Research Findings: Youths exhibit a higher susceptibility towards medical falsehoods
Study Reveals Gender Differences in Belief of Health Misinformation Among Young Adults
A recent study conducted by Washington State University (WSU) has shed light on a concerning trend among young adults, particularly young men, regarding their susceptibility to believing health misinformation.
The study, involving 1,201 participants aged 18-29, aimed to evaluate if an attitude of "news finds me" increases the susceptibility to believing incorrect health claims. The findings indicate a potential gender-based difference in the approach to news and information verification.
According to the study, young men who adopt a passive news consumption attitude are more likely to believe dubious or incorrect health and medical claims. This passive news habit is associated with a higher likelihood of believing medical misinformation, particularly about prescription drug use and other health topics.
Importantly, the study highlights gender differences, noting that young men are more prone than others to fall for health misinformation due to their passive news habits. Additionally, these men are also more likely to misuse prescription drugs such as Adderall or generally use intoxicants. This association suggests that passive information-seeking behavior leads to misinformation belief, which in turn can contribute to risky substance use behaviors.
As a result, the study emphasizes the need for gender-specific interventions that improve media literacy among young men to combat misinformation and potentially reduce problematic substance use.
The study's findings are particularly relevant in today's digital age, where dubious medical information is abundant on social media. Many young people absorb only the information they find on these channels without seeking specific and reliable news sources.
The study also found an association between substance use (drugs, alcohol, and tobacco) and modeling risky social and 'online' behaviors. This suggests that the passive approach to news and information among young people may contribute to the spread of medical misinformation.
In summary, the WSU study underscores how passive news consumption habits, especially among young men, contribute to health misinformation belief and related substance use risks. The creation of specific gender interventions to improve media literacy is recommended to combat this trend.
References:
[1] Substance Use & Misuse (2025) [2] Washington State University (2025)
This article is based on a national cross-sectional survey of 1,201 people aged 18-29, with the findings published recently in the journal Substance Use & Misuse (2025).
Aspect | Finding--------|-------------Population | Young adults (18-29 years old)Key Attitude | "News finds me" (passive news consumption)Gender Focus | Young menAssociation | Passive news attitude → belief in health misinformationOutcome | Greater likelihood of substance misuse (e.g., Adderall)Implication | Need for gender-specific media literacy interventions
- What expressions does the study find associated with a higher likelihood of believing medical misinformation among young men? The findings indicate that a passive news consumption attitude, like "news finds me," is associated with a higher likelihood of believing dubious or incorrect health and medical claims.
- In what areas does the study highlight a potential gender-based difference in the approach to news and information verification? The study notes that young men are more prone than others to fall for health misinformation due to their passive news habits, particularly about prescription drug use and other health topics.
- How does the study relate to the various digital platforms young people use to absorb information? The study's findings are particularly relevant in today's digital age, where dubious medical information is abundant on social media, and many young people absorb only the information they find on these channels without seeking specific and reliable news sources.
