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Untrustworthy Organizations in the Healthfinder Database

Healthfinder^® is a government-run site which claims to be "your guide to reliable health information." The site states:

• In the healthfinder selection process, each organization is reviewed to establish its general reliability and credibility, as well as its ability to respond to inquiries from the public. Once an organization is selected, its traditional contact information, direct Internet links (if available), and an abstract describing the organization and its information and referral services are entered into the healthfinder database.
• Organizations should provide a substantial amount of consumer health information as part of their mission, and that information should be current, consistent with basic science and recommendations of recognized authorities, and well-designed.
• Only after we carefully review an organization do we choose information from its Web site for our health library.

Unfortunately, the "careful review" does not seem to include sufficient willingness to confront quackery. The following organizations are listed in its database, even though, in most cases, I have notified the Healthfinder staff that they promote untrustworthy ideas. The most egregious inclusion is the American College for Advancement in Medicine, which is under an FTC cease-and-desist order not to misrepresent chelation therapy in advertising yet continues to do so on its Web site.

 

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance

Alternative Medicine Foundation
American Academy of Environmental Medicine
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
American Association of Oriental Medicine
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
American Chiropractic Association
American College for Advancement in Medicine
American Holistic Health Association
American Holistic Nurses' Association

American Massage Therapy Association

American Meditation Institute

Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
Association for Integrative Medicine
Association of Chiropractic Colleges

Autism Society of America

CAM Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases

Center for Addiction and Alternative Medicine Research

Center for the Study of Autism

Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Council for Naturopathic Medical Education
Council for Responsible Nutrition
Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Emory University Center for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Environmental Health Network

Flower Essence Society

HELP-Institute for Body Chemistry
International Chiropractors Association
National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
National Center for Homeopathy

National Certification Board for Therapeuic Massage and Bodywork
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Reflexology Association of America

White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy