Is health misinformation on social media a public health crisis?

How widespread is health misinformation on social media?

Health misinformation is not a fringe issue—it is pervasive. A 2022 survey of over 6,200 US adults found that more than one-third (35.61%) of social media users perceived high levels of false or misleading health information on these platforms [1]. Even more striking, about two-thirds (66.56%) reported that it is difficult to tell what is true and what is false [1]. This means the problem is not just about a few bad posts; it is a constant challenge for the average user.

A systematic review of 69 studies published before March 2019 found that misinformation rates varied by topic but were alarmingly high in key areas. For example, up to 87% of posts about smoking products and drugs (like opioids and marijuana) contained misinformation, and 43% of vaccine-related posts were false or misleading [4]. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated this trend, with a bibliometric analysis showing a surge in research on social media misinformation from 2020 onward, confirming that the pandemic turned an existing problem into a full-blown infodemic [3][6].

What are the real-world consequences for public health?

The consequences go far beyond confusion. A 2022 study of over 3,800 US adults found that people who perceived substantial health misinformation on social media were 66% more likely to have low trust in the healthcare system (odds ratio 1.66) [2]. This erosion of trust is dangerous because it can lead people to avoid medical care or ignore public health guidance. The same study showed that this effect was especially strong among people who had experienced medical discrimination, suggesting misinformation deepens existing health disparities [2].

Misinformation also directly changes behavior. The 2022 survey found that people who perceived high amounts of misinformation were significantly less likely to share health information on social media (about 26% lower odds) and less likely to use social media information in health decisions (about 73% lower odds) [1]. While avoiding bad information might seem good, it also means people may miss out on accurate, helpful health content. More dangerously, misinformation has been linked to vaccine refusal and other harmful health choices, as noted in a 2025 review that called it a major threat to public health [5].

What can be done to address this crisis?

Experts argue that a multi-layered public health approach is needed, similar to how we handle infectious diseases [5]. Tertiary prevention (treating the problem after it spreads) includes fact-checking, warning labels, and debunking false posts. Secondary prevention (reducing spread) involves nudging users—like prompts that appear before sharing content—and teaching media literacy skills. Primary prevention (stopping the root cause) requires systemic changes, such as regulating social media algorithms and international laws to hold platforms accountable [5].

There is also promising evidence on how to correct misinformation once it is out. A 2025 experiment on Instagram found that both fact-based and logic-based corrections reduced misperceptions about Mpox, and the effect lasted at least a day [7]. Importantly, using inclusive hashtags (like #StopStigma) alongside corrections improved attitudes toward affected groups, showing that how we frame corrections matters [7]. This suggests that effective communication strategies can help, but they must be part of a broader effort that includes platform accountability and user education.

About These Sources

This answer is built on 7 peer-reviewed studies — published from 2021 to 2025, 5 from 2024 or later, 3 in Q1 journals, collectively cited 101 times — selected as the most relevant from 7 studies that passed quality screening, drawn from 46 papers retrieved from a database of over 500 million.

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