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Global Survey Reveals Health Misinformation Crisis Spans Education, Politics, and Borders
For years, health experts have operated under a comforting assumption: belief in health misinformation was largely confined to fringe groups—the deeply partisan, the undereducated, or those spending excessive time online. A comprehensive new global survey has shattered this assumption, revealing a far more pervasive problem.
The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report on Trust and Health, based on responses from more than 16,000 people across 16 countries, found that seven in 10 people worldwide believe at least one of six widely debunked health claims to be true.
These false claims, which substantial percentages of respondents marked as “I believe this is true,” include assertions that animal protein is inherently healthier (32%), fluoride in water is harmful (32%), childhood vaccination risks outweigh benefits (31%), raw milk is healthier than pasteurized (28%), acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes autism (25%), and that vaccines are used for population control (25%).
“It’s quite a stunning set of facts,” said Richard Edelman, CEO of the global communications firm behind the five-year-old survey. The common assumption that health science skepticism was limited to specific demographics “is not true. It’s everybody.”
The survey systematically dismantles every demographic explanation for health misinformation belief. Among university graduates, 69% hold at least one false health belief—nearly identical to the 70% rate among those without degrees. The beliefs transcend political boundaries, with 78% of right-leaning respondents and 64% of left-leaning ones holding at least one false belief. This pattern persists across age groups and is actually more pronounced in developing countries than developed ones.
Surprisingly, the United States, often considered the epicenter of health misinformation, doesn’t rank in the top half of countries surveyed for prevalence of these beliefs.
Dave Bersoff, EVP and Head of Research at the Edelman Trust Institute, describes a years-long process of social erosion feeding the trend. “You have fears—the fears are chronically under or unaddressed,” Bersoff explained. “That starts leading to some of the erosion of the social fabric. You get polarization, polarization leads to paralysis, paralysis leads to grievance, grievance leads to insularity.”
The end result, according to Bersoff, is growing tribalism that makes trust across belief lines increasingly difficult. “This idea that I can’t trust anybody who isn’t like me… It’s a very negative, mean-spirited way of interacting with the world.”
Compounding this misinformation crisis is a dramatic collapse in public confidence regarding health decisions. The survey found that people’s confidence in finding reliable health information and making informed decisions has fallen 10 percentage points in just one year, to only 51% globally—with significant declines in 14 of the 16 countries surveyed. Meanwhile, trust in media reporting on health topics remains 11 points below pre-COVID levels, at just 46% globally.
“People are overwhelmed with information, and I’m not sure they can differentiate between this source and that source,” Edelman noted. “There’s sort of an equality somehow of the sources.”
Jennifer Hauser, Global Health Chair at Edelman, added: “In actuality, it’s the information abundance. I’m getting so much information I don’t know who to trust, how to wade through this and make my final call.”
Artificial intelligence is rapidly filling this vacuum, with 35% of respondents now using AI to manage their health in some capacity. More concerning, 64% believe a person fluent in AI can perform at least one medical task as well as or better than a trained doctor, including determining proper treatment or medication (21%) and diagnosing illness (17%).
This shift toward AI and self-directed health management appears partly as a rational response to perceived healthcare system failures. Public trust in the U.S. healthcare system plummeted from 71.5% in 2020 to just 40.1% in 2024, according to Johns Hopkins University research.
The challenges are compounded by accessibility issues. A 2025 West Health-Gallup study found that 35% of Americans reported being unable to access quality, affordable healthcare—the highest level since 2021—with Black, Hispanic, and lower-income adults facing the greatest barriers.
Meanwhile, a January 2026 KFF Health Tracking Poll found that healthcare is the household expense Americans worry about most—more than rent, food, or utilities—with two-thirds concerned about affording care for themselves and their families.
Despite these challenges, the survey offers hope—personal physicians remain the most trusted health voices across all 16 markets surveyed. Justin Blake, Executive Director of the Edelman Trust Institute, suggests the report’s most important contribution may be correcting fundamental misconceptions about who is driving the misinformation surge.
“In some ways, we’ve misunderstood who the audience agreeing with these divisive beliefs are,” Blake said. The data shows “they are us,” which creates an opportunity to address the issue “in a less divided, polarized way.”
Richard Edelman believes the path forward requires scientists to explain not just what the science says, but why and how. “It’s not enough anymore to just say, ‘Here’s the solve, just go,'” he explained.
The Edelman team recommends less broadcasting and more conversation—less authority, more partnership. As Hauser succinctly put it: “People don’t want their doctor to be their guru. They want their doctor to be their guide.”
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13 Comments
The survey results highlight the need for a global effort to improve science communication and combat the rise of health misinformation. Equipping people with the tools to critically evaluate medical claims is crucial to addressing this widespread problem.
This survey underscores just how pervasive health misinformation has become globally. The prevalence of these beliefs, across different demographics and countries, is truly concerning. We need a comprehensive, multinational effort to improve science communication and combat the spread of falsehoods.
This is a concerning snapshot of the global misinformation landscape. The high rates of belief in debunked claims, across diverse populations, demonstrate the scale of the challenge. Targeted public education campaigns and media regulation may be needed to curb the spread of these falsehoods.
Agreed. Restoring public trust in authoritative health sources and empowering people to verify information should be top priorities. Misinformation can have dire consequences, so decisive action is required.
The findings of this survey are truly alarming. The prevalence of belief in health myths, spanning different countries and demographics, is a wake-up call. We need a concerted, global effort to improve science communication, media literacy, and fact-checking to address this crisis.
This survey paints a troubling picture of the state of health misinformation worldwide. The high rates of belief in unsubstantiated claims, even among the educated, highlights the challenges we face. Urgent action is needed to counter the spread of falsehoods and restore trust in legitimate medical information.
Absolutely. Improving science education, strengthening media regulation, and empowering people to verify claims should be key priorities. Addressing the root causes of this misinformation crisis is critical for public health.
It’s quite alarming that a third of people surveyed believe myths about animal protein, fluoride, and vaccines. These are well-established facts that have been thoroughly researched and validated. We need to find ways to counter the spread of such dangerous misinformation.
Exactly. Promoting scientific consensus and debunking false claims should be a top priority for public health authorities and the media. Restoring trust in legitimate health information is vital.
While I’m not surprised to see the extent of health misinformation, the specific statistics are quite alarming. The findings suggest a troubling lack of critical thinking and fact-checking when it comes to medical information. Urgent action is needed to address this crisis.
I agree, this is a major problem that requires a multi-pronged approach. Improving education, strengthening media literacy, and empowering people to verify claims could all help turn the tide against the spread of harmful misinformation.
Interesting findings on the global spread of health misinformation. It’s concerning that such a large proportion of people seem to believe unsubstantiated claims. Improving science education and media literacy could help address this troubling trend.
I agree, this highlights the urgent need for better public health education and fact-checking efforts. Misinformation can have serious consequences, so addressing the root causes is crucial.