Alerts
The alerts on these pages are based on the monitoring of publicly available data. While some alerts reference false claims, others are included to indicate gaps in knowledge, concerns, speculation, and other trending narratives. Inclusion in reporting is based on reach and velocity of spread and on whether conversations may impact health behaviors and decisions.
Topics Filter
Impact Level
Keyword Search
-
Social media users discussed exercise as a treatment for depression
Low Impact
On September 21, an online forum user shared an article about an April JAMA study, which found that major depressive…
-
Refusal and delay of childhood vaccines sparks concerns about herd immunity
Medium Impact
New research into immunization is fueling concerns about the increased rejection of routine vaccines in the U.S. An NBC News…
-
Misleading claim circulates that “anyone” can get a COVID-19 vaccine
High Impact
On September 4, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. was questioned before the U.S. Senate about vaccines and health. During…
-
Florida’s “unprecedented” plan to end vaccine requirements sparks heated debate
High Impact
On September 3, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the state’s surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, announced plans to eliminate all…
-
International Overdose Awareness Day revives false claims about naloxone
Low Impact
More than 30,000 recent social media posts mentioned International Overdose Awareness Day, celebrated annually on August 31. Organizations and individuals…
-
Conversations about opioid-like kratom trend on social media
Low Impact
Popular posts on multiple social media platforms are discussing kratom, a herbal supplement that can produce both opioid-like and stimulant-like…
-
Conflicting COVID-19 vaccine guidance causes confusion and concern online
High Impact
Days after the American Academy of Pediatrics released an immunization guide that broke with CDC guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for…
-
Viral social media sparks a debate about vaccine development and safety
Medium Impact
A recent viral social media post reignited the years-old claim that COVID-19 vaccines were developed “too fast.” The post garnered…
-
At-home nasal-spray flu vaccine sparks conversations about vaccine access
Medium Impact
Beginning August 15, the nasal-spray flu vaccine Flumist is available in 34 states for at-home administration for people aged 2…
-
Confusion circulates about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility
High Impact
In an August 8 email, federal health officials reportedly indicated that the FDA may not renew authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19…
-
Rising flesh-eating bacteria cases spark conversations about climate change
Low Impact
Online conversations about flesh-eating bacteria in coastal waters have spiked as multiple states have reported cases. Although several species of…
-
Health official casts doubt on study that found no link between aluminum in vaccines and autism
High Impact
In a popular August 1 post, the HHS secretary cast doubt on a recent study from Denmark that found there’s…
-
CDC report on lower vaccination rates among kindergartners sparks false claims
High Impact
On July 31, the CDC published a report that found that vaccination rates for all vaccines among U.S. kindergartners during…
-
FDA panel fuels uptick in false claims about SSRIs during pregnancy
Low Impact
On July 21, an FDA panel discussed the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy. Most panelists misleadingly claimed…
-
News story sparks debate about the potential mental health risks of using AI tools
Medium Impact
Online discourse about the potential dangers of AI tools spiked after news coverage of a 30-year-old man on the autism…
-
False claim about COVID-19 vaccines reemerges
Medium Impact
Social media posts are recirculating the false claim that a preprint study co-authored by Florida’s surgeon general found that Pfizer’s…