JAMA Study Finds 47 Million US Adults Make Health Decisions From Social Media
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jul 9
JAMA Study Finds 47 Million US Adults Make Health Decisions From Social Media
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jul 9
Summary
More than 1 in 5 US social media users — about 47 million adults — said they made health decisions based on content they saw online, according to a JAMA study using 2024 survey data.
Nearly 88% of adults reported using social media in the prior year, and among those users almost 78% still said health information there was false or misleading.
The study, based on responses from more than 7,270 adults representing roughly 262 million Americans, found older adults and Hispanic users were more likely to rely on social media for health decisions.
Dr. Leana Wen said people also increasingly use AI chatbots for health questions, but warned that both AI and social platforms can amplify authoritative-sounding misinformation and should not replace clinicians.
Researchers and Wen said social media can still help explain medical topics and connect patients, especially those with chronic or rare conditions, if users verify advice with trusted medical sources.
As AI becomes the new source for health advice, who is liable for its mistakes?
Why do millions make health decisions based on social media they believe is untrustworthy?
49% of Hispanic Adults Rely on Social Media for Health Advice: Navigating Misinformation, AI, and Equity in the Digital Health Era
Overview
Social media platforms, together with advancements in artificial intelligence, have fundamentally changed how people access and process health information. This shift has made medical knowledge more accessible to a wider audience, but it also brings new challenges around the accuracy and trustworthiness of online health content. Recent surveys show that most US adults engage with health information on social media, making these platforms a major source for health decisions. However, this widespread use exists alongside significant doubts about the reliability of the information found online, highlighting a critical tension in today’s digital health landscape.