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

Objective:

To analyze the impact of social media on health-related decision-making among US adults.

Approach:

Survey Analysis: Investigators analyzed data from the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey, involving 7,278 respondents.

Key Findings:

88% of respondents reported using social media.
22% of social media users made health-related decisions based on information encountered online.
78% of social media users believed health-related information on social media was false or misleading.
86% of respondents with chronic conditions reported using social media.
Older adults and Hispanic users were more likely to make health-related decisions based on social media.

Interpretation:

Social media serves as a significant source of health information, influencing decisions despite users' skepticism about its accuracy.

Limitations:

Reliance on self-reported survey data may introduce recall and social desirability bias.
The study did not assess the content, accuracy, or source of health information on social media.
The rapidly evolving social media landscape may affect engagement patterns over time.