Privacy Policy

Decoding My Health Blog
Effective Date: June 15, 2025
Last Updated: June 15, 2025

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At Decoding My Health, we understand that privacy is especially important when it comes to health information and personal medical experiences. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share information when you visit our blog documenting my personal AI-assisted medical recovery journey.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

  • Email Contact: If you choose to email me directly with questions about my experience
  • Newsletter Subscriptions: Email addresses if you choose to subscribe for future updates (not currently active)

Note: Comments are currently disabled and no contact forms are available while I focus on documenting my recovery journey.

Information Collected Automatically

  • Website Analytics: Page views, time spent on site, referral sources, and general browsing patterns
  • Technical Information: IP address, browser type, device information, and operating system
  • Cookies: Small data files that help improve your browsing experience

Health Information Disclaimer

Important: While this blog discusses health and medical topics, we do not collect, store, or process your personal health information (PHI). Any health experiences you choose to share in comments or communications are voluntary and at your discretion.

How We Use Your Information

Primary Uses

  • Content Delivery: Providing my personal blog content about AI-assisted healthcare and recovery
  • Email Communication: Responding to direct emails about my experience (at my discretion)
  • Website Improvement: Analyzing usage patterns to enhance user experience
  • Future Updates: Sending newsletter updates about my ongoing journey (when/if activated)

We Do NOT

  • Sell your personal information to third parties
  • Share your emails or questions without explicit permission
  • Use your information for medical diagnosis or treatment recommendations
  • Collect or store personal health information about readers
  • Guarantee responses to all emails (responses are at my discretion based on my health and capacity)

Information Sharing and Disclosure

Limited Sharing Scenarios

We may share your information only in these specific circumstances:

  • With Your Consent: When you explicitly agree to have your question or comment featured
  • Legal Requirements: If required by law, regulation, or legal process
  • Service Providers: With trusted third-party services that help operate the blog (hosting, analytics, email services)

Email Contact

If you email me directly:

  • I will only reference your email with your explicit written consent
  • You can request anonymization or use of pseudonyms if I reference your question
  • You can request removal of any published reference to your email at any time
  • All content clearly identifies my personal experience versus reader questions
  • I may not respond to all emails due to health limitations and recovery priorities

Note: To protect my health during recovery, I currently do not enable public comments on blog posts or use contact forms.

Data Security and Protection

Security Measures

  • Limited Access: Only authorized personnel have access to personal information
  • Regular Updates: We maintain current security protocols and software updates
  • Data Minimization: We collect only the information necessary for blog operation
  • Secure Hosting: We use reputable hosting services with standard security protections

Data Retention

  • Email Communications: Retained for potential blog reference (with consent only)
  • Newsletter Subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion (when feature is activated)
  • Analytics Data: Anonymized data retained for website improvement

Your Rights and Choices

Access and Control

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request information about what data we have about you
  • Correction: Update or correct any inaccurate information
  • Deletion: Request removal of your personal information
  • Portability: Receive a copy of your data in a portable format
  • Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from communications at any time

How to Exercise Your Rights

  • Email: Contact us at dana@decodingmyhealth.com
  • Comment Requests: Reply to any comment asking for modification or removal
  • Newsletter: Use the unsubscribe link in any email communication

Third-Party Services and Links

Analytics and Tools

We use reputable third-party services for:

  • Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis (anonymized data)
  • Email Marketing: Newsletter delivery and management
  • Comment Systems: Community discussion platforms
  • Social Media: Sharing and engagement tools

External Links

Our blog contains links to:

  • Medical Research: Peer-reviewed studies and scientific publications
  • AI Tools: Healthcare AI platforms and diagnostic tools
  • Healthcare Resources: Trusted medical information sources
  • Community Resources: Patient advocacy and support organizations

Note: We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.

Special Considerations for Health Content

Medical Disclaimer Integration

This privacy policy works in conjunction with our medical disclaimer:

  • No Medical Advice: Our content is for educational purposes only
  • Personal Experience: Content reflects individual experience, not universal recommendations
  • Professional Consultation: Always consult healthcare providers for medical decisions

AI Tool References

When we discuss AI diagnostic tools or platforms:

  • We do not have access to your interactions with those tools
  • We recommend reviewing each tool’s individual privacy policy
  • We may receive affiliate compensation for tool recommendations (disclosed separately)

Research and Case Studies

If we reference medical research or case studies:

  • All information is already published or anonymized
  • We do not identify individuals without explicit consent
  • We follow ethical guidelines for health information sharing

Children’s Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Our blog is intended for adults and mature audiences discussing complex medical topics. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If we discover we have inadvertently collected such information, we will delete it immediately.

International Users and Data Transfers

Global Accessibility

Our blog is accessible worldwide, but:

  • We operate under U.S. privacy laws and regulations
  • Data may be processed and stored in the United States
  • International users consent to data transfer and processing in the U.S.

GDPR Compliance

For European Union visitors, we provide additional protections:

  • Lawful Basis: We process data based on legitimate interests and consent
  • Data Protection Officer: Available for GDPR-related inquiries
  • Right to Complain: You may contact your local data protection authority

Changes to This Privacy Policy

Updates and Notifications

  • We will notify subscribers of material changes via email
  • Updated policies will be posted with new effective dates
  • Major changes will be highlighted in blog posts
  • We encourage regular review of this policy

Version History

We maintain records of policy changes to ensure transparency about our evolving privacy practices.

Contact Information

Privacy Questions

For any privacy-related questions or concerns:

Email: dana@decodingmyhealth.com
Subject Line: Include “Blog Inquiry” for faster identification
Response Time: Please note that responses are not guaranteed and depend on my health and recovery capacity

Additional Resources

Health Privacy Resources

  • HIPAA Information: Understanding your healthcare privacy rights
  • Patient Advocacy: Resources for healthcare privacy protection
  • Digital Health Security: Best practices for protecting health information online

Technology Privacy

  • AI Tool Privacy: Guidance on privacy when using healthcare AI tools
  • Data Ownership: Understanding your rights to health data
  • Digital Literacy: Resources for safe health technology use

Acknowledgment: By using this blog, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection and use of your information as described.

Living Document: This privacy policy reflects our commitment to transparency and will evolve as our blog grows and technology advances.

This privacy policy was last reviewed and updated on June 15, 2025, to ensure compliance with current privacy regulations and best practices for health-related content.