Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Assessing the frequency of undergraduate usage for social media regarding health information

Publication Date

2021

College

Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of

Department

Public Health, Department of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Christian Williams

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Social media is frequently used as a go-to source for news and information but in recent years health misinformation has been on the rise. This began in earnest with misinformation regarding vaccines and other health issues but has morphed into misinformation on most health issues. Prior to the pandemic there was a noted uptick in the dissemination of health misinformation via social media and was exacerbated during the height of the pandemic. During fall 2021, a cross-sectional survey was distributed to undergraduate students to assess how they use social media for health information. Results indicated students spend several hours per day on various social media platforms and are frequently exposed to health misinformation. This study highlights an ongoing need for further evaluation of how health information can be disseminated widely on social media and how to deal with health misinformation.

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