Wellness Wake Up Call

From social media to artificial intelligence, health information is everywhere. But is it accurate?

What is Wellness Wake Up Call?

Wake up to better health with Wellness Wake Up Call! In just two minutes, University of Illinois Extension and WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, bring you bite-sized, science-based guidance to support lasting health and well-being. Each episode offers simple, practical tips and motivation to help you take small steps toward a healthier, happier life.

Good morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with University of Illinois Extension.
With internet access always at our fingertips, it can be difficult to determine what is fact vs. fiction. Here are some online examples and what to watch out for:

• Extension services: Any state land-grant university and extension service are good resources. Look for websites that end in .edu to make sure they are from a higher education system.
• Online health: Professional organizations and clinics, like the Academy of Pediatrics or Mayo Clinic, can provide reliable health information online. Look for websites that end in .org to ensure it is from a reliable source.
• Artificial intelligence (AI): AI, like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, sources information. Some of it may be reliable and some is not. Check where AI got the information and go to the source directly. AI should not be used to ask personal medical questions.
• Social Media: Always check who posted the content and where their sources come from. If they use reliable sources, the information is more likely to be trustworthy. If they are posting about an individual experience, it may not apply to you.

If you are concerned about anything related to your health, reach out to your Primary Care Provider (PCP). While the internet can help us learn more, it cannot treat medical issues. This week, try learning more about your health using a reliable digital media source.

Thank you for listening! I hope you have a happy and healthy day ahead. The content for this episode was provided by Rachel Mannen, Food and Nutrition Educator for University of Illinois Extension.