In this episode, Hari (University of Vienna), Katarzyna (University of Warsaw) and Jana (Charles University) discuss how social media, which many of us use daily, can mislead us when it comes to health-related information. The social media content that gets the most likes, shares and comments is often determined by algorithms, but this doesn't necessarily mean that the information is reliable. In reality, misinformation and disinformation tend to go viral more quickly than informative, evidence-based content. This can influence how individuals think of diseases, therapies, and even common health decisions in ways that may not be safe.

They also talk about why it's so important to question what one sees online and to learn how to spot trustworthy information. The conversation also touches on vitamin D and antibiotic misuse, a growing problem driven by misinformation, and why taking antibiotics incorrectly can lead to serious resistance issues. Therefore, health literacy – the ability to distinguish between reliable sources and misleading claims – is crucial in protecting not just oneself, but entire communities from health challenges.

By combining awareness, critical thinking, and improving our fact-checking skills, we can all play a role in slowing down the spread of harmful health misinformation.

This podcast was produced by participants of the 'Central Workshop on Pharmacology Education and Misinformation', organised by the Central European Network for Teaching and Research in Academic Liaison (CENTRAL). This is a collaboration of researchers and educators from the University of Vienna (Austria), Charles University (Czech Republic) and the University of Warsaw (Poland).

See Workshop news of 7 January 2026: CENTRAL Workshop on Pharmacology Education and Misinformation