Online medical misinformation is scarce, but older adults see most of it
Medical Xpress
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Online medical misinformation, though abundant on the internet, remains relatively scarce with low-credibility health information sites making up only 0.3% of all health-related pages. Despite their rarity, these sites effectively disseminate false information through social media and other channels, reaching a significant audience. Older adults are particularly vulnerable, accounting for 65% of all views on such sites. This demographic's increased susceptibility to misinformation poses serious public health risks, potentially leading to delayed treatment or reliance on unproven remedies. Addressing this issue requires targeted strategies to ensure accurate information reaches those most at risk.
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/14/2026