Health and medical myths are everywhere and are often stated as facts.
Myths are beliefs or ideas that are commonly held but are
actually false or unproven.
Health myths debunked
In November 2022, we asked members to let us know of any health or medical information that they thought could be a myth, but weren't sure. Member submissions are shown on the right hand side of the page (or below if you are on a mobile phone).
We then asked our staff at the South Metropolitan Health Service to fact check the myths provided.
On the image below, click on the icons to read our staff responses.
Why are health and medical myths a problem?
Health and medical myths might seem harmless. However, they can sometimes influence our health behaviours. For example, we might:
- avoid a medical treatment or test
- avoid acting on public health advice
- take a medication without seeking medical advice.
It is important to identify and address health and medical myths so that we can make educated decisions for ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.
Where do health and medical myths come from?
Myths can be shared with us online, via television or when talking to someone we know. Social media also plays a large role in how quickly myths can spread.
Health and medical myths might be deliberately made up or shared accidentally.
They might be:
- misheard or misquoted from a news story
- made up to make money or for clicks to a website
- used to promote a person, party or point of view
- misunderstood from a joke and taken as a fact.
