United States: These days, online users engage in conversations about three essential medical examinations, which are testosterone screenings and comprehensive MRI body scans, as well as female fertility tests, through the “egg timer” process alongside gut microbiome studies.
According to experts, the widespread spread of misinformation through social media platforms will lead to users’ exposure.
What more are the experts suggesting?
Research published by JAMA Network Open examined 1,000 social media posts from Instagram and TikTok regarding five troublesome medical screening tests that occurred on February 28.
Research uncovered that most of these Instagram and TikTok posts lacked scientific proof, yet social media influencers, who totaled 200 million followers, promoted them with substantial financial conflicts and omitted any discussion of possible test-related risks.
According to the lead researcher, Brooke Nickel, a research fellow with the University of Sydney School of Public Health in Australia, “The vast majority of these posts were overwhelmingly misleading,” US News reported.
“They are being promoted under the guise of early screening as a way to take control of your own health,” she stated.
“The problem is they are unnecessary for most people and, in some cases, the science backing their efficacy is shaky,” Nickel continued.
Understanding trends online
Researchers collected data from Instagram and TikTok for five medical screening topics that included full-body MRI exams, genetic cancer tests, testosterone blood tests, AMH egg count evaluation, and gut microbiome analysis.
“These tests carry the potential for healthy people to receive unnecessary diagnoses, which could lead to unnecessary medical treatments or impact mental health,” as Nickel mentioned.
“One of the underlying themes being used by influencers promoting these tests is that knowledge is power, but most information is cherry-picked,” Nickel added, US News reported.
And, “When it comes to health, getting the full picture is so important, and half-truths are often lies.”
Studies revealed a financial engagement among 68 percent of influencers together with other account holders who were promoting these tests.
Moreover, as per the co-researcher Ray Moynihan, an honorary assistant professor at Bond University in Australia, “These findings suggest social media is an open sewer of medical misinformation.”