A new survey from the Pew Research Center reveals that approximately 40% of U.S. adults, and nearly half of those under 50, turn to social media or podcasts for health and wellness information. With an overwhelming amount of content available, from trendy tips to outright disinformation, it is crucial for consumers to approach such posts with a critical eye.
Who Are the Health Influencers?
The Pew study analyzed 6,828 health and wellness influencers on social media, each with at least 100,000 followers. Only about 40% of these influencers listed a background as a health professional. Around one-third identified themselves as coaches, 30% as entrepreneurs, and 10% cited personal experiences, such as being a parent. Despite this wide range of expertise, half of the respondents who follow such influencers feel they better understand their own health, while a third report no significant impact, and about 10% say they feel more confused.
How to Vet a Health Influencer's Credentials
Experts emphasize that a key green flag is when an influencer’s credentials are clearly displayed on their profile. Beware of vague titles like “coach” without verifiable training. Courtney Babilya, a certified medical exercise specialist and personal trainer with over 430,000 Instagram followers, warns about maternity content: “Someone has a baby and suddenly they’re a pregnancy coach.” She notes that “coach” is often a business model, not a sign of formal training. Babilya shares her own chronic illness experiences but keeps them separate from professional advice, stressing the obligation not to spread misleading or non-universal information.
Don't Fall for Viral Shock Factor
If a post evokes strong emotions, pause and reflect. For those who lack access to care or feel unheard by doctors, an unconventional opinion may seem like a long-awaited answer. The Pew survey found that 53% of uninsured individuals get health information from social media, compared to 38% of those with insurance. Dr. Fatima Daoud Yilmaz, an OB-GYN at Stony Brook Medicine, notes that credible health communicators avoid inciting fear or surprise. Even if the influencer has expertise, consider whether they are speaking outside their scope and if their claims align with scientific consensus. “All opinions are not created equal when it comes to health, medicine, or science,” she says.
Look out for exaggerated or definitive claims, especially in the first few seconds of a video, when influencers aim to grab attention. Ambivalent wording, such as “maybe” or “sometimes,” is a positive sign, according to therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab. If you feel you’ve found a diagnosis online, that is a cue to seek professional help.
Follow the Influencer Money
Many influencers earn their livelihood through social media. Dr. Daoud advises consumers to take such information with a grain of salt due to financial incentives. Babilya, whose platform is now her full-time job, prioritizes transparency by clearly labeling ads and partnerships.
Stop Being a Passive Scroller
Experts recommend pausing to check sources. Look for gold-standard science and be wary of posts that cite studies irrelevant to the claims. Use the same scrutiny as when vetting a purchase online, reading the broader conversation around the advice. According to the Pew survey, two-thirds of users encounter health content passively rather than seeking it out. Ash Milton of the University of Minnesota, who studies online mental health information, notes that controlling your feed requires active effort because algorithms are designed for passive consumption. Use platform features like “Hidden Words” on Instagram or “Not Interested” on TikTok to filter content, though TikTok may not always pinpoint what you dislike. Ask yourself: Is this information applicable and helpful to my life, or just relatable?
Find a Doctor You Trust
Before acting on any online advice, confirm it with a trusted healthcare professional. Influencers can say anything, but medical professionals are ethically and legally accountable for your care. Dr. Daoud emphasizes, “Ultimately, talk to the medical provider who knows you.”
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
