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How do you know what to believe?
You’re scrolling through articles when you see a story claiming a certain supplement can cure diabetes. Your aunt shares a Facebook video about a “miracle” treatment doctors don’t want you to know about. An influencer swears by a health hack that sounds too good to be true.
Dr. Stewart Decker, Clinical Wellness Officer & Medical Director at Sky Lakes Wellness Center, has some tips for how you can spot the red flags.
Tip #1: Check for Sources
The biggest warning sign of misinformation? “The number one red flag is a lack of sources,” Decker says. “Something that’s making strong claims but doesn’t have good, cited sources or doesn’t cite the sources at all.”
When you find an interesting health claim, Decker advises to look for links to actual studies. Real medical information should point back to research published in reputable, peer-reviewed journals like JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) or the New England Journal of Medicine.
Then click those links. Sometimes an article says, “studies show” and links to another article and not directly to the source. “It becomes challenging to find out where that primary source is,” Decker explains. “You’re now looking at articles quoting articles quoting articles and it’s hard to find the original source.”
Tip #2: Find Trustworthy Sources
You don’t need to read complicated medical studies yourself. Instead, look for patient-friendly websites backed by reputable organizations. FamilyDoctor.org is run by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Mayo Clinic and Harvard also offer reliable health information with proper source citations.
Tip #3: Evaluate Influencers Carefully
Just because someone has millions of followers doesn’t mean they know what they’re talking about. “I would try to find their credentials,” Decker advises. Check who else follows them. If a physician is followed by other physicians, that’s a good sign.
Most importantly, do they cite reputable sources? “If it’s not backed up by primary literature, I’d question where that data is coming from,” Decker says.
Tip #4: Watch Out for Emotional Manipulation
Pay attention to how a post makes you feel. Is the person in the video really angry or upset? That’s a red flag, too.
“Their emotional state will influence my emotional state, which will make me more likely to be angry, which makes me process information a little less well,” Decker notes. Fear, anger, and shock can override your ability to think critically.
Memes are especially problematic. They’re designed to trigger quick emotional reactions, but “there’s just not a lot of room for sources in that meme,” Decker points out. Don’t make health decisions based on memes.
Tip #5: Be Aware of Your Biases
We all tend to believe information that confirms what we already think. “If somebody is saying something that you agree with already, you’re more likely to believe that it’s true,” Decker explains. “Even without looking at those sources.”
Confirmation bias affects everyone. The remedy? “Get a diverse news system,” Decker recommends. Follow sources with different perspectives. You might discover important information you were missing.
Slow Down and Do the Work
Before you share that health story or try that new miracle treatment, take a moment. Look for credible sources. Check the facts. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Your health is too important to trust it to unverified claims from strangers on the internet.
