Claim reviews
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
Alex Jones was fined 1.5 billion dollars for defaming families of Sandy Hook shooting victims; no evidence he was fined for warning about “Covid crimes”
CLAIM
Alex Jones was fined 150 billion dollars for warning about crimes related to COVID-19
SOURCE: Brandon Tatum, Instagram
Published: 05 Sep 2024
VERDICT
People experiencing homelessness died more frequently from COVID-19 than the general population
CLAIM
COVID-19 was not deadly, otherwise homeless people would not have survived the pandemic
SOURCE: Social media user, Threads
Published: 30 Aug 2024
VERDICT
Facebook reel propagates vaccine and statin misinformation from health book author Raymond Francis
CLAIM
Vaccines cause autism, ADHD, and cancer; statins “provide no benefit”, cause cancer and memory loss
SOURCE: Raymond Francis, Silicon Valley Health Institute
Published: 29 Aug 2024
VERDICT