Social Media Influencers Spreading Misleading Information on Medical Tests: Study

New Delhi: Social media is flooded with health advice, but not all of it is trustworthy. A global study led by the University of Sydney has revealed that influencers on Instagram and TikTok are overwhelmingly promoting misleading information about controversial medical screening tests.

The research, published in JAMA Network Open, analysed nearly 1,000 posts related to five medical tests and found that the vast majority lacked scientific evidence, highlighted benefits without mentioning risks, and were financially motivated.

Widespread Misinformation and Lack of Scientific Evidence

The study examined posts promoting full-body MRI scans, multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, testosterone level blood tests, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) tests (used to estimate a woman’s egg count), and gut microbiome tests. These tests have limited evidence of benefit for healthy individuals and could contribute to overdiagnosis and unnecessary medical interventions.

“The vast majority of these posts were overwhelmingly misleading,” said lead researcher Dr. Brooke Nickel from the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health. “They are being promoted under the guise of early screening, as a way to take control of your own health. The problem is they are unnecessary for most people and, in some cases, the science backing their efficacy is shaky.”

The study found that 87% of posts mentioned the benefits of these tests, while only 15% discussed potential harms. Only 6% referenced the risks of overdiagnosis or overtreatment, and a mere 6% provided any scientific evidence. Instead, 34% of posts relied on personal anecdotes, and 68% of influencers had financial ties to the tests they were promoting.

Risks of Overdiagnosis and Unnecessary Treatments

“These tests carry the potential for healthy people to receive unnecessary diagnoses, which could lead to unnecessary medical treatments or impact mental health,” Dr. Nickel explained. “One example is the ‘egg timer’ or AMH test. It is being heavily marketed to women by influencers as a way of measuring fertility, but experts do not consider it to be reliable. There is concern that a low result discovered outside the context of a specific medical issue may drive some women to unnecessary, costly fertility interventions.”

She also highlighted concerns about testosterone tests, which are often marketed to men using fear tactics to promote testosterone supplements. “This is risky as the long-term safety of testosterone replacement therapy on cardiovascular health and mortality is still unknown.”

Dr. Nickel warned that influencers frequently use the phrase ‘knowledge is power’ while omitting crucial details. “Most information is cherry-picked. When it comes to health, getting the full picture is so important, and half-truths are often lies.”

Medical Experts Call for Regulation

Co-researcher Dr. Ray Moynihan, an Honorary Assistant Professor at Bond University, criticized the unchecked spread of misinformation on social media. “These findings suggest social media is an open sewer of medical misinformation. This is a public health crisis that exacerbates overdiagnosis and threatens the sustainability of health systems.”

The study also found that posts from medical doctors were more likely to provide balanced information, referencing scientific evidence and mentioning potential harms. Researchers are now calling for stronger regulations to combat the spread of misleading medical claims online.

“Given that social media platforms like Instagram are moving away from fact-checking their content, the need for stronger regulation to prevent misleading medical information has gained urgency,” said Dr. Josh Zadro, senior researcher and co-author from the University of Sydney.

Commonly Promoted Tests

• Full-body MRI scan: Claimed to screen for up to 500 conditions, but there is no evidence of benefit for healthy individuals. Experts warn about the risks of overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments.

• Multi-cancer early detection tests: Marketed as a way to detect over 50 cancers, but there is no proven benefit for screening healthy populations, and clinical trials are still ongoing.

• AMH (Egg-timer) test: Promoted as a test to measure ovarian reserve and predict fertility, yet it is not considered a reliable fertility test and could lead to unnecessary and costly fertility treatments.

• Gut microbiome test: Advertised as a diagnostic tool for various health conditions, but there is insufficient evidence of its benefit. Experts raise concerns about unnecessary medical interventions.

• Testosterone test: Marketed to measure testosterone levels and promote supplements, but there is no evidence of benefit for healthy men. Additionally, long-term health risks remain uncertain.

The findings highlight the growing concern over unregulated medical information being spread on social media. Researchers are pushing for policies to curb the promotion of unreliable medical tests and ensure that the public receives accurate and evidence-based health information.

With millions of followers being exposed to potentially harmful misinformation daily, experts emphasize the urgent need for stricter oversight and better education about the risks of overdiagnosis and medical overuse.