MedlinePlus – Bias and Credibility

MedlinePlus - Pro Science - Least Biased - Credible

Factual Reporting: Very High - Credible - Reliable


PRO-SCIENCE

These sources consist of legitimate science or are evidence-based through credible scientific sourcing.  Legitimate science follows the scientific method, is unbiased, and does not use emotional words.  These sources also respect the consensus of experts in the given scientific field and strive to publish peer-reviewed science. Some sources in this category may have a slight political bias but adhere to scientific principles. See all Pro-Science sources.

  • Overall, we rate MedlinePlus as Least Biased and pro-science based on evidence-based health information without ideological influence. We also rate it Very High in factual reporting for its use of high-quality sources and strict content selection criteria.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: PRO-SCIENCE (-0.5)
Factual Reporting: VERY HIGH (0.0)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation/Government
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic

MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

MedlinePlus is an online health information resource launched by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world’s largest medical library and part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The website provides high-quality, trusted health information in both English and Spanish. MedlinePlus covers a wide range of topics, including health conditions, medical tests, medications, dietary supplements, and healthy living. Information is sourced from around 500 reputable organizations. In 2021, the site had over 418 million users and 888 million page views.

Read our profile on the United States media and government.

Funded by / Ownership

MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), which operates under the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a government-funded resource, MedlinePlus does not display advertisements or endorse commercial products or services.

Analysis / Bias

MedlinePlus provides factual, evidence-based health information with no discernible bias. The website sources its content from reputable institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). It includes a vast range of health-related topics, including diseases and conditions, medications, and medical tests. Information is clearly presented, well-sourced, and regularly reviewed to maintain accuracy.

Additionally, the site avoids opinion-based content and does not publish editorials, ensuring neutrality in reporting. Given its reliance on authoritative medical institutions and lack of political or commercial influence, MedlinePlus maintains a strong reputation for accuracy and objectivity.



Failed Fact Checks

  • None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate MedlinePlus as Least Biased and pro-science based on evidence-based health information without ideological influence. We also rate it Very High in factual reporting for its use of high-quality sources and strict content selection criteria. (D. Van Zandt 03/15/2025)

Source: https://medlineplus.gov/

Last Updated on March 15, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check


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