YouTube's dangerous medical misinformation: A threat to life and health

The proliferation of distorted medical information across platforms like YouTube poses a grave threat to public health in South Korea, as highlighted by a recent survey of cardiovascular disease specialists. The findings reveal that an overwhelming 96.8% of these medical professionals have treated patients who abandoned or altered their medical regimens based on unsubstantiated claims found online.

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96.8% experienced patients who stopped treatment due to false information.

This dangerous trend is fueled by individuals, including some doctors who have transitioned to content creation, who exploit the desperation of patients for profit. They disseminate fear-mongering narratives about common treatments, such as falsely linking cholesterol-lowering drugs ('statins') to severe side effects like muscle disintegration, dementia, or diabetes. Similarly, unproven therapies, like stem cell injections for dementia or the supposed anti-cancer properties of deworming medication, are peddled without any scientific basis.

The consequences are dire, with patients experiencing worsening conditions after discontinuing or refusing necessary medical care. Compounding the issue, a study by the National Cancer Center found that only 19.7% of YouTube videos about cancer and diabetes, created by medical professionals, were based on sufficient scientific evidence. This suggests a widespread disregard for accuracy, driven by the pursuit of higher viewership and revenue from health supplements or other commercial ventures.

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The behavior of some YouTubers and influencers who prey on patients' desperate psychology to increase views or make profits from health food sales is reaching a point where it threatens the health and lives of the majority of the public.

Dong-A Ilbo, as a responsible media outlet, condemns this "profit-making through distorted medical information" on YouTube. We urge medical associations, such as the Korean Medical Association, to immediately activate their ethics committees to self-regulate and address this crisis. Furthermore, the platforms and portals that host this content bear immense responsibility. Their past inaction, seemingly prioritizing engagement and revenue over user well-being, is unacceptable. If they fail to implement robust measures to filter harmful content, the government must step in to enforce accountability and protect the public from these life-threatening falsehoods.

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Only 19.7% of YouTube videos about cancer and diabetes, created by doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, were based on sufficient medical evidence.