People in today’s digital age routinely search the internet for medical or health information. They also receive health-related info via social media, emails and messages from friends or family.
It is tempting to send such messages, often in the best of motives.
I am a global health communication specialist who studies the media effects on health and development. I also explore creative and artistic ways of making health information more engaging, accessible and empowering.
There is a lot of information about health on the internet, but not all of it can be trusted. much is misleading or inaccurate. This poses a serious problem for health communication.
It is difficult to tell which sources are reliable and which content should be shared.
Fake health information is a powerful lure
False health information comes in many different forms. It may, for example, be misleading content which distorts the facts in order to frame a particular issue or person within a specific context. It may also be based upon false connections where headlines or visuals are not in line with the content. This content is often characterized by a number of common traits that make it more believable than factual information.
Fake health information is often presented as true , because it combines a small amount of truth and misleading claims.
during the COVID-19 Pandemic false rumors claimed that drinking bleach or ethanol could protect you from the virus. While ethanol and bleach can kill viruses on surfaces like countertops, they are extremely harmful if it gets into the body or comes in contact with the skin.
Fake health information can also be identified by ideas that seem too good to believe. Certain types of fake information can be appealingly counterintuitive, making people believe they possess valuable knowledge others do not have . A claim like ” Chocolate helps you lose weight ” can be particularly appealing, as it gives a feeling of approval to indulge in chocolate and appeals to a simple solution that makes people feel good. This type of information is spread faster as it can be both surprising and optimistic, validating what people want to believe.
Sensationalism is also responsible for the spread of false health information. When critics claimed falsely that Anthony Fauci was the cause of the COVID-19 Pandemic and chief medical advisor to the President at the time, this generated a great deal of attention.
In a 2020 study on vaccine hesitation, my colleagues found that headlines that are controversial in news stories that become viral just before national vaccination campaigns may discourage parents from vaccinating their children. These headlines appear to contain secret and sensational information, which can boost the credibility of a message.
Share the love
The internet is a fertile ground where can spread false health information. The appearance of professional websites and social media posts can be misleading, causing people to click or share. This leads more people to believe the falsehood. People share information that they think is relevant for them or to their social circle.
An article in 2019 with the false headline “Ginger is 10,000x better at killing cancer than chemotherapy” was shared over 800,000 on Facebook. The article contains several factors which make people feel a sense of urgency to share and react without verifying the facts. These include compelling visuals and emotional stories, misleading charts, expert quotes with context omitted, and outdated content.
These posts are given credibility by visual cues such as logos from reputable organizations and photos of people in white medical coats. These posts are highly shareable and reach far more people compared to scientifically accurate articles that lack visuals or headlines, or words that are easy to understand, or dramatic stories.
sharing content before verifying its authenticity can have real-world implications. Studies have shown that fake COVID-19 information can reduce people’s trust for government officials and health care systems. This makes people less likely use or seek health services.
Unfounded claims regarding vaccine side effects has led to reduced global vaccination rates and the return of dangerous diseases.
Before you share, check it out.
Misinformation on social media, like false claims that cinnamon is a cancer treatment has led to hospitalizations, and even death. Health misinformation has led to a reduction in cooperation with prevention and treatment recommendations. This is why medical professionals need to be properly trained, and learn how to debunk false health information.
How to counter fake health information
It is now more important than ever to be able distinguish between accurate and false health information. In an age of information overload, where anyone can share and create content, it’s crucial that you know the difference. Researchers and organizations working in public health have developed several strategies that can help people make more informed decisions.
Here are three ways that consumers can verify the accuracy and reliability of health information they find on social media or in an email.
-
Always use a search engine when you want to verify health claims. Do not rely solely on one source. Enter the health claim in a reliable search engine, such as Google, and check what trustworthy sources say. Information from reputable organizations such as the World Health Organization or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or United Nations Children’s Fund, or peer-reviewed publications like The Lancet and Journal of the American Medical Association, should be given priority. Information that is backed up by multiple credible sources will be more reliable. Fact-checking sites such as FactCheck.org or Snopes are also useful in weeding out false information.
-
Check the “About Us”. This is a quick way to determine if a site’s content can be trusted. This section will usually explain who’s behind the content and what their mission is. Search for the author’s name. Are they affiliated with credible institutions or do they have recognized expertise? Websites that are reliable often end in.gov and.edu. This indicates they belong to a government or educational institution. Check the date of publication. The information on the Internet circulates for many years, and it may not be accurate or relevant to the current context.
-
Don’t share if you are still unsure. It’s best to keep your information to yourself if you have any doubts about the validity of an assertion. Unverified information may unintentionally spread misinformation, which can be harmful to your health.
It is important to question dubious health claims and share only verified information. This will not only help prevent unsafe behavior and panic but also curb the spread fake health information. In a world where misinformation spreads faster than a viral infection, pausing to check the facts can make a huge difference.
Angshuman K. Kashyap has not disclosed any relevant affiliations other than their academic appointment. He does not consult for, own shares or receive funding from, or work for any company that would benefit from the article.
