How to become a smarter consumer of health information

November 4, 2024
Health misinformation could be information that’s false, inaccurate or outdated compared with the best available evidence. You can learn how to spot potential misinformation with a few key skills.

From herbs that "cure" Alzheimer’s, to ”cancer causing” sunscreens, to microchips in vaccines, health information can range from the absurd to the downright dangerous.

Whether you call it pseudoscience, junk science or just bad fact checking, health misinformation abounds. Most is designed to either make you click a headline, or part you with your money.

We sat down with Rebecca Johns, a librarian with Interior Health Library Services,* who teaches how to understand, spot and address health misinformation.

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