Last Updated: August 26, 2026
At HealthyReads, we are committed to providing practical, trustworthy, and accessible health and wellness information. This Editorial Policy outlines our content creation process, quality standards, fact-checking methodology, and commitment to transparency.
Our Content Creation Process
AI-Assisted Writing with Human Editorial Oversight
HealthyReads uses artificial intelligence to assist in generating article drafts. This technology allows us to create comprehensive, well-researched content efficiently while maintaining high quality standards. Our process includes:
- Topic Selection: Human editors identify relevant topics based on reader needs, seasonal timing, and common health questions
- Research from Authoritative Sources: All content is grounded in our source tier hierarchy (see Fact-Checking Methodology below)
- AI-Assisted Drafting: AI generates comprehensive article drafts following detailed editorial guidelines
- Fact Verification: Human editors verify factual claims against Tier 1 and Tier 2 sources before publication
- Plain Language Review: We ensure explanations are clear, jargon-free, and useful for readers without a medical background
- Regular Review and Updates: Articles are reviewed on a defined schedule and updated whenever authoritative guidance changes
We believe this hybrid approach combines the efficiency of AI with the critical judgment of human editors, resulting in helpful, accurate content for our readers.
Fact-Checking Methodology
Source Tiers
We use a tiered source hierarchy to prioritize the most authoritative health information available:
Tier 1 — Primary Authoritative Sources (Highest Priority)
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), NIH (National Institutes of Health), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), USDA (dietary guidance), WHO (World Health Organization)
Tier 2 — Strong Secondary Sources
Peer-reviewed medical journals, professional medical associations (such as the American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics), university medical centers and their research publications
Tier 3 — Supporting Reference Sources
Established clinical references and health publishers such as Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Harvard Health Publishing
Source Hierarchy Rule
When sources conflict, we apply a strict hierarchy: government health agencies and peer-reviewed research take precedence over professional associations, which take precedence over commercial health publishers. We note conflicting guidance where it materially affects the article.
Trigger-Based Update Policy
In addition to routine review, articles are updated promptly when CDC or FDA guidance changes, dietary guidelines are revised, a referenced product is recalled, or major new peer-reviewed evidence supersedes earlier findings.
Corrections Policy
We are committed to correcting errors promptly and transparently, using a three-level framework:
Level 1 — Minor Corrections. Typos, formatting issues, broken links, and phrasing improvements that do not change meaning are fixed silently.
Level 2 — Factual Corrections. Incorrect figures, dates, citations, or statistics are corrected, the article’s “Last Updated” date is changed, and a brief inline note is added. We distinguish between “Updated” (new information supersedes the original) and “Corrected” (the original was wrong).
Level 3 — Significant Corrections. Misleading health information or errors that could affect reader decisions receive a prominent editor’s note at the top of the article explaining what changed, why, and when.
How to Report an Error
Email contact@healthyreads.com with the article URL, a description of what you believe is incorrect, and a source showing the correct information if available. We acknowledge error reports within 24–48 hours and correct verified errors promptly.
Quality Standards
- Practical: Actionable guidance that works in everyday life
- Accessible: Clear explanations without unnecessary medical jargon
- Evidence-Based: Grounded in authoritative research and clinical guidance
- Honest About Limits: We say clearly when evidence is preliminary or mixed, and we never present our content as a substitute for professional care
Conflicts of Interest and Disclosures
HealthyReads may participate in affiliate programs. Affiliate relationships do not influence which topics we cover or how we evaluate anything. See our Advertiser Disclosure for complete details. We do not currently publish sponsored content or paid product reviews.
Reader Privacy
We respect reader privacy and do not sell personal information. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Contact Our Editorial Team
General questions: contact form · Error reports and content suggestions: contact@healthyreads.com. Thank you for trusting HealthyReads.