The Guardian view on birth influencers: the public need protecting from bad advice
Our investigation of the Free Birth Society points to problems with maternity care and the role played by technology
TL;DR
- Many people are drawn to alternative or natural cures, which can be harmless if used alongside evidence-based treatment.
- Online health influencers pose challenges for governments and regulators.
- The Free Birth Society (FBS) has been linked to 48 cases of stillbirths or serious harm.
- Free birth, or giving birth without medical assistance, is legal but carries unquantified risks.
- Distrust in medical institutions, particularly maternity care, can make people susceptible to unorthodox methods.
- The "wellness" industry has been implicated in spreading misinformation, including about vaccines.
- Tech company algorithms often reward more extreme content, contributing to the spread of misinformation.
- There is a need for safeguards against poor advice and strategies to ensure evidence-based healthcare is not undermined.