Medical Myths Affecting Public Health

Abstract

Miracle cures for diabetes, hypertension and end stage renal failure. One wonder drug that can heal cancer that can be bought via e-commerce sites. Fake articles which skews the public’s understanding of vaccine. These are just a few of the medical myths that’s been spreading within the community. For the medical community, some of these myths are outrageously ridiculous. But to the uninformed, the effects can be disastrous. With the advent of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, the spread of these myths goes far and wide. Take a peek at the cases and you will see patients with uncontrolled blood sugar with chronic kidney diseases deteriorate because they read somewhere that anti-diabetics causes kidney damage. Have a look at the surgical department and see how patients with breast cancer default treatment to seek a miracle drug from quack doctors. Unabated, these false beliefs and myths will take a toll on the current health care system. More individuals will refuse treatment for chronic diseases and will only seek treatment once they deteriorate. More children will be subjected to vaccine preventable diseases as the herd immunity crumble due to false information on vaccine. If we don’t start doing something about these myths, the health care system will crumble.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2019 Page: 26