Article Series #2~Health Misinformation on TikTok

Writer: Shrinidhi

Editor: Moiz

TikTok has been rapidly growing both as a social media platform and as a source of health knowledge. With hashtags ranging from #diabetestok to #sinustok—each garnering millions of views—a rising number of users now rely on the app as a free and accessible way to obtain medical information.

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, the percentage of U.S. adults who get news from TikTok increased from 3% in 2020 to 10% in 2022. However, a significant portion of these videos spread health misinformation, which can be especially harmful during times of uncertainty—such as the COVID‑19 pandemic—by eroding trust in public health authorities and discouraging individuals from seeking proper medical care.

Health misinformation refers to any health-related claim that is false based on current scientific consensus. To evaluate its presence on TikTok, researchers at the University of Chicago analyzed videos under the #sinustok (and related) hashtags. They found that around 44% of the videos contained false or misleading information, with nearly half produced by “nonmedical influencers”—creators with large followings who do not identify as healthcare professionals. In contrast, content from verified medical professionals was generally more educational, better produced, and rooted in scientific evidence.

In addition, a separate study from the University of Sydney examined 982 posts promoting medical tests on TikTok and Instagram. Of these, 854 focused solely on the benefits, while only 147 mentioned possible side effects. Notably, 68% of the influencers had financial incentives, such as brand sponsorships, to promote the tests.

This surge of misinformation poses a serious public health risk. Misleading advice can confuse users, delay necessary treatment, and in severe cases, lead to fatal outcomes. Recommendations from unqualified individuals—or those with undisclosed financial motives—can be dangerously unreliable. Therefore, it is crucial to introduce guidelines requiring health content creators to clearly disclose both their medical qualifications and any sponsorships or financial interests.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Adebesin, F., Smuts, H., Mawela, T., Maramba, G., & Hattingh, M. (2023). The role of social media in health misinformation and disinformation during the COVID‑19 pandemic: Bibliometric analysis. JMIR Infodemiology, 3, e48620. https://doi.org/10.2196/48620

Chou, W.-Y. S., Gaysynsky, A., & Cappella, J. N. (2020). Where we go from here: Health misinformation on social media. American Journal of Public Health, 110(S3), S273–S275. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305905

Kirkpatrick, C. E., & Lawrie, L. L. (2024). TikTok as a source of health information and misinformation for young women in the United States: Survey study. JMIR Infodemiology, 4, e54663. https://doi.org/10.2196/54663

Nickel, B., Zadro, J., et al. (2025). Social media posts about medical tests with potential for overdiagnosis or overuse. JAMA Network Open, 8(2), e2830758. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.30758

Niewijk, G. (2024, April 23). Health information on TikTok: The good, the bad and the ugly. University of Chicago Biological Sciences News. https://biologicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/health-information-tiktok