We live in a time where a 15-second reel can influence millions more than a 15-year medical degree.
Health and wellness influencers are shaping public opinion on everything—from supplements and diet trends to skincare, mental health, and even medical treatments.
But here’s the dilemma:
Are we mistaking popularity for credibility?
Some influencers are well-researched, certified, or even trained professionals. Others promote fads, half-truths, or unsafe “hacks” just for views and brand deals.
The risks?
Misinformation, delayed diagnosis, misuse of products, self-medication, and even long-term health damage.
As a future healthcare professional (or one already in the field), we have a responsibility to:
Call out misinformation respectfully
Promote verified, science-backed content
Make public health education more accessible & engaging
What’s your opinion?
Have you ever followed a health tip online that turned out to be false?
Should influencers need to show qualifications when sharing health info?
Let’s open the discussion. The digital age demands digital responsibility.
Definitely. The influencers should highlight their degree and certifications in the reels or posts too. But the authenticity of those papers need to be validated as well, as these days any degree certificate can be created. After observing few reels closely posted by one, we (coming from the field of healthcare) will get an idea about the authenticity in their health content. A real expert dives deep when they convey any information. A thorough analysis of their profile speaks louder. No health decision should be made after watching any reel. A human health is precious and it should always be evaluated under the advice of an experienced health professionals with related degrees and trainings.
We should not follow any health tip from the influencer. Before following any tip from influencer we should do our research on that tip by referring various authorised and approved papers if any work is not done on that then we should not follow it. This can save us from further consequences.
In an era where views > validity, we need to ask: Are we following experts or just influencers?
Yes, some influencers are credible but many blur the line between trending and truth. As future professionals, we must bridge the gap: science with simplicity, accuracy with accessibility.
And yes, showing credentials should be the norm for health content.
Let’s build trust, not just trends
It’s very sad to say not just uneducated but educated society also following the so called influencers for there suggestions about their health which is very harmful and bad to the society or people following them. I want people to follow certified doctor but not any kind of influencers
Social media influencers often share health advice, but not all are qualified. Misinformation can spread easily. Always trust certified doctors and health professionals over online trends. Your real health expert is someone with proper medical training, not just followers.
Influencer should show their degree Before posting health tip in any digital platform meanwhile before taking health tip from reels people should be aware of this false advertisement this will be a risk to our health it is better to not follow alll the post
Many people now follow health tips from influencers, but not all of them are qualified. Wrong advice can harm people’s health. That’s why it’s important to share only true, science-based information.
Exactly , i have seen many influencer they crated hype about the product without knowing its harmful effect . We shouldn’t follow blindly what we have seen in social media.
Yes they must show there certification for Assurity.
It’s not simply about being popular; its regarding being accountable as the welfare of others have been placed at stake. I’ve witnessed notable influencers offer advice which seemed less reliable.
Very well timely highlighted topic to put in ! Definitely there should be stricter laws to avoid such online health tips trend from non healthcare professionals. Certificates should be made compulsory.
Good topic to raise..
Most demanded in this era of social media and influencers as they might have done research but that too from internet not from professionals or from professional sources…few might be itself health professional and they discloses their qualification unlike others and theyguide with scientific evidence also but sometimes they also influence in wrong manner to just raise the followers and peopls trust them as they were professionals so might be know better than normal person
There should be basic protocols or rules for influencers before getting into such videos from the end of govt so that ,people’s doesnt misguided
Some influencers are well-researched, certified, or even trained professionals.
Others promote fads, half-truths, or unsafe “hacks” just for views and brand deals.