Health Misinformation Amplified by AI: The Critical Role of Parliamentary Oversight

In an era where digital information spreads instantaneously, health misinformation has emerged as a significant barrier to improving health outcomes worldwide, particularly for vulnerable populations. This growing challenge was the focus of a recent webinar jointly convened by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), bringing together parliamentarians, experts, and civil society representatives from 69 countries.

Every day, millions of adolescents encounter health information through short videos and messages on their smartphones. For young people discussing sensitive topics like sexuality, contraception, fertility, or immunization, inaccurate content can appear credible, especially when amplified by engagement-driven algorithms. What begins as casual scrolling can rapidly shape health beliefs, behaviors, and trust in healthcare systems.

The December 8, 2025 webinar, “Navigating Health Misinformation in the Age of AI,” examined how artificial intelligence is transforming this landscape, creating both new risks and opportunities for health equity globally.

Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in improving the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents. However, these gains remain fragile, reflecting persistent weaknesses in global health systems. Today, they face increasing challenges from the scale, speed, and personalization of misinformation, particularly around sexual and reproductive health and immunization.

While health misinformation isn’t new, its current form reaches larger audiences with unprecedented sophistication. Generative AI tools can produce persuasive health-related content—including videos, images, testimonials, and simplified “scientific” explanations—that circulate rapidly through digital platforms. Algorithms often amplify emotionally charged or sensational narratives without regard for accuracy.

During the webinar, philosopher and psychoanalyst Miguel Benasayag reflected on why evidence alone frequently fails to change beliefs. In information-saturated environments, people interpret health messages through emotion, identity, and lived experience. Experiences from Africa and Latin America demonstrate that purely technical approaches can backfire when disconnected from local realities. Effective communication must therefore combine factual accuracy with empathy and culturally resonant storytelling.

This perspective was echoed by Onyinye Onuoha of MSI Reproductive Choices Nigeria, who described how community-based approaches help women access accurate reproductive health information aligned with their values. While AI-enabled tools like chatbots can expand access to reliable guidance, she cautioned that algorithms might also amplify harmful narratives if left unregulated. Building trust requires collaboration with communities alongside technological solutions.

Åsa Nihlén from the World Health Organization explained that misinformation affects health rights at multiple levels. At the individual level, it undermines autonomy and informed decision-making. At the community level, it fuels stigma and harassment, including against health workers. Over time, these dynamics can influence policy debates and reinforce restrictive laws.

AI adds complexity to this challenge. While unchecked AI systems can accelerate misinformation, they also offer opportunities to counter it. Tools that detect false content and promote accurate, culturally relevant communication can make meaningful differences when utilized responsibly.

Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Member of Parliament from India and the IPU Committee on Health, illustrated how regulatory action can help shape this balance. In India, widespread health misinformation prompted legislative amendments empowering government fact-checking units to flag false content, requiring platforms to remove or label it. He stressed that AI governance extends beyond technology, requiring alignment with public interest and equity.

Francesca Onori of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly highlighted how health misinformation weakens social cohesion and institutional trust. Women, children, and adolescents are disproportionately affected, particularly by false narratives related to reproductive health and vaccination. She also pointed to emerging mental health concerns as young people increasingly turn to AI tools for emotional support.

Parliaments and democratic institutions occupy a uniquely strategic position in addressing these challenges. They shape legal frameworks governing AI, digital platforms, and health information; oversee executive action; and determine how rights are protected in evolving technological landscapes. Parliamentarians also act as trusted communicators who can model responsible public discourse.

Experiences shared from Nigeria and Senegal demonstrated how combining digital tools with youth engagement, religious leaders, and trusted intermediaries can counter misinformation more effectively than isolated fact-checking efforts. A recent PMNCH-supported initiative in Senegal leveraged young people’s digital fluency to co-create evidence-based messages on reproductive and maternal health.

For PMNCH, IPU, and their partners, addressing health misinformation in the age of AI is central to safeguarding progress on women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health. It also tests how democratic institutions respond to complex challenges at the intersection of technology, democracy, and rights, ensuring that our digital future strengthens health equity rather than undermining it.