Inside the Good Housekeeping Medical Review Board: Safeguarding Health Content with Science and Integrity
A dedicated expert panel upholds rigorous review to deliver reliable wellness information.
About the Good Housekeeping Medical Review Board
The Good Housekeeping Medical Review Board stands at the heart of Good Housekeeping’s commitment to deliver information that is accurate, trustworthy, and backed by science. Tasked with reviewing health, nutrition, and wellness content, this panel of board-certified physicians, licensed dietitians, psychologists, fitness specialists, and editors ensures every piece of advice upholds the highest editorial standards before reaching millions of readers. Their collaborative process helps the brand remain a household name synonymous with reliable guidance.
Our Commitment: Editorial and Medical Integrity
Good Housekeeping’s editorial process is grounded in rigorous standards and a clear separation between content and advertising. The Medical Review Board is an independent, multidisciplinary team whose mission is to:
- Review health, nutrition, and wellness articles for accuracy and scientific validity.
- Evaluate sources and ensure all claims are referenced from reputable, peer-reviewed studies or recognized organizations.
- Update existing content as needed when new research emerges or guidelines change.
- Clarify technical information for a general audience without oversimplifying or distorting facts.
By putting readers first, the Board collectively upholds values of accuracy, fairness, and transparency in every article, review, and recommendation published.
Meet the Medical Review Board Experts
The Medical Review Board is composed of professionals with diverse expertise in medicine, nutrition science, psychology, fitness, and editorial practices. Each member plays a distinct role and brings specialized knowledge to the board:
- Board-certified physicians and medical doctors review and confirm that all clinical recommendations and medical claims are consistent with the latest research and practice guidelines.
- Registered dietitians and nutrition experts analyze evidence behind dietary advice, ensuring readers receive guidance that complies with current nutrition science and regulatory standards.
- Licensed psychologists and mental health specialists validate advice pertaining to emotional well-being, behavioral health, and psychological care.
- Certified trainers and fitness experts ensure that exercise and physical activity advice is safe, effective, and suitable for varied activity levels.
- Senior editors and content directors manage the entire process, overseeing factual accuracy, editorial clarity, and accessibility for non-expert readers.
Featured Board Members
- Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT
Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director specializing in evidence-based nutrition and fitness content development and testing. - Stephanie Dolgoff
Health Newsroom Director with decades of editorial experience in health, wellness, and science communication. - Marisa Cohen
Deputy Editor who brings sharp editorial judgment to health coverage and ensures scientific accuracy in wellness reporting. - Kaitlyn Phoenix
Deputy Health Editor focusing on simplifying complex health topics and updating content in light of new science. - Alyssa Jung
Senior Editor, Fitness & Nutrition, who synthesizes lab-tested findings and delivers actionable recommendations to readers.
Editorial Process: How We Ensure Accuracy
To maintain the highest editorial standards, Good Housekeeping employs a multi-layered process for developing and publishing health-related content:
What others are reading
- Research & Pitching
Each story idea begins with a review of trending topics, reader interests, and current medical literature. Writers and editors seek input from board experts on emerging issues before assigning a new piece. - Drafting & Sourcing
Writers develop drafts with rigorous research, relying primarily on peer-reviewed journals, guidelines from leading organizations (like the CDC, WHO, or major medical societies), and expert interviews. - Expert Review
Drafts are sent to board members who have relevant subject-matter expertise. They assess for medical accuracy, the strength of evidence, and possible gaps or misinterpretations. - Fact-Checking & Editing
Senior editors and fact-checkers meticulously cross-reference all statements, statistics, and recommendations with the original sources. Any discrepancies are resolved collaboratively. - Final Approval
Once content meets editorial and scientific standards, it is published alongside clear date stamps, disclosure statements, and attributions to the experts who reviewed the article. - Ongoing Updates
Published content is periodically reassessed and updated by board members to reflect shifts in the medical consensus or breaking research.
Core Pillars of Health Content: Accuracy, Transparency, and Trust
The Medical Review Board operates on core principles that ensure reader trust remains paramount:
- Accuracy: Every article cites official medical guidelines, primary peer-reviewed studies, and interviews with credentialed experts.
- Transparency: Disclosure of conflicts of interest, financial relationships, and outside partnerships is standard for all contributors. Sponsored or partnered content is clearly marked.
- Editorial Independence: Advertisers do not influence health content or reviews. Product recommendations and wellness advice are based solely on scientific merit and consumer needs.
- Consumer Focus: All advice is tailored to real readers, diverse backgrounds, and varying health literacy levels.
- Review Cycle: Medical and science content is routinely revisited, ensuring information remains up-to-date and clinically relevant.
The Supplements Methodology: How We Evaluate Claims
With the U.S. supplement market proliferating, Good Housekeeping recognizes the need for a rigorous approach to evaluating dietary supplements, vitamins, and similar products. The Board employs a structured methodology for all supplement-related reviews and recommendations:
- Utilization of clinical trial data and large-scale systematic reviews from trusted academic sources.
