Why We Fall for Fake Health Information—and How It Spreads Faster than Facts

Why we fall for fake health information – and how it spreads faster than facts

If the health content you see on social media sounds too good to be true, it’s very likely false – but there are ways to check it out before sharing.

Why we fall for fake health information—and how it spreads faster than facts

In today's digital world, people routinely turn to the internet for health or medical information. In addition to actively searching online, they often come across health-related information on social media or receive it through emails or messages from family or friends.

The Algorithm of Doubt: How Health Misinformation Flourishes on Social Media

It begins innocently. A wellness influencer with a soft aesthetic and 200,000 followers posts a reel about the dangers of fluoride in tap water. Another offers a “hormone-balancing smoothie” while explaining how birth control is toxic to the body. Then the algorithm steps in, pushing viewers down a path of deeper suspicion—anti-vaccine posts, anti-pharma conspiracy theories, and subtle nods to libertarian bio-sovereignty. Before long, digital he…