Why trusted health information matters: Overcoming MS is now PIF TICK certified

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) often means making sense of a huge amount of information. Alongside guidance from healthcare professionals, people will often turn to websites and social media, as well as advice from friends and family. There’s no shortage of opinions about what might help.

But not all information is reliable, which can make it hard to know what to trust. Research shows that up to 82% of people with MS search for information online [1], particularly about lifestyle approaches, yet many report low confidence in what they find.

Access to clear, trustworthy information isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ – it’s essential. It helps people feel more confident, make informed decisions and take an active role in their health. 

At Overcoming MS, this has always been central to what we do.  

What is the PIF TICK?

The PIF TICK is the UK’s only independently assessed quality mark for health information. It is also featured by the World Health Organization in its toolkit on tackling misinformation.

Run by the Patient Information Forum, it recognises organisations that produce health information that is: 

• Evidence-based 

• Up-to-date 

• Easy to understand 

• Developed with input from people with lived experience 

Overcoming MS became a PIF TICK certified organisation in January 2026. 

What this means for you

So what does this mean for you? Overcoming MS has always been committed to providing information that is grounded in evidence and designed to support real-life decisions. 

PIF TICK certification doesn’t change what we do. Instead, it provides independent recognition of the standards we already work to – giving you added confidence in the information you rely on. 

It means that the information you find through Overcoming MS: 

Gives you confidence 
You can trust that what you’re reading is based on evidence. 

Supports informed decisions 
Whether you’re thinking about lifestyle changes, treatments, or daily choices. 

Cuts through confusion 
Providing a clear and reliable source in a space that can often feel overwhelming. 

Stays up to date 
So you can feel confident that guidance reflects the latest understanding of MS. 

Behind the scenes, it also strengthens how we develop our information by: 

• Ensuring a consistent and robust approach. 

• Providing independent validation that our content meets recognised standards. 

• Reinforcing trust for people with MS, their loved ones and healthcare professionals. 

PIF TICK certification gives added confidence to healthcare professionals that Overcoming MS resources are reliable and accessible. This enables conversations with patients to ensure that they are signposted to quality information and support that meets their needs and reduces demands on clinical time.”  

Catherine Murnin, Overcoming MS Healthcare Partnerships Lead. 

Looking ahead

Providing high-quality, evidence-based information has always been at the heart of Overcoming MS. PIF TICK certification is a recognition of that commitment, and an important step in continuing to build trust. 

As we review and update our key information resources, you’ll start to see the PIF TICK mark across our key information resources. This is part of an ongoing process to ensure our most important information continues to meet the highest standards. We’ll be sharing updates as more of our resources go through this process, so keep an eye out for those proudly carrying the PIF Tick quality mark. 

We remain committed to making our information clear, accessible and useful, so you can feel confident in the choices you make every day.