CNN
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Although not a brand new phenomenon, well being misinformation turned much more widespread throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. A brand new ballot from KFF finds that many Americans nonetheless encounter misinformation typically and don’t know whether or not to consider it.

Just over 2,000 adults took half within the survey, which was performed between May 23 and June 12. Participants had been requested about 10 false well being claims associated to Covid-19, reproductive well being and gun violence.

At least 4 in 10 individuals stated that they had heard every assertion, the report discovered.

When offered with the assertion “More people have died from the Covid-19 vaccines than have died from the Covid-19 virus,” 47% labeled it as positively false. But about 20% of respondents stated it was positively or in all probability true.

As for reproductive well being, solely 30% of respondents stated the assertion “Sex education that includes information about contraception and birth control increases the likelihood that teens will be sexually active” is unquestionably false.

Looking at gun violence, solely 22% stated that the assertion “People who have firearms at home are less likely to be killed by a gun than people who do not have a firearm” is unquestionably false.

Relatively few individuals stated that any of the false claims had been “definitely true,” the examine authors discovered. However, on the similar time, roughly half to three-quarters of the members weren’t precisely sure whether or not every of the claims was true, describing them as solely “probably true” or “probably false.”

The report additionally requested respondents the place they heard or learn misinformation on the well being subjects and whom they trusted probably the most when that info was disseminated.

Eighty-one p.c of respondents stated they might put at the least somewhat belief in well being info reported by native TV information stations, adopted by nationwide community information, corresponding to ABC, CBS or NBC, at 72%; native newspapers at 71%; and on-line information aggregators corresponding to Apple, Yahoo or Google News at 64%.

People who relied on Newsmax, OANN, Fox News or social media for his or her well being info had been extra prone to have heard at the least one of many 5 false Covid-19 claims within the survey.

About 1 / 4 of the members (24%) stated they used social media at the least weekly to “find health information or advice.” This group included principally Hispanic and Black individuals, in addition to individuals in low-income households.

Of the individuals who used the social information aggregation and dialogue website Reddit each week, 1 in 6 say they might have numerous belief within the well being info they discovered there. Weekly TikTok, YouTube and Twitter customers additionally expressed numerous belief within the well being info they see on these platforms.

“Adults who frequently use social media to find health information and advice are more likely to believe that certain false statements about COVID-19 and reproductive health are definitely or probably true,” the report authors wrote.

Of all the knowledge sources requested about within the survey, many individuals stated they belief their medical doctors probably the most, with 93% of respondents saying they belief them for “at least a fair amount” of well being info and suggestions.

US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has known as well being misinformation “a serious threat to public health” in a 22-page advisory that urges people to take duty to restrict the unfold of misinformation.

“Health misinformation is a serious threat to public health. It can cause confusion, sow mistrust, harm people’s health, and undermine public health efforts. Limiting the spread of health misinformation is a moral and civic imperative that will require a whole-of-society effort,” he stated.

Misinformation can take the type of issues like comical memes circulating on-line, deceptive graphics or cherry-picked statistics.

In 2021, the US Department of Health and Human Services revealed a Community Toolkit on well being misinformation that gives steering for individuals who see or hear health-related content material that they aren’t certain about.

The company advises checking with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or your native public well being division to see whether or not there is perhaps any fact to the declare. You may also ask your well being care supplier if they’ve extra info.

Search on-line to see if the declare has been verified by a reputable supply corresponding to authorities businesses or peer-reviewed medical journals.

If the knowledge is on a web site, verify the “About Us” web page to study extra about whether or not it is perhaps credible,

At the tip of the day, the HHS says, for those who aren’t certain about content material you see on-line, don’t share it with others.