Narrative review identifies determinants of susceptibility to digital health misinformation

This narrative review explores the various factors that contribute to susceptibility to digital health misinformation on digital platforms. The authors analyze determinants across three distinct levels: individual, relational, and platform-level factors.

At the individual level, susceptibility is associated with limited health, digital, eHealth, and news literacy. Other identified factors include reduced cognitive reflection and numeracy, heightened emotional responses, and identity-driven reasoning. At the relational level, trust in clinicians and scientific institutions serves as a protective factor, whereas reliance on peer networks, social media, or alternative health communities is linked to increased risk.

At the platform level, the review notes that algorithmic curation, passive news exposure, information overload, and AI-generated content shape susceptibility and sharing behavior. The authors discuss these associations and determinants rather than establishing direct causation.

These findings provide implications for targeted interventions and future research regarding digital health misinformation. Clinicians may use these insights to understand the environmental and individual factors influencing patient information processing.