Americans are skeptical about how much they can trust medical science. A Pew Research Center survey reports that overall, just 29% of U.S. adults say that they have a great deal of confidence in medical scientists to act in the best interests of the public. 

That comes in part from the onslaught of often contradictory information about the findings and policies of health agencies and researchers.  

The harm that is done by unreliable or false information can be devastating, from having people skip important health checkups or refusing treatments to denying the safety of important preventive measures such as lowering their blood pressure, reducing LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, or getting flu and shingles vaccines.

And that doesn't take into account the harm that comes from people trying untested or dangerous therapies that pop up on everything from TikTok to online retail outlets.

A 2021 survey by the Global Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies found that 95% of online pharmacies are operating illegally.

For reliable information, check out the new Food and Drug Administration resource called "Rumor Control," and the myth-busting info from the Coalition for Trust in Health and Science, co-founded by Research!America.

In addition, my team and I stock the library at LongevityPlaybook.com with the study references and backup for our online information.