Just after a long day, you have squeezed some time to scroll your mobile.  And you happen to come across a tidbit on your phone stating—a certain vaccine causes autism’, or ‘‘a particular herb removes toxins from the body’. And your first reaction would be— “oh really? I didn’t know that”!  

Despite the statistics not being presented and verified, the false news ignites misinformed public discussion about the dangers of vaccination. The false news reaches almost a million views on Facebook and YouTube. We tend to believe anything which is served to us digitally, especially health information, without any scientific evidence. The first thing to ask is, "Is this real?"

The trouble is, it's not easy to find good health information online. There are lots of websites and social media posts that give wrong information. In just five minutes online, you might see things like websites saying lemons can cure cancer (they can't), or posts from far-off relatives claiming your phone could give you a brain bleed (it can't). And that's before you even start searching for "what's causing my headache?" (Hint: it's probably not brain cancer/tumour.)

 

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.

 

It happens to the best of us. A 2021 report in the Journal of Medical Internet Research revealed that around 72 percent of people use the internet first when they need health-related information. 

Earlier when  people had health worries, they'd visit the doctor. But now, with internet accessibility, it’s hard to get a doctor's appointment, most of us turn to the internet first for answers. The internet has a lot of different ideas about health, so it's tough to know if we're reading the right stuff.

 

Related story: Incredible Moments in Science And Medicine You May Have Missed

 

How Serious is Health Misinformation?

Misinformation is when the news isn't right, old, or doesn't tell the whole story. It can confuse us, make us upset or even cause problems. That's why it's important to think carefully about what we see online and decide if we can believe it. A 2021 report in the Journal of Medical Internet Research shows that the prevalence of health misinformation was the highest on Twitter and on issues related to smoking products and drugs. However, misinformation on major public health issues, such as vaccines and diseases, was also high.  

 

Related story: The Science Behind A Sattvic Diet

 

What Does Health Misinformation Look Like?

Health misinformation can come in various forms, such as:

• Memes
• Websites with sensational or clickbait-style headlines
• Edited quotations and videos that distort their original meaning
• Misleading graphs or diagrams that present statistics out of context
• Recirculated old images

Before the development of modern scientific understanding, ancient beliefs often attributed the creation of living organisms to spontaneous generation from inanimate matter. 

For instance, there was a bizarre notion that maggots spontaneously emerged from rotting meat, representing a primitive understanding of life's origins.
In the late 19th century, there was a curious belief that milk could serve as a perfect substitute for blood. It was thought that its fatty and oily qualities could transform into white blood cells. Despite some initial successes, many attempts at this procedure ended tragically in death.

Similarly, there were misguided beliefs about treatments for various ailments. For example, chloroform was once considered a cure for asthma, highlighting the historical reliance on substances with harmful effects rather than evidence-based medicine.

Such misleading sources can spread false, inaccurate, or misleading information about health, which can ultimately harm individuals' well-being.

The trouble is, it's not easy to find good health information online. There are lots of websites and social media posts that give wrong information. In just five minutes online, you might see things like websites saying lemons can cure cancer (they can't), or posts from far-off relatives claiming your phone could give you a brain bleed (it can't). And that's before you even start searching for "what's causing my headache?" (Hint: it's probably not brain cancer/tumour.)

 

Related story: The Science of Falling in Love At First Sight

How To Combat Disinformation

We know for a fact that it's not just a flood of wrong information people are dealing with; it's more like a cycle. When trust goes down, misinformation goes up, and then misinformation lowers trust even more. Watch out for situations where online claims jump to conclusions without proof or try to play with your feelings. When you come across medical info online, think: Is this trying to grab my attention sneakily? Does the source admit when it's wrong and fix its mistakes? By being aware of these things, you can better spot misleading info and make smarter choices about what to trust.

 

1. Consider the source 

It's important to know who's behind the content you're reading. Look for signs that the website is owned or supported by a trustworthy organisation. Do they have the right qualifications or certifications? You should easily find this information on the homepage or through a link from the homepage. 

 

2. Look beyond the headlines 

Don't just believe what the headline says. Many website creators intentionally put misleading headlines to get a click. In other words, they're just meant to grab attention rather than tell the full story. Read the whole article or report to get the complete picture. 

 

Related story: 5 Science-backed Benefits of Swimming

 

3. Search for supporting evidence

See if there's evidence to support what's being said. Reliable information is usually backed up by research, medical journals, statistics, or expert opinions. Look for these to confirm if the information is solid. If a website doesn't clearly show who's responsible for the content, it might be a red flag. Reputable sources usually make it clear who they are and who is backing them up. 

 

4. Don’t forget to check the date of publication

If you’re looking for any information, check the date first. It is a really important step to check when the information was published. Sometimes old news or data gets recirculated, and it might not be relevant or accurate anymore. Fresh information is more likely to be reliable.

 

Related story: The Science of Indian Food

 

5. Look for exaggerated or emotional language

Be wary of exaggerated or emotional language. Words like "miracle," "cure-all," or "life-changing" can signal that the information might be exaggerated or misleading. Stick to the facts without the hype. Are the articles written unprofessionally? For example, do the articles fail to explain the information in a logical and easy-to-understand way? Look for any acronyms and jargon that are left unexplained.

By applying strategies such as verifying the source's credibility, examining the evidence provided, and remaining cautious of emotional appeals or sensationalised content, individuals can better protect themselves from misinformation. Ultimately, by being mindful of these factors and asking probing questions about online content, individuals can make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.