Rascarasca Health Notes
Checking Before Publishing
Before an entry joins the shelves, its claims go through a set of checks. This page lists them, both so readers know what to expect and so that we hold ourselves to them.
Where we look first
Our preferred background comes from patient-facing material published by public health services, national health bodies, professional associations for dentists, midwives and pharmacists, and charities that work with clinicians. These organisations write for the public, update their pages and usually explain the limits of what they say.
| Type of source | How we use it |
|---|---|
| Public health service guidance | Main reference for practical steps and safety notes |
| Professional body patient leaflets | Checks on wording and on when to refer people on |
| Charity and support group material | Context on lived experience and available help |
| Manufacturer or seller pages | Only for factual product details, never as an independent view |
| News reports of single studies | Treated with caution and not used for firm claims |
How claims are weighed
- A practical step goes in only if it is widely recommended and safe for most adults.
- When respected sources disagree, the entry says so in plain words.
- Advice that varies from country to country is described as varying, with a pointer to local services.
- Anything that requires knowing a person's history is turned into a question to ask a professional.
Numbers we leave out
Health writing is full of tempting figures: percentages, timelines, targets. If we cannot trace a number to a reliable source and be confident that it applies broadly, it does not appear. We would rather write "for some people" than print a statistic we cannot stand behind. Doses and strengths are always left to pharmacists and doctors.
Wording checks
The second reader and the editor look for sentences that overpromise, frighten or blame. Words like "cure", "guaranteed" or "always" are questioned. Every entry is checked for a visible note about when to seek professional help, and entries on smoking are checked to ensure vaping is never described as harmless.
Named products
Some entries mention a brand or service because it is part of the topic. Those mentions are checked for fairness and accuracy, and for a reminder that the reader should compare options and seek advice before buying.
Fixing mistakes
When a reader reports a possible error, the writer and editor review it against the sources. Confirmed errors are corrected promptly, and significant changes update the entry's revision date. You can report a problem through Say Hola. The broader writing process is described on From Draft to Page.
Rascarasca Health Notes
House standards
Rules every entry has to pass
These checks sit on the editing desk and apply to new entries and revisions alike.
Background comes first from health services and professional bodies writing for patients.
Sellers of a product are never used as an independent voice about that product.
No dose, strength or personal target appears anywhere in the library.
Every entry shows clearly when to contact a dentist, pharmacist, midwife or doctor.
Smoking entries speak only to adults who already smoke and never call vaping harmless.