The 5 C's
Credibility, currency, content, construction, and clarity are the 5 C's you can use to make sure you have a quality website. Credibility
Where is the information coming from? First, knowing where the information is coming from is important. Does it have an author? What qualifications, education or job does the author have? Is the website sponsored by the government? Is it a non-profit organization? Websites that are sponsored by medicine schools or health professions (such as nurses and doctors) are more likely to have good information. Medical centers and the U.S. government are also trustworthy.
Currency
Is the website easy to use and up-to-date? Look for when the information was last updated or reviewed. Research improves health knowledge often. Imagine if we still believed that the world was flat? As time passes, our technology and information on health improves. Do the links work properly? Sometimes if the website isn't working right, then it's not maintained often enough.
Content
Are there any advertisements? Advertisements may mean they are trying to sell you something, so the information they give you will be for the product they are trying to sell.
How popular is the website? Is one of the sites that pop's up right after a search? The easier it is to access the site, and the more popular it is, and the better marketing it has, helps with the overall quality of the website.
Construction
What is the overall impression of the website? Is the website organized well? Does it have graphics and pictures? Is the information your'e looking for, easy to find? Is the font easy to read? Are there too many distractions?
Clarity
Is the website aimed for you personally? Can you understand the words? Medical words can be confusing. Making sure that you can understand the health information given is important. This helps involve you to bring you closer to better your health. Is the website available in different languages? Can you listen to it instead of read it?
Quality websites
Here are a list of some quality health related websites. Click on their icon for a direct link to their web page:
The American Cancer Society (ACS) mission is to "free the world from cancer". They help fund and conduct research, provide information about the disease and how to prevent it. The ACS helps support cancer patients to live a better, longer life. 
The American Health Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association (ASA) fight against heart disease and stroke, hoping to improve and save lives.
Kids Health from Nemours is a non-profit organization for children's health. They give the confidence and the tools for parents, teens, and children to make informed decisions for their health. 
Mental Health.gov is a U.S. government website aimed to help give access to mental health to educate the public, leaders and policymakers, schools, and health professionals.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) fights with volunteers, diabetics, and their families against the disease. Funds go into research for management, prevention, and a cure against diabetes. They fight for diabetic rights, serve communities, and give diabetic health information.
The Alzheimer's Association is a voluntary foundation to health support and research Alzheimer's. It enhances research and care and aims to health reduce dementia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a protection for America's health from threats. It provides information about health threats and takes action against them.
Medline Plus is the National Institutes of Health website specifically for patients and families. It gives information that you can understand about diseases and conditions. It also gives up-to-date information and the latest treatments.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is aimed to seek knowledge and apply that knowledge to improve health and lives; also by reducing illness and disability.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) gives information to American patients and healthcare providers to help improve the health care system and make informed health decisions.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)improves the lives of older people, encourages them to serve, live with independence, dignity and purpose. Alexander, S., Frith, K. H., Hoy, H. (2019). Applied clinical informatics for nurses.(2nd ed.) Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Roberts L. (2010). Health information and the internet: The 5 Cs website evaluation tool. British Journal of Nursing, 19(5), 322–325. doi:10.12968/bjon.2010.19.5.47075
