Too Complex, Too Unreliable: Gaps in the Quality of Online Health Information for Adults with ADHD

Abstract Despite the significant increase in demand for health information on adult ADHD, there is a substantial gap in research evaluating the information sources on adult ADHD. This study aims to systematically evaluate the readability and reliability of websites providing information on adult ADHD. The first 100 links generated from searches for “adult ADHD” on Google were screened, resulting in the selection of 58 websites for quality assessment. Each website was evaluated for reliability using the JAMA Benchmarks framework. Additionally, the Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch–Kincaid Readability, and SMOG Index scores were calculated to evaluate the readability of the information provided. Additionally, the correlation between readability and reliability was examined. 57% of the websites had a JAMA benchmark score of less than 3, suggesting low reliability among adult ADHD health information websites in general. Furthermore, readability scores of nearly 96 percent of the included websites surpassed the suggested sixth-to eighth-grade reading level, indicative of poor readability. Interestingly, website typology emerged as a relatively stronger predictor of readability. These findings highlight the urgent need for clearer, trustworthy online health information. Enhanced regulatory oversight and equipping healthcare professionals to guide patients toward high-quality, readable resources are critical steps to improve the digital information landscape for adults with ADHD.