Study Shows 40% of Americans Get Health Information from Social Media, Raising Credibility Concerns

Health and wellness advice permeates social media feeds nationwide, with approximately four in ten American adults now turning to platforms like Instagram and TikTok for health information, according to a comprehensive new survey by the Pew Research Center. The figure rises to nearly half among adults under 50, highlighting social media’s growing influence as a health information source.

The study took a deeper look at who’s actually providing this guidance by examining the profiles of 6,828 health and wellness influencers with followings of at least 100,000. The findings reveal a concerning credibility gap – only about 40% of these influencers list any formal background as health professionals. The remainder identify primarily as coaches (one-third), entrepreneurs (three in ten), or cite personal experience like parenthood (one in ten) as their qualification for dispensing health advice.

Despite this lack of formal credentials, about half of those who consume health information from influencers report it helps them better understand their own health, while one-third say it makes little difference. Approximately one in ten consumers admit influencer content actually increases their confusion about health topics.

“We have to be careful with people who have an experience in one thing and suddenly become a ‘coach’ on that,” warns Courtney Babilya, a certified medical exercise specialist with more than 430,000 Instagram followers. Babilya has observed this pattern particularly in maternity content: “Someone has a baby and suddenly they’re a pregnancy coach.”

Health experts emphasize that “coach” represents a business model rather than evidence of training or expertise. They recommend several strategies for consumers to navigate the complex landscape of online health information.

First, legitimate health influencers typically display their credentials prominently on their profiles. Vague or missing qualifications should raise immediate red flags. Additionally, consumers should be wary of content designed to shock or provoke strong emotional responses, as reputable health communicators typically avoid sensationalism.

“All opinions are not created equal when it comes to something such as health or medicine or science,” explains Dr. Fatima Daoud Yilmaz, an OB-GYN at Stony Brook Medicine in New York who creates popular online content rating drugstore products.

Financial incentives also warrant consideration. Most health influencers monetize their platforms through sponsorships and product promotions. “It doesn’t mean that all of the information they put out is biased, but it should tell consumers to take it with a grain of salt because they do have financial incentive,” notes Dr. Daoud Yilmaz.

The survey found particular vulnerability among uninsured Americans, with 53% turning to social media for health information compared to 38% of those with insurance. This suggests people with limited healthcare access may be more susceptible to unverified health claims online.

Experts recommend that social media users take a more active role in evaluating content rather than passively consuming whatever their algorithm serves. Check for references to peer-reviewed studies, evaluate the broader conversation around specific health claims, and use platform features like “Not Interested” on TikTok to curate a more reliable information stream.

“You have to work for it because the algorithm is designed for passive consumption,” explains Ash Milton of the University of Minnesota, who studies how users navigate online mental health information.

Perhaps most importantly, health professionals stress that social media advice should be verified with qualified medical providers before implementation. While influencers face few consequences for dispensing questionable information, licensed healthcare providers are both ethically and legally accountable for patient care.

“Ultimately, talk to the medical provider who knows you,” advises Dr. Daoud Yilmaz, emphasizing that personalized medical advice from qualified professionals remains the gold standard for health guidance, regardless of what’s trending on social feeds.