At Free Market Healthcare, we believe that access to accurate health information is not a luxury — it is a necessity. This Editorial Policy outlines the standards, processes, and principles that govern every piece of content we publish.
Our Editorial Standards
Healthcare content falls under what Google and the broader information quality community refer to as “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) content — information that can materially impact a person’s health, safety, or financial well-being. We hold ourselves to the highest standard of editorial rigor because the stakes demand it.
Our editorial standards are built on four pillars:
- Accuracy — Every factual claim is verified against authoritative primary sources before publication.
- Transparency — We cite our sources so readers can evaluate the evidence independently.
- Currency — We monitor for changes in medical guidelines and update published content when the evidence base shifts.
- Objectivity — We present information based on the weight of scientific evidence, not ideology, sponsorship, or personal opinion.
Content Creation Process
1. Topic Selection and Research
Each article begins with a clearly defined editorial purpose: what question are we answering, and why does it matter to our readers? Our writers then conduct comprehensive research using peer-reviewed medical literature, government health agency publications, clinical practice guidelines, and data from established medical institutions. We do not rely on secondary sources alone; wherever possible, we trace claims back to the original study, dataset, or clinical recommendation.
2. Writing and Sourcing
Our content is written by experienced health and medical writers who specialize in translating complex clinical information into language that is accessible to a general audience without sacrificing precision. All significant medical claims within an article are supported by inline citations or references to the source material. When we discuss statistics — prevalence rates, treatment efficacy, cost data — we include the source, sample context, and date of the underlying research so readers can assess its relevance.
3. Medical Review
Articles that address medical conditions, treatment options, pharmaceutical information, or clinical health advice are reviewed by qualified healthcare professionals prior to publication. The role of the medical reviewer is to verify clinical accuracy, flag potential misinterpretations, and ensure that the content reflects current evidence-based practice. Reviewed articles carry a “Medically Reviewed By” attribution identifying the reviewing clinician and the date of review.
4. Editorial Review
Before publication, every article undergoes a final editorial review for clarity, readability, factual consistency, and adherence to our style guide. This review also verifies that all sources are properly cited, links are functional, and the content meets our accessibility standards.
Sources We Trust
We prioritize primary and high-authority sources in our research and citation practices. Our most frequently referenced sources include:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Library of Medicine — the largest biomedical library in the world
- PubMed — the premier database of biomedical and life sciences literature
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — the U.S. national public health agency
- World Health Organization (WHO) — the leading international health authority
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — for healthcare cost and coverage data
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) — for evidence-based screening and prevention recommendations
- Peer-reviewed medical journals — including The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, The Lancet, and BMJ, among others
- Professional medical associations — such as the American Medical Association (AMA), American Heart Association (AHA), and American Cancer Society (ACS)
We do not cite anonymous blogs, social media posts, or promotional materials from pharmaceutical or device manufacturers as primary evidence for medical claims.
Content Updates and Maintenance
Medical knowledge evolves continuously. Drug approvals change, clinical guidelines are revised, and new research can alter the understanding of a condition or treatment. We are committed to keeping our content current:
- Published articles are reviewed on a regular schedule to ensure they reflect the latest available evidence.
- When we make substantive updates to an article, we note the revision date at the top of the page.
- If an article’s core recommendations are affected by new evidence, we prioritize updating it promptly rather than waiting for a scheduled review.
Corrections Policy
Despite our rigorous process, errors can occur. When they do, we correct them promptly and transparently:
- Minor corrections (typos, broken links, formatting) are fixed immediately without a formal correction notice.
- Substantive corrections (factual errors, misleading statements, outdated medical information) are accompanied by a correction notice at the top of the article that describes what was changed and when.
- Retractions are issued in the rare event that an article’s fundamental premise is found to be unsupported by the evidence.
If you believe any content on our site contains an error, please contact our editorial team at hello@freemarkethealthcareblog.com. We take every report seriously and will investigate promptly.
Editorial Independence
Our editorial content is produced independently and is not influenced by advertisers, sponsors, or commercial partnerships. When we review or compare healthcare services, platforms, or products, our assessments are based on publicly available information, published research, and our own editorial evaluation criteria — not on compensation or affiliate relationships. Any material connection that could affect the objectivity of a piece of content is disclosed clearly within that content.
Questions About Our Editorial Process
We welcome questions about how our content is created, sourced, and reviewed. Transparency is central to trust, and we are happy to explain our process in detail. Contact us at hello@freemarkethealthcareblog.com.