For a long time, when people needed answers to health questions, they talked to their doctors. Then, with the advent of the internet, they started typing their queries into search engines. Today, people are turning to a new source of health advice: social media.
In fact, there is a good chance that you use social media for health information. According to a 2019 study, nearly 90% of American adults do. Maybe you joined a Facebook group where posters promote ways to live well with a chronic disease. Or you subscribed to a physical therapist’s YouTube channel for techniques to help with your nagging knee injury. Or you watched your favorite TikTok influencer describe a surprising new weight-loss routine.
The problem is that false or misleading health information on social media is rampant. One systematic review of studies indicates that up to 87% of social posts contain health misinformation. “We defined health misinformation as a health-related claim that is based on anecdotal evidence, false, or misleading owing to the lack of existing scientific knowledge,” the researchers wrote.
With so much questionable health advice on social media, how do you know what you can trust? Ask yourself these questions to help you evaluate the source of health information on social media.
Does the poster have credentials in health care?
For some social media accounts, it’s clear that the poster has authority, whether it’s a medical degree or an advanced training in the field. They may list their credentials in their bio or include relevant details in a post description.
For other accounts, however, credentials are harder to find.
“I urge people to ask the poster what their credentials are or their sources,” says Mohammad Bilal, M.D., a gastroenterologist and visiting associate professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, in a university blog about viral health advice. “It’s also very easy to do a quick Google search or to look up their name on the website PubMed to see what their credentials are. That’s usually my first way of testing whether the information being presented may be factual or not.”
Is the post asking you to buy something or subscribe to something?
Many influencers are paid to post about a particular product or service. In these cases, they’re acting as an advertiser and might say things that make the sponsor look good, even if it’s not the full story.
So-called sponsored posts or ads should be marked as such. If it’s not marked but you think it might be an ad, ask the poster to clarify.
Can the health advice be found elsewhere?
Credible health advice should be available in other places online. If the poster claims to be the only one with the information, or it’s not supported by other sources, be wary.
“The most robust medical advice will be backed up by numerous respectable sources,” Ryan Candee, a physician assistant and assistant professor at the University of Colorado, explains to CU Anschutz. “If the author is not a health care professional, then their sources should be.”
Reliable online sources of health information include government organizations (look for URLs ending in .gov), educational institutions (these often end with .edu), and national associations (.org).
A claim about heart health, for example, can probably be verified by the American Heart Association. Bleeding disorders information can be double-checked on the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation website or on HemAware.org.
Finally, the comprehensive care team at your hemophilia treatment center — including your doctor or social worker — is a great resource for checking health information that you find on social media.
Is the post emotionally charged?
Social media algorithms prioritize content that generates an emotional response, so many content producers create posts with that in mind. So, if you read a post with health advice and it’s making you angry or anxious, that’s a red flag.
“Misinformation is usually flashy and plays into fears, shock, anger, and awe in order to be persuasive,” Candee tells CU Anschutz.
Health information can be interesting, but it should be straightforward, balanced, and without sensationalism.
Does the health advice seem too good to be true?
When you have a health problem, it’s natural to want a solution as soon as possible — and to believe someone who’s offering that solution. But you should be cautious about promises of cures, quick fixes, or anything else that appears to be exactly what you need.
“If something seems too good to be true … or claims to have knowledge that the medical community isn’t aware of,” Candee tells CU Anschutz, “then it probably needs more investigation.”