By Mark Watts
The reel on my social media automatically loaded after I watched a Go-Pro video my friend had posted. It was a famous actor, his golden voice familiar to millions, standing behind a podium. “He has discovered a new product to clear the lungs of excess fluid,” a caption read. It was presented as a major announcement from the press secretary of the United States. This was amazing news – that after a long career, the actor was turning his efforts to medical research.
I reported the reel to the social media team. But will that be enough to stop the misinformation?
I have been researching medical AI for years, best model, deployment, governance. This reel violated all the best practices that help us build trust with the public and yet there it was.
In the age of information overload, the biggest health challenge we face isn’t a lack of data – it’s a tidal wave of it. With a click, we can access medical research, health forums, and advice from around the globe. This power is double-edged: the right information can empower us to make better health decisions, while misinformation can lead to dangerous choices and unnecessary anxiety.
Navigating this online “jungle” is a skill we all need to master.
Misinformation isn’t always a dramatic conspiracy theory; it can be a slick website, a compelling headline or a seemingly innocent social media post. To help you arm yourself, here are some key principles for assessing medical news, websites and even the health apps on your phone.
Trust Your Gut, Then Verify
That email from a “credible-looking” source promising a miracle cure or a revolutionary discovery? Take a moment to pause. If your instinct tells you something isn’t quite right, listen to it. Instead of clicking on the link, open a new browser tab and search for the claim and the source. A quick three-second search could save you from a world of trouble.
Consider the recent spread of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. False claims about a horse dewormer called ivermectin being a cure for the virus spread like wildfire on social media. People were being told to self-medicate with a drug not approved for this use, with potentially serious health consequences. A quick search of the FDA, CDC and WHO websites would have immediately revealed that these claims were unfounded and dangerous. Remember, a groundbreaking medical discovery won’t be announced exclusively in a chain email or on a niche social media reel.
The ‘Too Good to Be True’ Test
If you read about a health breakthrough on a single website and it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Major medical advancements are not kept secret. They are published in reputable scientific journals and reported on by multiple, credible news organizations. Cross-referencing is your best friend. A single website’s interpretation of a study is just one perspective. For a more accurate understanding, seek out the original abstract of the study and read the conclusion yourself.
This is not a new phenomenon. History is filled with medical hoaxes that promised miraculous results with no scientific backing. For centuries, “bloodletting” was believed to cure a host of illnesses, from fever to pneumonia, but it was nothing more than a dangerous, ineffective practice that likely hastened the deaths of many. Today’s version of this is the single, isolated “breakthrough” story that appears on a low-traffic blog, often promising a cure for a major disease with a natural remedy. If the biggest breakthrough in the history of medicine has only been reported on one site, it’s not a breakthrough – it’s a hoax.
Don’t Just Take Their Word For It
Reputable health companies and medical organizations are transparent. If a company claims its product is “FDA-approved” or backed by a specific study, they should provide a clear link or reference. Don’t be afraid to verify these claims yourself. You can search the FDA’s website for product approvals or use research databases to find the study they’ve cited. A lack of available links is a major red flag.
Beware the Blinking Lights
It seems obvious, but it’s worth repeating: be suspicious of flashy websites and aggressive pop-up ads. If a site tries to grab your attention with flashing signs, animated advertisements, or a “clickbait” headline, it’s likely more interested in your data or your wallet than in your health. These visual cues are often a signal of unreliable information.
Where to Find Reliable Information
In a world overflowing with fake news, relevant and trustworthy information can easily get buried. The key is to turn to sources that meet both medical and scientific standards. Major medical organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with reputable university health systems and well-respected public health agencies are your best bet.
This is the beginning of a long new period where real looking reels produced on familiar social media outlets will become commonplace. The term “Sloshing” is being used to describe this event.
Your health is too important to leave to chance. By becoming a more critical consumer of online information, you can transform the digital “data jungle” into a powerful tool for your well-being.
Mark Watts is an experienced imaging professional who founded an AI company called Zenlike.ai.
