New York Times: Dying Patients Are Inundated by Misinformation. My Dad Was One of Them.. “As my dad was, patients today are inundated with misinformation spread by alternative-medicine practitioners, social media influencers and public figures. They are willing to experiment with unproven therapies, often at great physical or financial risk, in part because they want more personalized and […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/10/06/new-york-times-dying-patients-are-inundated-by-misinformation-my-dad-was-one-of-them/#healthmisinformation — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #healthmisinformation, aggregated by home.social.
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Idaho Capital Sun: False claims about birth control are proliferating online, KFF survey says. “More than half of women of reproductive age have seen or heard the false claim that hormones in contraceptives are harmful, and about 4 in 10 have been exposed to the false idea that hormones in contraceptives limit your ability to get pregnant in the future, according to a new survey.”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/09/25/idaho-capital-sun-false-claims-about-birth-control-are-proliferating-online-kff-survey-says/ -
European Food Information Council: Supplements and weight loss top misinformation themes in European influencer posts analysed. “Among the misinformation narratives examined in the influencer posts, supplements were the most frequently identified theme, appearing in 474 posts, followed by weight loss in 256, superfoods in 242 and detox in 76. These figures describe posts containing the specific […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/09/19/european-food-information-council-supplements-and-weight-loss-top-misinformation-themes-in-european-influencer-posts-analysed/ -
The Conversation: Peptides are spreading on social media. Here’s how platforms can better protect public health. “Peptide-related content is spreading fast on social media. Which raises an important question: when a platform’s algorithm is actively promoting sellers, influencers and products to millions of people, how much responsibility does that platform carry for what happens next?”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/09/18/the-conversation-peptides-are-spreading-on-social-media-heres-how-platforms-can-better-protect-public-health/ -
University of Virginia: A UVA nutrition expert tested AI diet-tracking apps. Here’s what she found. “A registered dietician, [Professor Sibylle] Kranz signed up for free trials of several popular apps, creating different user profiles and health goals to test features and compare advice. The results proved to be a mixed bag of convenience and possible inaccuracies.”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/09/06/university-of-virginia-a-uva-nutrition-expert-tested-ai-diet-tracking-apps-heres-what-she-found/ -
Pew Research: Americans’ use of social media for health information differs by race and ethnicity. “Overall, 36% of U.S. adults say they get health information from social media at least sometimes, according to a Pew Research Center survey from October 2025. But this varies by racial and ethnic group. Hispanic (49%), Asian (47%) and Black adults (45%) are particularly likely to get health […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/08/15/pew-research-americans-use-of-social-media-for-health-information-differs-by-race-and-ethnicity/ -
Incase you missed it, watch our deep dive on the spread of health misinformation following COVID-19
Health Misinformation full video: https://youtu.be/JFNmLytRXpc#HealthMisinformation #PublicHealthPolicy #ScienceLiteracy #DigitalHealth #PostPandemicCare #TechEthics
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The Conversation: A fake ‘jelly diet’ has fooled at least one celebrity. You could be next. “Paris Hilton’s mother Kathy recently tried the ‘Jell-O diet’ to lose weight. She believed other celebrities – Oprah Winfrey, Doctor Oz, Michelle Obama and Kelly Clarkson – had endorsed it. But the diet was fake and so were the endorsements. Both had been generated by artificial intelligence (AI).”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/07/30/the-conversation-a-fake-jelly-diet-has-fooled-at-least-one-celebrity-you-could-be-next/ -
CNN: ‘Maxxing’ isn’t the best approach to any part of your health. “‘Maxxing’ is an online trend applied to advice for aspects of health including sleep, diet and fertility. But much of this maxxing advice can be unhelpful or unhealthy or go against the steady, personalized changes many experts recommend.”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/07/29/cnn-maxxing-isnt-the-best-approach-to-any-part-of-your-health/ -
The Guardian: Misleading AI-generated doctors pose ‘huge danger to public safety’. “Misleading health claims online pose a ‘huge danger to public safety’, experts have warned, after research has shown that AI-generated doctors are gaining millions of views on TikTok by spreading dubious health advice.”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/07/28/the-guardian-misleading-ai-generated-doctors-pose-huge-danger-to-public-safety/ -
Health Misinformation post-Pandemic: A Threat that didn't end with COVID-19. Watch our discussion on risks of misinformation on health.
Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/JFNmLytRXpc
#HealthMisinformation #PublicHealthPolicy #ScienceLiteracy #DigitalHealth #PostPandemicCare #TechEthics
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New York Times: ChatGPT Led to a Man’s Near-Fatal Health Crisis, Lawsuit Claims. This link goes to a gift article. “A Florida pastor sued OpenAI on Wednesday, claiming that its chatbot, ChatGPT, had offered him ‘extremely dangerous medical recommendations’ that led to delayed care for a life-threatening pulmonary embolism last year.”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/07/23/new-york-times-chatgpt-led-to-a-mans-near-fatal-health-crisis-lawsuit-claims/ -
Influencers Misinterpret Studies, Spread False Claims About Sunscreen and Cancer Risk
📰 Original title: Influencers misinterpret research to claim sunscreen causes cancer
🤖 IA: It's clickbait ⚠️
👥 Users: It's clickbait ⚠️ -
Influencers Misinterpret Studies, Spread False Claims About Sunscreen and Cancer Risk
📰 Original title: Influencers misinterpret research to claim sunscreen causes cancer
🤖 IA: It's clickbait ⚠️
👥 Users: It's clickbait ⚠️ -
Health misinformation is spreading faster than ever! We break down why it's a big deal and what we can do about it.
➡️ https://youtu.be/JFNmLytRXpc
#HealthTech #HealthMisinformation #TechEthics #DigitalLiteracy #GetSmart #TechFacts #GetInTheKnow
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This algorithmic prioritisation, combined with human behaviours like confirmation bias (where we only engage with what we already believe), creates echo chambers where falsehoods flourish.
You can read the full article here: https://techethics.co.uk/insights/health-misinformation-post-pandemic-a-threat-that-didnt-end-with-covid
#HealthMisinformation #PublicHealthCrisis #ScienceLiteracy #DigitalHealth #TrustInMedicine #PostPandemicCare", #TechEthics #Disinformation
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The Conversation: Ivermectin isn’t a cancer miracle drug, but influencers claim otherwise – here’s how to avoid sprinting past scientific evidence. “As a health communication researcher, I study how people interpret new cancer information, how health misinformation spreads and how communication can support good health behaviors. The renewed attention surrounding ivermectin and other […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/07/10/the-conversation-ivermectin-isnt-a-cancer-miracle-drug-but-influencers-claim-otherwise-heres-how-to-avoid-sprinting-past-scientific-evidence/ -
Health misinformation is particular virulent. Watch our discussion on risks of misinformation on health.
Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/JFNmLytRXpc
#HealthMisinformation #PublicHealthPolicy #ScienceLiteracy #DigitalHealth #PostPandemicCare #TechEthics
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Health Misinformation post-Pandemic: A Threat that didn't end with COVID-19. Watch our discussion on risks of misinformation on health.
Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/JFNmLytRXpc
#HealthMisinformation #PublicHealthPolicy #ScienceLiteracy #DigitalHealth #PostPandemicCare #TechEthics
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PsyPost: AI chatbots fail medical misinformation test, returning inaccurate and fabricated advice. “An audit of chatbot responses in health and medical fields prone to misinformation found that 49.6% of responses were problematic. Specifically, 30% of responses were somewhat problematic, and 19.6% were highly problematic.”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/06/02/psypost-ai-chatbots-fail-medical-misinformation-test-returning-inaccurate-and-fabricated-advice/ -
“It’s basically conspiracy theory Mad Libs; they just take out the nouns & then they replace them with whatever the new outbreak is about.” - @[email protected] of @[email protected] #HealthMisinformation
The Hantavirus Outbreak Is Res... -
Claims of Over One Million HIV Cases in Atlanta Debunked Amidst Viral Panic
Viral claims of over 1 million HIV cases in Atlanta are false. Health officials confirm around 1,500-1,700 new cases annually. Learn the real numbers.
#AtlantaHIV, #HIVFacts, #HealthMisinformation, #AtlantaHealth, #PublicHealth
https://newsletter.tf/atlanta-hiv-cases-rumors-debunked-real-numbers/
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Viral social media claimed over 1 million HIV cases in Atlanta, but real numbers show about 1,500-1,700 new cases yearly. This is much lower than the rumors.
