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Global Survey Reveals Widespread Health Misinformation Across Political Divides
A quarter of people worldwide believe several dangerous health myths, including that raw milk is healthier than pasteurized milk, acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism, and vaccines are being used for population control, according to a recent global survey.
These findings come from the 5th annual Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Trust and Health, released by the Edelman Trust Institute, a think tank operating within the global communications firm Edelman that studies trust patterns across institutions and societies.
The comprehensive survey canvassed opinions from 16,009 people across 16 countries, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with approximately 1,000 respondents per nation. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage point overall, with country-specific data carrying a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.
Perhaps most concerning is the survey’s revelation that seven in ten people globally hold at least one view that contradicts established medical science. These beliefs transcend age, education levels, and political affiliations, though they were found to be most prevalent among younger respondents and those identifying with right-leaning political ideologies.
“Health misinformation has become pervasive across demographic groups,” said researchers involved in the study. “This isn’t just a fringe phenomenon—it’s mainstream.”
The United States leads globally in perceived division over health issues, with 86% of American respondents stating they believe the country is divided on health matters. India and Mexico tied for second at 73%, highlighting how health polarization has become particularly acute in the American context.
Sarah Gollust, PhD, a researcher at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health who studies the intersection of communication, politics, and health policy, attributes this ideological divide to the way health policy issues have been framed and discussed in the United States since the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010.
“The COVID-19 experience only accelerated both the real ways in which health issues became partisan, but also how they are now perceived by the public,” Gollust noted. She emphasized that addressing health misinformation will require confronting the underlying political polarization driving these divisive beliefs.
Despite widespread misinformation, the survey revealed a silver lining: 80% of respondents still trust their doctors as sources of health information, while 73% expressed trust in medical scientists and other health experts. This persistent trust in healthcare professionals represents a crucial foundation for addressing misinformation.
Jennifer Reich, PhD, a sociologist at the University of Colorado Denver and author of “Calling the Shots: Why Parents Reject Vaccines,” wasn’t surprised by this finding. She explained that many people still value professional medical expertise even as institutional trust wavers.
Reich observed that instability among federal health agencies in the United States has led some people to adopt a “wait and see” approach to health decisions. “We are definitely seeing this on the vaccine landscape,” Reich noted.
This hesitancy appears reflected in the report’s finding that public confidence in making health decisions has declined from 61% in 2025 to 51% in 2026—a significant drop that suggests growing uncertainty in the health information ecosystem.
Reich added an important nuance to the findings, cautioning that people’s stated beliefs don’t always predict their behaviors. For example, she noted that while many people express distrust in pharmaceutical companies due to historical controversies, they typically accept medications when faced with serious health needs.
“There’s often a disconnect between what people say they believe and what actions they take when confronting real health situations,” Reich explained. “The pragmatic need for treatment often overrides ideological concerns.”
The Edelman report highlights the complex relationship between health information, trust, and decision-making in an increasingly polarized global landscape. As misinformation continues to spread across political and cultural divides, rebuilding trust in health institutions and addressing the root causes of polarization remain critical challenges for public health officials worldwide.
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22 Comments
This survey highlights the concerning spread of health misinformation worldwide. It’s alarming to see so many people holding beliefs that go against scientific consensus. We need to find better ways to combat the spread of these dangerous myths.
I agree, misinformation can have serious public health consequences. Improving digital literacy and fact-checking should be a priority to help people distinguish truth from fiction.
This survey highlights the urgent need to address health misinformation on a global scale. The prevalence of these dangerous myths is truly alarming and demands a concerted response.
Absolutely. Misinformation can undermine vital public health efforts and lead to real harm. Improving access to authoritative information and critical thinking skills should be top priorities.
This survey paints a troubling picture of the global impact of health misinformation. The prevalence of dangerous myths like anti-vaccine beliefs is truly alarming and demands urgent action.
Definitely. Misinformation can have serious public health consequences, so finding ways to counter it and promote science-based information should be a top priority for governments and tech platforms.
The findings on beliefs like raw milk being healthier and vaccines being used for population control are quite troubling. We need to do more to educate the public and counter these baseless claims.
Absolutely. Vaccine hesitancy and other science denial can undermine crucial public health efforts. Trusted sources need to be amplified to overcome misinformation.
It’s concerning to see how widespread false health beliefs are, regardless of demographics. This shows how challenging it is to combat misinformation on a global scale.
Agreed. Misinformation seems to spread rapidly across political and social lines. We need a multi-pronged approach to improve critical thinking and media literacy.
The findings on the prevalence of dangerous health myths are quite alarming. We need to redouble efforts to promote science literacy and counter the spread of misinformation.
I agree, this is a serious public health issue that requires a concerted response. Improving digital media skills and access to authoritative sources should be a priority.
The findings on the widespread acceptance of health misinformation are deeply concerning. We need to find more effective ways to combat the spread of these baseless claims and promote science-based knowledge.
I agree, this is a complex challenge that requires a multi-pronged approach. Empowering people with digital media literacy skills and strengthening the role of trusted institutions will be key.
The findings on the widespread acceptance of health misinformation are deeply concerning. We need to find more effective ways to combat the spread of these baseless claims and promote science-based knowledge.
I agree, this is a complex challenge that requires a multi-pronged approach. Empowering people with digital media literacy skills and strengthening the role of trusted institutions will be key.
This survey paints a troubling picture of the impact of health misinformation. It’s crucial that we find better ways to empower people with reliable, science-based information.
Definitely. Combating misinformation requires a collaborative effort from governments, tech platforms, healthcare providers, and the public. Fact-checking and public education will be key.
This survey underscores the need for better strategies to combat the dangerous spread of health misinformation. Restoring public trust in science and reliable information is crucial.
Absolutely. Misinformation can have dire consequences, especially on public health issues. A multifaceted approach targeting both supply and demand is needed.
The findings on the prevalence of baseless health beliefs are quite concerning. We need to find more effective ways to counter the spread of misinformation and promote science-based knowledge.
I agree, this is a complex challenge that requires collaboration between governments, tech companies, healthcare providers, and the public. Improving digital literacy is a key part of the solution.