Health misinformation from peers is more difficult to combat compared to misinformation from news sources because people are more likely to accept information from others that are thought of as similar to them, regardless of the peer’s knowledge of medicine. 

Health Misinformation on Social Media: Misinformation Source

Corrections of health misinformation from experts, such as the CDC, are more likely to be accepted compared to corrections from nonexperts such as peers. 

Health Misinformation on Social Media: Correction Source

It was found that health misinformation related to infectious diseases were notably more unaffected by corrections. Misinformation concerning HIV, measles, and Zika virus were more resistant to corrections in comparison to misinformation related to GMOs, nutrition, and reproductive health.  

Health Misinformation on Social Media: Misinformation Content

- Misinformation Source
- Correction Source
- Misinformation Content

Ohio State University, Columbus

Overall, corrections of health misinformation on social media were found to be effective in lessening the impact of misinformation, and there was no evidence of backfire effects. 

Effectiveness of Health Misinformation Corrections on Social Media

Walter, N., Brooks, J. J., Saucier, C. J., & Suresh, S. (2021). Evaluating the impact of attempts to correct health misinformation on social media: A meta-analysis. Health Communication, 36(13), 1776–1784. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1794553

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