- Assessment of the integrity of supplement labels, ingredient sourcing, and regulatory compliance with the FDA and other agencies.
- Verification that product claims are supported by published studies, and flagging or excluding products that make dubious or unsubstantiated statements.
- Engagement of independent dietitians and research scientists for lab-based testing and data analysis.
These practices ensure that even in evolving and loosely regulated sectors, readers only receive recommendations based on rigorous, unbiased science.
Meet the Key Editors and Contributors
The editorial leadership at Good Housekeeping combines decades of journalism experience with specialized expertise in health, science writing, and consumer testing. Key personnel include:
- Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT – Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director; designs protocols for product and supplement evaluations and translates nutrition science into actionable guidance.
- Stephanie Dolgoff – Health Newsroom Director; sets editorial agendas and oversees the publication of medical news, personal stories, and expert interviews.
- Marisa Cohen – Deputy Editor; edits longform features and helps resolve ambiguities or conflicting claims in the research pipeline.
- Kaitlyn Phoenix – Deputy Health Editor; manages content updates, works with board members to integrate new evidence, and ensures audience understanding.
- Alyssa Jung – Senior Editor, Fitness & Nutrition; bridges Good Housekeeping Institute test results with consumer-oriented advice.
Good Housekeeping’s Health Content: Areas of Focus
The Medical Review Board and Health Editorial Team oversee a wide spectrum of content and initiatives:
- Nutrition: Evidence-based diet plans, food trends, dietary analysis, weight management advice, and coverage of nutritional science for various needs and life stages.
- Fitness: Lab-tested workout routines, expert tips from certified trainers, and fitness gear reviews suitable for all activity levels.
- Mental Health: Accessible resources and articles on stress management, emotional resilience, and mental wellness strategies for modern life.
- Wellness & Prevention: In-depth guides to preventive care, disease screenings, vaccinations, home safety, and healthy living across the lifespan.
- Health News: Timely coverage of medical breakthroughs, credible analysis of trending topics, and myth-busting of viral misinformation.
- Supplement & Product Reviews: Unbiased, science-based analysis of health-related products and supplements, supported by hands-on and laboratory testing from the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Editorial Standards: How We Maintain Trust
Trust is the foundation of Good Housekeeping’s reputation. The editorial process is designed to:
| Standard | How It’s Upheld |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | Expert review, robust source checking, and ongoing content updates |
| Transparency | Clear disclosures, date stamps, and identified sources |
| Editorial Independence | Strict separation of editorial staff and advertisers or sponsors |
| Inclusion | Recommendations and language accessible for a wide, diverse readership |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Good Housekeeping Medical Review Board?
The Medical Review Board is a team of credentialed health specialists who vet and review all medical, nutrition, and wellness content to ensure it meets the highest scientific and editorial standards before publication.
Who are the primary experts on the Board?
The Board includes board-certified physicians, licensed dietitians (like Stefani Sassos), psychologists, certified fitness trainers, and editors specializing in health communication. Their identities and credentials are disclosed with relevant content for transparency.
Does advertising or sponsorship influence health advice?
No. All product recommendations and health articles are independently produced, and editorial teams operate without influence from advertisers or product sponsors. Sponsored content is always identified, and there is a clear line between editorial and commercial interests.
How does the supplements methodology work?
Supplements are reviewed using published clinical research, regulatory standards, ingredient verification, and, where feasible, laboratory testing by Good Housekeeping Institute scientists and collaborating board experts. Unsupported or misleading claims are flagged for the reader and not recommended.
How often is content updated?
All health-related content is periodically re-evaluated and updated as soon as significant changes in research or guidelines arise. Each article displays a clear “last reviewed” or “last updated” date for reader clarity.
How does Good Housekeeping ensure accuracy?
By requiring every health, nutrition, and wellness article to undergo expert review for factual correctness, referencing, and clarity, with an additional layer of fact-checking from senior editors before it is made public.
Conclusion: Why Science and Trust Matter
Good Housekeeping’s Medical Review Board and Editorial Health Team are dedicated to empowering readers with information that is not only inspiring, but also carefully vetted, scientifically sound, and transparent. Through collaboration, expertise, and a reader-focused approach, they sustain the magazine’s legacy as a trusted advocate for health and wellness in American households.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Housekeeping
- https://www.digitalhealth.net/2015/06/enter-the-ccg-on-good-housekeeping/
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/about/health/
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/about/a28971721/about-us-contact-information-masthead/
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/
- https://www.mhfd.org/files/f87b331e7/26_S-05+Good+Housekeeping.pdf
- https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/america%E2%80%99s-mailing-industry-industry-segments-magazine-publishers/good-housekeeping
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