Conspiracy theories run rampant in the health and wellness world. While they aren’t new, they have been significantly amplified on social media platforms in recent years—due, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic: One study found that misinformation shared on social media, even when later debunked, correlated with people either delaying COVID vaccinations or refusing the vaccination outright.

Pierri F, Perry BL, DeVerna MR, et al. Online misinformation is linked to early COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and refusal. Sci Rep 12, 5966 (2022).

 

So what makes some people continue to believe health conspiracies even after they’ve been debunked by the experts? 

 

Personalities at play

 

 

The use of social media platforms also allow health disinformation to spread, as there is no fact checking or need for high-profile influencers to provide proof of their claims.

But, as we all know, health conspiracies didn’t start in 2021 with COVID vaccines. For years, the myth that childhood vaccines can cause autism has persisted, with some parents opting not to have their children vaccinated at all given the alleged risks. 

 

Vaccines cause autism?

 

The autism-vaccine conspiracy can be traced back to a small case study in 1998 involving 12 children, which suggested a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) and autism.

Vaccines and Autism. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. February 5, 2024.

 

 “This conspiracy originated from a 1998 study [which] incorrectly linked the MMR vaccine to autism,” Sean Ormond, MD, a pain management specialist in Phoenix, AZ, who is dual board-certified in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Management, tells MDLinx. “Subsequent studies have shown no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, yet the timing of vaccinations has kept this myth alive.”

 

HPV vaccine supports sex among youth?

 

Bruce Dorr, MD, an OB/GYN in Littleton, CO, says the HPV vaccine has also been the subject of conspiracies. “Some parents believe the vaccine would encourage or support youth sexual activity,” Dr. Dorr tells MDLinx.

Yet a multi-year survey conducted by the CDC debunked this health myth after researchers analyzed whether teens living in states with pro-HPV vaccines were more sexually active. They determined this wasn’t the case.

Leidner AJ, Chesson HW, Talih M. HPV vaccine status and sexual behavior among young sexually-active women in the US: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2014, Health Econ Policy Law, 2020. 15(4):477-495.

 

 

 

HRT increases risk of disease? 

 

For Dr. Dorr, a particularly troubling health conspiracy that persists is the belief that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the risk of breast cancer and heart disease. He says the myth has left menopausal patients fearful and doctors hesitant to prescribe HRT to their patients. 

The controversy surrounding HRT started in 2002, when the US-based Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) halted their research because they had allegedly found that, while HRT had some benefits, they were outweighed by an increase of risks for things like blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer.

White C. Second long term HRT trial stopped early. BMJ. 2002 Nov 2;325(7371):987. doi: 10.1136/bmj.325.7371.987.

 

Today, that study is widely considered to be flawed. (As just one example, a 2024 study published in JAMA found the benefits of HRT for the treatment of menopause symptoms outweigh the risks among women below the age of 60.

Manson JE, Crandall CJ, Rossouw JE, et al. The Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Trials and Clinical Practice: A Review. JAMA. 2024;331(20):1748–1760. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.6542.

) 

 

“The Women’s Health Initiative study looked at women who were on average a good 13 plus years into menopause, which is very different from younger women who are traditionally going on HRT because their symptoms are making them miserable,” Dr. Dorr explains. 

 

Dr. Dorr encourages doctors to talk to their patients about outdated information and to discuss the risks and benefits of HRT. For younger women, he says the benefits of HRT often outweigh the risks, particularly for those who are experiencing severe menopausal symptoms. “Eighty percent of women experience symptoms that affect every aspect of their life,” he says. “Patients with [these symptoms] benefit from HRT.”

 

A sense of entitlement

 

 

Researchers found that entitled people often gravitate to conspiracy theories as a defense mechanism against perceived threats to their self-worth. They also view conspiracies as a way to justify violating social norms (eg, conspiracies around COVID vaccines and mask-wearing).

 

Steps for physicians

 

To effectively address healthcare conspiracies and differing beliefs among your patients, it’s crucial to engage with them in a way that validates their perspectives and fosters a collaborative approach. Using empathetic language, such as "I understand that..." or "What you’re saying is...", helps align your views with theirs and work towards common health goals.

Building trust through honesty and clear communication is essential, especially in an era of pervasive health misinformation. By avoiding medical jargon and guiding patients to reliable, evidence-based resources, you can provide valuable education without overwhelming them.