HONcode certificate: respect of the 8 HONcode principles by the health website

| | | | | | |

Certificate of compliance with the Code of Conduct HONcode

The health Website
About: Thyroid Disease
is in compliance with the HONcode

Title of the site: About: Thyroid Disease
Web address: http://thyroid.about.com/
HONcode PIN number : HONConduct079537
Date of initial review: 01 Nov 2005
Validity of certificate 21 Jan 2013 - Jan 2015
Date of last visit 11 Jun 2013

This certificate confirms the revision of the site by the HONcode Team at the above date.
It respects and pledges to honor the 8 principles of the HON Code of Conduct (HONcode).

* 1. Authoritative 2. Complementarity 3. Privacy 4. Attribution 5. Justifiability 6. Transparency
7. Financial disclosure 8. Advertising policy

Speed access of ethical health information online is critical.

Help us in our mission:

Do you think the site is not respecting the HONcode?

The Health on the Net (HON) certificate serves as a guarantee that this website, at the date of its certification, complies with and pledges to honor the 8 principles of the HON Code of Conduct as drawn up by the HON foundation.

The responsible of the certified site commits to keep the site in compliance with the HON code principles for the duration of the certification.

Although measures such as a complaint mechanism, the periodical review and the automatic surveillance mechanisms are put in place to guarantee the compliance of the certified website with the ethical principles of HON as much as possible, incidental inaccuracies cannot be completely excluded. In no event the HON foundation and/or its partner(s) can be held liable for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use HON certified websites nor can the HON foundation and/or its partner(s) be held liable for the content of these certified websites, including, but not limited to the information of third-parties or hyperlinks accessible via HON certified websites.

The certified website is responsible for the content of its website, unless otherwise provided by law.

>>

You will find below the elements identified by the HONcode team at a precise date to justify the respect of the 8 ethical principles.

The content of this certificate has been collected and written by the Health On the Net Foundation (HON) and should not be used without previous permission granted by HON. A request for permission can be sent to: HON.

1. Information must be authoritative

Articles are written by medical professionals selected by the About team http://www.about.com/health/review.htm

About.com Medical Review Board
(12 Apr 2012) -

For the collaborative platform:

Welcome to the Thyroid Disease forum, moderated by your Thyroid Guide, Mary Shomon, and patient advocate Leslie Blumenberg.
(12 Apr 2012) -

2. Presentation of the site
Mission: mission of the sites at : http://www.about.com/health/review.htm

About.com Health sites are for individuals who are interested in building on their knowledge of general wellness, healthy behaviors and diseases/conditions. The educational information on our sites is provided to help you better understand the medical challenges you face, as determined by your health care provider, and to complement your efforts to live your healthiest life.
(12 Apr 2012) -

Audience: audience at : http://www.about.com/health/review.htm

Purpose of the website Disclaimer at : http://www.about.com/health/review.htm

The information, facts, and opinions provided are no substitute for professional advice. Always consult your primary care physician for any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and before undertaking a new diet or exercise plan. This Service and the Sites are for informational purposes and should be used in conjunction with health care professionals.

(12 Apr 2012) -

3. Confidentiality

About.com will never share, rent, or sell your personal information without your consent, unless it is required by law.
(12 Apr 2012) -

4. Information must be documented: Referenced and dated

author of the article : http://thyroid.about.com/bio/Mary-Shomon-350.htm
Review by medical board : http://www.about.com/health/review.htm
If sources needed, citations provided : http://thyroid.about.com/od/hormonepregnantmenopause1/a/malignantnodule.htm

Only data for one sample are displayed among those selected.

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
(12 Apr 2012) -

legal page : http://www.about.com/gi/pages/mprivacy.htm dated
med : http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hyperthyrdgraves/a/graves.htm dated

Updated February 26, 2012
(12 Apr 2012) -

For the collaborative platform:
All posts are dated

5. Justification of claims

Overview of possibilities of treatment : http://thyroid.about.com/od/thyroidbasicsthyroid101/u/treatments.htm

Recommended thyroid treatment approaches depend on the type of thyroid disease you have, and in some cases, the severity of the condition
(12 Apr 2012) -

6. User support and adequation

Email Me link under each Patient advocate's name

To contact any member of the Medical Review Board regarding About.com health content, please email Please note that the medical review board cannot provide guidance for personal medical issues.
(12 Apr 2012) -

7. Disclosure of funding sources

Funded by the NY Times Company

A part of The New York Times Company
(12 Apr 2012) -

8. Advertising policy

All banners are identified

Sponsored Links
(17 Jun 2010) -

Advertising policy : http://www.about.com/gi/pages/ethics.htm

We do not accept illegal advertisements or any advertisement that About.com feels is objectionable or in bad taste.
(12 Apr 2012) -

Advertising policy : http://www.about.com/gi/pages/ethics.htm

All advertising content is clearly distinguished from the editorial content by the following labels: advertisement, sponsored links, ads.
(12 Apr 2012) -

You have your own website ?

Automatic verification of the certification status of health/medical websites.