The researchers of the study found that those who admitted to having a lower level of education were not accurate in identifying the false social media post regarding Statins, Cancer, and HPV Vaccine. 

Level of Education in Relation to Susceptibility to Misinformation

Additionally, researchers for this study found that those who had insurance and those who had a diagnosis of Statins, Cancer, or HPV were able to quickly distinguish the true from the false social media post. 

Preexisting Attitudes in Relation to Susceptibility to Misinformation

- Gender
- Age
- Ethnicity/ Race
- Level of Education
- Does the Participant Have Insurance
- Health Diagnosis, If Any
- What Social Media Platform the Participant Uses
- Participant Main Source of Information

University of Texas at San Antonio

Researchers figured we would be able to understand the spread of misinformation more if we knew whether certain people were more susceptible to believing the misinformation than others. Participants of this study were randomly selected and asked to evaluate the accuracy of true and false social media posts concerning Statins, Cancer, and the HPV Vaccine. After evaluating the posts, the same participants were asked a series of questions about themselves.

Background of Study Concerning Who is More Susceptible to Online Health Misinformation

Scherer, L. D., McPhetres, J., Pennycook, G., Kempe, A., Allen, L. A., Knoepke, C. E., . . . Matlock, D. D. (2021). Who is susceptible to online health misinformation? A test of four psychosocial hypotheses. Health Psychology, 40(4), 274-284. doi:http://dx.doi.org.libweb.lib.utsa.edu/10.1037/hea0000978

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