Health misinformation and medical quackery have been around forever. A quick look at outdated practices like bloodletting, snake oil for pain and inflammation and radium water (!!) to “rejuvenate the body” is a testament to past medical folly. However, the disinformation and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic spawned a full-blown health crisis. Social media ‘expertise’ and political spin were added to the mix, converting the internet into a cesspool of false claims about everything from vaccines to cancer treatments. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
The Problem With Health Misinformation
I read a recent editorial in The Lancet that sheds light on how unintentional health misinformation and deliberate disinformation have been weaponized. Misleading content on social media isn’t just a nuisance—it’s become a serious public health threat.
During the early pandemic, fear and ignorance led to viral posts promoting fake cures like Ivermectin or downplaying the seriousness of Covid by asserting the virus was “just a cold”. Science and health professionals were attacked and discredited, and Big Pharma – already distrusted because of their profit motive – was likened to Nazi experimenters.
Now, this/misinformation targets vaccinations (all kinds), cancer treatments, and mental health issues while offering a plethora of miracle cures. More and more people are abandoning evidence-based treatments for influencer-backed alternatives, putting their health and lives on the line.
Facebook’s Decision to End Fact-Checking
In what I believe is a business move to appease Trump and allow more unchecked political bias into the Metasphere, Facebook, a major health and political misinformation source, has recently announced it will stop fact-checking to promote greater “freedom of speech” access. According to The Lancet article, this decision could open the floodgates for even more dangerous content. While Facebook fact-checking wasn’t perfect, it helped slow the spread of lies. Without it, deceptive posts will reach more people faster than ever.
By deliberately surrendering the fight against false information, Mark Zuckerberg’s move sends the wrong message: truth is second to Facebook’s income. This is not just a Facebook problem. Using algorithms that amplify sensational (but often false) claims, social media platforms prioritize engagement over accuracy.
What’s Being Done to Fight the Problem?
Thankfully, not everyone puts profit over people. Australia plans to fine platforms that fail to control misinformation, and the European Commission has introduced recommendations to tackle false COVID-19 claims. The World Health Organization is also working to flag misleading content and promote responsible health communication.
The Lancet editorial warns that combating misinformation is about more than fact-checking. It’s about teaching people how to spot credible sources, addressing the emotional manipulation behind false claims, and building trust in science and medicine.
Listen to Your Doctor, Not Social Media
Sage advice boils down to trusting your doctor, not the homeopath, advertising miracle cures on Facebook. Social media is a powerful tool, but it’s not a substitute for educated medical advice. Doctors base their recommendations on rigorous science and clinical experience. Influencers? Well, they like quick-fix cures like Ivermectin.
If you’re scrolling through Facebook and see someone claiming they’ve “cured” cancer with a juice detox or that anxiety isn’t a real condition, pause and think. Who can you trust with your health? Someone with years of medical training or a stranger with a flashy Instagram feed?
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
- Fact-check everything. Before you believe or share health information, look for reliable sources like WHO or government health websites.
- Talk to your doctor. Run it by a medical professional before self-diagnosing or self-treating.
- Think critically. Get on the defensive. Social media algorithms aren’t there to help you—they’re designed to keep you scrolling.
In the health arena, the fight against misinformation is about protecting lives. So next time you see a “health hack” online that promises to do more than ease a sore throat, remember: your doctor knows best.