How do you regard AI?
- Powerful but faulty. Requiring human verification.
- All-knowing and credible. Can be relied on.
- Neither of the above
Recent research is showing that some users are surrendering cognitively to AI, accepting its reasoning without question or verification, especially when the output is delivered “fluently, confidently, or with minimal friction.” The effects of this were seen in a study in which participants were asked to answer questions in a Cognitive Reflection Test. Researchers provided participants with optional access to an LLM Chatbot that was modified to provide incorrect answers 50% of the time. When the AI resource was used, the accurate answers were accepted by users 93% of the time; but faulty answers were also accepted 80% of the time. Additionally, those that used AI were found to be more confident of their answers, even though it provided inaccurate answers half the time.
The reliance on AI accuracy is also evidenced by the number of people who turn to AI for health advice, with polls showing that 22% (Pew), 29% (KFF), and even as high as 51% (OSW) of those surveyed said they use AI for medical decisions. On a positive note, the overall trust in AI is showing to be declining: Fewer OSW respondents were open to AI being used as part of their care in 2025 (42%) than in 2024 (52%) and 50% of Pew respondents say it is difficult to judge if AI health information is accurate.
When given open-ended questions, AI performed even worse, with five AI platforms given 250 health questions scoring just over 50% correct – with 20% of the incorrect responses likely to cause a person harm if followed.
The reliance on, and accuracy of social media, fares no better, as studies are showing that while 36% of Americans have used social media for health information, more than a quarter (29%) of these platforms have been shown to post health-related misinformation.
Such easily accessible misinformation, whether from AI or social media, can be particularly dangerous during emergency situations, when timely, accurate advice or treatment is critical. While AI does, at times, provide accurate answers, its responses are just as often inaccurate – and with its confident, authoritative tone, it’s hard to tell the difference.
COVID Risk Matrix:
Influenza:
Public Health News:
- Cancers caused by the human papillomavirus significantly affect both men and women, but prevention efforts initially focused on women. A recently published study suggests that extending vaccination efforts to males may result in cutting cancer risks by half in men. At least one dose of the vaccine was associated with a significantly lower risk of related cancers.
- A new study by University of Minnesota researchers found no evidence linking childhood consumption of fluoride and fluoridated water to reduced adolescent IQ or adult cognitive functioning.
- Minnesota officials have rolled out new restrictions on dogs and cats entering the state from Mexico, citing concerns about a New World Screwworm that can cause severe and sometimes deadly infections. Under the new rules, anyone bringing a dog or cat into Minnesota from Mexico or other affected areas must provide multiple forms of documentation, including an international certificate of veterinary inspection, a current rabies vaccination certificate, a screwworm freedom certificate issued by a government veterinarian in the country of origin, and proof the animal was treated with an approved screwworm prevention product. Once in Minnesota, the animals must undergo a supervised quarantine period and be monitored for signs of infestation. Any suspected cases must be reported immediately to the board. Officials say the measures are designed to keep the parasite from reestablishing itself in the United States and are in line with requirements from the USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service.
- Weekly visits to emergency rooms for tick bites are at the highest level since at least 2017, at rates more than double what is typically reported this time of year. Generally, tick-borne diseases have increased, most likely due to climate change – shorter winters, earlier springs and hotter summers.
- The US CDC has reported on tetanus surveillance US, from 2009-2023. Over this period, more than 400 cases and 37 deaths were reported, particularly among unvaccinated or under vaccinated individuals. Overall, males have higher incidence compared with females. Fatality rates are higher among older adults.
- Sporadic cases of Zika virus disease continue to be reported, most recently in France linked to travel from Indonesia.
- Shigella infections in the U.S., once mostly seen in young children and travelers, are now increasingly affecting adult men—many with HIV—and are becoming harder to treat due to rising antibiotic resistance. A growing share of cases are caused by extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, which have increased significantly over the past decade and leave doctors with very limited treatment options. These infections are spreading more within the U.S. (not just from travel) and are increasingly linked to sexual transmission, particularly among men who have sex with men, as well as among vulnerable groups like people experiencing homelessness.
