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CHICAGO–A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed that social media posts about medical tests with a high potential for overdiagnosis or overuse overwhelmingly promote their benefits while largely omitting discussion of associated risks. The study, which analyzed nearly 1,000 posts from influential accounts on Instagram and TikTok, highlights growing concerns about the role of social media in spreading misleading health information.
The study examined 982 social media posts discussing five popular medical tests: full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the multicancer early detection (MCED) test, and tests for antimullerian hormone (AMH), gut microbiome, and testosterone. Among its most concerning findings:
- 87.1% of posts mentioned benefits, while only 14.7% discussed potential harms.
- Only 6.1% of posts acknowledged the risk of overdiagnosis or overuse.
- A staggering 83.8% of posts were promotional, with many actively encouraging viewers to take the tests.
- Merely 6.4% of posts included scientific evidence to support their claims.
- 68% of account holders had clear financial interests, such as affiliations with companies selling the tests or using sponsored content to promote them.
- Posts from physicians were significantly more likely to mention harms and less likely to be promotional.
The study's authors stress that misleading promotion of medical tests can lead to overdiagnosis—when individuals are diagnosed with conditions that may never cause them harm. This results in unnecessary anxiety, additional medical interventions, and wasted healthcare resources. Overusing diagnostic tests diverts attention from more pressing healthcare needs and can cause harm through false positives, unnecessary treatments, and increased medical costs.
Celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing further amplify this issue. For example, in 2023, Kim Kardashian encouraged her 360 million followers to undergo full-body MRI screenings despite the lack of evidence supporting their benefits for the general population. Such endorsements can fuel unnecessary demand for medical tests and create unrealistic expectations about early detection.
The findings highlight an urgent need for stricter regulation of medical information shared on social media. Regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, have previously identified inappropriate medical testing as a major concern and are working to establish guidelines to limit misleading promotions.
The study emphasizes the need for greater efforts to ensure that social media platforms enforce stricter content policies and that healthcare professionals take a more significant role in delivering balanced, evidence-based medical information. Public health campaigns and digital literacy initiatives could also assist consumers in critically evaluating medical claims online.
The study’s results highlight the risks of unchecked medical misinformation on social media. As consumers increasingly depend on these platforms for health-related decisions, ensuring access to accurate, evidence-based information is essential. While social media can serve as a valuable tool for health education, its misuse presents dangers that must be addressed through better regulation, physician involvement, and heightened public awareness.
