The dangerous rise of medical misinformation in the digital age
In an era where a swipe on TikTok can determine health choices, the rise of the supplement industry and natural remedies, accompanied by rampant medical misinformation, poses a significant challenge.
The trend of unverified health advice flooding social media is quite alarming.
Especially given the vulnerability of people desperate for treatments and answers due to the inaccessibility of credible information and a functional healthcare system.
The supplement industry has seen explosive growth, capitalising on the allure of 'quick fixes' and 'natural cures'.
It’s no longer just what we call WhatsApp chain messaging encouraging our elderly family members to drink ginger and garlic water, put onions in their socks or drink okra water – it’s influencers armed with charisma but not always correct information, propagating narratives that can sow distrust in conventional medicine, defraud people of their money and delay treatment.
While there are legitimate supplements that can aid health, many products on the market lack scientific backing, posing risks ranging from ineffectiveness to severe health complications.
Unchecked, unverified
The challenge is compounded by social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, etc., where health information, often unregulated and unchecked, spreads rapidly.
An alarming trend on these platforms is the glorification of natural remedies as inherently superior and safer than traditional medicine. While I advocate for a holistic approach to health, including some natural remedies, it's vital to remember that 'natural' does not equate to 'harmless' or 'effective.' Each treatment, whether natural or synthetic, carries potential risks, especially when not administered under professional supervision.
Moreover, the fearmongering seen on social media platforms can lead to dangerous behaviours, like vaccine hesitancy, which we saw during the Covid-19 national vaccine drive, driven by misinformation.
Wellness influencers using words such as chemicals, poisoning, population control, etc. are using these terms to clickbait individuals. This is compounded by a small percentage of healthcare professionals peddling and even selling these unverified supplements and products, such as weight loss remedies, which goes against the ethics of the profession. It's crucial to navigate this landscape with an informed, critical perspective.
Health literacy becomes a powerful tool, enabling individuals to discern and question online health claims. Healthcare professionals and regulators must counter misinformation with accessible, evidence-based advice, fostering trust and open dialogue with the public.
Strengthen oversight, accessibility
Regulatory bodies such as the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council must intensify their oversight of the supplement industry and online health content.
There is a need for regulators to be accessible to the general public and all laypersons who wish to verify information.
Stricter standards are necessary, especially for products that make bold health claims. These bodies need to ensure that health claims are substantiated by scientific evidence and that products are tested for safety and efficacy. Monitoring both online and physical marketplaces for fraudulent claims, especially those promising to cure serious diseases like cancer, hypertension, sickle cell disease and conditions such as fibroids, is crucial.
These agencies should also launch public awareness campaigns to educate on the risks of unverified health products and encourage consulting with health professionals. One can find vendors of these so-called miracle cures in malls at places such as Post Street Mall.
While supplements and natural remedies can play a role in health and wellness, their current unchecked proliferation, coupled with the dissemination of misinformation on social media, calls for a united front of informed consumers, vigilant healthcare professionals, a proactive regulatory body, and a robust public health system. We must commit to scientific literacy and critical evaluation of health information to safeguard our well-being in this digital age.
Let's ensure that the quest for health does not become a victim of unverified, potentially dangerous health trends.
* Tuli Kamati is a medical student and director of Reproductive Justice Namibia.
The trend of unverified health advice flooding social media is quite alarming.
Especially given the vulnerability of people desperate for treatments and answers due to the inaccessibility of credible information and a functional healthcare system.
The supplement industry has seen explosive growth, capitalising on the allure of 'quick fixes' and 'natural cures'.
It’s no longer just what we call WhatsApp chain messaging encouraging our elderly family members to drink ginger and garlic water, put onions in their socks or drink okra water – it’s influencers armed with charisma but not always correct information, propagating narratives that can sow distrust in conventional medicine, defraud people of their money and delay treatment.
While there are legitimate supplements that can aid health, many products on the market lack scientific backing, posing risks ranging from ineffectiveness to severe health complications.
Unchecked, unverified
The challenge is compounded by social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, etc., where health information, often unregulated and unchecked, spreads rapidly.
An alarming trend on these platforms is the glorification of natural remedies as inherently superior and safer than traditional medicine. While I advocate for a holistic approach to health, including some natural remedies, it's vital to remember that 'natural' does not equate to 'harmless' or 'effective.' Each treatment, whether natural or synthetic, carries potential risks, especially when not administered under professional supervision.
Moreover, the fearmongering seen on social media platforms can lead to dangerous behaviours, like vaccine hesitancy, which we saw during the Covid-19 national vaccine drive, driven by misinformation.
Wellness influencers using words such as chemicals, poisoning, population control, etc. are using these terms to clickbait individuals. This is compounded by a small percentage of healthcare professionals peddling and even selling these unverified supplements and products, such as weight loss remedies, which goes against the ethics of the profession. It's crucial to navigate this landscape with an informed, critical perspective.
Health literacy becomes a powerful tool, enabling individuals to discern and question online health claims. Healthcare professionals and regulators must counter misinformation with accessible, evidence-based advice, fostering trust and open dialogue with the public.
Strengthen oversight, accessibility
Regulatory bodies such as the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council must intensify their oversight of the supplement industry and online health content.
There is a need for regulators to be accessible to the general public and all laypersons who wish to verify information.
Stricter standards are necessary, especially for products that make bold health claims. These bodies need to ensure that health claims are substantiated by scientific evidence and that products are tested for safety and efficacy. Monitoring both online and physical marketplaces for fraudulent claims, especially those promising to cure serious diseases like cancer, hypertension, sickle cell disease and conditions such as fibroids, is crucial.
These agencies should also launch public awareness campaigns to educate on the risks of unverified health products and encourage consulting with health professionals. One can find vendors of these so-called miracle cures in malls at places such as Post Street Mall.
While supplements and natural remedies can play a role in health and wellness, their current unchecked proliferation, coupled with the dissemination of misinformation on social media, calls for a united front of informed consumers, vigilant healthcare professionals, a proactive regulatory body, and a robust public health system. We must commit to scientific literacy and critical evaluation of health information to safeguard our well-being in this digital age.
Let's ensure that the quest for health does not become a victim of unverified, potentially dangerous health trends.
* Tuli Kamati is a medical student and director of Reproductive Justice Namibia.
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