The Growing Threat of Health Misinformation
The Growing Threat of Health Misinformation
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The Growing Threat of Health Misinformation 2
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The Growing Threat of Health Misinformation 3
The Growing Threat of Health Misinformation
In the spirit of health literacy, we hope that this blog is readable.
Today, many health decisions begin with an online search. About 8 out of 10 people search for health information this way.1 Many do not visit trusted sites like the CDC or their local health department. Instead, they may read the first website that appears. Not all of this information is evidence-based. Misinformation, or false information, is a growing problem. It can spread like wildfire, and acting on it may impact your health.2
Let’s imagine two patients: Anna and Ben. Anna is a recent college graduate. She has had back pain for two months. Worried, she made an appointment with her doctor. Ben is 40 years old and has had trouble breathing for three years. His construction job keeps him on his feet all day, often lifting heavy equipment. His chest is tight and he wheezes. Ben has not always felt fully understood in previous doctors’ visits, so he feels nervous. Both Anna and Ben come across websites that claim to have cures for their health issues. Before the story goes on, it helps to know how information spreads and why people trust it.
The Spread of Misleading Health Information
Misleading health claims spread online, in the news, and in everyday conversations. On social media, information moves fast. It reaches many people quickly, making the problem worse.3 In the United States, 70% of adults say the spread of misleading information is a major problem.4 Yet fewer than 2 in 10 college students can find evidence-based health information.1 Many people may need support to find evidence-based information.
This skill is called personal health literacy. The CDC defines it as “the ability to find, understand, and use information.”5 It means knowing how to find evidence-based health information and use it wisely. The choices that Anna and Ben make depend on these skills.
Anna attended a training course at the Office of Health Literacy, a program at her college. There she learned how to find and check evidence-based health information. Ben, however, feels overwhelmed when he searches online. Frustrated, he pays two online health coaches for advice. They are not medical professionals. Still, Ben hopes they might have the answers he is looking for.
Ben keeps seeing the same misleading claims online, so they may start to seem true.3 People tend to trust claims that match what they already believe. This is called confirmation bias. Over time, social media feeds may become echo chambers that show one point of view. Seeing the same claims again and again can shape the choices people make. This may contribute to delays in seeking medical care, which can affect health.3
Emotions play a role, too. Online, Ben reads many claims about healthcare that spark fear. This may make him less likely to seek help. In fact, misleading news spreads six times faster than news backed by evidence.6 This can lead to real harm, as Ben’s experience shows.
The Harms of Misleading Health Information
Following health advice that is not evidence-based may lead to unsafe choices. This can lead to delayed treatment, avoiding primary care, and skipping vaccines.2 It can also cause people to spend money on products and services that do not work.
Ben bought a “miracle cure” from online health coaches. Their advice was not evidence-based. They told him to run constantly to strengthen his lungs and to follow a very strict diet. Now he is sore, always hungry, and misses his favorite foods. He is spending money he does not have. His health continues to worsen, and he remains hesitant to see a doctor.
Finding Evidence-Based Health Information
These stories show why access to evidence-based health information matters. Not everyone has the same skills as Anna. Learning to use evidence-based health information is an important skill anyone can build. What sources are safe? Look for official health websites and content written by medical professionals. Always check more than one source and look for evidence-based information.7 These steps can help you make safer health choices.
Anna’s appointment goes well. She comes prepared with a list of questions and shares her health history. Her doctor thinks the pain is from an old horseback-riding injury. He refers her to a physical therapist. Anna is glad she sought medical care.
Ben is still hesitant to seek professional help. Then one day, he passes out after a run. His friend takes him to the emergency room, even though Ben protests. Tests show that Ben has asthma. He works up the courage to share his fears with the doctors. They listen and take his concerns seriously. The doctor teaches him how to use an inhaler and gives him resources to manage his condition.
Ben knows he was lucky. He is grateful that his friend took him to the hospital. He understands that letting fear guide his choices put him at risk. His asthma would not have gotten so bad, or cost so much, if he had seen a doctor sooner.
As Anna and Ben’s stories show, education is key. Health literacy means knowing how to find, understand, and use health information. These skills help you find health advice that is backed by evidence.8 Next time you search for health information online, slow down and check your sources. Your health depends on it.
Footnotes
- Dissen, A., Qadiri, Q., & Middleton, C. J. (2021). I read it online: Understanding how undergraduate students assess the accuracy of online sources of health information. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827621990574
- American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Using psychological science to understand and fight health misinformation.
https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/health-misinformation - American Psychological Association. (2023, November 29). How and why does misinformation spread?
https://www.apa.org/topics/journalism-facts/how-why-misinformation-spreads - Chavda, J. (2025, August 19). False information online as a threat. Pew Research Center.
https://www.pewresearch.org/2025/08/19/false-information-online-as-a-threat/ - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). What is health literacy? https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/php/about/index.html
- Surjatmodjo, D., Unde, A. A., Cangara, H., & Sonni, A. F. (2024). Information pandemic: A critical review of disinformation spread on social media and its implications for state resilience. Social Sciences, 13(8), 418. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080418
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). Health literacy. https://www.ahrq.gov/ncepcr/research/health-literacy.html
- Media Literacy Now. (2023, March 17). Why Media Literacy Now supports digital wellness and media literacy in health education.
https://medialiteracynow.org/why-media-literacy-now-supports-digital-wellness-and-media-literacy-in-health-education/