Study Finds 40% of Americans Get Health Advice from Social Media, Raising Concerns About Credibility

A new survey by the Pew Research Center has revealed that approximately four in ten American adults—and around half of those under 50—now rely on social media platforms or podcasts for health and wellness information, highlighting a significant shift in how people access medical advice.

The study also examined the credentials of 6,828 health and wellness influencers with followings of at least 100,000 people. Only about 40% of these influencers listed backgrounds as health professionals. The remainder identified themselves as coaches (33%), entrepreneurs (30%), or cited personal life experiences (10%) as their qualifications.

Despite this variation in expertise, about half of consumers who get health information from these sources reported that influencers helped them better understand their own health, while approximately one-third said it made little difference. Roughly one in ten respondents admitted that such content actually increased their confusion.

Health experts emphasize that skepticism is essential when evaluating online health content. Courtney Babilya, a certified medical exercise specialist and personal trainer with over 430,000 Instagram followers, warns about the phenomenon of unqualified individuals suddenly positioning themselves as experts.

“We have to be careful with people who have an experience in one thing and suddenly become a ‘coach’ on that,” Babilya noted. She pointed to maternity content as a common area where this occurs: “Someone has a baby and suddenly they’re a pregnancy coach.”

Experts recommend looking for easily accessible credentials on an influencer’s profile as a positive indicator. The term “coach” often represents a business model rather than verified training or expertise.

The survey revealed a concerning disparity in how uninsured Americans access health information. Approximately 53% of uninsured individuals reported getting health information from social media, compared to 38% of those with insurance—suggesting that those with limited access to healthcare may be more vulnerable to potentially misleading online health content.

Dr. Fatima Daoud Yilmaz, an OB-GYN at Stony Brook Medicine in New York who creates educational content online, advises viewers to be wary of content designed to provoke strong emotional reactions. “People who are trying to share good medical information online are not trying to incite fear or surprise,” she explained.

Health professionals recommend questioning whether influencers are speaking within their area of expertise and if their claims align with scientific consensus. “All opinions are not created equal when it comes to something such as health or medicine or science,” Dr. Daoud emphasized.

Financial incentives also play a significant role in the health influencer ecosystem. Many content creators earn their livelihood through their platforms, potentially creating conflicts of interest. Babilya, who supports her family through her online platform, acknowledges this challenge and stresses the importance of transparency in labeling sponsored content.

Consumers are advised to verify sources cited by influencers and look for content backed by gold-standard scientific evidence. Nedra Glover Tawwab, a practicing therapist and author with 1.8 million Instagram followers, noted that qualified professionals tend to use nuanced language rather than making definitive claims or offering diagnoses.

The Pew survey found that two-thirds of users encounter health content passively rather than actively seeking it out. Ash Milton of the University of Minnesota, who studies how users navigate online mental health information, explains that controlling what appears in one’s feed requires ongoing effort: “You have to work for it because the algorithm is designed for passive consumption.”

Ultimately, experts universally recommend consulting with trusted medical professionals before acting on any health advice found online. Unlike influencers, healthcare providers are ethically and legally accountable for the guidance they provide. As Dr. Daoud concluded, “Ultimately, talk to the medical provider who knows you.”