Health influencers: beware of excesses

Physiotherapist and health influencer Major Mouvement is releasing his third book this week, “8 Pillars to Stay Young.” An opportunity to discuss these sometimes controversial influencers.

Several health influencers inventively popularize the medical world on social networks. But beware of the risks of misinformation and, sometimes, sectarian excesses. Doctor Martin Ducret, doctor and journalist at Doctor’s Dailyis interested in these personalities.

franceinfo: Are there many health influencers in France?

Martin Ducret : Yes, because social networks are taking an increasingly important place in our daily lives, and health is no exception. It is exposed on TikTok, Instagram, X, or even YouTube with many different formats in which health influencers popularize, inform, test and inspire many Internet users, mainly young people. According to the Médiamétrie institute, more than 70% of 15-34 year-olds use social networks daily to get information.

Who are these health influencers?

These are mostly qualified health professionals whose primary objective is to popularize their theoretical and practical knowledge. Among the best known is Major Mouvement, the physiotherapist with 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube. There are also doctors like the former Miss France, Marine Lorphelin or the very media-friendly Jimmy Mohammed, both with more than 1 million subscribers on Instagram. There are also dentists (like Dr. Never), pharmacists, nurses and also patients who share their experience of their illness with other patients.

Are you warning us about the risk of disinformation and sectarian excesses conveyed by certain influencers?

Yes, anyone can talk about health on social media, all they have to do is create an account. We thus find influencers, mostly without medical training, who make statements that are far removed from current scientific data, or even dangerous, particularly in areas that touch on food, sport, well-being or even alternative medicines. For example, naturopath Mathieu Casasnovas (nicknamed the “Guru of Raw Foodism”) was indicted in 2023 for having praised on YouTube the virtues of raw food and fasting to treat cancer, diabetes or even depression, pushing followers to give up their medical treatments.

So, who can you trust when it comes to health on social media?

First, choose influencers who are healthcare professionals. Even if zero risk does not exist, there is less temptation to spread misinformation.

Then, be careful of tempting offers, product placements, overly simplistic advice or miracle cures.

Finally, in the event of a medical problem or need for answers, contact a healthcare professional directly in real life: in the office or by teleconsultation.