The COVID-19 pandemic brought about an explosion of health misinformation.
Social media outlets emerged as both a means of socializing during lockdowns and a critical way to share information about the disease. A rise in the circulation of health misinformation followed.
An NBC News analysis found that most viral pieces of fake health news pushed far-reaching conspiracies between governments and medical communities. For example, falsified articles suggested ditching standard medical treatment of life-threatening diseases for unproven cures. The top 50 articles garnered more than 12 million shares, comments, and reactions this year, mainly on Facebook.
Guest:Kristy Roschke Ph.D. is the managing director of the News Co/Lab at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University in Phoenix, Arizona. She shared her tips for cultivating digital media literacy and navigating misinformation.
The Big Three
Sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, "The Big Three," dominate diet and nutrition discussions. Caffeine is the most consumed stimulant worldwide, with alcohol following close behind. Sugar is the most commonly found ingredient in most processed foods.
These ingredients are the basis of multi-billion dollar industries and have impacted diet culture and permeated our health and lives for centuries. Yet, medical headlines fluctuate between offering new health benefits or warnings.
Guest: Jeanette Andrade Ph.D. is a registered dietitian and the director of the University of Florida's dietetics graduate program.
Utilizing CBD Safely
Cannabidiol (CBD), found in cannabis plants, has been touted as the latest miracle cure for everything from aches and pains to anxiety and sleep disorders.
In Florida, CBD sales skyrocketed to become a multibillion-dollar business; yet, the CBD market in North America largely lacks regulation for manufacturing and labeling CBD products.
This leaves many consumers feeling confused about the potency and safety of the product.
Guest: Megan Weigel, DNP, is a nurse practitioner and owner of First Coast Integrative Medicine.
Demystifying Exercise
Most doctors agree that a healthy diet and regular exercise complement a long and healthy life.
A 2018 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that sedentary lifestyles contributed to 10 percent of all deaths among Americans aged 40 to 70.
Training plans available on every corner of the internet, each promising the best results, leaves some people confused and unmotivated.
Guest: Nicole Williams is a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and owns Nicole W Fitness. She gave us her best tips on maximizing the benefits of an exercise program.
What's Health Got to Do with It? Associate Producer Katherine Hobbs can be reached at khobbs@wjct.org or on Twitter at @KatherineGHobbs.
