEG's co-executive director, Emma Petty Addams, described an experience where she found herself doubting all information regarding a health concern in her family. She then outlined five insights that helped her through that difficult time. Among those insights was to seek out credible information from the best earthly sources and remember that “good inspiration is based upon good information.” This taught her to be humble and acknowledge that complex problems require expertise.

Simple intuition or untested guidance without seeking out credible information — even when it comes from people with large platforms — is risky. Fortunately, we can turn to proven medical sources to advise on health and health care issues and to mitigate risk.

This article was written by Sherilyn Stevenson, lead researcher and writer, with Paulette Stauffer, environmental program specialist, and Jill Fairholm, family health and well-being program specialist at Mormon Women for Ethical Government.