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editorial process
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our <anchor>editorial process</anchor> to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Our Editorial Process
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Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ⓒ 2024 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved

# Our Editorial Process

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When it comes to your health, you need to feel confident in the choices you make and in the information that helps you make them. That’s why it’s important for us to share with you how we do what we do.

## Mission Statement

Today, a simple online search for something like “headache remedies” can leave you convinced that you need a trip to the emergency room...or even worse. You need easy-to-understand advice that won’t alarm you, advice that’s written by medical experts who know what they’re talking about and who genuinely care.

It’s our duty and responsibility to make sure you actually understand what you’re reading—and that it doesn’t scare you. We work hard to break down complex health jargon, reflect the latest evidence-based research, and present the most accurate information in a way that empowers you to take an active role in your health.

Verywell Health answers your health questions in the very moments that they matter most to you. We understand that health is a journey, so we intend to be your partner along the way, equipping you with the information necessary to continue making informed and actionable choices. Every year, we help 300 million people who come to Verywell Health seeking answers to their health questions.

We have one mission—help you make the best choices for your health.

## Content Integrity

Verywell Health abides by the Dotdash Meredith Content Integrity Promise to ensure the quality and trustworthiness of our content and editorial processes. You can read that promise here.

At Verywell Health we aspire to provide the highest quality content produced by humans, for humans. It is against our guidelines to publish automatically generated content using AI (artificial intelligence) writing tools such as ChatGPT.

### Ethics Policy

## The Verywell Voice

We understand that online health information can be impersonal, overwhelming, and scary. But it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we approach everything through the lens of our readers, making sure that all of our content is presented in an authoritative yet compassionate manner.

We hit that sweet spot that shows you that we know what we’re talking about and that we care. Think of us as your friend...who also happens to be a doctor.

## Diverse Voices

We have a renewed commitment to help all people navigate their health and well-being—regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, culture, geography, body type, ability, or experience. We are invested in working with BIPOC health writers, Anti-Bias Review Board members, expert sources, illustrators, photographers, and more to create, edit, and enhance our content—not just on isolated topics of race, but across our brands’ coverage. Read Verywell’s Anti-Racism Pledge to learn more about our promise of diversity, inclusion, and equity.

As a health brand that reaches more than 38 million readers per month, Verywell has the power and responsibility to create positive change. We have pledged to recruit and amplify Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) contributors across Verywell.

As stated in our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge, we are committed to reaching our goal of at least 25% BIPOC staff. BIPOC staffers currently make up 21% of the Verywell Health, Verywell Mind, Verywell Family, and Verywell Fit teams. We aim to accurately report on contributor demographics quarterly. We also work closely with our recruitment team to ensure we consider a diverse panel of candidates for each role.

## Editorial Team

Our highly-skilled editorial team manages all of our content. Every piece of content has several people behind it working to make sure that it’s responsible, accurate, understandable, helpful, comprehensive, up-to-date, inclusive and grounded in evidence-based research and reporting.

You may see our “ Team Verywell Health” byline on some articles. This byline indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. In some cases, several writers and editors contribute to an article over the years. These collaborations are intended to bring you the most accurate and comprehensive information.

We rely on primary sources, input from credentialed medical experts, and a team of conscientious news writers and thorough fact checkers to provide you with the latest and most important updates in the world of health and wellness. From groundbreaking research to the latest guidelines, Verywell Health goes beyond breaking news to provide the context and insights needed to keep you and your family informed.

## Subject-Matter Expert Writers

Our writers are notable voices in their respective disciplines, from physicians to medical journalists to patients/patient advocates. These individuals are specifically selected for both their extensive knowledge and real-world experience, as well as their ability to research and communicate complex information in a clear, helpful, and unbiased way.

## References, Sources, and Citations

We fact check medical statements, claims, and suggestions with the most current primary references, including peer-reviewed medical journals, government organizations, and academic institutions. Sources are listed both inline and at the bottom of every article.

Verywell favors human research and proven treatments, though relevant animal research and experimental/alternative treatments may be reported if that’s all that’s available to promote an understanding of a topic.

We strongly discourage use of anonymous or unnamed sourcing, as this can erode transparency and reader trust. We do not report using “off the record” methods, meaning any information from the source would not be included in the article. You may see a case where a source comments “on background,” which means we provide information without directly naming the person who provided the information. In those cases, we will disclose the reporting method. These decisions are made by editorial leadership.

## Medical Expert Board

Our Medical Expert Board—composed of over 150 board-certified physicians across a variety of different specialties—vets content containing statements of medical fact. They work tirelessly to provide the necessary critique that ensures our information is accurate and current.

