Misleading
LED lights aren’t a cause of cataracts and don’t cause migraines for most people, contrary to social media claims
Claim:
LEDs cause headaches and migraines; LEDs are the major cause of cataracts
Latest in
Health
-
Source: Facebook, Matt Roeske, 2024-09-14 -
Misleading
Higher COVID-19 death toll under Biden than Trump reflects longer presidential term spent managing the COVID-19 pandemic
Claim:
More deaths from COVID-19 occurred during Biden's administration than Trump's
Source: Threads, Social media user, 2024-09-10 -
Mostly accuratePrioritizing plant-based foods in our diet can benefit climate and health, but Forbes article missed some key details
Claim:
Prioritizing plant-based foods and reducing overconsumption of animal-based protein is healthier and reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Source: Forbes, Simi Thambi, 2024-08-28 -
Incorrect
Gout is an inflammatory disease caused by uric acid crystals, not liver dysfunction
Claim:
Gout is “a liver condition”; uric acid crystals “aren’t the cause of gout or the cause of gout’s pain”
Source: Instagram, Anthony William, 2024-09-04 -
Unsupported
No evidence that red onion and Coca-Cola infusion cures the flu; drinking soda is linked to adverse health outcomes
Claim:
Drinking an infusion of red onion and Coca-Cola can cure the flu
Source: Facebook, Social media user, 2024-08-31 -
Inaccurate
Numbers on fruit and vegetable stickers don’t indicate whether they are genetically modified or not
Claim:
Five-digit numbers starting with eight on fruit and vegetable stickers indicate that they are genetically modified; “If you see this sticker on a fruit DO NOT buy it at any cost”
Source: The Daily Mail, Facebook, Social media users, 2024-08-31 -
Unsupported
Lack of reliable evidence supporting the claim that sauna bathing is an effective way to “detox” the body
Claim:
Sauna bathing effectively detoxes the body by inducing sweating
Source: Instagram, Facebook, Raymond Francis, Social media users, 2024-08-31 -
Inaccurate
Alex Jones was fined 1.5 billion dollars for defaming families of Sandy Hook shooting victims; no evidence he was fined for warning about “Covid crimes”
Claim:
Alex Jones was fined 150 billion dollars for warning about crimes related to COVID-19
Source: Instagram, Brandon Tatum, 2024-08-31 -
Flawed reasoning
People experiencing homelessness died more frequently from COVID-19 than the general population
Claim:
COVID-19 was not deadly, otherwise homeless people would not have survived the pandemic
Source: Threads, Social media user, 2024-08-21 -
Inaccurate
Facebook reel propagates vaccine and statin misinformation from health book author Raymond Francis
Claim:
Vaccines cause autism, ADHD, and cancer; statins “provide no benefit”, cause cancer and memory loss
Source: Silicon Valley Health Institute, Facebook, Raymond Francis, 2015-07-16
