The “news”: Social media posts about some medical tests are popular but overwhelmingly full of misinformation, according to a new JAMA study.
Researchers analyzed influencer posts on TikTok and Instagram of five popular medical tests: full-body MRI scans, the “egg timer” hormone test, cancer early detection screenings, gut microbiome tests; and testosterone tests.
Digging into the study: Researchers found that 87% of the posts mentioned benefits, while only 15% talked about risks. And more than two-thirds (68%) of the influencers posting about the tests had financial interests in promoting the services. Just 6% of the posts mentioned scientific evidence.