Health Misinformation: Identifying misinformation

Misinformation can be created and shared in many formats, by many people and on many platforms. In a rapidly evolving health situation, this makes misinformation difficult to trace. A complex web of societal changes occurring outside of your individual control can mean you are more susceptible to consuming misinformation. Critically, there are ways to responsibly assess the value of any health information presented to you.

Things to look out for:

• Misinformation goes viral when it is emotive. If information heavily relies on unverified personal testimonies, photos or videos it may be pulling your heartstrings just to get to your purse.

• The most effective forms of misinformation contain a kernel of truth to appear valid. This, along with the repetition of claims aims to boost the plausibility of false information.

• Misinformation tends to spread faster than accurate information, especially on social media. Algorithms prioritize popular content irrespective of accuracy which means sensationalized health misinformation swamps credible health information.

• Discussion forums and peer-to-peer sharing online networks are hotbeds for misinformation because they invite you to participate and post in an unregulated and unfiltered environment. If misinformation has participatory potential, it will spread further.

Questions to ask:

Source: 

• Can I trace and trust where this information comes from? Am I being advertised or sold something?

Funding:

• Is this information sponsored? Am I being offered something for free?

Quality:

• Is this information up-to-date? Does it use peer-reviewed medical research? If I search this claim will it be verified elsewhere by a healthcare professional?

Privacy:

• Am I giving away private personal information? Is it safe to share my health history here?