Looking for #womenshealth information on Instagram? 4 out of 10 posts are ads
If you’re looking for #womenshealth on Instagram, a new study shows you’d better be prepared for lots of adverts dressed up as health advice.
A recent study reveals that nearly half of all Instagram posts using the #womenshealth hashtag are advertisements. The majority of these posts, 63%, are authored by individuals, many of whom are alternative health professionals like health coaches and naturopaths. Qualified medical doctors make up 35% of these individuals. The remaining 16% of posts come from company accounts.
Health claims are prevalent, appearing in 69% of posts, but only 7% of them reference scientific evidence. This combination of frequent health claims, commercial interests, and a lack of evidence is a cause for concern. While social media can be a useful tool for women to find communities, share experiences, and learn about health issues, the influence of influencers and companies can blur the line between health education and advertising.
It is essential for women to be cautious and question the credibility of the advice they receive. Social media platforms and health professionals have a role to play in ensuring that women receive accurate and evidence-based information about their health.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
