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Most Canadians Find Health Misinformation Online, Survey Reveals
Nearly all Canadians search for health information online, but a significant majority report encountering false or misleading details, according to a new survey released by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).
The survey, conducted by Abacus Data in early November, found that 64 percent of respondents stumbled upon health misinformation online occasionally, often, or all the time. An additional 29 percent said they rarely encountered such content, highlighting the pervasiveness of questionable health information in digital spaces.
Canadians most frequently search online for details about specific medical conditions, symptoms, or treatment options. However, the reliability of information sources varies dramatically, with artificial intelligence platforms becoming increasingly influential despite limited trust.
Only 27 percent of survey participants expressed confidence in AI’s ability to provide accurate health information. Despite this skepticism, approximately half admitted to using AI search results from Google or platforms like ChatGPT when seeking health information. More concerning, 38 percent reported using ChatGPT specifically for treatment advice.
The consequences of following AI-generated health guidance appear significant. Survey respondents who acted on AI health advice were five times more likely to experience adverse reactions or negative health effects compared to those who did not follow such recommendations.
Dr. Joss Burnell, president of the CMA, noted that while physicians have long dealt with patients conducting independent online research, AI platforms present unique challenges.
“AI information is different because it’s hard to know who’s generated it, it’s hard to ensure where the validity and the science has come from,” Burnell explained. Unlike traditional medical websites with clear attribution and sources, AI systems often present information with an authoritative tone without necessarily accounting for an individual’s specific medical history or circumstances.
The survey also revealed growing concerns about cross-border health misinformation. More than three-quarters of respondents expressed worry about increasing health misinformation originating from the United States.
This concern comes amid controversial health claims from senior U.S. officials. U.S. President Donald Trump and his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have made numerous false assertions about vaccine efficacy and have incorrectly claimed that using Tylenol during pregnancy can cause autism, among other scientifically unsupported statements.
Burnell warned that exposure to such high-profile misinformation can have cascading effects on public trust in healthcare broadly. The survey supports this assertion, with half of respondents reporting that exposure to misinformation has made them skeptical of advice from their healthcare providers. Even more—69 percent—said misinformation has led them to doubt other online health information.
The findings come at a crucial time for Canadian healthcare, which continues to face challenges including provider shortages, long wait times, and increasing costs. Health misinformation can further complicate these issues by potentially delaying appropriate care or encouraging ineffective or harmful treatments.
The survey also indicates that Canadians believe responsibility for addressing health misinformation should be shared. The vast majority of respondents said both social media companies and the government have obligations to tackle the problem of health misinformation online.
Health experts suggest that improved digital health literacy education and clearer guidelines for AI-generated health content could help mitigate some of these concerns as these technologies continue to evolve and integrate into everyday information-seeking behaviors.
The online survey was conducted with a representative sample of Canadian adults but cannot be assigned a traditional margin of error as online surveys are not considered truly random samples.
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11 Comments
It’s alarming that over a third of Canadians are using ChatGPT and other AI for health info, despite the clear lack of trust. I hope this survey leads to more awareness campaigns on verifying sources, especially for sensitive topics.
Agreed. AI should never be the sole basis for important health decisions. People need to be guided towards reputable, human-curated sources of medical information.
This survey really drives home how pervasive health misinformation has become online. Relying on AI for such critical information is quite risky. I hope the medical community can find ways to better educate the public.
The findings about Canadians’ use of AI for health info are quite troubling. While these tools can be useful, they shouldn’t replace professional medical advice. More digital literacy efforts are clearly needed.
Absolutely. AI has its limitations, especially when it comes to sensitive health topics. Verifying information from trusted human sources is so important, no matter how convenient digital tools may seem.
This survey highlights a serious problem. Health misinformation can have real consequences for people’s wellbeing. I hope more can be done to educate the public on how to identify trustworthy online sources.
Agreed. It’s concerning that even skeptical Canadians are still relying on AI for health info. More digital literacy training could go a long way in combating this issue.
This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. The risks of relying on unvetted online health information, especially from AI, can be very real. I hope this survey leads to more public awareness and education efforts.
The low confidence in AI’s ability to provide accurate health info is understandable. While these platforms can be useful, they shouldn’t replace consulting real medical professionals. Fact-checking is so important these days.
It’s worrying to see how much misinformation can spread online, especially when it comes to health topics. I hope people will be more cautious about the sources they trust, especially AI platforms that may not always provide reliable information.
Absolutely. AI tools can be convenient, but they shouldn’t be blindly trusted for important health decisions. We need to be vigilant and cross-check information from reputable medical sources.