This first edition of the Health Misinformation Monitor explores misinformation about raw milk amid bird flu outbreaks on dairy farms, false vaccine narratives, and legal challenges against abortion pill reversal claims. It also provides a snapshot of new KFF polling on Tik Tok and discusses early challenges faced by WHO's new AI tool in providing accurate answers to health questions.
KFF's Health Misinformation Tracking Poll shows that most adults who use the social media app TikTok report seeing health-related information or advice on the app. While fewer than half of users say they trust health information they see on the app, younger, Black and Hispanic users report higher levels of trust.
Introduction While health misinformation and disinformation long preceded the pandemic, the pervasiveness of false and inaccurate information about COVID-19 and vaccines brought into further focus the extent to which misinformation can distort public health policy debates and impact the health choices individuals make. KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor surveys in 2021 and 2022 found that large<span class="readmore-ellipsis">…</span><a href="https://www.kff.org/report-section/kff-health-misinformation-tracking-poll-pilot-findings/" class="see-more light-beige no-float inline-readmore">More</a></p>
The poll reveals that at least four in ten U.S. adults saying they’ve heard each of 10 specific false claims about COVID-19, reproductive health, and gun violence. While relatively small shares definitely believes the false claims, many more are uncertain about them. The survey also examines the public’s social and traditional media use and trust in sources of health information.
A new survey from KFF finds that most U.S. adults are uncertain about health misinformation claims, with the most widespread false claims related to COVID-19.