Why do some people believe health misinformation in the current world?

• Inaccurate health-related misinformation may prevent people from seeking the care they need.
• Although they are a space for sharing ideas, social media sites harbor misinformation on health-related topics.
• A survey found people who have lower education and income levels, a distrust of the health system, or an interest in alternative treatments are more likely to believe false information.

• Targeted messaging and outreach by public health officials could help address the growing problem of inaccurate health-related information.

  Social media sites are platforms for people to share ideas and stay connected with families and professionals. However, they can also be a haven for inaccurate information. Some of this information is health-related, which can misinform those looking to make health decisions.

  The phrase “health misinformationTrusted Source” refers to any health-related claim under the assumption of truth that is false based on current scientific consensus. It is a relatively new catchphrase gaining momentum as more people become active on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

  And the prevalence of health misinformation on social media is growing. A systematic review recently examined 69 studies that focused on health misinformation in social media.

•  

  Investigators found much incorrect health content concerning smoking products, drugs, and public health issues, including vaccines and diseases. The prevalence of health misinformation was highest on Twitter.

  Researchers dig deeper for answers.

  Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, in conjunction with scientists from the University of Regina, Canada, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, investigated this problem further.

  Because of growing concern among health professionals that false information could lead to people not taking the steps necessary for optimal healthcare, the team sought to identify who is most susceptible to believing misinformation.

To achieve this, the researchers surveyed 1,020 people aged 40–80 years in the United States. Their findings appear in the journal Health Psychology.

In the survey, participants rated their perceived accuracy of 24 recent Facebook and Twitter posts. These posts included true and false information on cancer treatments, human papillomavirus (HPV), trusted source vaccines, and statin medications.

This misinformation included the claims that red yeast rice is just as effective at lowering cholesterol as statins, that marijuana, ginger, and dandelion roots can cure cancer, and that HPV vaccines are dangerous.

After the participants looked at the posts, they evaluated the information as completely false, mostly false, mostly true, or completely true. The team then followed up with questions about education level, interest in alternative medicine, income, age, and health knowledge.

Who is more likely to believe false health information?

After compiling the data, the research team found that people with a lower education level and less knowledge of healthcare issues were more likely to believe inaccurate information than other study participants.

Individuals who showed distrust in the healthcare system and favorable views of alternative treatments were also more likely to believe health-related misinformation.

Participants who believed the false claims on one topic were also likely to believe misinformation presented on other health topics.

Lead author Laura D. Scherer, Ph.D., with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, explains the implications of these findings: