40% of American adults use social networks to obtain health information. This Pew Research Center survey reveals that approximately 4 in 10 American adults, and about half of those under 50 , get health information through social media or podcasts.

After an analysis of profiles of 6,828 influencers who share content about health, it shows that only 40% possess professional credentials in the area. The majority are coaches or entrepreneurs, complicating the authenticity of the information.

Despite misinformation, 50% of users consider that these influencers help them understand their health better. On the contrary, 30% report that there has been no significant impact on their understanding of health.

Given the increasing dependence on digital platforms by users, experts say that a little skepticism is key to engaging with fitness publications, Mental health and personal wellbeing. In this context, Associated Press (AP) carried out work with the purpose of offering advice to raise awareness for more informed consumers.

Expert tips for consuming information

Specialists suggest adopting a skeptical approach when interacting with health content on social media.

Credential verification. A trustworthy influencer should clearly present their training and experience. Users should be aware of those who can't validate their credentials.

In this sense, Courtney Babilya, a certified medical exercise specialist and personal trainer with over 430,000 followers on Instagram, has observed this situation with motherhood content: “Someone you has a baby and suddenly becomes a pregnancy coach (…) We have to be careful with people who have experience in a topic and suddenly become ‘coaches’ in that same topic,” AP collected.

Babilya notes that coaching is a business model, not a training guarantee.

Be wary of exaggerated claims. It is crucial to be wary of definitive or exaggerated claims. Clear messages about uncertainty, such as “maybe” or “sometimes,” tend to be more reliable.

These exaggerated statements frequently arise for the motivation to go viral, that's why they are tremendous.

Influence of financial incentives. Influencers often receive compensation for their content, which can bias the information they share. This factor highlights the importance of being critical and aware consumers when receiving this information.

Verification of sources. Users should validate the information by reviewing scientific sources and the context of the advice received. It is recommended that consumers act with the same caution that they would take when making purchases online.

Consultation with health professionals

Before proceeding with recommendations obtained on social media, it is advised to consult a trusted healthcare provider who has a good understanding of the patient's medical history.

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