Survey Highlights Misinformation’s Growing Impact on Public Trust and Health Perception

A new national survey from The Harris Poll paints a complex and increasingly consequential picture of how Americans engage with health and science information—one defined by widespread reliance on social media, persistent exposure to misinformation, and a measurable erosion of trust in medical expertise.

Conducted online from February 4 to 6, 2026, among 2,023 U.S. adults, the report—commissioned by Bayer—identifies what researchers term a “misinformation paradox.” Americans overwhelmingly depend on social media for health and science news, yet simultaneously view these platforms as the primary drivers of false or misleading information.

Three in four respondents reported obtaining health and science information from social media at least monthly, with nearly 40% doing so daily. Notably, social media now surpasses traditional sources such as television news, newspapers, and even government agencies as the leading channel for this type of information.

Despite this reliance, 80% of Americans attribute the spread of misinformation in health and science to social media platforms. Content creators, in particular, are widely perceived as contributing to the problem, with 71% of respondents assigning them at least some responsibility.

The report highlights a behavioral pattern that may accelerate misinformation dissemination: a “headline-only” culture. More than half of Americans reported sharing health or science articles in the past month, and among them, 75% admitted doing so based solely on the headline without reading the full content. This practice contributes to what the authors describe as a rapid, self-perpetuating cycle of misinformation.

Beyond information flow, the survey underscores the emotional and psychological burden associated with exposure to inaccurate health content. Nearly 9 in 10 respondents expressed concern about misinformation, with 83% reporting feelings of anger and 82% indicating worry about their own or their family’s well-being as a result. The findings suggest that misinformation is not merely a communication issue but one with broader implications for mental health and perceived safety.

A generational divide in trust further complicates the landscape. Among adults aged 18 to 34, reliance on social media is particularly pronounced, with a substantial proportion identifying it as their primary source of health and science information. Within this group, skepticism toward traditional experts is more evident: nearly half attribute misinformation to medical doctors (48%) and scientists (43%), and approximately one in five report distrust in these sources.

The report also points to broader concerns about the United States’ position in global scientific leadership. Only 19% of respondents believe the U.S. currently leads China in scientific research, reflecting a perceived decline in national competitiveness.

Yet amid these challenges, the findings reveal a notable area of consensus. Large majorities across political affiliations agree on the fundamental importance of science and the need for continued investment in scientific advancement.

Taken together, the survey illustrates a fragmented information ecosystem in which access to health and science content has expanded, but trust in its sources has become increasingly unstable. The interplay between misinformation, emotional response, and shifting confidence in experts may have downstream implications for healthcare decision-making and public health engagement, particularly among younger populations.