Medical misinformation wins when patients can’t see their doctors
https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/02/medical-misinformation-doctor-access...
Dear HIFA members,
On the topic of medical misinformation, I wanted to share this article from STAT News today for two reasons: First, medical misinformation is causing deaths in the US as well as around the world, and second, lack of access to healthcare, including in the US, even by people with good insurance, increases the likelihood of such deaths.
The author reports months-long waits for primary and specialty care, which I can attest to (urgent care is available, but does not provide ongoing care). In the US, I believe the underlying cause of long wait times is that much of US healthcare is provided by corporations focused on billing, reimbursement, and revenue, rather than better patient care and helping doctors care for patients efficiently. It is shocking that an HIC that spends 18% of its GDP on healthcare (as of 2024) is still not adequately addressing these fundamental issues.
The deadly problem of medical misinformation is global, including in high income countries. HIC countries need to step up to address it and not (like the US) ignore it because it "isn't their problem."
Best wishes,
Margaret Winker
Margaret Winker, MD
eLearning Program Director
Trustee
World Association of Medical Editors
***
wame.org
WAME eLearning Program
@WAME_editors
www.facebook.com/WAMEmembers
HIFA profile: Margaret Winker is Trustee and Past President of the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) and Director of the WAME eLearning Program. She is based in the US. Professional interests: WAME is a global association of editors of peer-reviewed medical journals who seek to foster cooperation and communication among editors, improve editorial standards, promote professionalism in medical editing through education, self-criticism, and self-regulation, and encourage research on the principles and practice of medical editing. margaretwinker AT gmail.com