A new study has found that social media influencers often use emotional narratives and fearmongering tactics to promote controversial medical tests, often misleading their followers while failing to mention the potential harms.
The research, published in JAMA Network Open by the University of Sydney, analyzed posts about five health tests, including full-body MRIs, multi-cancer detection tests, testosterone screenings, egg-timer fertility tests, and gut microbiome tests. Despite limited evidence of benefits for healthy individuals, these tests are frequently marketed as necessary for proactive health management.
The study reviewed nearly 1,000 posts from Instagram and TikTok, revealing that 87.1% promoted only benefits, while less than 15% mentioned risks. Influencers, often financially motivated, use scare tactics to push these screenings, contributing to overdiagnosis – a growing issue in the U.S. where unnecessary medical treatments and psychological distress stem from early disease detection that may never cause harm.
Overdiagnosis is not just a personal burden; it places a financial strain on patients and the healthcare system. Full-body MRIs cost upwards of $1000 – $3500, and misleading fertility tests can push women into unnecessary anxiety and expensive IVF treatments.
Experts warn that people should be cautious about taking health advice from social media influencers who may not have medical expertise and often have financial incentives to promote tests.
Stronger regulation is needed to counteract misinformation and ensure that medical decisions remain guided by professionals, not influencers looking to profit from fear-based marketing.
