Editorial Policy
What You Can Expect From Us
Who Provides Health Information For Us
How We Evaluate the Health Information You See
Who Writes the Health Information For Us
Healthy Change Programs
General Health Information
How We Identify Conflicts of Interest
For More Information
As a user of this site it is important that you are informed about our editorial processes and guidelines. We want you to know that we value your use of the Site and want to earn your trust. As a health care organization, we strive to provide you with accurate, comprehensive, culturally relevant, language-specific, and reliable health information that can use to help you take action to avoid common lifestyle-related health problems. We have not provided health information written for a doctor or in medical terms, and the health information we provide for consumers is written specifically for consumers to better inform themselves and encourage them to adopt healthy behaviors. The information on the Site if for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for regular medical advice.
We feel it is critical that you know about our editorial processes so you can judge, on your own, the type of health information we provide on this site. The following sections provide detailed information on who provides the information for us, how health information is evaluated, and who writes the information, and we outline our conflict of interest policy.
It is important that you understand that the health information content offered on this site cannot replace nor is it meant to represent a health care patient-provider relationship. You must always consult with a professional for diagnosis and treatment for specific health problems.
What You Can Expect From Us
o We will reference, whenever possible, who wrote the material, where it is from, who reviewed it, and when it was written and last updated.
o We have not presented to you, to our knowledge, any health information that is false, misleading, or has claims of therapeutic benefit without sufficient clinical support.
o We do not, to our knowledge, allow health information on this site that promotes ineffective of dangerous products.
o We separate our health information from all forms of advertising and sponsorship so you can understand or see the difference between an advertisement and content. At this time, we have no advertising or sponsors for our health information, and we do not sell or promote products.
o It is not our intention to gather information about you on what health information you look at that could be used to identify you. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information what data collection and use.
Who Writes the Health Information
Diversity Wellness’ editorial decision-makers maintain complete editorial independence regarding the programming of the site. The information, tools and trackers you'll find at the Site and were conceived, created, edited and reviewed by health educators, scientists and health professionals, in accord with generally accepted standards for the benefit of Site members seeking to make healthy lifestyle changes. Diversity Wellness’ Scientific Advisory Board includes representatives from medical schools, schools of public health, and community-based health education programs. Subject matter experts also review specific content contained on the Site.
Healthy Change Programs
Diversity Wellness organizes its information, tools and services into Healthy Change Programs -- comprehensive on-line experiences that help users take action to avoid common lifestyle-related health problems.
General Health Information
In its Healthy Change Programs and elsewhere on its Website, Diversity Wellness aims to give its members current, reliable, culturally relevant health information related to nutrition, physical activity, diabetes, heart health, stress, tobacco use, and sun exposure. We strive to adopt a literacy level consistent with our targeted employee populations and consumer base.
Diversity Wellness articles frequently refer to general information on nutrition, physical activity, stress, tobacco and skin cancer based on the findings of medical studies and research supported by a preponderance of evidence, and that are generally accepted as reliable in the scientific community. Any member who wants citations on specific studies can contact Diversity Wellness at We
support@diversitywellness.com.
At the same time, Diversity Wellness is aware that medical research is ongoing and recommendations may change over time. Diversity Wellness pledges to make every effort to keep up-to-date with relevant health news, and ensure that pertinent new information is reflected in its programs promptly, based on the professional judgment of its staff and its Scientific Advisory Board. We review Site content at least annually.
Remember that the articles and tools Diversity Wellness provides are for informational purposes only. They are not meant to override or take the place of an ongoing relationship with a health care professional. Generalized information found on our site describes nutritional and exercise strategies , smoking cessation techniques, and stress reduction practices that are broadly accepted by the medical and scientific community as conducive to a healthy lifestyle, but should never to be used in lieu of professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Always promptly consult with a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment of specific health problems and consult with your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise program.