#AtlantaHIV, #HIVFacts, #HealthMisinformation, #AtlantaHealth, #PublicHealth
https://newsletter.tf/atlanta-hiv-cases-rumors-debunked-real-numbers/ -
Inside Congo’s deadly health misinformation crisis
By Jessica Donati, Fiston Mahamba and Rachael Kennedy GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 7 (Reuters) – In…
#NewsBeep #News #Headlines #Africa #allegedvictims #congo #DemocraticRepublicofCongo #healthmisinformation #healthworkers #JulesMulindwa #SocialMedia #Tshopo #videotestimonials #World
https://www.newsbeep.com/526507/ -
AI Chatbots Fall Short on Medical Guidance, Study Reveals
New study shows AI chatbots often give wrong health info. Users get no better results than with Google. What does this mean for your health?
#AIChatbotFail, #HealthMisinformation, #MedicalAI, #StudyFindings, #DigitalHealth
https://newsletter.tf/ai-chatbots-give-bad-health-advice-study/
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A new study found AI chatbots gave inaccurate health advice in nearly half of cases, presenting false claims as equal to science. This is worse than last year's findings.
#AIChatbotFail, #HealthMisinformation, #MedicalAI, #StudyFindings, #DigitalHealth
https://newsletter.tf/ai-chatbots-give-bad-health-advice-study/ -
New York Times: He Warned About the Dangers of A.I. If Only His Father Had Listened. . “Joe was making decisions based on bad information packaged with the veneer of scientific expertise. It was the kind of misinformation that was virtually impossible for a lay person to spot, even for someone like Joe, who by all accounts was an ideal user.”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/04/14/new-york-times-he-warned-about-the-dangers-of-a-i-if-only-his-father-had-listened/ -
Google AI Overviews Exposed for Dispensing Dangerous Health Misinformation
Google's AI Overviews have given wrong and unsafe health advice. This could harm people. Learn what happened and what Google is doing.
#GoogleAI, #HealthMisinformation, #AIEthics, #PublicSafety, #DigitalHealth
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Google's AI Overviews have been found to give incorrect and sometimes dangerous health advice. Experts are worried this could hurt people who trust the information. Google is working to fix this problem.
#GoogleAI, #HealthMisinformation, #AIEthics, #PublicSafety, #DigitalHealth
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1 in 10 Zoomers are asking ChatGPT to help diagnose STDs, and doctors are alarmed
https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://nerds.xyz/2026/01/gen-z-chatgpt-std-ai-diagnosis/
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University of Waterloo: Predicting disease outbreaks using social media. “Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a new approach that could help public health officials predict where outbreaks might occur. By analyzing social media posts, the method identifies early signs of increasing vaccine skepticism — a warning signal that could emerge before any disease begins to spread.”
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Amazon’s Bestselling Herbal Guides Are Overrun by Fake Authors and AI
Herbalist books have been popular for centuries. This new AI-written generation is a disgrace. Image in Creative Commons.…
#NewsBeep #News #Medication #AI #aibooks #AIslop #Alternativemedicine #Artificialintelligence #bookfraud #CA #Canada #fakeauthors #Health #healthmisinformation #herbalmedicine #Publishing
https://www.newsbeep.com/ca/264097/ -
https://www.europesays.com/uk/550627/ Amazon’s Bestselling Herbal Guides Are Overrun by Fake Authors and AI #AI #AiBooks #AiSlop #AlternativeMedicine #ArtificialIntelligence #BookFraud #FakeAuthors #Health #HealthMisinformation #HerbalMedicine #Medication #publishing #UK #UnitedKingdom
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Amazon’s Bestselling Herbal Guides Are Overrun by Fake Authors and AI
Herbalist books have been popular for centuries. This new AI-written generation is a disgrace. Image in Creative Commons.…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Medication #AI #aibooks #AIslop #Alternativemedicine #Artificialintelligence #bookfraud #fakeauthors #Health #healthmisinformation #herbalmedicine #publishing
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/272502/ -
Amazon’s Bestselling Herbal Guides Are Overrun by Fake Authors and AI
Herbalist books have been popular for centuries. This new AI-written generation is a disgrace. Image in Creative Commons.…
#NewsBeep #News #Medication #AI #aibooks #aislop #Alternativemedicine #Artificialintelligence #AU #Australia #bookfraud #fakeauthors #Health #healthmisinformation #herbalmedicine #publishing
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/263720/ -
https://www.europesays.com/ie/163653/ Amazon’s Bestselling Herbal Guides Are Overrun by Fake Authors and AI #AI #AiBooks #AISlop #AlternativeMedicine #ArtificialIntelligence #BookFraud #Éire #FakeAuthors #Health #HealthMisinformation #HerbalMedicine #IE #Ireland #Medication #publishing
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PC Magazine: Can’t Trust Chatbots Yet: Reddit’s AI Was Caught Suggesting Heroin for Pain Relief. “AI chatbots have had a long history of hallucinating, and Reddit’s version, called Answers, has now joined the list after it recommended heroin to a user seeking pain relief.”
