Poll Reveals Americans’ Trusted and Untrusted Sources for Health News
Poll Reveals Americans' Trusted and Untrusted Sources for Health News
Misinformation and the Power of False Claims on Health
Misinformation about health and medicine is rampant in the United States, with far too many Americans being presented false claims and left wondering what to believe. According to a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), at least 4 in 10 people say they’ve heard 10 specific false claims about COVID-19, reproductive health, and gun violence.
Although not many fall for the fake news, the survey reveals that a significant portion of the public is uncertain about the veracity of these false claims. People who said false claims are “definitely true” ranged from as few as 3% who believe COVID vaccines have been proven to cause infertility, to as many as 18% who believe armed school guards have been proven to prevent school shootings.
This uncertainty creates vulnerable ground for misinformation to thrive. According to Drew Altman, president and CEO of KFF, “Most people aren’t true believers in the lies or the facts about health issues; they are in a muddled middle. The public’s uncertainty leaves them vulnerable to misinformation but is also the opportunity to combat it.”
Misinformation on Vaccines, Birth Control, and Guns
The survey highlights specific false claims and the varying beliefs and perceptions surrounding them. One-third of adults said the false claim that COVID vaccines have caused thousands of sudden deaths in otherwise healthy people is “definitely” (10%) or “probably” (23%) true. Interestingly, Black participants were more likely to believe this false statement than white respondents, while Republicans and independents were more likely to do so than Democrats.
Another false claim tackled pertained to birth control. About a third of adults said the false claim that using birth control such as the pill or an IUD makes it harder for most women to get pregnant once they stop using them is “definitely” (5%) or “probably” (29%) true. Adults under 65, Republicans, independents, Black, and Hispanic adults were more likely to believe this claim than others.
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Furthermore, when told the inaccurate statement that people who have firearms at home are less likely to be killed with a gun, about 4 in 10 (42%) said it was “definitely” (13%) or “probably” (29%) true. Gun owners were more likely than non-gun owners to believe this false claim.
What’s intriguing is that individuals described contradictory statements when asked about specific misinformation related to COVID. These conflicting tidbits display the confusion that misinformation can create, undermining public health efforts.
Trustworthy Sources of Health Information
The survey also assessed people’s trust in various sources of health information, with doctors coming out as the most trusted, followed closely by traditional news sources. Approximately 93% of respondents said they trust their doctors at least to a fair amount. Local TV news stations, national network news, and local newspapers also received a fair amount of trust.
However, cable news networks fared worse in terms of trust, with smaller shares trusting CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Newsmax, or One America News Network (OANN). Regarding federal health agencies, about two-thirds of respondents said they have at least a fair amount of trust in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make the right recommendations when it comes to health issues. Democrats are more likely to trust these agencies than independents or Republicans.
Social media platforms emerged as the least trustworthy sources of health information. Approximately 24% of adults said they use social media at least weekly to find health information or advice. Of the specific social media sources mentioned in the survey, YouTube garnered the most trust, followed by Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. However, fewer than 1 in 10 respondents stated they have a lot of trust in health information from any of these social media sources.
Impact of News Sources and Social Media on Misinformation Susceptibility
The survey revealed a correlation between the news sources people consume and their susceptibility to misinformation. Less than half of the surveyed adults believed that one of the five false COVID and vaccine claims presented in the survey was “definitely” or “probably” true. However, this share rose significantly among regular viewers of Newsmax, OANN, and Fox News.
Similarly, those who use social media for health information and advice at least weekly were more likely to have heard and believed false COVID and vaccine claims compared to those who don’t use social media for health advice.
The survey conducted by KFF provides valuable insights into the widespread misinformation regarding health and medicine in the United States. Recognizing the uncertainty and vulnerability of the public, efforts must be made to combat false claims and ensure accurate information reaches the population.
QUESTION: What percentage of the human body is water?
The survey serves as a starting point for KFF’s program aimed at identifying and monitoring health misinformation and trust in the United States. The organization plans to launch a “Health Misinformation Monitor” to document emerging health misinformation, identify its primary sources, and examine the role that social media and news outlets play in its spread.
In conclusion, the prevalence of misinformation about health and medicine is a concerning issue. It is crucial for individuals to critically evaluate the information they encounter and rely on trusted sources. By raising awareness and combating misinformation, we can strive to promote accurate health knowledge and protect the well-being of individuals and communities.
More information
The U.S. Surgeon General has more about health misinformation.
Source: KFF, news release, Aug. 22, 2023