The Editorial Process
Diversity Wellness editors independently decide which topics and information appear on the site, based on their professional experience and judgment. Content on the Diversity Wellness site is reviewed for accuracy prior to publication by either subject matter experts, with credentials or at least 3 years experience in the related field, or by members of our Scientific Advisory Board, based on the SAB members' area of expertise. The SAB members offer the editors guidance on any controversial issues before articles are assigned, and contribute to the overall direction of the Diversity Wellness programs and major content areas of the Web site. When, in the judgment of Diversity Wellness' professional staff, an article contains any disputable scientific and/or medical facts, it is sent to a member of the Diversity Wellness Scientific Advisory Board before publication for review and approval.
Scientific Advisory Board Compensation
Scientific Advisory Board members are compensated for their participation in Diversity Wellness content creation. We are satisfied that any outside interests or obligations that any board members may have do not interfere with the quality of their work for Diversity Wellness, or the provision of accurate information. Any potential conflicts unknown to Diversity Wellness that arise will be studied and addressed by the Quality Oversight Committee.
Quality of Information
Diversity Wellness strives to provide accurate, current and useful health information. We rely on the demonstrated accuracy and integrity of our professional editors and writers, all of whom have built a reputation of excellence and a record of accomplishment in their fields They are supported by the expertise of our Scientific Advisory Board.
Every effort has been made to ensure that our site content is useful, accurate and reliable:
- Diversity Wellness insists on high journalistic standards of accuracy and integrity, including the use of multiple sources. We periodically review and update our content as new research comes to light.
- Diversity Wellness' Healthy Change Programs adhere to the established principles of the Diversity Wellness Philosophy, which incorporates nutritional and exercise strategies, smoking cessation techniques, and stress reduction practices that are broadly accepted by the medical and scientific community as conducive to a healthy lifestyle. All recommendations in nutrition, fitness, tobacco cessation, stress reduction, reducing sun exposure within the programs conform to these principles.
Source Identifications
All health content and self-assessment tools have an author or source; all assessments have a scientific basis that reflects generally accepted, credible evidence and research in nutrition and fitness. Authors of articles found on our site are identified with a "byline" and a short biographical identifier that lists their primary professional affiliations and experience. In some cases when content has been developed by Diversity Wellness staff, it is attributed to Diversity Wellness.
Linking to External Web Sites
Diversity Wellness provides links to other Web sites that may be of interest to our members. Informational links are those which are strictly for informational purposes, based on the judgment of our professional editorial team; no endorsement of those sites is implied. Diversity Wellness has no relationship with these sites, and members should be aware that these sites are not covered by Diversity Wellness' Terms of Use.
Editorial Independence
Diversity Wellness maintains complete editorial independence. Decisions about the information that appears on our Site are the responsibility of our professional editorial staff and the Diversity Wellness Scientific Advisory Board. Diversity Wellness does not accept advertising, nor do we give commercial sponsors any approval rights over editorial information (health information content).
Current Information
Diversity Wellnessstrives to review and update articles and tools at least annually. All articles, programs and tools are reviewed and updated more frequently as needed based on new health research, or updates to Diversity Wellness' products and services. Articles, tools and programs are continually evaluated for their relevance to Diversity Wellness' audience, including cultural relevance, language specificity, the latest science and their ability to encourage members to take action in improving their health.
Who Is Reviewing and Creating Content for Diversity Wellness?
Diversity Wellness' Scientific Advisory Board includes clinicians, medical professionals, and university researchers. Diversity Wellness' professional editors, health educators, writers and nutritionists (Registered Dietitians) prepare the information that appears in the Healthy Change Programs and elsewhere on the Web site. Some of these people have full-time staff positions at Diversity Wellness, others are contracted on a freelance basis.
Conflicts of Interest
Diversity Wellness requires writers and editors who contribute to the Web site to reveal any potential conflicts of interest before accepting an assignment. These may involve financial arrangements, affiliations, personal actions or relationships, or any other factor that may create a perception that the integrity of the information they contribute is somehow suspect. We will not knowingly engage a writer or editor to contribute information in any area where a relationship may call the integrity of the information provided into question. If such a relationship is reported to us, the Quality Oversight Committee will study it and address it.
Updating This Policy
Diversity Wellness' editorial policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary. We recommend that you read the editorial policy regularly.
Effective Date
This Editorial Policy was Last Reviewed June 2010
Viridian Health Management, Inc