Quackery, Celebrity Doctors and TikTok Energy: Medical Misinformation Isn’t New is an eye-opening talk that traces health misinformation from Victorian “miracle cures” and patent medicines to today’s influencer wellness culture. Blending history of medicine with modern public health, we’ll explore why dubious treatments spread, how trust is built (and exploited), and what changes when misinformation travels at algorithm speed. Along the way we’ll examine classic red flags—“ancient secrets”, “natural equals safe”, conspiracy framing, cherry-picked anecdotes—and compare them with the same tactics dressed up for the twenty-first century.
This session equips attendees with practical tools to evaluate medical claims: how to weigh evidence, recognise persuasive techniques, understand conflicts of interest, and ask the right questions before sharing or buying into a health trend. Expect real historical examples, familiar modern case studies, and an engaging Q&A that leaves people more confident at spotting hype from science.
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