(AP) – A plethora of health and wellness guidance can be discovered across digital platforms, ranging from the fashionable to the educational to outright misinformation. It’s highly probable that you’re encountering such content frequently.
A recent investigation by the Pew Research Center indicates that approximately 40% of adults in the United States, and around half of those under the age of 50, obtain their health-related information from social media feeds or audio programs known as podcasts.
The study also involved an analysis of the social media presences of 6,828 individuals identified as health and wellness promoters, each boasting a following of at least 100,000 users. A mere fraction, roughly 40%, of these individuals list formal qualifications as healthcare practitioners.
Approximately one-third identified themselves as coaches, while about 30% described their role as entrepreneurs. An additional 10% cited personal life experiences, such as parenthood, as their basis for offering advice.
Despite this diverse spectrum of claimed expertise, nearly half of the individuals who receive health and wellness guidance from these online personalities reported that the influencers contributed to a better comprehension of their own health. Conversely, about a third found no significant difference, and approximately 10% felt their confusion was amplified.
Experts advocate for a healthy dose of skepticism when engaging with content concerning physical fitness, psychological well-being, and personal health. The following provides their recommendations for becoming a more discerning consumer of such information.
How to Assess a Health Influencer’s Qualifications
Practitioners in the field emphasize that a primary indicator of credibility is the ease with which an influencer’s qualifications can be verified on their profile. Caution is advised regarding individuals who adopt generic titles like “coach” without substantiated proof of their training or expertise.
Courtney Babilya, an exercise physiology specialist and personal trainer with a substantial following on Instagram, has observed this trend, particularly within content related to maternity. “Someone has a baby and suddenly they’re a pregnancy coach,” she noted.
“We must exercise vigilance concerning individuals who leverage a single area of personal experience to assume the role of a ‘coach’ in that domain,” she stated.
The designation of “coach” often represents a professional title rather than an indicator of formal training. Babilya openly discusses her personal journey with chronic illness online, but she meticulously separates this narrative from her professional counsel.
“There exists a responsibility to diligently ensure that one is not disseminating misleading information or propagating a message that lacks universal applicability,” she asserted.
Avoid Succumbing to Viral Sensationalism
When content elicits strong emotional responses, it’s prudent to pause and reflect. For individuals facing barriers to accessing healthcare or feeling invalidated by their medical providers, unconventional viewpoints might appear to offer long-awaited solutions. The Pew survey revealed that 53% of individuals without health insurance obtained health-related information via social media, in contrast to 38% of those who were insured.
However, professionals dedicated to disseminating accurate medical information online do not aim to provoke alarm or astonishment, according to Dr. Fatima Daoud Yilmaz, an OB-GYN at Stony Brook Medicine in New York. She is known for her popular “Feminine Aisle” video series, which evaluates over-the-counter products.
Even when an individual appears to possess expertise, it’s essential to ask: Are they speaking beyond the confines of their professional knowledge? Does their discourse align with established scientific consensus?
“Not all perspectives carry equal weight when discussing matters of health, medicine, or science,” Dr. Daoud emphasized.
Be wary of overly dramatic or absolute pronouncements, especially in the initial moments of a video, as influencers often employ these tactics to capture immediate attention, added Babilya.
The use of tentative language serves as a positive indicator, according to Nedra Glover Tawwab, a licensed therapist and author. In her instructional videos on boundaries and mental health, she employs qualifiers such as “perhaps,” “sometimes,” and “maybe,” rather than issuing diagnoses to her substantial Instagram following of 1.8 million.
If an online resource leads you to believe you have identified a medical condition, that is a clear signal to consult a qualified professional, Tawwab advised.
Investigate the Financial Motivations of Influencers
Monetary gain is a significant driver for many individuals on social media; for some, it constitutes their primary source of income.
“This doesn’t inherently mean all information presented is biased, but it should prompt recipients of that information to approach it with a degree of caution, given their potential financial incentives to promote specific content,” Dr. Daoud explained.
Babilya’s online presence has evolved into her full-time occupation, and it is how she sustains her household. Engaging in paid partnerships and brand collaborations was a considered decision, instrumental in ensuring the viability of her professional endeavors.
Babilya stated that she prioritizes transparency with her audience and ensures that any sponsored content is clearly identified.
Transition from Passive Consumption to Active Engagement
Experts also recommend pausing your scrolling to verify the origins of the information presented in videos. Seek out evidence-based research that adheres to the gold standard of scientific inquiry. Some content lacks rigorous fact-checking, as Babilya cautioned, citing studies that bear no relation to the claims made by the influencer.
Apply the same evaluative approach that you would use when assessing a purchase online. Consider the broader discourse surrounding the advice, much like scrutinizing product reviews, suggested Tawwab.
According to the Pew survey, two-thirds of users reported encountering content incidentally rather than actively seeking it out.
Effectively curating your digital feed requires conscious effort and continuous management, according to Ash Milton, a researcher at the University of Minnesota specializing in how users engage with online mental health resources.
“This demands effort because the underlying algorithm is designed to facilitate passive consumption,” Milton observed.
Features like “Hidden Words” on Instagram or “Not Interested” on TikTok can assist in filtering out undesirable content. However, Milton pointed out that TikTok’s algorithms may not precisely discern the specific aspects of a video that you wish to avoid. Use your own reactions as a guide to refine your feed by questioning: Is this health advice genuinely applicable and beneficial to my life, or simply relatable?
Cultivate a Relationship with a Trusted Medical Professional
Always verify any information encountered online with a reputable healthcare provider before taking action.
Influencers have the latitude to express any opinion, whereas medical professionals are bound by ethical and legal obligations regarding patient care, and “may face professional and personal repercussions for the guidance they offer,” Dr. Daoud stated.
“Ultimately, it is paramount to consult with the medical provider who possesses knowledge of your individual circumstances,” she concluded.
