Editorial Policy
The principles behind how we plan, write, source, review, update, and correct health content.
Editorial principles
Health content should be useful, clear, appropriately cautious, and specific about what evidence can and cannot show. Editors should distinguish established guidance from emerging evidence and opinion.
Sources and citations
Prioritize peer-reviewed research, professional medical organizations, public health agencies, academic medical centers, and authoritative clinical references. Commercial sources should not be the primary evidence for health claims.
Medical review
Articles containing material clinical claims can be routed to an appropriate reviewer. Reviewer credentials, role, and review date should be visible to readers.
Updates and corrections
Significant medical or factual changes should trigger review. Material corrections should be made promptly and update dates should reflect meaningful edits rather than cosmetic changes.
Commercial independence
Editorial decisions should remain separate from advertising, sponsorship, and affiliate relationships. A recommendation should not be made solely because it can generate revenue.
Feedback
Readers should have a clear path to report an error, outdated claim, accessibility problem, or other concern.