The report, titled Health Disinformation in 2025 in the Polish Infosphere, found that false narratives surrounding health education generated an estimated 7.45 billion views and nearly 34,200 mentions online, making it the most prominent health-related disinformation topic of the year.

Published in June as part of the Central European Digital Media Observatory (CEDMO) project, the report said health disinformation in Poland followed two main patterns: the adaptation of established false narratives to current events and the use of health topics in political and ideological debates.

According to the report, the first stream involved modifying existing misinformation to fit contemporary developments. In 2025, this approach was most commonly used in narratives concerning autism, infectious diseases and vaccinations.

Researchers said such content often sought credibility through publications that did not meet scientific standards and through preprints, scientific manuscripts that have not undergone peer review.

“It is interesting that disinformants are becoming increasingly proficient at impersonating scientific arguments, for example by using texts that seemingly meet the evidence-based medicine criteria. To recognize these manipulations, one must be very well versed in the mechanics of scientific publications,” said Karina Stasiuk-Krajewska, a disinformation researcher at SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

The second major trend involved incorporating health issues into political and ideological discourse. The report said health education, reproductive health and abortion dominated these narratives, with medical issues often subordinated to ideological arguments. Mandatory vaccinations were also challenged, frequently in the context of individual freedoms.

According to Katarzyna Lipka of NASK, such messages are designed to provoke strong emotions and deepen social divisions.

“What distinguishes this narrative is the activation of audiences through a call to action (CTA), which often extends beyond the online sphere,” she said.

The report found that disinformation related to health education became particularly prominent during Poland's presidential election campaign. According to Stasiuk-Krajewska, the narrative relied heavily on emotionally charged language, including terms such as “sexual depravity”, “sexualisation” and “ideologisation”, often framed as protecting children and linked to conservative and religious values.

Vaccinations remained another dominant topic. False claims frequently drew on conspiracy theories and allegations of medical experimentation. The report noted a surge in discussion following the inauguration of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as U.S. health secretary. Narratives portraying mRNA COVID-19 vaccines as gene therapy or an experiment also reappeared. NASK estimated the reach of these vaccination-related narratives at 1.2 million views.

Other health-related disinformation topics identified in 2025 included diphtheria, mammography, cancer and abortion.

The report also examined the main actors behind health disinformation. These included so-called fake experts who present themselves as authorities in medicine or health sciences despite lacking relevant qualifications, experience or current expertise. According to the report, they often build credibility through academic titles, previous professional activity or claims of being independent researchers.

Another group consisted of doctors who describe themselves as “liberal” or “independent”. The report said this category includes individuals whose medical licences have been suspended or revoked and who portray themselves as being “persecuted for the truth”. Their activities are often linked to the promotion of alternative therapies, dietary supplements or paid consultations.

The report said activists, politicians, online influencers and anonymous disinformation accounts, including internet trolls, also play a significant role in spreading health-related misinformation in Poland. (PAP)

wm/ akar/

tr. RL