Scientific American flags belief in unproven claims
- Scientific American highlighted a new Edelman Trust Institute survey finding 70% of people in 16 countries believe at least one contested health claim. - The survey found 25% to 32% accepted specific claims on childhood vaccines, fluoride, raw milk, animal protein, pregnancy acetaminophen, or vaccines as population control. - U.S. agencies still say pasteurization and fluoridation are safe, underscoring the gap between evidence and belief. (cdc.gov)
A new survey cited by Scientific American found 70% of respondents across 16 countries believed at least one contested health claim about food, vaccines, or medicine. (scientificamerican.com) (edelman.com) The survey came from the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Trust and Health, which said confidence in making health decisions fell 10 points from 2025 to 2026. (edelman.com) The six claims tested included statements that childhood vaccines carry more risk than benefit, fluoride in tap water is harmful, and raw milk is healthier than pasteurized milk. Between 25% and 32% of respondents said each claim was true. (newscentermaine.com) (nature.com) Another tested claim held that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism. A 2025 BMJ umbrella review found no clear or consistent link between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. (bmj.com 1) (bmj.com 2) Raw milk is milk that has not been heat-treated to kill germs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says pasteurization kills harmful bacteria and that raw milk can cause serious illness, hospitalization, or death. (cdc.gov 1) (cdc.gov 2) Fluoridation is the controlled addition of fluoride to public water at levels meant to prevent tooth decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says decades of research support its safety and effectiveness. (cdc.gov 1) (cdc.gov 2) Scientific American said the findings point to broader skepticism toward scientific evidence after the COVID-19 pandemic. Edelman’s report said healthcare providers now compete with peers, creators, and artificial intelligence for influence over health decisions. (scientificamerican.com) (edelman.com) KFF, a U.S. health policy nonprofit, has separately tracked raw-milk myths and vaccine falsehoods in its Health Misinformation Monitor since June 2024. Its first edition tied raw-milk promotion to bird-flu outbreaks on dairy farms and said vaccine misinformation was influencing some parents to avoid shots. (kff.org) The survey does not show that every false claim is equally widespread, and Edelman’s report is not a peer-reviewed medical study. But the topline number shows how often disputed health beliefs now overlap with everyday decisions about food, water, pregnancy, and vaccination. (newscentermaine.com) (edelman.com)
