Tattoos do carry some health risks, but there is currently insufficient evidence for the claim that tattoo ink causes cancer

CLAIM
Tattoo ink contains heavy metals that cause cancer; a zeolite cure can remove these heavy metals from the body

SOURCE: Danica Walker, Instagram

Published: 04 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Only certified medical devices should be used to measure blood pressure, not unvalidated apps promoted on social media

CLAIM
Blood pressure tracking apps can replace a cuff

SOURCE: Facebook User, Facebook

Published: 04 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Decline in autism among high-income white households not caused by a decrease in childhood vaccination, vaccines don’t cause autism

CLAIM
Autism and vaccination decreased over the same time period among high-income white households from California, indicating a possible causal relationship

SOURCE: Toby Rogers, Children’s Health Defense

Published: 03 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Studies show flu vaccine reduces risk of flu-related illness and hospitalization; benefits of flu vaccine outweigh its risks

CLAIM
Flu shots don’t work, increase your risk of getting the flu, damage your immunity and nervous system

SOURCE: Raymond Francis, Silicon Valley Health Institute

Published: 26 Sep 2024

VERDICT

LED lights aren’t a cause of cataracts and don’t cause migraines for most people, contrary to social media claims

CLAIM
LEDs cause headaches and migraines; LEDs are the major cause of cataracts

SOURCE: Matt Roeske, Facebook

Published: 21 Sep 2024

VERDICT

Higher COVID-19 death toll under Biden than Trump reflects longer presidential term spent managing the COVID-19 pandemic

CLAIM
More deaths from COVID-19 occurred during Biden's administration than Trump's

SOURCE: Social media user, Threads

Published: 19 Sep 2024

VERDICT

Gout is an inflammatory disease caused by uric acid crystals, not liver dysfunction

CLAIM
Gout is “a liver condition”; uric acid crystals “aren’t the cause of gout or the cause of gout’s pain”

SOURCE: Anthony William, Instagram

Published: 11 Sep 2024

VERDICT

No evidence that red onion and Coca-Cola infusion cures the flu; drinking soda is linked to adverse health outcomes

CLAIM
Drinking an infusion of red onion and Coca-Cola can cure the flu

SOURCE: Social media user, Facebook

Published: 11 Sep 2024

VERDICT

Numbers on fruit and vegetable stickers don’t indicate whether they are genetically modified or not

CLAIM
Five-digit numbers starting with eight on fruit and vegetable stickers indicate that they are genetically modified; “If you see this sticker on a fruit DO NOT buy it at any cost”

SOURCE: Social media users, Facebook, The Daily Mail

Published: 06 Sep 2024

VERDICT

Lack of reliable evidence supporting the claim that sauna bathing is an effective way to “detox” the body

CLAIM
Sauna bathing effectively detoxes the body by inducing sweating

SOURCE: Social media users, Facebook, Instagram

Published: 05 Sep 2024

VERDICT