Health Literacy Month: Know where to find reliable health information
01 Oct 2026
From reading test results to following medicine instructions or working out where to seek help, health information is not always easy to understand. Knowing how to check information and ask for help can make these tasks easier.
Prepare before seeing a health professional
Think about what you want to discuss before your appointment. Writing down your questions and taking a list of your medicines can help you remember important details.
If something is unclear during the appointment, ask your health professional to explain it. Before leaving, check that you understand what you need to do next and the reason for it.
Healthdirect’s Question Builder can also help you prepare questions for your appointment.
Check information before relying on it
Health advice is widely available online, but some information may not be reliable.
Before using health information, consider:
- Who produced it?
- Is it from a recognised health organisation, government agency or another reliable source?
- When was it published or updated?
- Does it explain the evidence behind the information?
- Is it promoting a particular product or treatment?
If you are unsure about something you have read, discuss it with an appropriate health professional.
Useful sources include:
Health Resource Directory – provides free local health information for people living in South Western Sydney.
healthdirect – provides Australian health information and advice.
Translated health resources for refugee communities – provides health information in translated formats.
Speak up when something is unclear
People can ask for health information to be explained in a different way, written down or provided in another format if needed.
Interpreter services may also be available for people who prefer to communicate in a language other than English.
Asking questions can help you understand your health information, make informed decisions and know what to do next.
Health Literacy Month: Know where to find reliable health information
Source: South Western Sydney Primary Health Network