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New free-to-download paper:
"Public health disinformation, conflict, and disease outbreaks"
https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2562380
#OpenAccess #HealthDiplomacy #GlobalHealthDiplomacy #Health #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #PlanetaryHealth #OneHealth #EcoHealth #Disinformation #Misinformation #HealthDisinformation #HealthMisinformation #HealthConflict #ConflictHealth -
PsyPost: New study links cognitive style to health misinformation detection. “A new study published in PLOS One sheds light on how people respond to health-related disinformation on social media. The research suggests that people who enjoy thinking critically and analytically tend to be better at identifying false or misleading content.”
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#RFKjr is poised to hurt lots of people — pregnant women in particular — with his “cause” of #autism: acetaminophen.
“RFK has shown, over and over again, that he has no idea how to properly interpret the medical literature. He uses scientific evidence as the proverbial drunk uses a lamppost – for support rather than illumination.”
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Social media nutrition misinformation fuels food-based attachments
#Health #NutritionMyths #FadDiets #FoodIdentity #Diet #DietCulture #SocialMediaInfluence #HealthMisinformation #EchoChamber #FoodChoices #WellnessTrends #SeedOils #NutritionAwareness
https://the-14.com/social-media-nutrition-misinformation-fuels-food-based-attachments/ -
PsyPost: Most TikTok videos about birth control are unreliable, study finds. “A new study published in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health suggests that popular TikTok videos about contraception are often misleading, low in quality, and rarely created by medical professionals.”
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𝗪𝗵𝗼'𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀?
Our monthly newsletter (available in English and French) helps you track the latest misinformation trends and what scientists are really finding while keeping an eye on policy in this domain.
#ClimateMisinformation #HealthMisinformation #ScienceNewsletter #disinformation #debunk
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SF Gate: White House posts misinformation about In-N-Out menu change. “While the White House news release has since been updated, the Chronicle reported that it had linked to an X post from an In-N-Out fan account: ‘It’s official. In-N-Out will be transitioning to 100% pure beef tallow.’ In a reply to the April post, the account clarified it was an April Fools’ Day joke.”
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Syracuse University: Fact or Fiction? The ADHD Info Dilemma. “…researchers from the Department of Psychology at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences conducted a study examining how college-aged students respond to inaccurate ADHD-related content. Their findings… revealed that exposure to ADHD misinformation on TikTok significantly reduced students’ accurate understanding […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2025/07/09/syracuse-university-fact-or-fiction-the-adhd-info-dilemma/
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The Guardian: More than half of top 100 mental health TikToks contain misinformation, study finds. “More than half of all the top trending videos offering mental health advice on TikTok contain misinformation, a Guardian investigation has found. People are increasingly turning to social media for mental health support, yet research has revealed that many influencers are peddling […]
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The Conversation: Why we fall for fake health information – and how it spreads faster than facts. “As a global health communication scholar studying the effects of media on health and development, I explore artistic and creative ways to make health information more engaging and accessible, empowering people to make informed decisions. Although there is a fire hose of health-related content […]
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World Health Organization: WHO partners with Thailand and Sri Lanka to pilot a new tool to combat and address infodemics. “The proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, coupled with the overwhelming volume of information-both online and offline, makes it difficult for people and communities to access accurate information and undermines public health efforts, eroding trust, and […]
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Search Engine Journal: Google Expands AI Overviews To Thousands More Health Queries. “Google is expanding AI overviews to ‘thousands more health topics,’ per an announcement at the company’s health-focused ‘The Check Up’ event. The event included developments spanning research, wearable technology, and medical records.”