A massive survey of over 5,000 Canadians has revealed a troubling trend: as the healthcare system struggles, misinformation is filling the void. When people can’t find a family doctor, they turn to their phones—and the results are proving costly, both for their health and their wallets.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!1. The “Trust Gap”
- The Paradox: While 50% of Canadians use AI for health info, only 27% actually trust it.
- The Risk: Those who follow AI-generated medical advice are 5x more likely to suffer a negative health outcome compared to those who see a professional.
2. High-Cost Misinformation
Believing a “zombie myth” online isn’t just a personal mistake; it has a massive ripple effect:
- Systemic Damage: Vaccine misinformation alone drained an estimated $300 million from the Canadian healthcare system via preventable ICU visits.
- Delayed Care: 35% of Canadians have skipped or avoided proven medical treatments because of something they read on social media.
3. Top Myths Still Making the Rounds
Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, significant portions of the population still believe:
- “Super-Immunity”: The idea that supplements can “boost” your immune system beyond its natural function (often leading to unregulated supplement toxicity).
- Tech Scares: Over 20% of respondents still harbor fears that 5G technology is a primary cause of cancer.
- The Lifestyle Trap: The belief that a “clean lifestyle” alone can 100% prevent cancer, ignoring the roles of genetics and environment.
How to Spot “Medical Junk Food”
To protect yourself from the “infodemic,” the CMA and health experts suggest looking for these red flags:
- Emotional Hooks: Does the post make you feel sudden fear or “miracle” hope?
- The “Secret” Angle: Does it claim to have information that “doctors don’t want you to know”?
- Anecdote over Evidence: Is the claim based on one person’s story rather than a clinical study?
The Bottom Line: Misinformation is a public health crisis. When 1 in 5 Canadians can’t find a doctor, an algorithm becomes the “default physician”—and that’s a dangerous shift.
