How Many Wellness Influencers Are Actually Doctors?

You Should Know: Doctors are still the most common health resource for Americans, but the office isn’t the only place people get info. A new Pew Research Center analysis finds four-in-ten U.S. adults (and half of those under 50) get health and wellness information from social media influencers or podcasts. Those without health insurance turn to them at high rates too.

Going Deeper: Pew analyzed nearly 7,000 wellness influencers and found under half had actual credentials. About 41% claim some health care background, including the 17% who identify as conventional medical professionals (like doctors or nurses). Another 31% list themselves as coaches and 28% as entrepreneurs, with 16% having no mention of expertise at all. Most run on Instagram (86%) and TikTok (62%), with fitness, weight loss, beauty, and mental health topping the topics.

Takeaway: Many of these creators offer useful suggestions, but credentials and accuracy vary. Trust is iffy too as just one-in-ten followers say they trust all or most of what they hear.

Bottom Line: Influencers can spark a question worth asking your doctor, but they shouldn’t replace any doctor’s visit.