Content is reviewed by a board-certified physician whose specific area of expertise aligns with the content topic. A medical reviewer will confirm that a piece of content—whether article, illustration, video, tool, or other resource—is thorough and contains facts and guidelines that reflect the latest in evidence-based research and health information.

If improvements are suggested, they are shared directly with our editorial team to be addressed and implemented immediately. It is only when a medical reviewer approves a piece of content that it is officially stamped as such in the byline.

## Up-to-Date Information

Times change and so does information. With help from our subject-matter experts and Medical Expert Board, our editorial team routinely evaluates our existing content to ensure all information is updated and reflective of the most current research, guidelines, and statistics.

If needed, content is re-worked, re-edited, and re-certified by our Medical Expert Board. If you happen to come across any inconsistencies or outdated facts, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

## Fact Check

We also rely on our team of qualified and experienced fact checkers who provide a critical step in our commitment to content integrity. Fact checkers rigorously review articles for accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Our fact checkers use only the most current and reputable primary references, including peer-reviewed medical journals, government organizations, and academic institutions. Each fact checker’s name and a link to their profile page can be found on the documents they review.

## Accuracy and Corrections

The accuracy of our information and news articles is core to Verywell Health. So too is our commitment to accountability to our readers and transparency about our accuracy and corrections practices.

Our library of educational content is routinely updated, reviewed by our professional review board, and fact-checked to make sure it is  accurate, complete, relevant, and up-to-date. Articles that have been updated show the latest date since update, so you can be sure you’re reading complete and accurate information. News articles cover an event in time and are not routinely updated.

We are committed to telling readers when an error has appeared, and to correcting it. When we discover a significant error of fact, we will correct the article as quickly as possible and add a correction note. All corrections are dated and explain what information was corrected.

Here’s an example of a correction: Correction - November 11, 2023: A previous version of this article misstated illnesses caused by RSV. RSV causes bronchiolitis, not bronchitis.

We welcome our readers’ participation in our ongoing commitment to accuracy. If you believe we have published a factual error in any of our content, please let us know and we will review and take appropriate action. You can report a possible error by emailing us at feedback@verywellhealth.com. We also welcome feedback of any kind. In addition to this contact, you can also reach us through a form at the bottom of every article page.

We strive to be transparent in how we present our content, so that readers can understand the types of articles they’re reading. Most of our articles are informational, providing critical background and facts on a health topic.

In our news content, we cover the latest news and health trends. Occasionally, we publish opinion and analysis news articles to provide much-needed context to a topic, and those articles are labeled as “opinion” or “analysis.” Opinion articles express the views of the author and give insights into the topic. Analysis articles are in-depth examinations of a topic, usually through the lens of the author’s expertise.

## Independence and Impartiality

Verywell Health is committed to independent, impartial, and fair journalism. Our editorial content is not influenced by our advertisers or by ownership. Every staff member and contributor is held accountable to a high standard of honesty and transparency. We follow the Society of Professional Journalists Ethics Code.

Verywell Health is owned by Dotdash Meredith, which is an operating business of IAC.IAC common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol IAC. The CUSIP number is 44919P 50 8.

Content that is provided by an advertiser is labeled “paid content.” In line with our mission to provide answers to health questions, we are dedicated to publishing unbiased, comprehensive reviews of products and services. Our reviews are based on robust research and product testing. These articles have links for readers to purchase products, and we may receive commissions from these purchases. We do not accept compensation for the consideration of these product recommendations.

Verywell Health writers and editors don't make editorial decisions based on any personal relationships with companies. This allows us to better provide fair and impartial information.

All of our writers, editors, and reviewers are responsible for disclosing any potential conflicts of interest, such as a financial deal, with any source or resource that may compromise their ability to provide fair and impartial information.

As with many publishers, our writers and editors are sometimes provided with complimentary products or services for review purposes. We are transparent and disclose when any valuable products or services are provided to our editorial teams. Our editorial staff and contributors must not solicit gifts or services for personal purposes.

## Originality

Our goal at Verywell Health is to provide helpful, original, and unbiased content. All information is verified, attributed, and original. We do not copy the work of others. Any suggestion of plagiarism is investigated fully, and we expect all contributors to follow all applicable laws, standards, and accepted journalistic practices including:

## Connect With Us

We love to hear from our readers— here's how you can reach us.

### Reader Engagement

Use our Share Feedback form at the bottom of each article. Here, you can tell us if an article was helpful, report an error, or share other feedback. The responses recorded here go to our editorial staff, who assess accuracy and make updates, as needed.

### Contact Us

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Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ⓒ 2024 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved

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