A study led by the University of Sydney reveals that social media influencers often use emotional narratives and fear to promote controversial medical tests, including full-body MRIs and genetic testing for cancer. These promotions typically overlook the tests' potential harms and fail to consider evidence suggesting their limited benefits for healthy individuals. The research analyzed almost 1,000 Instagram and TikTok posts from various account holders, highlighting how these narratives can lead to unnecessary diagnoses and mental health impacts. The findings call attention to the misleading nature of health-related social media content.
These tests carry the potential for healthy people to receive unnecessary diagnoses, which could lead to unnecessary medical treatments or impact mental health.
Posts about these tests came from a wide range of account holders, from major influencers to everyday girl-next-door accounts, as well as news outlets, doctors and the companies making the tests.
Fearmongering that if you don't do this test, you're not taking care of your own health.
Posts promoting these tests were misleading, failing to mention potential harms, and were often framed as empowerment through early screening.
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