How Does Social Media Influence Health Decisions?

National survey findings suggest many US adults report making health decisions based on social media despite widespread concerns about the accuracy of health information shared to the platforms.

By
Andrea Surnit
June 30, 2026
3 min

MDSpire News

Overview

A significant portion of US adults using social media engage with health-related content, with 22% making health-related decisions based on this information despite a prevalent distrust of its accuracy. The study highlights the role of social media as a major source of health information, particularly among individuals with chronic conditions.

Background

The increasing reliance on social media for health information is evident. Many users report making health-related choices based on social media content, despite the potential for misinformation.

Data Highlights

Statistic	Value
Percentage of US adults using social media	88%
Percentage making health-related decisions based on social media	22%
Percentage believing health information on social media is misleading	78%
Percentage of respondents with chronic conditions using social media	86%

Key Findings

88% of US adults reported using social media in the past year.
22% of social media users made health-related decisions based on information encountered online.
78% of users expressed distrust in the accuracy of health-related information on social media.
86% of respondents with chronic conditions used social media, but were less likely to share health information.
Older adults and Hispanic users were more likely to make health-related decisions based on social media content.
Higher educational attainment correlated with greater distrust in health information on social media.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the significant influence social media has on patient health decisions, even amidst skepticism about the information's accuracy. Strategies to improve the quality and reliability of health content on these platforms may be necessary to better inform patients.